For the primary time in 4 years, Apple simply surpassed Samsung in smartphone gross sales worldwide through the last quarter of 2020. That is in keeping with Gartner, which says that the launch of the iPhone 12 sequence helped Apple obtain double-digit development for each the quarter and 2020 total.
In the meantime, Samsung skilled a 14.6% year-over-year decline. Granted, the Samsung Galaxy S21 launched outdoors that window in January, however primarily based on our iPhone 12 vs Galaxy S21 face-off, Apple stays within the lead. Apple additionally gained our in-depth iPhone 12 Pro Max vs Galaxy S21 Ultra comparability and iPhone 12 Pro vs Galaxy S21 Plus Plus battle.
Why does Apple maintain successful? Sure, iOS has some benefits over Android by way of ease of use — and Apple’s ecosystem is sticker than Samsung’s once you embody different merchandise just like the MacBook, Apple Watch, AirPods and iCloud. However for me, all of it comes right down to the cameras.
I do know what you may be considering. The usual iPhone 12 doesn’t even supply a telephoto digicam, whereas the Galaxy S21 delivers a 3x hybrid optical zoom and a 30x Area Zoom (digital). So Apple loses on versatility proper off the bat.
The Galaxy S21 Extremely is much more highly effective, providing twin telephoto zoom lenses that go as much as 10x optical zoom and 100x digital. The iPhone 12 Professional Max makes do with only a 3.5x optical zoom and 12x digital. Our Galaxy S21 Ultra zoom test places the iPhone 12 to disgrace on this entrance.
However once you truly have a look at the picture high quality provided by each manufacturers, Apple remains to be within the lead. The truth is, Samsung’s telephones proceed to wrestle in sure circumstances.
Take this portrait of my colleague Jordan. The Galaxy S21 Plus’ picture seems prefer it has a movie over it and washes out his face. The iPhone 12 Professional pic is nearly too heat, however it delivers much more element in his hair and beard.
The identical factor occurs indoors, too. On this picture of a golden retriever, his fur seems extra gold within the iPhone 12 Professional Max shot. The Galaxy S21 Extremely picture is flat and lacks distinction.
On this out of doors picture there’s the same sample. The Galaxy S21’s shot seems hazy subsequent to the iPhone 12 Professional. The shadows are extra outlined within the iPhone’s pic and there’s extra of a way of depth.
Whereas not as dramatic an instance, as soon as once more the iPhone 12 wins on this side-by-side comparability with the Galaxy S21 in a photograph of a Merida figurine. Her hair is extra purple within the iPhone picture and her inexperienced pores and skin seems richer.
The iPhone 12 sequence’ Night time Mode additionally tends to carry out higher than the Galaxy S21. On this comparability, you’ll be able to see that the brick, the variety of the home and the window space all look brighter and clearer. The figurine additionally blends extra into the background within the S21 picture.
I’m not saying that the cameras on the Galaxy S21 sequence are unhealthy by any stretch. The truth is, there are instances the place Samsung’s telephones come out on high.
On this picture of a hen stir fry meal, the peppers within the S21 Extremely picture look a bit richer. I give Samsung the sting right here. And as I’ve already talked about, Samsung’s telephones blow away the iPhone in terms of zooming.
The Galaxy S21 Extremely sequence additionally boats some pictures and video options I want Apple had. This contains Single Take, which captures a bunch of pictures and movies without delay utilizing a number of lenses. And there’s Director’s View, which helps you to recording utilizing the back and front cameras on the similar time.
However, total, Samsung must catch as much as Apple in terms of computational pictures. The digicam {hardware} on the Galaxy S21 sequence is stable. However the publish processing and machine studying used to make photos look their greatest remains to be a step behind Apple’s efforts.
