Galaxy S8 vs Galaxy S7: is it worth upgrading to a new model? Galaxy S7 or S8 - Which Galaxy is Better? Samsung s7 and s8 camera comparison

During the testing process, a number of comparative tests were carried out in various conditions and modes.

What's the difference between the Samsung Galaxy S8 and iPhone 7 Plus cameras?

iPhone 7 Plus has a dual main camera with a wide-angle (ƒ/1.8 aperture) and a telephoto lens (ƒ/2.8 aperture). This solution allows you to receive and also use 10x digital zoom. Both cameras have a 12-megapixel sensor. A 7-megapixel sensor (ƒ/2.2 aperture) is responsible for taking selfies (front camera).

The Samsung Galaxy S8 has a 12-megapixel main camera (ƒ/1.7 aperture) and an 8 MP front camera (ƒ/1.7 aperture).

The main camera housing of the Samsung Galaxy S8 does not protrude beyond the rear panel of the smartphone, like the iPhone.

Taking photos with Samsung Galaxy S8 and iPhone 7 Plus cameras

Color rendition

When it comes to taking photos, both flagships show excellent quality of mobile photography, and the final result largely depends on the scene and the software settings of the camera.

In most cases, the image of the Galaxy S8 is more contrasty, bright and saturated, while the 7 Plus is softened, realistic and natural.

The HDR mode is definitely better on the Galaxy S8. For those unaware, a smartphone with HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology takes multiple photos at different exposures and then combines the best features of the two photos to create a single image.

In most cases, in the test, the iPhone's picture turned out to be too dark, while the Samsung flagship's photos turned out to be lighter and more contrasty.

Zoom and portrait photography

But in portrait photography, the iPhone 7 Plus is the leader. Thanks to the second camera with a telephoto lens, there is a 2x optical zoom, which will allow you to zoom in on the image without loss of quality, while the Galaxy S8 only has digital zoom. Also, thanks to the dual camera, the iPhone has the ability to capture images with the “Bokeh” effect (a clear figure remains in focus, and the background becomes blurred, just like in DSLR cameras). However, here you need to get the hang of it: the exposure does not always allow you to achieve the desired effect, the edges are not always clear, and the light and distance must be maintained. Also, do not forget that the “Portrait” mode is a software feature of iOS.

Taking photos in motion

When the subject moves intensely, both cameras capture excellent images. Of course, flaws may appear in both representatives, and here a lot depends on the time you press the “shutter”.

Photos in low light conditions

In low-light conditions, the iPhone 7 Plus lags behind the South Korean flagship “thanks” to more noise.

Photo on the front camera

The front camera of the Galaxy S8 is slightly blurry and overly softens the image when taking a selfie. But the main advantage of the “galaxy” is a wider viewing angle of the lens, which allows you to capture more space with a minimum distance from the smartphone.

But in low light conditions, selfies from the Galaxy S8 turned out to be brighter and more detailed. But don’t forget that in the iPhone 7 Plus the display can act as a flash, so this nuance is partially compensated.

Shooting video with the main camera of Samsung Galaxy S8 and iPhone 7 Plus

Color rendition

In practice, when shooting video, the picture in the Galaxy S8 turned out to have more contrast, although less clear (slightly blurred), but this moment very much depends on the available exposure and lighting. The Galaxy lens has a slightly larger viewing angle for the main camera.

In turn, the seven with the Plus prefix suffers from gray tones and dark areas. Despite this, color rendition when recording video on the 7 Plus is more pleasant, although not always realistic.

Optical stabilization

The image stabilization of the Galaxy S8 works in a slightly better way than in the top-end “seven”. In low light conditions, detail is better on the flagship of the South Korean giant. In good lighting, you won't notice much of a difference.

Autofocus speed

In terms of autofocus during dynamic zoom and zoom, the iPhone clearly wins. The S8's autofocusing process is slower. But when an object suddenly appears in the frame (for example, on the right or left side of the smartphone), the opposite is true - the Samsung Galaxy S8 copes with this task faster.

Shooting video in low light conditions

In low light conditions, the image is more detailed in the S8. There is also slightly less noise in the Samsung, and a larger number of minimally illuminated objects are included in the image. But in dynamic scenes, autofocus works better on the iPhone 7 Plus.

Underwater photography

Underwater shooting in poor conditions with muddy water without various accessories showed that the Samsung camera copes with this task better. Images are clearer and sharper.

In good lighting conditions and clear water, the image is equally good for both flagships.

Slow Motion Mode

Slow Motion mode is also good on both smartphones.

Macro photography

When shooting macro, the 7 Plus can focus closer to the subject.

Front camera video

If when comparing the main camera of two flagships, not everything is so clear and the result largely depends on the scene, then with the front camera everything is much more obvious. iPhone 7 Plus records richer, brighter images. The downside is a large number of dark areas. The iPhone focuses at a shorter distance, but the autofocus speed itself is higher in the Galaxy S8.

Bottom line

The cameras in both smartphones are really good. Every year, manufacturers take small steps to bring the resulting quality of mobile images to a new level. In terms of video shooting, it’s difficult to single out any of the flagships and you obviously won’t notice any obvious differences.

But when it comes to photos, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is clearly the leader. The images are of higher quality. The camera in the Galaxy works faster. There is access to RAW out of the box, while the iPhone only has access to . The front camera has higher resolution and slightly better stabilization and the ability to shoot in low light.

So, if we discard the features with portrait photography with the dual camera of the iPhone 7 Plus, then we give preference in taking photos to the Galaxy S8. Let's hope that in September Apple will rehabilitate itself and demonstrate a new technology milestone, but that will be a completely different story.

Samsung abandoned the dual camera, improvements and changes in the technical characteristics of the camera. The module, based on Dual Pixel technology, is already used in the third generation of smartphones: Galaxy S7/S7 Edge, recalled Galaxy Note 7, Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+. Note that both versions of the flagships received the same cameras. And this is a rational decision. and camera comparisons prove that Dual Pixel technology provides top photo quality.

From a technical point of view, the Galaxy S8+ camera has not changed at all. We see the same f/1.7 aperture, 26mm lens, optical image stabilization, phase detection autofocus, and LED flash.

However, to say that the camera has remained the same is completely wrong. Because the developer has significantly changed the software algorithms for image processing. At the presentation of the Galaxy S8, a Samsung representative mentioned that photo processing algorithms have improved, and the quality of pictures in low-light conditions has also improved.

The first noticeable change in the Galaxy S8+ camera software is frame alignment. Officially called "Multi-Frame Image Processing", the feature works on the same principle as HDR+ in the Google Pixel XL, which proves that the right software processing matters as much as the technical capabilities of the camera.

Unlike Pixel, where HDR+ must be manually activated, the Galaxy S8+ has the feature enabled by default. At the time of shooting, the smartphone takes not one, but several frames. Samsung representatives do not specify how this option works.

GSMArena experts suggest that the Galaxy S8+ takes pictures continuously while the camera is active, and then selects the last 10 taken before the shutter was released. The smartphone then layers/combines the frames with each other to ensure maximum detail and quality of the final photo. This is possible by comparing images pixel by pixel, thus reducing the noise level, the amount of distortion in the frame, and increasing sharpness. All this happens in the background when the user is just taking a photo. Processing speed and minimal latency are ensured by the latest chipset.

The Galaxy S8+ camera test shows that if you start randomly and very quickly taking photo after photo, there is some delay.

Modes and additional features

The Galaxy S8+ camera offers the user a selection of filters to choose from, as well as stickers and Snapchat filters. Face recognition and filter application work perfectly, everything is applied accurately.

The camera interface is simple, and switching to the front camera mode occurs by simply swiping across the screen; there is no dedicated button. The front camera offers several additional modes in addition to skin color correction: big eyes and thin face. For a more dramatic effect, you can use a spotlight effect that will appear on one side of the photo. Correction of facial features is also available to smooth out defects.

The Galaxy S8+ camera has not received any new shooting modes. Selective Focus takes multiple shots with both the near and far in focus. Three versions are saved in the gallery, and the user can choose a general plan photo, with focus on the foreground, and with focus on the background.

Pro mode amazes with the choice of settings, offering detailed step-by-step adjustment of each of the parameters: ISO, white balance, shutter speed, exposure, focus.

Galaxy S8+ photo quality

In most cases, the Galaxy S8's camera takes the same pictures as last year's flagship S7. The S8's 12MP camera takes photos with a resolution of 4032 x 3024 pixels, which means that the default photo format is 3:4. The user can manually set the format to 16:9, but as practice shows, it is better not to do this. The bottom line is that the S8 camera is not capable of taking photos in the new 18.5:9 format. This means that when viewing photos on the screen, you will always see black frames. The same applies to the video being shot.

By default, photos are saved in JPG format; RAW format is available in the settings (only for Pro mode). There's also a floating shutter button. This improves the ease of use of the camera, especially with one hand, especially given the new unusually elongated format of the smartphone.

In bright daylight, the S8+ produces really high-quality, detailed images. The colors are natural, although the photo shows that post-processing was used. There is some smoothing in the corners, but not critical.

Photos with HDR

HDR mode can work in automatic mode (applied at the discretion of the smartphone), it can be activated (applied to all frames) or disabled (not applied to any frames) manually. Note that in automatic mode, the smartphone copes with the task at 5+, choosing the right moments to improve the photo. Although we admit that photographs taken with automatic HDR, with active HDR and with HDR disabled are not much different. Compare:

1 photo- automatic HDR mode
2 photos- with HDR
3 photos- without HDR

And one more couple of pictures:

1 photo- with HDR
2 photos- without HDR

The Galaxy S8+'s camera photos are identical to those of the S7. Considering that the cost of the S7 is rapidly falling, and the smartphone is powerful enough to run the coolest applications for at least another 2 years, the choice is not obvious.

Photo quality in low light conditions

The main difference between the Galaxy S8+ camera (as well as the S8) is shooting in low light/night conditions. The photos are clear, with sufficient detail. To demonstrate the difference, we suggest comparing photos from the Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy S7:

1 photo-Galaxy S8+
2 photos-Galaxy S7

1 photo-Galaxy S8+
2 photos-Galaxy S7

1 photo-Galaxy S8+
2 photos-Galaxy S7

Conclusions:

Technically, the Galaxy S8+ camera remains the same as we see in its predecessor, the Galaxy S7. Only the software algorithms for photo post-processing have changed. The image processing speed is high, thanks to the powerful processor.

The difference in photo quality becomes obvious only in night/evening shooting conditions. Otherwise, it is almost impossible to distinguish between photos from the Galaxy S7 and S8.

The elongated smartphone screen is inconvenient to use with one hand. For this purpose, a floating shutter button is created to place it within easy reach.

You shouldn't expect anything supernatural from the S8+ camera, as well as from the S8. If the camera is one of the deciding factors for you to upgrade to a new smart phone, then the S8 doesn't offer enough objective improvements.

Hello buddy. Apparently you wanted to know everything about comparing the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S8. Well, we have prepared just such a review especially for you.

This article will be useful for those who want to purchase one of the latest Korean flagships in the near future. In it, we will make it clear in which direction it is better to give your preference for the prices offered for them.

All the ergonomic differences between the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S8

Everyone wants a more vibrant life, so the Galaxy S8 attracts more 😀

It would seem like just another model, and what can you expect so sensational here? But just look at them when they are next to each other. It feels like the Galaxy S8 is a new generation smartphone. It was as if he had made a quantum leap in development relative to his previous version. Of course, the new model made a splash in the mobile market.

Unique screen

When a buyer stands at a store window and visually compares the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S7, in most cases he will give his preference to the new model. After all, its obvious advantage is obvious: the dimensions are the same, but the screen is larger.

If the seventh galaxy has a diagonal of 5.1 inches, then the eighth ones have 5.8 and 6.2, respectively.

On a note!

If you want to take a closer look, we have already done this review, and we came up with very interesting results.

Oddly enough, Samsung managed to combine the impressive appearance of the display edges with their convenience when holding the smartphone in your hands.

In the end, it is worth emphasizing that one of the key successes of the Galaxy S8 model is its screen.

Fingerprint scanner offset

Many users were perplexed by the fingerprint scanner on the back of the Galaxy S8. In our opinion, this arrangement can be forgiven by the developers, because this “sacrifice” was made in order to increase the screen area.

Of course, on the Galaxy S7 it was located very conveniently right under the smartphone screen, and everyone was already accustomed to it. However, as they say, beauty requires sacrifice.

Galaxy S7 – the favorite of comfort

Now let’s honestly compare which smartphone is more convenient to hold in your hand so as not to accidentally activate functions. Of course, this is the Galaxy S7, its rectangular edges simply will not allow your palm to contact the display, which cannot be said about the Galaxy S8.

Speaking of convenience, if we wake up early in the morning and can unlock the seven using the fingerprint scanner with one movement, then this will no longer happen with the eight. You will need to pick up the smartphone, turn it over and unlock it.

Differences in functionality and power

The filling hasn't changed at all

It's no secret that the new Galaxy S8 model will be superior to the Galaxy S7. But we need numbers, indicators, specifics! Let's find out this in more detail.

Let's compare batteries

No matter how strange it may seem, the volume of milliamps in the battery remains the same. Its volume is still 3000 mAh. However, in the new model the screen is much larger, which means the charge will be consumed faster? Fortunately, we have compiled recommendations for you, like on the Galaxy S8, to increase battery life.

Connector Innovations

The eighth Galaxy has acquired a new charging connector format, namely USB Type-C. It is worth noting that microUSB has not gone away; you will find an adapter in its box.

Regarding the headphone jack, nothing has changed, as well as for the placement of the memory card.

Camera

It is difficult to note any specific physical indicators. Perhaps the developers introduced improvements to the camera at the software level, because the camera remained at 12 megapixels. However, the changes affected the front camera, previously it was 5 megapixel, now it is 8.

Processor power

The following sentence will not be easy for the average user of the galaxy to understand. Therefore, we decided to put it in more accessible words. If previously the Galaxy S7 had a 14-nanometer eight-core processor architecture, the Galaxy S8 now has a 10-nanometer processor, operating at a frequency of 2.3 GHz. In simple words, he became faster :)

Memory capacities

Quantitative indicators of RAM remained unchanged. If we talk about native memory, then the Galaxy S7 had 32GB. The Galaxy S8 currently holds 64GB, and there are unlikely to be 32GB versions in the future.

New Galaxy S8 features

Let's list all the new features and differences of Galaxy 8:
It goes without saying that this is a higher price.
The ability to connect a smartphone to the Dex docking station and work on it via the keyboard and monitor of a personal computer.
Voice has also been added.
Iris scanner.
The phablet immediately starts with the 7th version of Android.
The company logo has been transferred to the back of the smartphone.

Stupid question, but what should I take?

Make rational choices

This situation can be viewed from different angles. For example, if you already own a Galaxy S7, or are just thinking about which smartphone to buy. We will only try to help you decide what is best to buy in your situation.

So, if you already have a Galaxy S7, don't rush out to buy the new version. After all, regarding the quality of his work, they are practically no different. Of course, everyone always wants something newer and more fashionable, if your family budget allows it, then why not.

If you don’t currently have a phablet and are hesitating between these models. It will be more practical for your wallet to buy a Galaxy S7. But so that your soul rejoices at the new product, and you catch the enthusiastic and admiring glances of your friends and acquaintances, of course, take the Galaxy S8. This will definitely be a great choice.

Write in the comments what else is distinctive between these devices, and which one do you prefer :)

Video: Galaxy S7 vs Galaxy S8

Back in the summer, a comparison of the iPhone 7 and Galaxy S8 appeared on our channel, but both in the comments and in letters the question is often asked, what to choose from these devices. For at least another year, such a comparison will not lose relevance, and Apple’s new strategy involves extending the lifespan of older models, so taking into account the falling cost, the comparison may be useful even in 2019.

At the very beginning, I want to make a reservation that if a person has a certain conviction that brand A is noticeably better than B, or vice versa, then there is no point in convincing him of the opposite, it is wasted time. And this material is not intended to convince you of anything, and it is impossible. Each of you has your own scenarios for using devices, and what is important to one is completely unimportant to another. And no one will set your priorities correctly for you. Consider this Buyer's Guide, as before, as a guide that shows the strengths and weaknesses of each device, but only you can put all the pros and cons into a single picture of the world. This is your choice, and also what is important only to you. Go!

Price issue - gray and white markets

In the official Apple store, the cost of the iPhone 7 is 43,990 and 51,990 rubles for the 32 and 128 GB version, respectively.

But please note that many Apple partners sell these devices much cheaper; they can be found for 39,990 and 48,990 rubles, which is quite close to the prices of the gray market, which is lower by a couple of thousand rubles. Federal retail competes with the gray market and therefore is quite aggressively reducing the price of the iPhone 7. The subsequent price reduction will take place in the spring of 2018, until then prices will be stable.

In Russia, only one 64 GB version of the Galaxy S8 is sold, the price in official retail and the company store is 49,990 rubles. But on the market the same device can be found at prices almost 10 thousand rubles lower, in particular, this price almost always appears in MTS, the operator holds sales. During periods of sales from MTS, prices from other players also fall. On the gray market, the model costs about 40 thousand rubles. The next official price reduction can be expected before the New Year in the form of promotions, and in February - as a permanent reduction in the cost of the device.

Retail sales dynamics, gray market

To gauge the demand for these models, let's take a look at retail sales in official channels, for this I took the sales figures for the previous 8 weeks and calculated the weekly average. To remove the error of sales during Black Friday, when sales of the Galaxy S8 increased by 2.5 times, and for the iPhone 7, on the contrary, decreased, I did not take this week into account. In the end, a discount of 8,000 rubles on the S8 is significant, but there were no such discounts on the iPhone; now the prices have returned to the previous level, they are listed above.

At the end of 2017, iPhone 7 is the company’s best-selling device in the segment above 40 thousand rubles. Sales in unit terms are close to those of the Galaxy S8, they are quite comparable in their impact on the market, and are on an equal footing. For comparison, sales of the iPhone 8 are more than two times lower; this device is not popular. Those who want to check this data in an independent source can look at the panel from GFK Rus for eight weeks, including October and November up to the week of Black Friday, the data will be as close as possible.

Design, dimensions, device features

The appearance of any device is a matter of taste; beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I will only note that the iPhone 7 has a rather ancient design, it began with the iPhone 6, that is, it has been in use for three years, so for many it is familiar and to some extent boring. The Galaxy S8 has a new infinity display (this is a marketing term tied to the model, not a screen characteristic), the device looks slightly different than previous models, and they are quite easy to distinguish, especially by the missing button on the front panel.

Let's compare the sizes and weights of the phones, as well as other features.

I like the metal case of the iPhone, it is more practical, it does not leave hand marks (but it is also impossible to implement wireless charging, but more on that below). Due to the smaller screen diagonal, the iPhone is more compact and weighs less. But in the hands of the iPhone, on the contrary, it feels more weighty, which is reflected in its smaller body. Due to the rounding of the S8 case on both the front and back panels, it fits perfectly into the hand, like a glove. The iPhone 7 doesn't have any problems with how you hold it, it's just a little less comfortable. But you will understand this only with a direct comparison; the devices must be held in your hands (and, of course, a lot here also depends on the size of your hands; the smaller your hands, the faster you will notice the difference).

The proprietary lever on the iPhone 7 on the left side allows you to turn off all sounds and notifications on the device in one motion, which is convenient; Samsung has nothing like that. On the side of the S8 there is a Bixby button that cannot be reassigned, and the voice assistant itself is still crude and is not in Russian, but you can call up a screen with a prompt feed (a sluggish analogue of Google Now, which most consumers do not need; the button will remain idle for now).

The speakers in the devices are located approximately the same, there is no difference in sound level or quality, they are quite comparable.

Biometrics - phone access

The iPhone has a traditional fingerprint sensor; it is located on the front panel and is extremely convenient: you touch it and the phone unlocks. There are no false clicks, vibration imitates a button - an excellent solution.

In the Galaxy S8, the sensor is inconvenient for those who are accustomed to the company's previous devices; it was also located on the front surface, but has now moved to the back of the camera.

Unusual. But due to the size of the S8, it’s not difficult to find the sensor and press it, it’s a matter of habit. Not as convenient as on the iPhone, that's a fact. We need to get used to it. As an option, there is face unlock (fast or maximum secure). It is difficult or almost impossible to hack this unlocking method, and it works quickly. This method does not work in complete darkness. The phone learns and unlocks faster and faster over time. Those who are very concerned about safety can use an iris scanner; it works even in complete darkness and has IR illumination. In my opinion, this is unnecessary and face unlocking is sufficient (in this case, a fingerprint is used for banking programs, it is more convenient and simpler).

Which is more convenient? The question is your habits. During the first month I got so used to unlocking the device with my face that now I can’t imagine any other option; this one is as convenient as possible. But not everyone thinks the same way, some people like it the old fashioned way, with their finger, and then discomfort arises. Decide for yourself what is closer to you.

Display

With great pleasure I re-read the “Buyer’s Guide” from a year ago, in which I compared the iPhone 7 and S7 EDGE, every third comment is from an iPhone fan about the fact that AMOLED screens are bad, they have terrible colors and how good it is that Apple has never will use such matrices. For some commentators, I even did a little work and looked at how their opinion changed after the release of the iPhone X - it became diametrically opposed. What does marketing do to people and their beliefs...

But let's look at the screen characteristics table and evaluate their capabilities, at least at first glance.

Comparison of iPhone 7 and Galaxy S8 displays
	iPhone 7	Galaxy S8
Screen type	IPS	AMOLED
Diagonal, inches	4.7	5.8
Resolution, pixels	1334x750	2960x1440 (possibility to lower screen resolution)
PPI	326	571
Screen geometry	16:9	18.5:9
Maximum brightness, auto mode, nits	705	1000
Night mode	Yes	Yes
Additional modes	No	Adaptive screen and several picture adjustment modes
Light sensor	On the front panel	Two sensors, on the front and rear panels (the second for working in difficult conditions)
HDR content support	No	Yes (first smartphone with HDR support)
Screen operation in standby mode	No	Yes, AlwaysOn Display with notifications and the ability to set your own screensavers/clocks

Detailed analysis of the screen of each smartphone from DisplayMate:

Now a few comments about screens. As for me, the iPhone 7 has an excellent IPS matrix that produces a very good picture. In bright sunlight, the screen becomes dim, there's nothing you can do about it. Those who want to try VR should forget about the iPhone: neither the resolution nor the screen diagonal will allow you to have fun. Samsung's resolution is such that it can be considered minimally convenient for this. Considering that the Galaxy S8 has a noticeably better matrix than the iPhone X, whose screen is so extolled by many today, I think we can make a logical conclusion that the iPhone 7 is inferior in screen (remembering that many argue that there was nothing like it before the iPhone X I didn’t have it on the iPhone and this screen is the ultimate dream).

The AlwaysOn Display mode is important to me; I don’t have to turn on the phone to see the time and notifications. However, you can disable this option if you consider it unnecessary; the device traditionally has an LED indicator (the iPhone also traditionally does not have one).

In S8 you can find a maximum number of settings for the screen so that it works the way that suits you. The iPhone 7 has nothing like this, and True Tone appears in the next generation and, in my opinion, works noticeably worse than the “Adaptive Mode” on the S8. It’s enough to compare screens in real life to make your judgement; I believe that the high resolution and large diagonal do their job; it’s more comfortable to watch movies on the S8, read news on websites, and scroll through your Twitter feed.

But it's possible that your use cases suggest that a smaller screen is better. Here everyone chooses their own and for themselves.

Battery

A head-to-head comparison of battery capacity will not tell us anything at all, since smartphones have different operating systems and they behave differently in different scenarios. I tried alternating two new smartphones, one day I went out with one device, the second day with another - this lasted a couple of weeks. My day begins at 8 am, when the smartphone is removed from the charger. On average, the S8 sat down at my fairly heavy load by 4 o'clock in the afternoon, but the iPhone lasted until 6-7 o'clock in the evening. If you give smartphones to children and they start playing, the devices will “die” after about 4 hours, there is no difference here.

It is necessary to take into account the scenarios of how the devices are used. If I'm driving in a car, I use wireless charging and simply automatically place the phone in the place designated for it by the car manufacturer. Depending on the duration of the journey, the device is charged from 10 to 50%. I have never had a situation where the S8 needed to be urgently charged somewhere in the city. Another important point is the availability of fast charging, in 15 minutes you can get approximately 35% battery charge, the device is fully charged in an hour and a penny. On an iPhone, a full charge takes just over two hours.

Unfortunately, the iPhone 7 is a very “ancient” device in terms of how it works with the battery; there are no additional and actually working power saving modes (the one that is there doesn’t help much). In the Galaxy S8, the power saving mode significantly extends the operating time.

Music and 3.5 mm jack

The iPhone does not have a standard 3.5 mm jack, which, in my opinion, is bad and forces you to use an adapter.

I see this as a real collective farm, and I’m not going to throw out high-quality, expensive headphones just because Apple wants to promote its proprietary connector. Therefore, the presence of a 3.5 mm jack is a strong argument in favor of the Galaxy S8. Both devices play music well, on the Android side it supports any formats, while on the iPhone it’s not so simple and easy.

Memory capacity and second SIM card

The 32 GB version of the iPhone is suitable for anyone who doesn’t take a lot of photographs, doesn’t watch TV series for seasons, and mostly uses the phone for calls and communication. The inability to expand memory makes your choice limited; you need to immediately decide how much to purchase. The Galaxy S8 has 64 GB of internal memory, which is the best option, especially considering that you can install a memory card of any size, up to 256 GB, at any time. This approach is closer to me, since you are free to choose later the amount of memory that you need, or install a second SIM card instead of microSD, which is still fantastic for the iPhone.

Camera

Traditionally, the iPhone camera works on the “point and shoot” principle, while the Galaxy, in addition to this mode, has many settings that allow you to take pictures in difficult conditions, if, of course, you love and know how to take photographs. It's the same approach where the Galaxy gives everything the iPhone does out of the box, but upon closer examination offers much more.

Below you can look at examples of pictures; I want to note that when shooting macro, the Galaxy S8 wins at night. If you shoot moving children, sporting events (in normal mode, and not “Sports”, in which everything is fine), then the victory is for the iPhone 7. Each device has its pros and cons; I prefer the camera in the S8, as it produces more number of high-quality photos with less effort. But it’s impossible to say that cameras vary greatly in the eyes of the average consumer.

iPhone 7/Galaxy S8

The comparison includes: Samsung Galaxy S7 (bottom left), Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (top left), Huawei Nova (top right; selfie only), Samsung Galaxy S6 (bottom right), Samsung Galaxy S8 (center).

Good day. I've been writing about smartphones for a long time, and the main thing for me is their photo capabilities. I became interested in how the cameras of one of the market leaders are developing. After I got my hands on the Galaxy S8, I decided to compare pictures taken in the same conditions on flagships over the past three years. And let me tell you, there is something to see.

I’ll make a small digression about mobile photo capabilities. For me, a camera in a smartphone (and a digital camera in general) is not just a hole in the body, but an attempt by a person to recreate the eye, one of the most complex organs of perception of the world. A camera in a smartphone is a mutual and simultaneous operation within a matter of milliseconds of the matrix, optics, processor, memory, ISP chip, focusing elements, stabilization, etc. And, of course, the work of the software.

If in hardware terms the development of the camera in a smartphone is limited due to its compactness, then on the software front things are much better. Many developers are constantly working to perfect smartphone photo processing so that you get a good result.

An interesting fact is that with relatively the same hardware, different smartphones can shoot with completely different quality. This is thanks to the software part, which Samsung has at a high level.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 became one of the best camera phones in the history of smartphones in 2016 and remains so to this day. Will the next flagship Galaxy S8 be able to surpass its predecessor, and how the pictures from the previous top-end devices of the Korean company look compared to them, we will find out in this material.

I will award points for each story (from 1 to 4) and ultimately reveal the winner. There you will also find a link to the original photographs at the end of this article.

Samsung Galaxy S7

Overall plan

In the photo below, the sun is opposite, but not included in the frame. Such conditions are not ideal for a smartphone, but they are not critical either.

Samsung Galaxy S6 and Note 5, the flagships of 2015, coped with the task the worst and at about the same level. Color rendering is poor due to the opposite sun, and the colors are muted. The Note 5's beam was completely reflected, exposing an area of the image. I assume this problem is due to the optics.

The Galaxy S7 and S8, 2016 and 2017, are doing much better. The colors are saturated, the dynamic range is wide, as the blue sky clearly tells us, which was completely overexposed in previous opponents.

Let's look at this photo in more detail.

The Galaxy S6 and Note 5 smartphones take sharper pictures, and this is not surprising. After all, they have a 16 MP matrix, unlike the 12 MP in the Galaxy S8 and S7. But as the general plan showed, this does not give them an advantage.

The fact is that the number of pixels plays an indirect role in the overall quality of a photograph. In photo quality, the size of these pixels, the size of the matrix itself, and the aperture play a major role. The diaphragm or aperture is the hole in the camera itself through which light enters the sensor. The wider it is, the more light falls on the matrix, as a result of which the camera can cover a larger range of light; in more difficult shooting conditions, a good picture will be taken (light differences or poor lighting). Accordingly, the larger the pixel, the more correct color it can absorb in a shorter period of time.

Samsung Galaxy S8

The other side of the coin is that the larger the pixel, the fewer pixels will fit on the matrix, since its size in smartphones is limited. As a result, the picture will be less detailed when enlarged.

It's time to compare the camera characteristics of the reviewed smartphones:

Well, let's sum up the results of the first production. If you need a smartphone with which you will photograph objects from afar, and for better image clarity at high magnification, then the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Note 5 are your choice. But such a scenario will be useful to few people, right?

If you want to see the best overall shot with color reproduction and contrast, then the S7 and S8 will not let you down in this regard.

The points were distributed as follows (let me remind you, the more the better):

Samsung Galaxy S8 – 4 Korean carrots;
Samsung Galaxy S7 – 3 Korean carrots;
Samsung Galaxy S6 – 2 Korean carrots;
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 – 1 Korean carrot.

Product photography (macro)

Here the result surprised me, and the 2015 flagship phablet Note 5 showed more rich details and correct color reproduction. We figured out the details in the last section, but it surpassed both the S6 with the same number of pixels, and the newer and more advanced Galaxy S7 with S8.

Maybe this is a matter of chance, but we have what we have. The Galaxy S6 completely fell into darkness, unable to adjust the exposure; even its detail is noticeably lower than the others. The Galaxy S7 is overexposed, and some noise is visible in the shadow of the leaf. The details are slightly better than the S6.

The new product of 2017 (S8) showed good detail and color reproduction, but was still one step behind the Note 7.

Why did it happen? I admit, this is a difficult question for me. But I believe that the software that is responsible for processing the image played a big role here.

If you need a camera phone for macro and subject photography in good lighting (!), then the Note 5 should not let you down. Of course, we can say that the S8 has a new processor, and an update has not yet arrived that will make the camera better. But you see, this is far from a fact, and it is unknown how much time will pass for this to happen, and whether it will happen at all.

Samsung Galaxy S6

Let's get back to the carrots:

Galaxy Note 5 – 4;
Galaxy S8 – 3;
Galaxy S7 – 2;
Galaxy S6 – 1.

And now we come directly to the camera software.

Shooting in HDR mode

I won’t explain for a long time how it works and what HDR mode is in a smartphone. I will say that this mode directly reflects the quality of work of the software with the semiconductors responsible for shooting.

Shooting with the sun in the frame is difficult conditions for any camera. Let's see how smartphone software was able to cope with this task.

I'm increasingly inclined to believe that buying a Galaxy S8 just for the camera is not worth it. If the update improves the situation for the better, I don’t think it will be by much. Galaxy S7 is my favorite.

The points were distributed as follows:

S7 – 4;
S6 – 3;
Note 5 – 2;
S8 – 1.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Scenery

The following shooting conditions can be called the most ideal, the only thing missing is clouds. But the weather was like that. Any device, even a budget one, can handle landscapes in good lighting. But when comparing, someone may have poor color rendering or detail.

The winner here is the Samsung S6. Not only is the clarity better, but the orientation of the original photo itself is more suitable for landscapes. If 12 megapixels in the seven and eight have an aspect ratio of 3 to 2, then their predecessors with their 16 megapixels have an aspect ratio of almost 2 to 1.

But that’s not the only thing I liked more. The Samsung Galaxy S6 has close to natural color rendering of the sky and grass. The “seven” and “eight” are also fine with colors, but the most noticeable is oversharpening (excess contrast achieved by software), but the latter flagship has less of it.

Note 5 did a poor job with color reproduction; the gradient in the sky from clear at the top to gassy at the bottom is least visible. And the grass seems withered, which is not the case in reality. That's why I give him the lowest score.

So, the pile of oriental delicacy was distributed like this:

Galaxy S6 – 4;
Galaxy S8 – 3;
Galaxy S7 – 2;
Note 5 – 1.

Shooting in low light

The best quality of smartphone photography can be determined in low light conditions in automatic mode. This kind of shooting is actually the most popular, since most of us take photos in the evening. In the dark, if the camera is good, the pictures will turn out more interesting and mysterious. Some objects are emphasized with shadows, while others are highlighted with light. What can we say about sunsets or sunrises?

But for such shooting you need a good light-sensitive camera in your smartphone. This is exactly what the modules in the Galaxy S7 and S8 look like on paper. They have a wide aperture and large pixels, but in practice the latter did not work out smoothly.

In poor lighting, the number of pixels this time did not save the 2015 flagships. There is both the amount of noise and sharpness, and the color rendition of the Note 5 is completely poor. The Galaxy S6 showed the worst detail.

The S8 smartphone is not far behind them. There's a little bit of everything here, but the redness is not all over the picture, but more on the right edge, gradually leveling out to the left. The picture turned a little red with shame. But I was pleased with the S7. Everything is as befits a flagship.

I consider this scenario to be the most important and indicative in this material, so I do x2 with points:

Galaxy S7 – 8;
Galaxy S8 – 6;
Galaxy S6 – 4;
Note 5 – 2.

Selfie camera

Taking selfies is very popular in the east, and in their markets, manufacturers (Oppo, Vivo, Huawei and others) pay a lot of attention to the front camera. In most cases, we have it in our smartphones, and it’s good. Only this year, Samsung began to pay special attention to narcissistic natures, and introduced 16 MP cameras into its A series (2017) at the beginning of the year. This was of little use, since the pixels there were small and the aperture ratio was small.

The Galaxy S7 also has noise, but to a much lesser extent. The Samsung Galaxy S8 is the best of the four, and the result is obvious, literally. There are even details visible on the skin that are not seen in other photographs. Color rendition is excellent.

So, smartphones are distributed in the following hierarchy:

Galaxy S8 – 4;
Galaxy S7 – 3;
Galaxy S6 – 2;
Note 5 – 1.

You may have noticed that in the preview of the article there is a Huawei Nova smartphone, and it is not there for symmetry. I have already done a comparative test of this smartphone earlier, and compared it with its closest competitors in the price category (about $400). It performed well, and the manufacturer lists this line as a smartphone with a good selfie camera.

That's why I decided to compare the Nova's selfie camera with flagships, but upon closer examination I see only software processing. The image turned out as if painted with paints, without small details. Beautiful, to say the least, but not really. Huawei Nova gets 1 point for a good try.

Determination of the winner

We got to the most interesting part. I admit, I don’t know the result myself yet, and it’s wildly interesting. We count:

Galaxy S7 – 22 points;
Galaxy S8 – 21 points;
Galaxy S6 – 16 points;
Note 5 – 11 points.

YES! This is exactly the result I wanted to see. The Galaxy S8 not only performs as well as the S7, but in some scenarios it performs worse.

I don’t want to talk about the fact that the software has not yet been optimized, and perhaps in the future the camera in the S8 will take better pictures. If a company releases a smartphone on the market, then it should be regarded as a finished product, and no concessions should be given for any updates. And it’s not a fact that they will appear.

My result

As I said at the beginning of the article, the camera in a smartphone is the most important thing for me. Now the moment has come when I'm looking at a new smartphone, and my favorites at the moment are Google Pixel, Galaxy S7 and the new HTC U11, which scored the highest score in the test of the authoritative laboratory DxOMark. HTC has not yet gone on sale, but I have no reason not to trust the experts.

Why not iPhone 7 Plus? I've already done a comparison between Google Pixel and iPhone 7 Plus, and the latter lost that battle. Although it’s difficult to call his camera bad.

The Galaxy S8 cannot be said to be a failed product. The smartphone is actually good, but this is a story for a separate article, which Alexander Navagin wrote in his article.

These original photographs were used for comparison.

Are you looking for a camera phone? Ask your questions in the comments!