iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison - 2

iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison Review

Seeing how far we have come, the great trend in smartphones of 2017 is the dual camera feature. Gradually, the dual shot configuration has shifted from a gimmick to the selling point. Thanks to the recent SoCs such as Snapdragon 835 which take out the best from dual camera smartphones. Apple iPhone 8 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Note 8 are the top dual camera smartphones of this year. Almost every year, the hot talks between the Samsung and Apple hardcore fans take place. That’s why we are here to do a complete camera comparison of these two high-end flagships. Let’s see which one wins the iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 camera comparison battle.

iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison - 1

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iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison – The Camera Configuration

Whether it’s Note 8 or iPhone 8 Plus, the camera configuration is a close call. Among them, Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has an 8 MP front camera, 12 MP wide-angle + telephoto dual-camera combination, support full pixel dual-core focus. The best part is the aperture of the primary lens which is F / 1.7 along with 1.4-micron pixel size. Meanwhile, the secondary telephoto lens aperture is F / 2.4. It should be noted that for the first time in the dual lens, both lenses are equipped with OIS (optical image stabilization) function.

iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison - 4

On the other side, iPhone 8 Plus also has the same 12 MP wide-angle + telephoto combination. The primary lens aperture is F / 1.8 along 1.22 microns pixel size. Meanwhile, the telephoto lens aperture is F / 2.8. Sadly, OIS (optical image stabilization) feature is only equipped with the wide-angle lens.

ModeliPhone 8 PlusSamsung Galaxy Note 8
Camera configurationDual camera, Telephoto + Wide AngleDual camera, Telephoto + Wide Angle
ResolutionBoth 12MPBoth 12MP
AperturePrimary camera: f / 1.8
Secondary camera: f / 2.8
Primary camera: f / 1.7
Secondary camera: f / 2.4
OISYes, only in wide-angle cameraYes, dual, in both cameras
Pixel Size1.22 microns primary camera1.4 microns primary camera

Because of the better aperture, large pixel size, and OIS in both cameras, Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is clearly the winner here regarding hardware.

On DxO Mark, both had a close call in the rating section. Galaxy Note 8 leads the way with 100 points and iPhone 8 Plus lag with 94 points.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Note 8

iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison – Detail Image Comparison

Because most of the wide-angle lens parameters are very similar, in most cases, Galaxy Note 8 and iPhone 8 Plus normal mode of imaging is almost comparable. The only difference is with the color style is different. Meanwhile, Galaxy Note 8 at night imaging will have the upper hand, thanks to the night vision mode. However, the real test result will depend upon the telephone lens performance.

In the case of adequate light, which is the first camera comparison sample, Galaxy Note 8 and iPhone 8 Plus camera has a balanced result.

iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison - Detail Mode

iPhone 8 Plus has a great coloring, and the image is looking bright and alluring. It allows the object to appear way beautiful than it actually is. However, Note 8 takes an advantage from the large aperture, showing the depth of field blur effect, whereas iPhone doesn’t have any. At the same time, the anti-shake function is also slightly better.  In Galaxy Note 8 camera sample the doll lining is clear and sharp, while, in iPhone 8 Plus there is a little jerk. While viewing iPhone 8 Plus camera sample might appear pleasing to the eye, but Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has a better natural look.

iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison - Detail Mode 1

In the second image, more area has been covered, and there’s no background noise in the by Note 8’s camera. Meanwhile, iPhone 8 Plus covers less area than Note 8, has an ugly yellow tint, and the background is a bit darker. Still, the image has more contrast, and the writing on the page appears to be warmer, meanwhile, Note 8 shows light writing. In conclusion, we would like to call it a tie here as both cameras have something special which the other one doesn’t have.

Winner: None (Tie)

iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison – Zoom Mode Comparison

Heading to the zooming, the difference between both cameras start to get clearer. Because of the aperture and optical image stabilization blessing, Galaxy Note8 2x optical zoom shot is more bright and clear. In the low light of the indoor environment, you can see the Galaxy Note 8 and iPhone 8 Plus wide-angle proofs still don’t have much difference.

iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison - Zoom efault

If we start from the original size, there’s no difference apart from the yellow tint in iPhone 8 Plus sample.

iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison - Zoom 2x

Now in the 2x zoom photo, the difference starts to get obvious. First, see the details of the water in the bottle. Galaxy Note 8 list text more meticulous and is clearly visible, the picture as a whole is relatively clean. As far as iPhone 8 Plus is concerned, the text details become vaguer, noise is more obvious, and the image is slightly inferior.

iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison - Zoom 10 x

Now heading to the extreme 2x the optical zoom and 5x the digital zoom (10x total). The gap between both cameras performance get the final touch and is the most obvious. Samsung Note 8 has the best noise control and focusing thanks to the large aperture and pixel size. You can see how the Chinese words are clear even under 10x zoom. Meanwhile, iPhone 8 Plus is a complete disaster in 10x zoom. The photo is brighter, but the small Chinese characters are not focused, appears blur and difficult to read.

So the winner of this section is:

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Note 8

iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison – Portrait Mode

This one is a toughest of them all, to decide which one is better. Although it is Samsung’s first dual camera attempt, Galaxy Note 8 portrait mode does not lose iPhone 8 Plus which already has one year experience.

iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison - Portrait Mode

After the portrait mode is turned on, in both the depth of field blur effect is very natural. The contrast between the characters and the background can be correctly identified. This brings comparable professional camera portrait effect.

iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison - Portrait Mode 1
Without blurring

However, you can see that in Note 8 camera sample, the skin of the person is more translucent. The brightness details are way better than iPhone 8 Plus. However, we must credit iPhone 8 Plus camera sample to appear more natural and detailed. The skin tone has been kept natural, and there’s a high-level of shading as well. Well, this one is your option if you want to get the best beauty mode effect or go for a natural look. The choice is yours.

iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison - Portrait Features
Left (Note 8), Right (iPhone 8 Plus)

In the imaging effect, Samsung Note 8 wins the iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison. The credit goes to the real-time focus mode which is not present in iPhone 8 Plus. When the viewfinder screen shows “you can use real-time focus,” with just a single shutter, you can wide-angle mode, telephoto mode and portrait mode at the same time. The user can also set them according to the requirements and best result. This is something missing in iPhone 8 Plus.

iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison - Portrait features 1
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Portrait Mode Feature

At the same time, in the portrait mode, the user can also adjust the intensity of the virtual effect and focus location, the formation of different styles of the screen. Allowing users to shoot with imagination in Samsung Galaxy Note 8.

iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison - Portrait features 2
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Portrait Mode Filters and Watermarks

Not only that, but Samsung album application also comes with photo filter function. No need to download the additional third-party filtering app applications. You can use a variety of filters in the photo, as well as watermarks and other illustrations. More also keep coming via updates.

iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison - Portrait features 3
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Portrait Mode Cartoons Effect

In actual testing, there’s no or a slight difference between Samsung Note 8 and iPhone 8 Plus Portrait mode. Like we said before, it depends on the user’s choice to go all beauty or all natural, respectively. However, Samsung Galaxy Note 8 gets the upper hand because of numerous features. For young users, undoubtedly the integrated experience of Note 8 appears to be more attractive. The winner of this section in iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison is:

Winner (in Portrait Performance): None

Winner (in Portrait Features): Samsung Galaxy Note 8

Our Verdict

To be honest, the actual difference between both cameras is not that much. The difference between the two is only in the tuning style and color tendencies. In more extreme use of the scene (such as telephoto camera video, night photography, etc.), Galaxy Note8 with a little advantage of the lens parameters and dual OIS. The noise reduction and resolution performance are superior.

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If you are using the camera for simple social pictures, selfies, and simple photography, then both phones are fine. But if you are an expert and need professional photography, with numerous features in pro mode, Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is your ultimate choice. So the winner of iPhone 8 Plus Vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Comparison is:

Overall Winner: Samsung Galaxy Note 8