Which smartphone has best image quality and accurate screen?

[shadowfilm]

I'm a photographer going through a career change, and have decided to sell my camera to help fund it.

My first priority is to replace my camera with the best smartphone camera possible - not for professional use, but to continue my photography on social media.

I'm looking for the best image quality that a phone can capture (under scrutiny at 1:1, but also overall 'feel'), and also the most accurate colour screen for editing in-phone. These are more important to me than lens options, although that's a nice bonus. Dodgy artefacts in processing are best avoided.

So what current smartphone can get the most 'professional' looking images? The ultimate test is the impact they first have on people seeing them, more than technical specs. I'd also like this phone to last a while, if possible.

 

[DocSwag]

Image quality wise most of the best phones are all really good (e.g. flagship stuff from huawei, note 9, pixel 3, iphone xs). If you would like to see for yourself Anandtech has an excellent camera comparison of the flagships in their Pixel 3 review.

https://www.anandtech.com/show/13474/the-google-pixel-3-review/6

 

I'd definitely say the most color accurate screen though would be that of the iphone xs/xs max. Note 9 and pixel 3's natural mode are also very good, but the xs and xs max have less black crush than either of the other two and iOS has way superior color management to Android ATM. I'm not too sure about the Mate 20 but I believe it's not as good as any of the other three.

[boey]

Linus said something about the Pixel 3’s camera having the best colour reproduction, as it was the most accurate. 

[shadowfilm]

57 minutes ago, DocSwag said:

Image quality wise most of the best phones are all really good (e.g. flagship stuff from huawei, note 9, pixel 3, iphone xs). If you would like to see for yourself Anandtech has an excellent camera comparison of the flagships in their Pixel 3 review.

https://www.anandtech.com/show/13474/the-google-pixel-3-review/6

 

I'd definitely say the most color accurate screen though would be that of the iphone xs/xs max. Note 9 and pixel 3's natural mode are also very good, but the xs and xs max have less black crush than either of the other two and iOS has way superior color management to Android ATM. I'm not too sure about the Mate 20 but I believe it's not as good as any of the other three.

Thanks. I think I'm leaning towards the Pixel 3 XL, it seems between that and the iPhone XS Max - I want a larger screen. Mate 20 Pro specs look great on paper but the over-sharpening, colour quality and reputation for updates concern me. So it probably comes down to Android vs Apple, and I've always preferred the former. For me Apple's tech always seems a little behind their competitors but their prices are ahead, and that irks me. And I think the Pixel's computational approach to photography might just edge it for me. It seems their screen is good enough for my needs: http://www.displaymate.com/Pixel_3XL_ShootOut_1g.htm

I'm switching from an LG G5 so I'm guessing a Pixel 3 XL should sufficiently impress. For some reason I'm not convinced enough by Samsung in image comparisons.

 

Is there anything that should change my mind? Anything significant the iPhone can do that the others can't?

[DocSwag]

13 hours ago, shadowfilm said:

Thanks. I think I'm leaning towards the Pixel 3 XL, it seems between that and the iPhone XS Max - I want a larger screen. Mate 20 Pro specs look great on paper but the over-sharpening, colour quality and reputation for updates concern me. So it probably comes down to Android vs Apple, and I've always preferred the former. For me Apple's tech always seems a little behind their competitors but their prices are ahead, and that irks me. And I think the Pixel's computational approach to photography might just edge it for me. It seems their screen is good enough for my needs: http://www.displaymate.com/Pixel_3XL_ShootOut_1g.htm

I'm switching from an LG G5 so I'm guessing a Pixel 3 XL should sufficiently impress. For some reason I'm not convinced enough by Samsung in image comparisons.

 

Is there anything that should change my mind? Anything significant the iPhone can do that the others can't?

Nothing I can think of off the top of my head that would really sway you except iOS, and it sounds like you'd prefer Android anyhow. I guess there's the two cameras in the back that allow for a little better zoom? The Pixel 3 has the Super-Res Zoom which is pretty good at what it does but it's not quite as good as actually having a second camera, but it is a lot better than normal digital zoom.

 

The 3XL display is pretty good for sure; the only thing it's behind the iPhone Xs is again in black crush and color management. If you leave the phone in natural mode colors will be very accurate, they just won't be that saturated. I don't really think black crush is something that would be a huge deal with taking pictures, anyhow: For me personally the only time I ever notice it is when watching dark-ish videos at lower brightness.

[Suika]

13 hours ago, shadowfilm said:

Is there anything that should change my mind? Anything significant the iPhone can do that the others can't?

The Google Pixel over processes everything you shoot, and although it gives the best looking picture 80% of the time, the iPhone comes off as more natural and workable.