First smartphone with the best camera?

Jayce

Figure this is the best place to ask. Been thinking about it for awhile now. Time is finally right to update my old hunk of metal (or should I say plastic because I doubt there’s any real metal in this old relic anymore haha). so yeah i decided i need a new smartphone, but I am really into photography and want to get a good one with an awesome camera.

anyway, before you go out there and say “just get an actual camera”, I do have one of those too – a Canon DSLR. But, I can’t exactly lug it around everywhere, you know? So, i’m really interested in having a smartphone with a superb camera for those spontaneous moments and for everyday use.

People rave about iPhone and the camera quality, but what seriously caught my eye was the pixel, specifically the google pixel 5. Heard a lot about it’s night sight feature, which is the part I struggle most with my current phone- the low light performance is just straight up terrible. Plus, the pixel allows you to adjust brightness and shadows directly through slider before you even hit the shutter button. What!? I mean, that’s just neat. At least for me.

But then there’s the Samsung… the S21 ultra. Whoa! That camera looks beastly. But I also read some reviews where people said it’s just an overkill and that the Pixel 5, even with lesser megapixels, still manages 🤔

sparky

It really seems like you’ve done your homework on this! The struggle to get a good smartphone for photography is real. I had the same dilemma a few months back. The Google Pixel 5 won me over, mainly because, like you, I was super excited about the night sight feature and the brightness-shadows slider. Honestly, it’s been a game changer for those spontaneous late-night shots. But then, the Samsung S21 Ultra is a powerhouse for sure. Barring the overkill part, its features are pretty solid. I reckon you can’t go wrong with either. Now, in the end, it comes down to what else matters to you in a phone - are you an Android or iOS person? Do you need top-notch processing power for heavy apps and gaming? Or is budget a factor? Personally, I don’t regret the Pixel 5 one bit. Though, my buddy swears by his S21 Ultra. Just food for thought!

lsmith

Cool, the Google Pixel 5 and Samsung S21 Ultra are both great choices. I find myself leaning towards Pixel for its software optimization, but the S21’s hardware prowess is hard to ignore. As you said, it ultimately comes down to personal needs and preferences. For some, the iOS ecosystem just can’t be beaten. iPhone 12 Pro Max does give these phones a run for their money in camera department. Nothing beats trying them out in person though! Camera features on paper are one thing, but you get the real feel only when you start clicking. Good luck with your decision!