The iPhone XS obviously has a better camera than the iPhone X; it would be pretty disappointing if that wasn't the case. But just how better is better? To find out, we put the iPhone XS and iPhone X head-to-head for a deep dive camera quality comparison.
We set a couple of rules for our testing: all photos were taken on auto, the flash was kept off, and the majority of our shots were from the primary camera (unless stated otherwise). These photos were all taken handheld, and while we did our best to try and get an identical shot on both phones, the images don't always line up exactly.
It's also worth noting that all 2018 iPhone models share the same primary camera and all 2017 iPhones share the same primary camera. Here's a complete overview:
- The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have an identical camera configuration.
- The iPhone XS and iPhone XR have the same primary camera, but the iPhone XR has no secondary lens.
- The iPhone X has the same primary camera as the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, but a different secondary lens to the iPhone 8 Plus.
Before we get into a shot-by-shot breakdown, here's a couple of our key findings:
- iPhone XS camera improvements are most noticeable when shooting in adverse situations.
- When shooting in direct sunlight, the iPhone XS is less prone to blowout than the iPhone X, and better at handling harsh backlights.
- When shooting in lowlight, images are brighter, sharper, and exhibit less noise. The iPhone XS also preserves more detail when it comes to capturing bright objects (streetlights, digital signage) that would blowout on the iPhone X.
- Photos captured by the iPhone XS zoom lens are sharper and clearer.
- Portrait mode performance is very similar.
- While day-to-day photo quality is very similar, photos from the iPhone XS are a touch brighter and a just a little more saturated than those from the iPhone X.
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Camera samples
In the above image, we shot directly into the sun on a cloudy day. The iPhone XS photo has greater contrast and more detail, especially around the sun, while the iPhone X image is flatter. The green of the surrounding trees is more visible on the iPhone XS.
The above image showcases the iPhone XS' lowlight photography improvements. The cranes in the background appear clearer and the fancy blue lights maintain more of their colour in the iPhone XS image.
The above is a 100% crop of the previous image. Here you can see just how much more detail has been preserved by the iPhone XS - the "a new town centre" sign is legible in the iPhone XS photo, while it's quite blurry on the iPhone X image - and the more defined shape of the streetlights.
Here's another photo with the sun clearly visible. While the iPhone X captured the sun as a white blob, it's a less prominent lens flare on the iPhone XS. This also resulted in a bluer sky and greener greenery.
While there are minor differences in colour in brightness, the above image shows how similarly the iPhone XS and iPhone X perform when shooting in reasonably well lit, unchallenging environments.
The above is another example of how similar iPhone XS and iPhone X camera quality is when it comes to simple shots. The iPhone XS shot is a little brighter and a little more colourful, but both look great.
The above is a 100% crop of the previous image, and the iPhone XS capture exhibits just a touch more detail than you get on the iPhone XS.
The above is a lowlight zoom lens comparison, and we were actually shocked how much better a photo the iPhone XS produced. The photo is dramatically sharper, less noisy, and the crane sign is actually readable. Huge improvement.
Here's another lowlight test. While the pictures might look pretty similar, the electronic signage near the train station didn't blowout on the iPhone XS image, and the background buildings are a bit brighter, helping them stand out from black sky.
The above photos were taken using the iPhone's portrait mode, which blurs the background. Kenny looks pretty similar in both photos, and there aren't any significant differences in terms of how the software has differentiated between him and the background. The lights in the background did however retain more colour in the iPhone XS shot.
This photo was taken against a harsh backlight. While the photo taken by the iPhone XS is a touch flatter, Kenny isn't overly underexposed and the background hasn't been blownout in order to make him brighter.
Made up your mind about which you want? Compare all iPhone plans here.
Still can't decide? Read our iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max review here.
Alex Choros
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