Top Smartphones Deliver Sharpness, But Face Color Challenges

Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi Flagships Excel in Detail, Samsung Lags in Portraits

As the smartphone camera wars intensify, flagship devices from Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi are setting new benchmarks for image quality, though subtle differences emerge, particularly in color vibrancy and portrait realism.

Sharpness Showdown

In recent camera tests, Vivo’s latest offering impressed with exceptional sharpness and a very capable dynamic range. However, its color reproduction sometimes leaned towards being overly vibrant. Similarly, the Oppo Find X8 Ultra and Xiaomi 15 Ultra also captured excellent daylight photos, though the Xiaomi device was observed to overexpose images in certain conditions.

Detail and Processing Differentiators

Across the board, the level of detail captured by these high-end smartphones is noteworthy. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, while delivering good detail, renders subjects with a slightly softer overall appearance compared to its competitors. The Oppo and Vivo flagships were identified as leading in terms of sharpness. Further testing revealed that Samsung’s HDR processing is not as effective as Vivo’s in managing challenging lighting scenarios.

Portraiture Precision

When it comes to capturing portraits, the distinctions between the devices become more apparent. The ability to isolate fine hair structures, creating a clear separation between the subject and the background, was a strong suit for the Chinese manufacturers’ phones. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra produced results described as “very unnatural” in portrait mode, a consistent observation across multiple shots.

The smartphone camera market is highly competitive, with brands constantly pushing innovation. For instance, in 2023, the average smartphone camera resolution increased by approximately 15% compared to the previous year, according to industry analysts Statista.