iPhone X vs. Galaxy Note 9 camera compare
The brand new Galaxy Note 9 and 10-month old iPhone X have a lot in common -- especially when it comes to photography. Both have dual rear cameras, portrait mode, optical stabilization and record 4K video.
Check out CNET's full iPhone X and Galaxy Note 9 camera comparison for a more in-depth look.
Galaxy Note 9
Here's a Note 9 photo of some apartments in the Mission.
iPhone X
A photo of the same building taken with the iPhone X.
Galaxy Note 9
Four Barrel serves up some delicious coffee and eats. This top-down shot was taken with the Note 9.
iPhone X
And here's the same croissant and cappuccino taken with the iPhone X which really made the colors saturated and upped the contrast.
Galaxy Note 9
Even with software optimizations, photos from the Note 9 often look more true-to-life when compared to the iPhone X.
iPhone X
The iPhone X does optimizations of its own often pushing colors to look more vibrant. The glass on the building to the right has an odd shade of aqua green.
Galaxy Note 9
Paul Scheer stopped by CNET for a quick Q&A. Here's a photo of him taken with the Note 9.
iPhone X
And here's the iPhone X's photo. His complexion looks better in this photo.
Galaxy Note 9
I took this photo using the Note 9 of a talkback after a screening of the documentary Science Fair.
iPhone X
Here's the iPhone X photo of the same talkback. I like the way the iPhone exposed the shot.
Galaxy Note 9
Each phone handles skin tones differently. The Note 9 tends to be on the warm side like in this picture.
iPhone X
The iPhone X rendered things a bit cooler.
Galaxy Note 9
This was taken with the Note 9's flower optimization.
iPhone X
And here's the same flower taken by the iPhone X.
Galaxy Note 9
The Note 9 identified Stella as a "pet" and optimized things accordingly.
iPhone X
Here's the same kitty taken by the iPhone X.
Galaxy Note 9
I took this Note 9 picture of a building just after sunset.
iPhone X
Same building, now taken by the iPhone X. I like how the phone punched up the colors a bit.
Galaxy Note 9
San Francisco's new Transbay terminal photographed by the Note 9. I'm impressed with how well the new phone handles those highlights in the clouds and on the facade.
iPhone X
The iPhone X has always had a wide dynamic range as it does here.
Galaxy Note 9
The Galaxy Note 9 captured these colorful chairs without overdoing it.
iPhone X
The iPhone X overdoes the colors and the color temperature a tad.
Galaxy Note 9
An underpass taken by the Note 9.
iPhone X
The iPhone X flexes its dynamic range muscles. The colors are on the warm side.
Galaxy Note 9
The Note 9 underexposed this photo.
iPhone X
The iPhone X nails the exposure.
Galaxy Note 9
It's hard to tell the difference between this photo taken by the Note 9 and the next.
iPhone X
And here's the iPhone X photo.
Galaxy Note 9
The Note 9 renders these onions and franks pretty true-to-life.
iPhone X
The iPhone X adds a bit of contrast to its photo.
Galaxy Note 9
The Note 9 nails the color of the sky here.
iPhone X
The iPhone X renders the sky with a slightly darker blue.
Note 9 scene optimization off
The next two photos are from the Note 9. This one has the scene optimization turned off.
Note 9 scene optimization on
And this has it turned on. The difference is subtle, but look closely at the colors.
Galaxy Note 9
The next dozen photos were taken in medium to lowlight. The Note 9 often used its dual aperture to switch to f/1.5 the widest aperture found on any phone -- aside form the S9 and S9 Plus which has the same camera hardware.
iPhone X
The iPhone X's photo of the coffee roaster.
Galaxy Note 9
A Note 9 photo of the Alamo Drafthouse movie theater.
iPhone X
And here's the iPhone X photo.
Galaxy Note 9
The Roxie's neon sign as taken by the Note 9.
iPhone X
The same sign taken with the iPhone X.
Galaxy Note 9
The Galaxy Note 9 expertly renders this foggy San Francisco scene.
iPhone X
The iPhone X's rendition has more noise in the sky.
Galaxy Note 9
The Note 9 does so well in lowlight. And while this photo has less noise than the iPhone X, it's also softer.
iPhone X
And here's the iPhone X version.
Galaxy Note 9
A photo of a light sculpture taken by the Note 9.
iPhone X
Here's the same sculpture taken by the iPhone X which handles the dynamic range better.
Galaxy Note 9
Each phone has portrait mode or as Samsung calls it "live focus." Here's a live focus photo taken by the Note 9 with beauty skin mode on.
iPhone X
The iPhone X has portrait lighting mode which allows you to change the lighting look of a portrait.
iPhone X
Here's the same photo with the "Stage Light" look applied.
iPhone X
And this one has "Stage Light Mono" applied.
Galaxy Note 9 vs. iPhone X camera showdown
Check out CNET's full iPhone X and Galaxy Note 9 camera comparison for a more in-depth look.