Huawei and Google have edged out Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy series in the latest smartphone camera performance rankings by DxOMark, a French camera testing organization.
Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max, released last month, scored 157 points, tying for fourth place. Powered by the A18 Bionic chip, which uses 3-nanometer process technology, the iPhone 16 Pro Max boosts performance and power efficiency. Its 16-core neural engine enhances AI and machine learning, improving image processing and video encoding. However, it struggled with zoom and low-light photography.
DxOMark praised the iPhone 16 Pro Max for its exceptional video quality, but noted a loss of detail between 2x and 5x zoom and noise in low-light settings.
Taking the top spot, Huawei’s Pura 70 Ultra scored 163 points, delivering impressive camera performance. DxOMark highlighted the Pura 70 Ultra’s ability to excel in all lighting conditions, thanks to its AI-powered image processing and variable aperture. The phone was also commended for its natural background blur and accurate portrait shot focus.
Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL, launched in August, claimed second place with 158 points. Its AI and machine learning-driven photo processing gives it strong low-light performance, while its zero shutter lag ensures users can capture crucial moments with ease. DxOMark praised the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s autofocus and video stabilization as standout features.
Meanwhile, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra, released earlier this year, ranked 26th with a score of 144. Despite improvements with Samsung’s AI-based Pro Visual Engine, DxOMark noted issues with loss of detail in low-light shots, delays in capturing images, and video instability. The phone was also critiqued for overexposure in video recordings.
