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Camera Blind Test 2023: Pixel 8 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung & Xiaomi

nextpit Camera Comparison iPhone 15 Pro Max Galaxy S23 Ultra Pixel 8 Pro Xiaomi 13 Ultra
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Which smartphone has the best camera in the second half of 2023? You decide in our camera blind test. This time, the brand-new Google Pixel 8 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max compete against the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Xiaomi 13 Ultra from the first half of the year. Let's go.

Update note: Check out the results of this camera blind test. We received a total of 44,000 votes and saw some unexpected new rankings.

What is a camera blind test anyway? And how does it work?

In order for you to really choose the smartphone with the best picture quality without bias, you do not know which photo comes from which smartphone in our blind test. Instead, you have to choose between four letters, behind which a different phone is hidden in each picture. Picture 1A and picture 2A do not necessarily come from the same camera.

Here are the four smartphones we photographed with:

Flagship phones face-to-face
Product
Image Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Product Image Google Pixel 8 Pro Product Image Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Product Image Xiaomi 13 Ultra Product Image
Read Review
Not yet tested
Read the iPhone 15 Pro Max Hands-on
Read the Pixel 8 Pro Review
Read the Galaxy S23 Ultra Review
Read the Xiaomi 13 Ultra Review
Main camera
  • 48 megapixels
    24 mm equiv. focal length
    f/1.78 aperture
    1/1.28'' sensor size
    OIS
  • 50 megapixels
    23 mm equiv. focal length
    f/1.68 aperture
    1/1.31'' sensor size
    82° field of view
    OIS
  • 200 megapixels
    24 mm equiv. focal length
    f/1.7 aperture
    1/1.3'' sensor size
    85° field of view
    OIS
  • 50 megapixels
    23 mm equiv. focal length
    f/1.9~4.0 aperture
    1/1'' sensor size
    OIS
Ultra-wide-angle camera
  • 12 megapixels
    13 mm eq. focal length (0.54x)
    f/2.2 aperture
    1/2.55'' sensor size
    120° field of view
  • 48 megapixels
    f/1.95 aperture
    125.5° field of view
  • 12 megapixels
    13 mm eq. focal length (0.54x)
    f/2.2 aperture
    1/2.55'' sensor size
    120° field of view
  • 50 megapixels
    12 mm eq. focal length
    122° field of view
    f/1.8 aperture
Telephoto camera
  • 12 megapixels
    120 mm eq. focal length (5x)
    f/2.8 aperture
    1/3.06'' sensor size
    OIS
  • 48 megapixels
    113 mm eq. focal length (5x)
    f/2.8 aperture
    21.8° field of view
    OIS
  • 10 megapixels
    70 mm eq. focal length (3x)
    f/2.4 aperture
    1/3.52'' sensor size
    36° field of view
    OIS
  • 10 megapixels
    230 mm eq. focal length (10x)
    f/4.9 aperture
    1/3.52'' sensor size
    11° field of view
    OIS
  • 50 megapixels
    75 mm eq focal length (3.2x)
    f/1.8 aperture
    OIS
  • 50 megapixels
    120 mm eq. focal length (5.2x)
    f/3.0 aperture
    OIS
Selfie camera
  • 12 megapixels
    23 mm eq. focal length
    f/1.9 aperture
  • 10.5 megapixels
    20 mm eq. focal length
    f/2.2 aperture
    95° field of view
  • 12 megapixels
    26 mm eq. focal length
    f/2.2 aperture
    80° field of view
  • 32 megapixels
    22 mm eq. focal length
    f/2.0 aperture
Price Comparison
The voting is now running for just under a week on the German, French, and global nextpit pages. Afterward, we will add up the votes across all three domains and determine a winner for each motif. The first place gets three points, the second place two, the third place one, and the fourth place zero points. The score results in an overall winner at the end.

Another important thing to know: Unless otherwise stated, we always use the default camera settings. After all, this is how the vast majority of users take pictures. We also take three photos of each subject with each smartphone and select the best picture. This prevents isolated outliers from influencing the overall result.

Google Pixel 8 Pro
Clearly, the Google Pixel 8 Pro has an outrageously good camera. But is it the best? / © nextpit

Scene 1: artificial light, main camera (1x)

We'll start with a challenging motif this time. This doesn't (only) mean our office and Luke, who had to hold still for 30 seconds for this series of pictures. The smartphones also have to show whether they can keep the white balance neutral in the mixed light conditions of daylight and artificial light.

Which picture do you like best?
View results

Scene 2: Tungsten light, 2x zoom

It gets a bit more difficult with our second motif. With 2x zoom, there is less space available on the sensor, and in addition, the light from the bulbs here is significantly warmer and darker at the same time. Which smartphone delivers the most atmospheric image here?

Which picture do you like best?
View results

Scene 3: Portrait in daylight, 3x zoom

The third motif is about skin tones. Which smartphone delivers the most beautiful portrait photo with the best colors here? Also, notice how cleanly the smartphones crop my head from the background.

Which picture do you like best?
View results

Scene 4: Portrait at twilight, 3x zoom

Here we repeat the portrait motif, but this time in much worse lighting conditions (and lower temperatures, brr). The only zoom level available on all smartphones in portrait mode is 3x zoom.

Which picture do you like best?
View results

Scene 5: Night, ultra-wide angle

Now it's getting really dark: Our fifth motif takes us to the former Berlin Wall, which split the capital into two parts like a cut in the flesh. The smartphones clearly diverge here - from strongly brightened to relatively dark. The color reproduction also differs significantly.

Which picture do you like best?
View results

Scene 6: Night, main camera (1x)

The sixth motif shows the inner courtyard of the nextpit office. All nextpit editors enjoy this atmospheric view when they go home in fall and winter and the sun has already set. Which smartphone shoots the best picture here with its main camera?

Which picture do you like best?
View results

Scene 7: Night, 2x zoom

Along the former border in Berlin, there are numerous panels telling the story of the inner-German separation. The high brightness differences of the illuminated panels pose a great challenge for smartphones—especially since there is already less sensor area available at 2x zoom.

Which picture do you like best?
View results

Scene 8: Night, 5x zoom

The Berlin TV tower at night in 5x zoom: Which smartphone does best in this street scene? At least on paper, the Galaxy S23 should do worse here, since it has to digitally zoom in on the 3x camera image.

Which picture do you like best?
View results

Scene 9: Daylight, ultra-wide angle

Yes, the sun shines in Berlin, too—and gave us this dramatic cloudy sky on Tuesday, October 17. There are sometimes enormous differences between the smartphones in terms of contrast and color reproduction.

Which picture do you like best?
View results

Scene 10: Daylight, 1x zoom

With motif number 10, all smartphones are allowed to take a quick breath: daylight and the main camera make a simple combination. Nevertheless, the photos differ in color reproduction, sometimes significantly.

Which picture do you like best?
View results

Scene 11: Daylight, 3x zoom

Here again the same motif, only zoomed in three times. Theoretically, the smartphones with real 3x zoom should have an advantage here, i.e. the Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

Which picture do you like best?
View results

Scene 12: Daylight, 5x zoom

For the penultimate motif, we chose a really detailed scene that puts the zoom performance of smartphones to the test. Which phone manages the best detail reproduction here? And how can the Samsung Galaxy S23 hold its own against the other models?

Which picture do you like best?
View results

Scene 13: Daylight, 10x zoom

The last motif might be the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra's parade discipline. After all, it is the only device in this comparison with a real 10x zoom. But does the Samsung smartphone really deliver the best pictures? Vote!

Which picture do you like best?
View results

Could you identify the different models? Which smartphone do you think will win this time in our camera blind test? I'm looking forward to your comments—and to the result, which we will publish next Wednesday. If you don't want to miss it, then subscribe to our newsletter!

 The best smartphones under $400

  Editorial tip Price tip 3rd place 4th place 5th place
Product
Image Google Pixel 6a Product Image Apple iPhone SE (2022) Product Image Samsung Galaxy A53 Product Image OnePlus Nord N20 Product Image Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) Product Image
Review
Review: Google Pixel 6a
Review: Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Review: Samsung Galaxy A53
Not yet tested
Not yet tested
Price (MSRP)
  • $449.00
  • $429.00
  • $449.99
  • $299.00
  • $399.00
Offer*
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Stefan Möllenhoff

Stefan Möllenhoff
Head of Content Production

I have been writing about technology since 2004 with a strong passion for smartphones, photography, and IoT, especially in the world of smart homes and AI ever since they debuted. I'm also an avid cook and bake pizza at least three times a week using my Ooni Koda 16. In order to compensate for all the consumed calories, I indulge in sporting activities on a daily basis while strapping on at least two fitness trackers. I am strongly convinced that you can DIY a lot of things if you put your mind to it - including a photovoltaic system and power station.

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