Want to take the best photos possible with your phone? Choosing which smartphone to use is more difficult than ever.
In 2024, you’ll have a range of great camera phones to choose from, including the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Google Pixel 8 Pro, Honor Magic 6 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
As you can see, the majority of them are Android phones. Recent iPhone models are up to par, but Android handsets match and even surpass Apple in some areas.
However, it’s a different story when it comes to video. The iPhone 15 range has a significant lead in terms of quality and consistency, with 2022’s iPhone 14 handsets not far behind. Even today’s best Android flagships can’t compete.
Bottom line, if video is a top priority for you, get an iPhone. It’s no wonder that most content creators like TikTok and Instagram don’t use a Samsung or Google phone.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
I recently saw this when using the Honor Magic 6 Pro at a music festival. He took great photos and I personally liked the video I was able to capture, but there were some undeniable flaws in the footage.
Color accuracy and exposure were slightly off on several occasions, while it was often difficult to know what to focus on. These issues are easy to excuse in the context of personal use, but mean you simply can’t rely on it for anything more serious.
It’s no wonder most content creators don’t use a Samsung or Google phone.
The experience hasn’t been the same with all the Android phones I’ve tested, although all have had video quality issues in one form or another. The images aren’t bad, it’s just a big step up from stills, making them unsuitable for most professional scenarios.
It doesn’t help that optical image stabilization (OIS), present on at least one lens of virtually every mid-range and flagship Android phone, is significantly less effective at enabling smooth video than the iPhone.
Unfortunately, this applies to both the front and rear cameras, with the former being particularly important for video calls and social media content. If you want to look your best on video, an iPhone is still the way to go.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
It is difficult to understand why this disparity still exists. Android phones have the most advanced camera hardware on the market, while the quality of still images proves that most companies get it right when it comes to software processing.
My only explanation is that video quality is a priority for Apple that no Android phone maker is willing to match. The iPhone has a reputation as a device used by filmmakers and vloggers, so Apple needs to cater to that market.
This is reflected in marketing, with Android companies focusing heavily on promoting the phone’s quality and versatility for photos, with video often just a quick mention.
The quality of the images proves that most Android phone manufacturers are doing things right in terms of software processing.
As someone who regularly switches Android phones but rarely uses an iPhone, this drop in video quality is very frustrating. Hopefully, AI’s growing influence on smartphones will help Android phones close the gap, but it could also allow Apple to extend its lead.
But until then, anyone buying a phone for their video-loving mother should follow Apple CEO Tim Cook’s advice and “buy your mom an iPhone.”
Check out our roundup of the best iPhone models to buy right now. Alternatively, our overall guide to the best smartphones includes iPhone and Android phones.
