Samsung is, without a doubt, the world's largest Android manufacturer, so if you're thinking of buying a new smartphone, logic dictates that you go for a device made by the Korean giant. But which phone should you choose for your individual needs? We have compiled a rating of the 10 best Samsung models in our opinion to make your choice easier. Please note that the review will include not only 2018 models, but also previous years.
10 Samsung Galaxy J1 (2016) - budget Super AMOLED
This phone is one of the most budget-friendly in the Galaxy J smartphone line. Despite this, it has some advantages that distinguish it from other budget phones. I would like to immediately note the bright screen with wide viewing angles, compact size (fits comfortably in the hand), support for LTE technology and the presence of a fairly powerful battery.
When it comes to performance, the Samsung Galaxy J1 definitely cannot be called a gaming device. The heart of the smartphone is a 4-core Exynos 3475 with a frequency of up to 1.3 GHz, and a Mali-T720 graphics processor. The amount of RAM is only 1 GB, and the built-in memory is 8 GB. These characteristics will be enough to perform standard phone tasks and to play games at low graphics settings.
Photo and video shooting is carried out using the main 5 MP camera. The pictures come out pretty good considering the cost of the device. The battery installed here is not to say that it is powerful, only 2050 mAh, but it holds a charge for a very long time, especially when watching videos (tests showed 14 hours of continuous operation).
- Standard nice design from Samsung, fits comfortably in the hand.
- Optimal combination of price/quality.
- The battery holds a charge for a very long time, especially when watching videos.
- Korean build quality, nothing creaks or plays.
- Photos and videos are at an acceptable level.
- The sound from the headphones and speakers is quite quiet.
- Not enough RAM.
9 Samsung Galaxy J7 - middle class charm
The 2016 Galaxy J series was frankly budget-friendly. In 2017, the company apparently wanted to rehabilitate itself and released decent options, among which was the Samsung Galaxy J7.
Truly excellent build quality should please every owner of this device. Thanks to the combination of glass and metal, you get the feeling that you are holding a premium device in your hands. Inexperienced users even sometimes confuse J7 with S7 or A5.
The new Super Amoled display with Full HD resolution is a real pride for the owner of this device. Unlike all other J series models, it has an Always ON display feature, and this is a big step forward towards premium devices.
- High autonomy, with active use the battery lasts more than a day.
- The most friendly interface, everything is simple and intuitive.
- Very good sound during calls.
- Excellent performance for the money.
- Nice design, fits very well in the hand.
- The camera doesn't take very good pictures.
- The internal memory of the device is not enough.
- According to user reviews, the Always On Display function works with a little light.
8 Samsung Galaxy J2 - good budget model
Despite the fact that this is an ultra-budget model (price less than 8,000 rubles), Samsung did not spare metal for the Galaxy J2 case. The frame in this model is made entirely of aluminum, which makes it somewhat expensive.
But they didn’t decide to lure customers into stores with the aluminum body alone. In addition, the budget smartphone is equipped with a powerful removable 2600 mAh battery, which is a very good indicator for a device with such hardware. By the way, the autonomy of the J series is the highest among the entire Samsung lineup. Another plus worth noting is the presence of 2 micro-SIM and a microSD memory card; each card has its own slot.
The device runs on a 4-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor with a clock frequency of 1.4 GHz, 1.5 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of internal memory.
- Good battery life, after a full day of intensive use it only drains by half.
- Supports 2 SIM cards and a memory card simultaneously.
- In good lighting, you get pretty good photos.
- Well built, reliable case.
- The display resolution is only 960x540 pixels.
- There is no light sensor.
- The price could have been lower.
7 Samsung Galaxy A5 - one of the best in its class
After the successful predecessor Galaxy A5 (2016), buyers expected even greater success from the new product. And although the changes were not anything revolutionary, the A5 (2017) has become significantly better than its previous version.
Features of the Galaxy A5 include IP68 water protection, a separate memory card slot, an Always ON display, an improved color palette and a huge selection of accessories. And these are only the most noticeable changes; in general, all characteristics of the new model were systematically improved.
The performance of the smartphone is driven by the Exynos 7880 processor, which consists of 8 Cortex-A53 (64bit) cores operating at a frequency of up to 1.9 GHz. They are paired with ARM Mali-T830 MP2 graphics. RAM 3 GB. The built-in memory is 32 GB, and it is expandable. Performance is not the smartphone's strong point, but among its competitors it is no worse or better.
- A very good screen, rich colors, Super AMOLED matrix lives up to its name.
- Excellent quality of the case, nothing plays or cracks.
- The sound during a call is very clear and loud.
- The smartphone is well protected from moisture and dust.
- Good battery life, when used in normal mode, it lasts for 1.5 days without any problems.
- The camera is not impressive; good photos are taken only in good lighting.
- The phone is quite heavy.
6 Samsung Galaxy A7 - not afraid of water and saving
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) is a good mid-class smartphone that will please its owner with all the necessary functions. In terms of design, this phone can hardly be considered one of the favorites of our time, but it has a Super AMOLED display with a diagonal of 5.7 inches. The picture quality is impressive, everything is clear and beautiful, in Samsung style. And this despite the fact that the resolution is only Full HD.
The heart of the smartphone is an 8-core Exynos 7880, frequency - 1.9 GHz, 3 GB of RAM. The A9 is actually a pretty fast device. Among the features, we can note the presence of new NFC technology (wireless high-frequency communication with a radius of up to 10 cm) and Always ON display. Users will also be pleased with the presence of a fingerprint scanner. And what’s most unusual is that the Samsung Galaxy A7 has IP68 water protection.
As for autonomy, there is a 3600 mAh battery installed, that is, the device holds a charge for a very long time. For example, after 30 minutes of playing World of Tanks, the phone was discharged by only 9%. This is a very good result.
- High autonomy, with normal use it lasts for more than a day without any problems.
- Good screen quality, no glare in the sun.
- The fingerprint scanner works 10/10.
- There is a built-in payment service Samsung Pay.
- Very good connection quality.
- Bad camera, no optical stabilization, videos are of rather poor quality.
- The body is slippery and can be easily let go.
- The installed water protection slightly worsened the sound of the speaker.
5 Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) - like S8, only cheaper
Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) is a well-equipped mid-range smartphone that has everything you need for convenient use. Very good
The large and elongated Super AMOLED display is visually impressive. It is very well tuned, bright and has a high resolution (2220x1080 pixels). The A8 can install 2 SIM cards and a microSD memory card at the same time, without choosing between them. It will be useful for selfie lovers to know that the device is equipped with a dual front camera with good optics.
The heart of the smartphone is the 8-core Exynos 7885 (2 cores at 2.2 GHz, 6 cores at 1.6 GHz). Mali-G71 graphics processor, 4 GB RAM. Built-in memory can be 32 GB or 64 GB. The tests do not show the most impressive results, but for most modern games this will be enough.
- Premium design, the device looks very beautiful.
- Supports simultaneous operation of 2 SIM cards and microSD.
- Well protected from moisture and dust.
- Large and bright Super AMOLED screen.
- Dual front camera.
- For this price you can find smartphones with better characteristics.
4 Samsung Galaxy A3 - best price/functionality ratio
Despite the fact that the Samsung Galaxy A3 belongs to the middle price segment, its appearance is not much different from the manufacturer’s modern flagships. The ribs here are made of aluminum, and the back and front sides are glass plates.
Among the features of the device, we can highlight the protection of the case from dust and moisture ingress according to the IP68 standard. With A3 you can not be afraid to walk in the rain, or use it in a carpentry workshop. There is also a fingerprint scanner, which “lives” in the Home button.
As for the screen, the A3 is equipped with a 4.7-inch matrix made using Super AMOLED technology. The heart of the smartphone is an 8-core Exynos 7870 processor with a clock frequency of up to 1.6 GHz. GPU - Mali T830. RAM - 2 GB, ROM - 16 GB. Judging by the tests, we can immediately say that the A3 is not the best gaming device on the market. The device solves system and everyday tasks without problems, but most demanding games run with reduced graphics.
- Nice case, it is clear that the smartphone is made of quality materials.
- The housing is protected from water and dust.
- Samsung Pay available.
- Always on Display function.
- The main and front cameras are very good, the pictures are very clear.
- The case is very slippery, the device jumps out of your hands.
- Relatively high cost.
3 Samsung Galaxy Note8 - smartphone for work and creativity
After the problems with the Note7, the company had no other options but to create an almost perfect smartphone. And they succeeded! Samsung Galaxy Note8 is a top-end flagship that contains the latest Samsung developments.
As expected, the hardware in the Note8 was used from the S8, except that the clock frequency was slightly increased (processor - Exynos 8895, 8 cores - 4x2.35 GHz/4x1.9 GHz, graphics processor - Mali-G71). This didn't have a big impact on performance, with only a slight change in benchmark scores. A nice bonus was the increase in RAM to 6 GB.
The fingerprint and iris scanner work 10/10 here. The only drawback of the fingerprint sensor is its not very convenient location (on the back side, near the camera), although here they tried to move it away from the camera, separating it with a flash unit.
Another feature of the device is the presence of an S Pen stylus. The improved pen works very accurately, it can be used to create live messages, GIF animations, take screenshots and much more. The most important feature can be called two 12-megapixel cameras with optical stabilization. Today, the quality of pictures of the Samsung Galaxy Note8 is one of the best.
- Excellent screen quality, especially when set to maximum brightness.
- The front and main cameras are some of the best at the moment, both have optical stabilization.
- The case is reliably protected from dust and moisture (IP68 standard).
- Scanners: fingerprints and iris.
- Multifunctional S Pen.
- Very high cost.
- The battery capacity is small, but the charge holds for about a day.
- The location of the fingerprint scanner is not the most convenient.
Today, Samsung phones are extremely popular in our country. According to surveys, they are the most in demand. First of all, thanks to the affordable price, high functionality and huge selection, every user can easily choose the model that will be a good purchase for him. But precisely because of the abundance of new products on the market, many people are lost and cannot decide which smartphone to give preference to. Therefore, we will compile a review of the best Samsung smartphones, introducing into the TOP several of the most successful and popular models that meet different requirements and financial capabilities.
The best inexpensive Samsung smartphones
As mentioned above, one of the most important advantages that users highly value in Samsung smartphones is the price-quality ratio. Of course, there are also premium models costing tens of thousands of rubles. But if you wish, you can buy an excellent phone that has fairly high power and functionality, spending 10-15 thousand rubles or even less. Let's start the review with these models - they are the most popular today. So, what smartphones can you buy at the best price?
Read also:
1. Samsung Galaxy J2 Prime SM-G532F
This model boasts very good main and front cameras – 8 and 5 megapixels, respectively. Thanks to the autofocus and flash functions, you can take high-quality pictures even in the most unsuitable conditions. The smartphone's hardware is also quite serious - a quad-core processor with a clock frequency of 1400 MHz and 1.5 GB of RAM allow you to run even quite complex applications. The amount of built-in memory is quite small - 8 gigabytes. Is this not enough for you? You can always add a memory card up to 256 gigabytes. In addition, this model is often chosen by buyers looking for a smartphone with two SIM cards and LTE support.
Advantages:
- good main camera;
- great price;
- average performance;
- The battery is sure to last for a day of active use.
Flaws:
- amount of built-in memory;
- When under load, the case heats up noticeably.
2. Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) SM-J320F/DS
If you are looking for an inexpensive smartphone from Samsung that has high performance and a low price, then this model will definitely not disappoint you. It boasts not only a 1400 MHz quad-core processor, but also two gigabytes of RAM. A very good indicator for a smartphone for this kind of money. In addition, the built-in memory of 16 gigabytes will allow you to install all the required applications. Another important plus is the excellent camera. 13 megapixels will be enough for even the most picky users. With its help, you can not only take high-quality pictures, but also shoot videos up to 1080p. Judging by customer reviews, many appreciate the smartphone’s large screen – the diagonal is 5.2 inches.
Advantages:
- excellent camera;
- energy efficiency;
- oleophobic screen coating;
- stable work;
- latest OS version.
Flaws:
- PLS screen matrix;
- there is no backlighting of touch keys;
- When using two SIM cards, some smartphones freeze.
3. Samsung Galaxy J4+ (2018) 3/32Gb
The best Samsung smartphone model from the budget category has good functionality, an attractive design and a built-in NFC chip. The model does not have very powerful characteristics, and therefore is only suitable for simple tasks. Many users like the smartphone for its good camera with a 13-megapixel lens. The front camera is 5 megapixels, but is equipped with its own flash.
The performance of the smartphone matches the price; it runs on a 4-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor. The device is available in several modifications, the only difference being the memory capacity. The buyer can choose from versions with 2/3 GB RAM. There is also little permanent memory, only 16/32 GB. But for everyday tasks this is a good solution.
An inexpensive Samsung smartphone can work for a sufficient time without recharging. It has a 3300 mAh battery.
Advantages:
- Inexpensive.
- Large screen 18:9.
- Excellent autonomy.
- Camera.
Flaws:
- Poor performance.
The best frameless Samsung smartphones – flagships
Although frameless smartphones have appeared on sale relatively recently, today they are in great demand. Unsurprisingly, they boast excellent design and functionality. However, when buying them, immediately realize that this is not a cheap phone. Prices for them start from 40 thousand rubles. But according to many users, their performance, beautiful appearance and functionality are completely worth the cost.
1. Samsung Galaxy S8
A high-quality phone from Samsung with a curved screen that will be a godsend for lovers of powerful and stylish devices. After all, it is equipped with a modern eight-core Snapdragon 835 processor. Four gigabytes of RAM is more than a solid indicator for a smartphone, even today. The built-in memory has a capacity of 64 gigabytes. But if you wish, you can significantly increase it by inserting a memory card with a capacity of up to 256 gigabytes. Tired of your battery draining within a day? When working with this smartphone, such problems will not arise. After all, it is equipped with a battery with a capacity of 3000 mAh, thanks to which it will allow you to continuously communicate for up to 20 hours or listen to music for as long as 67 hours.
Advantages:
- excellent cameras (main camera – 12 MP, front camera – 8 MP);
- high speed;
- high-quality curved screen;
- support for Dual Pixel technology;
- protection according to IP-68 standard;
- presence of an iris scanner;
- fast charging function;
- loud speaker;
- convenient interface.
Flaws:
- not detected.
Video review of Samsung Galaxy S8
2. Samsung Galaxy Note 8
This smartphone will pleasantly surprise users who value a high-quality camera. Indeed, there is a dual main camera with a resolution of 12/12 megapixels, and the front one is 8 megapixels. With their help, you can easily shoot magnificent video with a resolution of 3840x2160 (4K) pixels. 6GB RAM ensures high performance. To ensure that a phone with such high performance can work for a long time, the developers equipped it with a 3300 mAh battery. It lasts for 22 hours of talk time. The numerous sensors are also pleasantly surprising: light, proximity, barometer, compass, gyroscope, fingerprint and retina scanner. So, it is possible that this is the best Samsung smartphone to date. Alas, you will have to pay seriously for such luxury, about 65,000 rubles
Advantages:
- luxury cameras;
- many useful sensors that increase functionality;
- perfectly calibrated design;
- stable operating system;
- magnificent display with increased brightness;
- S Pen support;
- presence of an active button under the display;
- one of the most powerful devices on the modern market;
- great sound;
- superb set.
Flaws:
- very high cost - most people who want it will not be able to afford such a purchase.
Video review of Samsung Galaxy Note 8
3. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus 64Gb
If you are looking for a beautiful frameless smartphone, this model is especially for you. The diagonal of the elongated curved screen is 6.2 inches. It allows you to comfortably view any content. It is especially convenient to watch videos.
The high quality of the camera with a dual 12+12 megapixel module, as well as the presence of stabilization, will allow you to create stunning photographs. The 8-megapixel front camera will also please you with its high quality.
The good performance of the smartphone is supported by an 8-core proprietary mobile chipset, which is complemented by a good set of memory, 6 GB RAM, 64 GB ROM. You can install a flash drive up to 400 GB in the combined slot with a SIM card.
Advantages:
- Capacious battery 3500 mAh.
- Waterproof.
- Excellent stereo speakers.
- High performance.
- Scratch-resistant screen.
- High quality photos.
- Fast charging.
Flaws:
- High price.
4. Samsung Galaxy S10 8/128 Gb
When choosing a smartphone with a large, good screen, pay attention to the Galaxy S10. The modification with a memory capacity of 8/128 GB is the most optimal. There will be no performance problems. A large amount of RAM will allow you to run any games.
The 6.1-inch screen is of high quality and displays images in deep and rich colors. The display of this smartphone is completely frameless, and the manufacturer even placed the front camera on the screen itself. By the way, it looks harmonious and does not stick out. The resolution is 10 megapixels, it is possible to record video in 4k format. The main module is triple, and its resolution is 12+12+16 megapixels.
The smartphone is equipped with a fast Exynos 9820 chipset from Samsung. In the AnTuTu rating it scores 360,000 points, which is quite good.
Advantages:
- Stylish appearance.
- Good performance.
- Fast charging.
- Fingerprint scanner on display.
- Powerful processor.
- Large amount of memory.
- Frameless display.
Flaws:
- Price.
The best Samsung smartphones with a good camera
Many modern people are abandoning conventional digital cameras. The exception is professionals who use expensive, high-end SLR cameras. For ordinary users, modern phones are enough - with their help you can take pictures that are not inferior in quality to those that were considered ideal for cameras a few years ago. How to choose a popular smartphone with a good camera? After studying the characteristics and user reviews on the forums, we will present a couple of successful models.
1. Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) 4/64GB
The presence of a powerful camera in a phone is one of the main criteria when purchasing. We present to your attention a Samsung smartphone with the best camera, the resolution of which is 24/5/8 megapixels. The wide-angle camera has maximum coverage and allows you to create high-quality photographs. For selfies, there is an excellent 24-megapixel camera with its own flash.
The octa-core Samsung Exynos 7885 processor is capable of playing demanding games on the smartphone, which is also supported by 4 GB RAM. You can open multiple applications and browser tabs on your phone without the device freezing or overheating.
Advantages:
- Triple optical module.
- The system works quickly.
- Decent amount of memory.
- Excellent front camera.
- Super Amoled display.
Flaws:
- Slippery body surface.
2. Samsung Galaxy S10e 6/128Gb
A smartphone with an excellent dual camera and frameless display. The screen diagonal is 5.8 inches with an aspect ratio of 19:9. The main camera with a resolution of 16+12 megapixels is capable of taking clear, high-quality photographs in any conditions. Portrait mode is also top notch. Every detail is clearly visible in the pictures, the background will be blurred. There is a macro mode. The front camera built into the display has a resolution of 10 megapixels.
The smartphone will not only allow you to take excellent photos, but will also delight you with its performance, which is provided by the powerful 8-core Samsung Exynos 9820 processor. In addition to this, performance is provided by 6 gigabytes of RAM. Long battery life of the smartphone is available with a 3100 mAh battery. It is equipped with fast and wireless charging.
Advantages:
- High-quality dual optical module.
- The screen is scratch resistant.
- Great sound.
- Waterproof.
- Good chipset.
- Waterproof.
Flaws:
- Not detected.
3. Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) 6/128Gb
The camera phone is equipped with the most powerful lenses, the resolution of which is 24 + 5 + 10 + 8 megapixels. The user will be able to enjoy high-quality shooting at any time of the day. Self-portraits are also at a high level, the front camera resolution is 24 megapixels.
The powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chip is responsible for the performance. The electronic component is complemented by a memory set of 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of ROM. Additionally, you can install a flash drive up to 512 GB; a separate slot is provided for this.
The smartphone is equipped with powerful speakers that produce clear and loud sound. Therefore, if you are looking for a smartphone with good sound, this model is for you.
The device can be classified as a flagship category. The body is made of glass and metal and looks premium. But there is a drawback: the case is not protected from moisture.
Advantages:
- Capacity battery 3800 mAh.
- Metal body.
- Gorgeous cameras.
- Availability of 3.5 mm jack.
- Large amount of RAM.
- Fast charging.
- Bright screen.
Flaws:
- No protection against dust and moisture.
The best Samsung smartphones with a good battery
There are hardly any smartphone users who like the fact that they have to charge their usual device every day or two. Some people forget to do this, while others do not have this opportunity. Therefore, many people try to buy a phone with a large battery that allows it to work completely autonomously for several days. Let's look at several of these models so that every potential buyer can choose the right equipment.
1. Samsung Galaxy S10+ 8/128 Gb
Galaxy S10+ is the smartphone with the most powerful battery in this rating. Battery capacity is 4100 mAh. In active use, a full charge will last almost a day and a half. If left idle, the battery can last for about two days without recharging. The phone is equipped with fast and wireless charging.
Users who love selfies will certainly appreciate this model, as it has a good dual 10+8 megapixel front camera. The 6.4-inch screen is completely frameless, so the manufacturer chose to place the front camera directly on the display. It is worth paying tribute that the smartphone’s camera fits perfectly with the overall design.
The rear optical module has three lenses, the resolution of which is 16 + 12 + 12 megapixels. The camera will allow you to create high-quality scene photography. Portraits with a natural bokeh effect are also great.
On board is the most powerful mobile chipset Exynos 9820 from Samsung. It has an energy-saving feature that saves battery power. The smartphone model is equipped with 128 GB of internal memory. If this is not enough for storing data, there is a combined slot for a memory card. 8GB RAM will allow you to solve any problems instantly.
Advantages:
- Dual front camera module.
- The best battery.
- Bright curved screen.
- Waterproof.
- Fast charging.
- Beautiful design.
- Fast fingerprint scanner.
Flaws:
- Slippery glass body.
2. Samsung Galaxy Note 9 128 Gb
A smartphone with a good battery and a large frameless display. The battery capacity is 4000 mAh. In testing, the battery showed its best side. Without recharging, he was able to work for almost 60 hours while listening to music.
The device is attractive with a stylish design with a large 6.4-inch Amoled screen. The display is protected by a coating that is highly scratch resistant.
You can make contactless payments using your smartphone, as it is equipped with an NFC chip.
Advantages:
- The housing is protected from water.
- Powerful battery.
- Optical stabilization.
- High-quality photos and videos.
- Good speed.
- Fast charging.
Flaw:
- Expensive accessories.
Which Samsung smartphone to buy
Having studied different models of smartphones from the South Korean manufacturer, you can easily decide which one is best for you. Immediately think about which parameters are paramount for you, and which ones you do not pay much attention to. In this case, you probably won’t have any difficulties when choosing a Samsung smartphone.
It should be noted that Sony is a blunder in optimizing smartphones for MediaTek chipsets, so the Xperia M5 has been annoying customers with various “glitches” for a long time; by today’s standards, the Helio X10 processor is slow, and it does not work at its maximum capabilities in the M5. The case heats up with or without reason, autonomy leaves much to be desired. But the proprietary shell is comfortable, the cameras are high-quality, the display is bright and clear, and the prestige of such a smartphone in “glamorous” circles is much higher than that of any Huawei or Xiaomi. Official distributors have gone crazy and are asking a completely ridiculous 25 thousand rubles for the old Sony, but “gray” sellers estimate the Xperia M5 Dual at 15-16 thousand - a completely fair price for such a model.
ZTE Nubia Z11 mini S
ZTE has a luxury division, Nubia, and it, in turn, has the flagship Z11 series, which has a simplified version of the Z11 mini, which recently underwent an update in the house that Jack built. We should pay tribute to the Chinese - the Z11 mini S differs from the Z11 mini radically and only for the better.
A very agile smartphone with a brutal body and red accents. You can’t really find fault with the characteristics: fast Snapdragon 625, 4 GB of RAM, 64 or 128 GB of internal storage. It’s also nice that ZTE (whose “hands are sharpened” more to adjust the audio path than camera algorithms) made a broad gesture and equipped the Z11 mini S with a 22-megapixel rear camera based on the Sony IMX318 sensor. The much more expensive ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe and Xiaomi Mi Note 2 are equipped with the same sensor, if you are not aware.
Once upon a time, ambitious smartphone makers said they would soon drive compact cameras out of the market. This happened before our eyes. Today everyone knows that the camera even in an inexpensive smartphone takes pictures no worse than a point-and-shoot camera. Next stage - catch up with DSLR quality. While this does not sound entirely realistic, new smartphones prove that this goal will also be achieved sooner or later. There are a lot of decent models on the market that allow you to create very, very high quality photos. We analyzed the existing offer and selected smartphones with the best camera of 2018 for our readers. Looking ahead, we note that all these camera phones they are very, very expensive, but the cameras in them are truly luxurious.
When it comes to evaluating a camera, the question involuntarily arises: how can you understand that it is cool in one smartphone, and worse in another? First of all, you need to look at the technical specifications:
- number of megapixels. Forget about the “more is better” rule. This has not been the case for a long time, but for some reason marketers and sellers continue to mislead users. When it comes to a tiny (compared to a DSLR) camera in a smartphone, a large number of megapixels can even cause harm. 12-13 megapixels is enough to create wonderful pictures. It’s good that many companies realized this and focused their attention on improving other parameters;
- diaphragm. To take a good photo, the camera needs light. It hits the matrix and forms an image. Light passes through the aperture, and the wider the aperture blades are open, the greater the chance of getting a clear, beautiful photo, even in conditions that are far from ideal. In the specifications, the aperture is designated as f/2.0 or F2.0. The lower the number, the better. For example, a camera with f/2.2 and f/1.9 will shoot equally well during the day, but in the evening with a module with f/1.9 the pictures will be better. Today, the standard even for inexpensive smartphones is f/2.0, and they put it in flagships modules onf/1.8 and evenf/1.6.
By the way, a wide aperture, even in the absence of a second module, will allow you to create macro photographs with a bokeh effect;
- matrix diagonal. The bigger it is, the better. That's all the average user needs to know. There is no need to go into details. The diagonal of the matrix is indicated by a fractional number, and the smaller the number under the fraction, the better. For example, a 1/3” camera is normal for the budget class, 1/2.9” and 1/2.8” are for the mid-range, and 1/2.5” are for flagships, but there are often exceptions. Recently, manufacturers prefer not to indicate this characteristic at all;
- pixel size. A lot of stupid pixels may not improve the quality of the photo, but, on the contrary, cause blurriness and noise. Therefore it’s better to have fewer larger pixels on the matrix than many small ones. Manufacturers usually indicate the pixel size. For budget and mid-range smartphones this figure should be 1.22 microns or more, in flagships - at least 1.25 microns, and better - 1.4 and even 1.5 microns;
- autofocus type. Autofocus can be contrast (the most primitive, used in very cheap smartphones), phase(works quickly during the day, problems are possible at night) and laser. The latter is the most modern and accurate, always works quickly;
- optical stabilization– the key to high-quality photographs of dynamic scenes. This feature is invaluable when shooting video and will be useful to all those whose hands often tremble;
- number of lenses. Many people believe that the more there are, the better. No. It is better when the lenses are of high quality, but this can only be judged by test images;
- camera sensor manufacturer. Modules from Sony, as well as from Samsung(the company makes better sensors for itself than those it sells externally). Slightly worse, but acceptable, sensors are removed from OmniVision. The most popular are Sony sensors, which in the camera characteristics are marked as IMX and a three-digit number, for example, IMX The first digit indicates the generation, the second indicates the class of the photosensor (the larger the better), the third indicates the version;
- additional main camera performed in several versions. Option #1 is a black-and-white sensor, which captures light better and allows you to take better photos in low-light conditions. Option #2 – a camera with a wide viewing angle to squeeze as much of the landscape into the frame as possible. Option No. 3 – the second camera is used for zooming.
It also happens that a camera with seemingly ideal parameters takes, to put it mildly, not very good pictures. This means that the manufacturer did not pay enough attention automation, optics and software algorithms. It is advisable to personally evaluate examples of photos in different shooting conditions before purchasing. It often happens that with a fairly mediocre set of characteristics, a smartphone takes excellent pictures - this means that the developer was not too lazy to finish the software shell. But when a manufacturer takes a good sensor, but kills it with lenses or software problems, it’s very disappointing.
We move from theory to practice. We found the best camera phones, selected the best among them and prepared a rating for you. The analysis used sample images, as well as the opinion of an authoritative resourceDxOMark, which tests cameras using its own algorithm and gives them scores. Go!
Smartphones with the best camera 2018
Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus
Just a few weeks ago, the new flagship from Samsung was presented atM.W.C. 2018.
The model received a very cool camera and has already been called a smartphone with the best camera in the world. Both the Galaxy S9 Plus and the slightly more compact Galaxy S9 received main module with variable aperture. No one had done this before. Yes, they tried, but Samsung was the first to bring the idea to life. What does it give us? aperture with variable value fromf/2.4 to a/1.5? This feature brings the smartphone camera closer to the DSLR and allows it to adapt to any shooting conditions. When it’s light, the aperture blades close to keep the frame clear and to convey depth, which is especially important when shooting landscapes. When it is dark, the petals open as much as possible to let in light. Tests show that The device takes pictures at night, indeed, much better than all other smartphones, even better than its main competitor, the iPhone X. The matrix resolution is 12 megapixels, there is optical stabilization and phase detection autofocus. 
Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, unlike the Galaxy S9, received additional main camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels and f/2.4 aperture. The second module is required for 2-card optical zoom. The pixel size of the main camera is 1.4 microns, in the additional one – 1 microns. The smartphone can shoot video in slow motion, has a portrait mode and copes superbly with all shooting scenarios. The 8 MP front camera can also blur the background and takes excellent pictures (f/1.7 aperture, 80-degree viewing angle).
We can talk about the Galaxy S9+ for a long time, because it one of the most advanced smartphones today. It received an 8-core Exynos 9810 processor with a frequency of 2.7 GHz: very powerful, but such resource-intensive applications where this “stone” would show itself 100% have not yet been invented. The screen has a diagonal of 6.2 inches, made using Super AMOLED technology, resolution 2960*1440. There is 6 GB of RAM, the main one is 64/128/256 GB, there is a slot for memory cards up to 400 GB. The model received IP68 protection from moisture and dust, is equipped with a face and retinal scanner, and can make AR Emoji - an analogue of Animoji in the iPhone. Add here stereo speakers, fast charging (battery capacity 3500 mAh) and a chic appearance, and we get, perhaps, the best smartphone today. The 6/64 version costs about $1200. 
Apple iPhone X
Apple smartphones always have good cameras. The anniversary and revolutionary iPhone X model only confirmed this rule. Before the release of the Galaxy S9+ (and even after it), the camera in the iPhone X will serve as an example for comparison. Apple traditionally pays attention to software optimization, but everything is fine with the hardware. Rear camera – dual, both modules received 12 megapixels. One of them is a wide-angle lens with f/1.8 aperture, the second is a telephoto lens with f/2.4 aperture. Both modules have optical stabilization. There is a portrait mode and 2x optical zoom. The camera performs well in all shooting scenarios, but is inferior to the Galaxy S9+ at night. The front module has a resolution of 7 megapixels, an f/2.2 aperture, and can use the screen backlight as a flash. 
The main feature of the new iPhone is the “bangs” on top. The attitude towards it is ambiguous, so we will not comment on this feature. Let us only note that, following Apple, many Chinese companies have churned out clones of the iPhone X at very different prices. The AMOLED screen has a diagonal of 5.8 inches and a resolution of 2436 * 1125, the highest contrast and brightness. A fast processor, IP67 water and dust protection, face recognition technology and other more or less useful features make the gadget dream smartphone. The dream (64 GB version) costs about $1350. 
Google Pixel 2
The flagship from Google is distinguished not only by its compact size, but also by its conservatism, and this is not a minus at all. The company did not use fashion trends such as a dual camera and an elongated screen. However, the smartphone takes excellent photos, and many experts are confident that this is the best camera phone at the moment. The main module has a resolution of 12.3 megapixels (f/1.8 aperture, pixel size 1.4 microns, matrix diagonal 1/2.6”), phase and laser autofocus, optical and electronic stabilization. Everything is perfect on paper, and in reality it’s no worse. The camera can handle any scene, the pictures turn out really gorgeous - amateur photographers should appreciate it.
The front camera has a resolution of 8 megapixels, an aperture of f/ 2.4, a pixel size of 1.4 microns and a matrix diagonal of 1/3.2”. The characteristics, frankly, are not so hot, but the front camera takes pictures very well. In addition, background blur is also implemented here. In general, the pictures come out great in any conditions. Video can be shot in 4K at 30fps, FullHD at up to 120fps, and HD at 240fps.
As for the main parameters, the smartphone received a 5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920*1080, protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5, fast Snapdragon 835 processor with a frequency of up to 2.45 GHz, IP67 water and dust protection. The battery capacity is small (obviously for the sake of compactness) - 2700 mAh, but the fast charging function should save it. The smartphone is equipped with 4 GB of RAM, main memory – 64 or 128 GB. The pluses also include the presence of stereo speakers, an active noise reduction system and a bunch of chips from the manufacturer. There is no 3.5mm jack. The device costs about $800: a lot, but better than its competitors. 
Huawei Mate 10 Pro
Another confident contender for the title of smartphone with the best camera. The device has a glass body, a giant screen, a fast processor, enviable battery life and a dual camera, which becomes the object of our interest. The Leica main camera duo is positioned vertically. The color module has a resolution of 12 megapixels, the additional monochrome module has a resolution of 20 megapixels. Aperture for both camerasf/1,6 , contrast, phase and laser autofocus, optical stabilization, there is a 2x hybrid zoom. The smartphone is excellent at taking photos in low light conditions, not to mention simpler shooting scenarios such as landscapes, portraits and macro. The background is blurred perfectly, the pictures are clear and the colors are reproduced correctly. The front module has an 8 megapixel sensor with f/2.0 aperture and fixed focus. He copes with his tasks at a high level.
Huawei installed in its flagship an 8-core HiSilicon Kirin 970 processor with a frequency of up to 2.36 GHz and neural computing module. Thanks to this solution, the smartphone will cope much more quickly and efficiently with applications that use artificial intelligence technology. OLED screen with a diagonal of 6 inches and a resolution of 2160*1080, protective glass, 4000 mAh battery with fast charging function, IP67 waterproof – here everything is so perfect it's boring. The only downsides are the easily soiled body (glass, after all) and the price. There are versions with 4 and 6 GB RAM, main memory can be 64/128/256. The “simplest” phone with 4/64 GB costs $630, which compares favorably with its more expensive fellow camera phones. 
HTC U11 and HTC U11 Plus
HTC U11 was released in the summer of 2017 and captivated fans of mobile photography with its excellent photography in the dark and excellent detail when photographing complex objects such as threads and hair. There were only questions about the design, so in the fall the company released the HTC U11 Plus. The camera module remains the same, but they worked on the appearance: whether it has become better is a big question, everything is subjective.
The main camera in both models received a resolution of 12 megapixels and aperturef/1.7
, pixel size – 1.4 microns, there is optical image stabilization. All this means that both day and night you will be able to get photos of excellent quality, with a spectacularly blurred background. Post-processing enthusiasts will love the fact that smartphone can shoot inRAW. Naturally, there is a manual mode - the user can configure all shooting parameters himself. The 16 megapixel front module with f/2.0 aperture and without autofocus allows you to create very decent selfies. In general, the device deserves to be included in the ranking of smartphones with the best camera. 
HTC U11 received a body made of glass and metal, a 5.5-inch screen with a resolution of 2560*1440, protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and a 3000 mAh battery. The 8-core Snapdragon 835 with a frequency of up to 2.45 GHz is responsible for performance; there are versions with 4 and 6 GB of RAM, and 64/128 GB of main memory. An under-screen fingerprint scanner, features include a body compression sensor and a physical activity tracking sensor. The price for the 4/64 version is about $660.
HTC U11
Plus received, as is now commonly called, a full-screen 6-inch display with an aspect ratio of 18:9. The changes also affected the battery: in the new version its capacity is 3930 mAh. The 4/64 version costs $790. 
Apple iPhone 8 and Apple iPhone 8 Plus
Yes, the eighth iPhones are criticized for their outdated design, but they still buy them, because in terms of technical characteristics they are almost ideal. The new iPhones differ from the iPhone 7s by having a glass body, a faster processor and an increased amount of memory. The rest has not changed, but the cameras began to shoot even better. In the Plus version, the main camera is dual, in the younger version it remains single.
iPhone 8 Plus received two main camera modules 12 MP each. One of them is wide-angle with an f/1.8 aperture, the second is a telephoto lens with an f/2.8 aperture. Eat dual optical zoom, portrait mode, stage lighting mode, and the wide-angle lens received optical stabilization. iPhone 8 equipped with only one 12 MP f/1.8 lens, there is no optical zoom. The cameras work quickly, produce images of decent quality, and they are not afraid of the dark. The 7 MP f/2.2 front camera produces decent results.
The eighth iPhones look solid. The younger version received a 4.7-inch screen (resolution 1334*750), the older version – 5.5 inches (1920*1080). Both versions are powered by a 6-core A11 Bionic processor, equipped with 3 GB of RAM, the main one can be 64 or 256 GB. Powerful and beautiful apples are traditionally not cheap - fashion gadgets, after all. iPhone 8 – from $790, iPhone 8 Plus – from $1060.
We also note that the year before last iPhone 7 andiPhone 7
Plus also filmed at the level, namely, the iPhone 7 Plus set the trend for dual main cameras. 
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Last year, the company’s line of phablets was replenished with the Galaxy Note 8 model. This year, obviously, an updated version will be released, but for now, the “eight” can confidently fight for the title of the best camera phone. However, the camera is not the only advantage of the gadget, but it is very, very significant. Both main cameras received 12 megapixel resolution and optical stabilization. This was the first smartphone in which both main modules are equipped with optical stabilization. One of the cameras is wide-angle with an f/1.7 aperture, the second is a tele-camera with an f/2.4 aperture. Their joint work allows you to create excellent photographs in any conditions and effectively blur the background. Thanks to the function dynamic focus You can change the focus object after shooting. The photos turn out spectacular. The good news is that video in 4K resolution turns out to be of really high quality. The front camera, with its 8 megapixels and f/1.7, performs quite well.
The giant 6.3-inch display amazes with high-quality images. The device comes to our market with a Samsung Exynos 8895 processor: in AnTuTu tests, the device scores more than 170 thousand points. This is power! RAM of 6 GB and built-in 64/128/256 GB is enough for the eyes. Separately worth noting sound quality and a multi-functional unsinkable stylus. By the way, the smartphone itself received protection from moisture and dust according to the IP68 standard. The battery capacity, however, is only 3300 mAh. Some people may not like the dirty glass case, as well as the price, but it’s time to get used to the fact that flagships cost about a thousand “green” and are a fashion item. This model, for example, is perfect for business people who need to work a lot with documents and spreadsheets. For the 64 GB version they are now asking from $900 to $1050. 
ASUS Zenfone 5Z and ASUS Zenfone 5
The recent MWC exhibition, held in Barcelona, introduced us to a lot of interesting new products. ASUS has introduced a whole series of new smartphones. If Zenfone 5 Lite just received an elongated screen, then 5 and 5Z are very strongly reminiscentiPhone Xwith his bangs, but they are much cheaper. Zenfone 5Z and Zenfone 5 are slightly different in terms of hardware, but they have the same cameras. Rear module – double. The main camera received a Sony IMX363 sensor, 12 megapixel resolution, f/1.8 aperture, optical stabilization and phase detection autofocus. The 8-megapixel auxiliary module has a viewing angle of 120 degrees. In theory, the camera should cope well with different scenes and produce effective blur. The front module is more modest: 8 megapixels and the same viewing angle of 120 degrees.
Zenfone 5 received a 6.2-inch diagonal screen with an aspect ratio of 19:9 and a resolution of 2264 * 1080. On board is a fast Snapdragon 636 processor and 4 or 6 GB of RAM, 64 GB of main memory, it can be expanded. The developers say that the smartphone uses software with the makings of artificial intelligence, and its forces will be used to more economically consume energy and improve the quality of shooting.
Zenfone 5
Z outwardly it is exactly the same, but inside it hides a slightly more powerful Snapdragon 845. There are 4, or 6, or even 8 GB of RAM!! The latest version is absolutely impressive. Main memory capacity – 64/128/256 GB. The price will start at $590 (Zenfone 5 will obviously be cheaper), sales will begin in June. 
LG V30+
Recently everyone praised the cameraLG V30 . We don’t argue that it’s really cool, but the new product, which was released just recently, promises even better shooting quality. As befits a flagship, it uses dual main camera. One of them has a resolution of 16 megapixels, aperturef/1.6 , the second is 13 megapixels, f/1.9 and a viewing angle of 120 degrees. As a result, excellent photo quality in any shooting conditions, the ability to create photos with maximum scene capture, and the presence of optical stabilization will allow you to achieve excellent results even when shooting in difficult conditions. Cameras received glass lenses CrystalClear, which minimize light scattering when transmitting it to the matrix. The front camera with its 5 MP and f/2.2 takes acceptable pictures.
The smartphone has top-end hardware. This is a powerful modern 8-core Snapdragon 835 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal memory (expandable up to 2 TB). The screen is made using OLED FullVision technology, has a diagonal of 6 inches and a resolution of 2880*1440 pixels. There is protection against water and dust IP 68 and a fast charging function, the battery capacity is minimally sufficient - 3300 mAh. The device looks futuristic and costs about $900. 
Xiaomi Mi Note 3
The new flagship from the famous Chinese company received the same pair of cameras as in the more expensive Xiaomi Mi 6. Both main cameras have a resolution of 12 megapixels, one of them has an f/1.8 aperture, and the second one has an f/2.6 aperture. the first is wide-angle, the second camera has a telephoto lens, so you can zoom in on the image without losing quality and create bokeh. In most shooting scenarios, the camera performs excellently, almost on par with its more expensive counterparts. The front module with a resolution of 16 megapixels will delight those who like to take selfies.
The beautiful glass case houses the fast Snapdragon 660 processor. The manufacturer decided to save money on the screen. Well, how to save money. Not to say that the display is bad, but these days they are also installed in devices of the lower price segment. The screen is made using IPS technology, has a diagonal of 5.5 inches and a resolution of 1920*1080. The fingerprint scanner is conveniently located under the display. The 3500 mAh battery can charge quickly and provides acceptable battery life. The smartphone is sold in 6/64 and 6/128 GB versions. If you need a smartphone with a good camera under 20,000 rubles ($350), then take a closer look at version 6/64. A device with twice as much memory will cost 1.5 times more. 
Vivo X20 Plus
The flagship from Vivo completes our top camera phones. Now everyone is actively discussing that the company's updated smartphone Vivo X20 Plus UD will be the first in the world in which The fingerprint scanner will be built into the screen and will be located at the bottom of the display. While everyone is just waiting for the new product to go on sale, it is known that the cameras in the new smartphone will be the same as those in the Vivo X20 Plus.
The model is equipped dual main camera: the first module has a resolution of 12 megapixels and an f/1.8 aperture, the second has a modest resolution of 5 megapixels. An additional module is needed to blur the background. The front module also has a resolution of 12 megapixels and f/2.0. The authoritative resource DxOMark rated the device’s camera at 90 points out of 100, which is a good result.
The device received a Super AMOLED display with a diagonal of 6.43 inches and a resolution of 2160 * 1080, an 8-core Snapdragon 660 processor, a fairly capacious 3905 mAh battery and an acceptable memory reserve of 4/64 GB. The device costs about $540. There are also cheaper alternative – Vivo X20. This smartphone is equipped with the same cameras, but has a slightly smaller screen (6.01 inches, the same resolution) and a less capacious battery (3245 mAh), but the processor is the same, and the price is about $460. 
We take pictures of ourselves and our friends a lot, try to capture all the memorable moments, catch interesting scenes in nature and photograph food... To create high-quality non-stop shots, you need appropriate equipment. In our case, a smartphone with a first-class photo component.
Of course, you can get by with budget solutions (especially since the cameras of available devices have now noticeably improved in terms of characteristics), but for the highest possible quality and fast operation, flagship smartphones are preferable. Our fresh selection of the most interesting devices with an eye to photo capabilities will help you determine which gadget is right for you.
Apple iPhone X
Apple smartphones have always been famous for their decent approach to photo and video shooting, because it’s not for nothing that the iPhone is still considered the most popular tool for mobile photography. Famous film directors Zack Snyder and Steven Soderbergh have already proven to us that the iPhone can easily replace a full-fledged camera on the set!
The most advanced iPhone at the moment is the anniversary flagship iPhone X (the model was released to mark the tenth anniversary of the line). The main photo module of the “tens” consists of two 12-megapixel sensors, but compared to the iPhone 8 Plus, the light sensitivity is increased, and there is also optical stabilization on both the main and additional “eye”. The camera has a lot of capabilities, and everyone will find something they like: the main features include excellent portrait mode, stage lighting function, video recording in 4K / 60 FPS and 1080p / 240 FPS, 2x physical zoom without loss of quality. The 7-megapixel front camera can also take photographs with background blur, and the advanced artificial intelligence system that appeared in the new six-core A11 Bionic chip helps it with this.
iPhone X is notable for its frameless 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display (1125x2436 pixels) with a notch at the top, Face ID technology for face unlocking, glass body, large amount of memory (256 GB in the top version) and wireless charging .
Very soon (July 31), a new super-flagship of the Japanese company Sony - Xperia XZ2 Premium, a real technological monster equipped with the latest technology, will go on sale in Russia.
Like the first Xperia XZ Premium, the new product has a display with ultra-high resolution for smartphones 4K (density 760 ppi), which supports HDR10 technology. Its ratio remained standard (16:9), but the diagonal increased to 5.8″. The device is based on the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chip, complemented by 6 GB of RAM. It uses a 3540 mAh battery with fast wireless charging, S-Force Front Surround stereo speakers, a 64 GB drive, NFC, and a unique DVS (Dynamic Vibration System) system. The latter provides vibration and response and allows you to watch movies, play games and listen to music in a new way, since the DVS acts as a kind of subwoofer.
However, the main innovation is the two-module Motion Eye Dual main camera with color and black-and-white sensors of 19 and 12 megapixels, respectively. It has a light sensitivity of ISO 12800 for video and ISO 51200 for photos, which allows you to shoot in very low light at the level of a professional camera. The Motion Eye Dual unit is also capable of recording 4K HDR video and super slow-motion videos at 960 frames per second (HD and Full HD), and in the near future the camera’s functionality will be expanded with a shooting mode with background blur and a monochrome shooting mode.
Huawei P20 Pro
The most striking camera phone of this season is the P20 Pro from Huawei, which received the main three-module Leica Triple Camera. The solution, to put it mildly, is unusual, but very useful: the main 40-megapixel sensor with record physical dimensions of 1/1.7″ (7.76×5.82 mm) is distinguished by optical stabilization, F1.8 aperture and stacked memory for recording super slow motion video at 960 FPS, the second (at 20 megapixels) is monochrome, with a higher aperture of F1.6 - serves to give deep shades and increased light capture in the dark, and the third (at 8 megapixels) has an equivalent focal length of about 80 mm and required for 3x optical zoom (or 5x hybrid). The camera unit also contains a color temperature sensor, phase detection autofocus, a laser rangefinder and an LED flash.
The Huawei P20 Pro is based on the manufacturer's proprietary top-end chip HiSilicon Kirin 970, which means that the device supports neural networks: artificial intelligence helps when shooting photos and videos, automatically setting the necessary parameters depending on the conditions and the scene. In total, the smartphone recognizes over 500 scenarios in 19 categories. Artificial intelligence also helps when taking selfies with the 24-megapixel front camera, removing all imperfections from the user’s face if desired.
Let's move on to the remaining parameters. The device has 6 GB of RAM, and a 128 GB drive is provided for storing content (unfortunately, not expandable). The 6.1-inch screen is made using OLED technology and has a protrusion on top that can be hidden in the OS settings. The display ratio is 18.7:9 and the resolution is 1080x2240 pixels. Other advantages include a 4000 mAh battery (supported by SuperCharge), full support for RAW format and Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and IP67 certification (protection from water and dust).
In the recent past, the South Korean company Samsung crossed a phone with a digital camera, resulting in the Galaxy Camera - a “point-and-shoot” with the inside of a smartphone and all the ensuing nuances. Unfortunately (or fortunately), the experiment was not so successful, and now the manufacturer is releasing camera phones that are more familiar to the eye, like the Galaxy S9+.
You can call the Galaxy S9+ a camera phone without any doubt, because the previous models of the line were strong in terms of shooting photos/videos, and now the capabilities of the main camera have gone even further. So, compared to the standard Galaxy S9, the older version has an additional module (12+12 megapixels), necessary for double optical zoom. For the first time, the manufacturer has implemented in a smartphone a variable aperture for one of the sensors (from F1.5 to F2.4), which helps avoid overexposure and helps out in low-light conditions. Other important photographic features of the smartphone are the ability to record super slow-motion videos at 960 FPS and a powerful portrait mode.
You can’t go far with one camera: here you have an “unlimited” 6.2-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440×2960 pixels and HDR10 support, the flagship eight-core Exynos 9810 chipset with a clock frequency of 2.7 GHz, 6 GB of RAM and 64 256 GB of permanent memory with the possibility of expansion with a microSD card, NFC for the Samsung Pay payment service and synchronization with other gadgets, wireless charging, a fingerprint scanner (face and iris unlocking is present), audio preparation from AKG (stereo speakers, headset), as well as resistance to moisture and dust according to IP68 standard.
HTC's flagship smartphones are not as wildly popular as Samsung or Apple devices, which is a pity, because in the ranking of the well-known resource DxOMark, the top devices of the Taiwanese company traditionally show decent results. U12+, HTC's new flagship with one of the best cameras on the market, also took a high position in DxOMark (106 points and second place in the overall list of mobile devices).
The main camera of the HTC U12+ is excellent. This is a fourth-generation dual Ultra Pixel module with a pair of 12 and 16 megapixel sensors (aperture F1.75 and F2.6, respectively), characterized by an optical stabilization system, a fast Ultra Speed 2 autofocus system, and the possibility of 2x physical zoom. Of course, there is 4K video recording and Bokeh mode. The front camera is also dual-module (8+8 megapixels) and supports portrait photography. It is possible to unlock using the user's face. The second important detail of the U12+ is the Edge Sense touch sides. They were present in last year’s U11+, but in the new product they were updated and supplemented with new functionality (for example, Edge Sense replaced all the mechanical keys on the case).
The hardware of the smartphone includes an eight-core Snapdragon 845 chip, 6 GB of RAM, 64 or 256 GB storage, a 3500 mAh battery and a 6-inch Super LCD display with an aspect ratio of 18:9 (1440 × 2880 pixels) and HDR10 support. The audio part of the HTC U12+ is good, especially with regard to the external sound source - the BoomSound Hi-Fi Edition stereo speakers produce clear and surround sound. You can listen to music through the included USonic headphones with active noise reduction, which have a USB Type-C plug instead of a mini-jack (there is no 3.5 mm jack on the case).
Honor 10
Honor 10 is a youth flagship smartphone that combines an affordable price, high performance, stylish appearance (especially in the Shimmering Blue and Shimmering Green colors), as well as a high-quality dual-module camera.
The main camera in Honor 10 is represented by two sensors of 16 and 24 megapixels (aperture F1.8), the first of which is color, and the second is monochrome. We have seen a similar scheme more than once in the brand’s devices, so you probably know that both sensors can work either individually or in pairs to achieve increased detail. At the same time, hybrid 2x zoom, Portrait mode and wide aperture mode are supported. There is an AI Camera logo next to the camera. When this feature is enabled, the artificial intelligence algorithms of the Kirin 970 processor come into play, helping you to automatically adjust the picture.
Other nice characteristics of Honor 10 include a 5.84-inch Full HD+ display with a 19:9 ratio and a fashionable “eyebrow”, 64 or 128 GB of permanent memory, NFC sensor, USB Type-C port, 3400 mAh battery h with support for SuperCharge, as well as the AK4376A music chip from Asahi Kasei. The amount of RAM, however, is not a record - only 4 GB, but this should not cause any problems.
Many smartphones with dual cameras have either an optical zoom function or a system of color and monochrome sensors, but if you are a fan of wide-angle shooting, then one of the most notable devices with this capability is the LG G7 ThinQ.
The LG G7 has a paired rear camera unit with sensors with a resolution of 16 megapixels each. The main one has an aperture of F1.6, is equipped with phase detection autofocus, a laser rangefinder and optical stabilization, and the additional one, which is used when shooting with a wide angle, has a 107° lens (its aperture is F1.9). Other camera innovations are related to the emerging AI system: like the first smartphone in the ThinQ line (LG V30S), this device is able to recognize many objects and scenarios for self-correction of settings, offering one of 19 preset options (“Human”, “Animals”, “ Food”, “Sunrise”, “City”, “Sky” and others). Additionally, we highlight the improved Portrait Mode and the new Super Bright Camera option, which will be useful when shooting in the dark - with its help, the picture becomes 4 times brighter.
Other characteristics of the smartphone are represented by a frameless 6.1-inch IPS display with an aspect ratio of 19.5:9, a resolution of 1440 × 3120 pixels and a notch, a Snapdragon 845 chip, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage (can be expanded up to 2 TB with a microSD card ), a 3000 mAh battery with support for wireless charging, NFC, and a case protected to IP68 and MIL-STD 810G standards. In addition to the installed Hi-Fi Quad digital-to-analog converter, the device offers DTS:X 3D Surround Sound for 7.1-channel playback on headphones.
ASUS Zenfone 5Z
The entire line of fifth-generation Zenfone smartphones from ASUS is united by the slogan “We love photos,” and the company didn’t lie one bit about this: every Zenfone 5, including the original and Lite versions, received a photo component worthy of its category. And the strongest of the newcomers turned out to be Zenfone 5Z - in addition to an excellent camera, it is equipped with advanced hardware: the top-end Snapdragon 845 chip, a 256 GB drive, 8 GB of RAM in the maximum configuration.
Let's return to the main camera. Zenfone 5Z received a dual-module rear camera with a flagship Sony IMX363 sensor of 12 megapixels with an F1.8 aperture, 1.4 microns in size, an optical image stabilization system, high-speed phase detection autofocus (0.03 s), as well as an additional 8-megapixel sensor with ultra-wide-angle lens. The camera of the device can learn thanks to the support of artificial intelligence. The presence of the latter also means that you have automatic identification of the type of object in the frame (16 options available in total) and independent substitution of the appropriate image parameters to achieve the best result. Portrait shooting, 4K video recording and RAW support are also in place.
As for the rest of the specifications, they include a frameless 6.2-inch Super IPS+ display with a resolution of 1080 x 2246 pixels, a 3300 mAh battery with fast charging, two speakers with NXP smart amplifiers, a gigabit LTE modem, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, dual SIM card slots, a fast fingerprint scanner, a facial recognition system, a USB Type-C connector and support for DTS Headphone:X technology for virtual 7.1 surround sound when using headphones.
Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S
The original Mi MIX could hardly be recommended as a photographic tool: its 16-megapixel main camera without optical stabilization produced images of average quality and was only suitable for unpretentious amateur photography. Things are completely different with the new Mi MIX 2S, the camera in which is two heads higher than that of Xiaomi’s first fashion “full-screen”.
The rear camera unit of the Mi MIX 2S is based on a 12-megapixel Sony IMX363 sensor with a physical size of 1/2.55″, F1.8 aperture, four-axis OIS system and support for Dual Pixel AF technology. Next to it is a second additional sensor, Samsung S5K3M3 (F2.0), also 12 megapixels. This combination provides not only portrait photography, but also the possibility of double zoom. It could not do without the support of artificial intelligence: in 2018, AI functionality became one of the leading trends in smartphone manufacturing, so Xiaomi endowed the Mi MIX 2S with the ability to identify more than 200 scenes in various categories.
The design and technical part of the smartphone are at a very high level: the ceramic coating of the body with a gold camera rim looks expensive, and the internal space is filled with a decent level of filling (Snapdragon 845 chip, 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB storage). From the front, the device also looks impressive due to the large 5.99-inch Full HD+ IPS display, which has an aspect ratio of 18:9 and occupies the lion's share of the front side.
By the way, we recently released .
Oppo Find X
Oppo Find X is one of the most unusual and stylish devices of this summer. What's impressive here is the Panoramic Arc Screen, a side-curved 6.42-inch OLED screen with a 19.5:9 ratio and Full HD+ resolution, occupying 93.8% of the front side! The Find X has practically no frames, and only the bottom edge has a slight thickening, so there is no hint of the earpiece, sensors or front camera from the front...
The Oppo Find X body has a retractable module at the top, which hides all this, as well as a main dual-module camera unit (16+20 megapixels). It “wakes up” only when the photo application is activated. Also, the body expands when the user’s face is recognized, and this happens quite often, since there is no conventional fingerprint scanner here. Note that the manufacturer provides a five-year warranty on the mechanism. As for the camera, the main 16-megapixel sensor is equipped with phase detection autofocus and optical image stabilization, and the lens has an aperture of F2.0. The second 20-megapixel sensor has a lens with an F2.2 aperture and is necessary for shooting with a shallow depth of field. Oppo Find X is a purebred flagship and its filling is appropriate: a top-end Snapdragon 845 processor, 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB drive.
