iPhone vs Samsung Camera Quality – Which Is Better in 2025?
As a smartphone reviewer, one of the most common questions I get is:
“Which phone has the better camera – iPhone or Samsung?”
I’ve tested both for years. In this post, I’ll compare the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Both phones are powerful, but their camera style is very different.
If you’re someone who loves photography or takes daily pictures, this guide will help you choose the right one.
Camera Comparison: iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
| Feature | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP (Wide) | 200MP (Wide) |
| Extra Lenses | 12MP Ultra-Wide + 12MP Telephoto | 12MP Ultra-Wide + 50MP + 10MP Zoom |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Zoom Power | Up to 5x Optical | Up to 10x Optical |
| Video | 4K ProRes, Cinematic Mode | 8K Video, Director’s View |
| Night Mode | Excellent | Excellent |
| Color Style | Natural, warm tones | Bright, punchy tones |
| AI Features | Smart HDR, Deep Fusion | AI Zoom, Nightography |
| Battery | 4422mAh | 5000mAh |
Full Camera Specifications
iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Main Camera: 48MP wide (f/1.78)
- Ultra-Wide: 12MP (f/2.2)
- Telephoto: 12MP (f/2.8), 5x optical zoom
- Video: 4K ProRes, Dolby Vision, Cinematic Mode
- Front Camera: 12MP TrueDepth
- Image Style: Natural skin tones, soft blur
- Best For: Portraits, social content, accurate colors
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Main Camera: 200MP (f/1.7)
- Periscope Telephoto: 50MP (5x zoom)
- Telephoto 2: 10MP (3x zoom)
- Ultra-Wide: 12MP (f/2.2)
- Video: 8K at 30fps, Director’s View, Night Video
- Front Camera: 12MP
- Image Style: Sharp, bright, high contrast
- Best For: Zoom, night shots, detailed scenery
Photo Style: What I Noticed
- iPhone keeps skin tones soft and natural. It’s great for faces. Portrait mode looks like DSLR.
- Samsung makes colors pop. Sky looks bluer, grass looks greener. Great for landscapes and wide scenes.
Video Test: My Take
- iPhone 15 Pro Max gives cinematic video with natural blur. It’s perfect for vlogs or reels.
- Samsung S24 Ultra shoots 8K videos with deep detail and zoom. Great for events or action.
✅ Pros and Cons
| Brand | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | True color, clean skin tones, ProRes video | Limited zoom, high price |
| Samsung | Powerful zoom, rich colors, 8K video | Sometimes over-sharp, big file sizes |
FAQ – iPhone vs Samsung Camera
Q1: Which phone is better for selfies?
iPhone 15 Pro Max gives more natural skin tones and soft blur. It’s better for face shots.
Q2: Which one is better for zoom photography?
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. It has 10x zoom and still keeps the picture clear.
Q3: Which phone is better for video?
Both are great, but iPhone wins for stable and movie-style videos. Samsung wins for long-distance video.
Q4: What about night shots?
Both perform well. But Samsung S24 Ultra is slightly better at picking up detail in very dark scenes.
Final Thoughts
Both iPhone and Samsung are top-level camera phones. Your choice depends on your style.
- Pick iPhone 15 Pro Max if you love:
- Realistic skin tones
- Portraits and social content
- Easy video editing
- Pick Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you want:
- Zoom power
- Vivid outdoor photos
- 8K video with full details
👉 My Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
It gives more camera tools, zoom range, and video features. But if you want simple, true-to-life photos, go with iPhone.
