iPhone versus Android
When buying a phone, many of us ask ourselves a question: is the iPhone better than Android for photography? It's a tricky question.
We will discuss the differences between iPhone and Android and help you decide which is the
best camera phone in 2019
.< /p>
Price is one of the crucial factors that any phone buyer must consider. All the cool features of the latest phone wouldn't matter if you couldn't afford them. Let's look at the price difference between iPhones and Androids.
There's no denying that iPhones are generally more expensive than many versions of Android. The cost of Apple's latest version, the iPhone XS, is over $1000.
Meanwhile, some Android phones can be as cheap as $30 (Alcatel Raven and other models).
But Android too has high-end options that are even more expensive than some
iPhone models
. Devices like the Samsung Galaxy S10 have as many, if not more, features than the iPhone XS or XR.
If you're on a tight budget, you'll have a better chance of owning an Android phone. Or you can buy a used iPhone instead. It would still cost over $100 in most cases.
If you're willing to shell out top dollar for a phone, you need to research what you want.
In this price range, it can be difficult to tell the difference between Android and iPhone. Many of them share similar functionality.
Besides price, you'll want to look at the physical features that iPhone and Android phones offer.
The hardware varies a lot from phone to phone. Even iPhone models differ in the features they offer. But in general, the iPhone has a uniform appearance and parts.
Since only Apple makes the iPhone, they have complete control over the design.
On the other hand, Android phones are much more different from each other than iPhones. And the reason is that there are dozens of manufacturers from Samsung to LG creating these devices.
This means that some Android devices may have plastic lenses while others have glass. Sensors also vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. So, although they are Android, the quality of the photos may differ from each other.
But the fact that Android phones are different is also the reason why they are popular.
People get to enjoy a wider variety of features instead of being stuck with the uniform features of iPhone.
As we mentioned earlier, the price determines the functionality of your device. And it is in this category that you will see tangible differences between Android and iPhone.
iPhones have some of the best cameras for mobile devices. Their latest model, the XR, has a 12-megapixel camera that can even record in 4K.
Meanwhile, camera features vary a lot when it comes to Android. A cheap Android phone such as the Alcatel Raven only has a 5 megapixel camera which produces grainy images.
But Android also has a few phones with cameras that rival those of the iPhone. Let's take a look at the specs of the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus for example.
Apart from a dual 12-megapixel camera, it also has a 16-megapixel wide-angle camera. And just like the iPhone, it can also record in 4K.
When it comes to cameras, you get what you pay for. So invest in a good phone that does the work for you. If you want a hassle-free experience that lets you take photos easily, then go for the iPhone.
If you like the customization and features the iPhone doesn't offer, consider buying an Android instead. .
A few years ago, dual cameras were exclusive to expensive flagship phones. But these days, even the cheapest options have them too. And that escalates the game when it comes to the iPhone vs. Android debate.
These days, you can get a great dual-camera Android phone like the Honor 10 Lite for under $200. It has a massive 24MP main front camera and a 13MP dual rear camera.
This means you can now take great bokeh photos on your device without breaking the bank.
But of course, the creme de la creme for Android phones are the pricey flagship options. In general, they offer better resolution and better performance in
low light conditions
. Not to mention that they also have a lot more features than their budget counterparts.
For example, a smartphone like the $900 Huawei P30 Pro offers both telephoto and wide-angle cameras that cheaper dual-camera phones lack.< /p>
Its aperture can also go down to f/1.4 to allow you to shoot in low light conditions without hitting the
ISO
.
Meanwhile, the iPhone XR's camera features pale in comparison to phones like the Huawei P30. For example, it only has a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens as opposed to the 20-megapixel ultra-wide lens.
by Huawei
.
But the iPhone also has a larger sensor that allows it to perform better in low light than its competitors despite the weaker
resolution
. It also has an optical image stabilizer that allows it to take sharp photos even at low shutter speeds.
Many Android phones offer more features than the iPhone. But at the same time, the iPhone often excels in what it offers. For example, it may not have the highest megapixel camera.
Impressive sound
dynamic range
allows him to take great shots in a variety of challenges
lighting conditions
.
Both cameras have a variety of functions when it comes to
smartphone photography
. Of course, you can choose the
telephoto
or the wide-angle lens individually to zoom in or take close-up shots.
You can also use both simultaneously to create photos with a blurred background.
If you want to learn how to give your photos a professional look, just enable Portrait mode on iPhone or Live Focus on Samsung devices.
Then the dual camera setup does its magic to create
bokeh
photos that look like they were taken with an SLR.
For the most part, the iPhone and high-end Android phones do a pretty good job of creating professional-looking background blur.
Unlike the real ones
DSLR
effect through the use of lenses, these mobile devices instead use software in conjunction with the dual lens.
The dual lenses work together to create a 'depth map' which helps the phone calculate the subject's distance from the background. Then it uses software to blur the background.
In other words, these phones reproduce the bokeh effect. Especially since even dual camera lenses are not enough to create it naturally.
The downside of using this technology is that it tends to be random when you use it. iPhones and Android devices also suffer from miscalculation of background blur. So much so that sometimes it even seems too fake.
Luckily, technology keeps improving and newer phones coming out do a better job of creating realistic bokeh.
For the most part, the native iPhone and Android camera app has so many similarities. The locations of buttons and selections may be different, but they all work the same.
The iPhone and Android share the same features. In most cases, the only difference is what they call certain functions. For example, Portrait mode on an iPhone is called Live Focus on an Android device.
So in many ways the iPhone and Android are on par in this category. Their native apps are both easy to use.
It just takes some getting used to, especially if you're more familiar with one platform than the other. But it doesn't take long to realize that they are very similar.
Applications
are as important as your phone's camera features. That's why you need to choose a device that is compatible with the apps you want to use.
For years, Apple has exercised tight control over the apps it accepts in its app store. This means it has fewer choices than Android.
But at the same time, the apps you see on Apple's App Store have better user satisfaction. The reason is that the company has strict guidelines that ensure the quality and safety of the apps it offers.
On the other hand, Android suffers from a lot of random apps. Many apps tend to suffer more bugs and glitches due to differences in software and/or hardware of different Android phones.
Android also doesn't offer updates as often as Apple. As a result, it becomes even more susceptible to faulty apps. And this is also one of the reasons why some apps end up getting incompatible with some Android devices.
The good news is that many camera/editing apps like
Lightroom
and
VSCO
work with iPhone and Android. This means that both platforms enjoy the benefits of
best digital photography tools
.
There are a lot of variables to consider when buying a smartphone. But for the most part, choosing between iPhone and Android is a matter of preference. Android devices are as good as, if not better than, the iPhone.
If you like having dozens of features, then Android is for you. But if you want a phone that offers a smooth experience while taking great photos, then the iPhone is a great choice.
Don't get stuck on the mark. Instead, do your research and look at all the specs of the device you want to buy. If it has everything you need to take photos, then this is the best smartphone camera for you.
Check out our article on
optical zoom versus digital zoom
next!
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But cameras are complicated and it's hard to know where to start. That's why we created this course.