iPhone XS Max against Google Pixel 3 XL

AppleInsider has already done a number of tests on the new Google Pixel 3 XL to compare it to Apple's iPhone XS Max. Until now, the XS Max offers better performance, while the Pixel 3 XL offers better audio reproduction. It is now time to compare the cameras and see which flagship smartphone can take the best photos.

Before starting the comparison, let's talk about cameras. The XS Max has two 12-megapixel cameras at the back, while the Pixel 3 has only one 12.2-megapixel sensor. Interestingly, the roles are reversed on the front-end, with two 8-megapixel cameras on the Pixel 3 and a single 7MP camera on the XS Max.

Thanks to the dual camera configuration at the front, the Pixel 3 can make larger selfies.

The iPhone XS Max is equipped with a new Smart HDR feature that has dramatically improved the HDR compared to the iPhone X. Google has unveiled truly awesome low light HDR photos in its Pixel 3 unveiling , which should give Apple a big challenge.

Comparison of detail

Let's start with the comparison with photographs comparing details.

In this first scene, the two photos are very detailed and it is difficult to notice the differences, except that the sky and some leaves are blown on the Pixel 3, but on the XS Max, the leaves are not blown and you can see blue in the sky.

The story is the same for this picture, except that Pixel 3 seems a bit too blue compared to reality. When returning, the XS Max seems to be slightly more detailed.

Since the XS Max is equipped with a telephoto lens, it has a considerable advantage for shooting with zoom. You can zoom much further on the XS Max, but there is also a huge difference in the details. Just look at how soft the bark and pine needles are on this tree with the Pixel.

In this scene, we like how the XS Max made the image brighter, and it looks like the pixel has added too much contrast. If we kidnap, we can see that the details are actually very similar, but the added contrast gives the pixel a more detailed appearance.

Here, the XS Max did a lot better with the white balance, the pixel being too blue. If we get really close, we can hardly say that the Pixel 3 is a bit more detailed than the XS Max.

In this scene, we also enjoy the best exposure of the XS Max's image. The picture of the pixel is just dark in comparison.

The XS Max does not explode as much sky in this macro shot, but lacks overall contrast, which makes the picture really flat. On the other hand, the pixel has a lot of contrast, maybe too much, which makes it look a bit too dark.

We decided to test the selfie cameras to see the extent of the dual camera mode of the Pixel 3, and it is aptly named. We think this is really a very interesting feature because many people like to take group selfies.

During testing, we spotted a rabbit and decided to zoom in as close as possible to both phones. The XS Max can zoom much closer, which makes it a bit less detailed, but it's nice to take a closer look.

Macro Shots and Lens Differences

Now, let's look at some macro close-ups to compare the details.

From this shot, we notice a huge difference in the white balance. Just like before, the pixel is too blue. The XS Max is definitely more accurate, but it's also a bit too hot. As for the details, you can decide for yourself, but we think the XS Max is a bit more detailed.

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In this macro photo, the XS Max clearly lacks contrast, which makes it a little dull and less detailed. We really prefer the image of the pixel here.

Here we observe the same differences in white balance. The pixel is much too blue and the XS Max is a bit too hot, but always more accurate in real life. Both seem pretty similar in terms of detail.

Now, the XS Max is also equipped with a telephoto lens, which allows you to get closer to the subject, I mean, very closely. You can not get this type of shooting with Pixel 3.

Not only that, but the telephoto lens is great for car photos. Here is a picture of a truck with the Pixel 3. Due to the wide angle lens, the truck is obviously distorted.

Now here's a picture with the telephoto on the XS Max. The truck looks true to life and nothing is distorted. You can also see a lot less background, which makes it more beautiful.

This has the same effect for portraits of people. With the wide lens of Pixel 3, the face is distorted, but the proportions of the face are much more precise on the XS Max.

Comparative dynamic range

Let's move on to dynamic range, starting with a very difficult situation.

As you can see, the XS Max is the big winner. Not only is the sky less blown, but the face is also much brighter. If we go in, we can see how dark the pixel is.

We see the exact same results in this portrait photo, but you can certainly say that the XS Max lacks contrast.

Now, for a selfie portrait, the Pixel 3 XL works pretty well in terms of dynamic range, but it has a little too much contrast, crushing the details in the hair and under the eyes, but the XS Max could honestly use a little little more contrast.

We see exactly the same thing here in this selfie portrait, except that the XS Max does its job better in burning. In terms of white balance, pixel 3 was actually more accurate here.

Now here is a wide shot of a waterfall. Both are great for dynamic range, but we love the XS Max's show because it is brighter and has a better overall look. Not only that, but the white balance is more accurate. The waterfall has a blue hue visible on the Pixel 3.

We noticed the same differences in this picture, except that Pixel 3 had too much contrast, which made it really dark. Not only that, but if you look at the sky near the sun, it is less blown on the XS Max.

In this scene, there is a huge difference in the dynamic range. The sky is much less blown and there are also many more details in the shade. Interestingly, there is a lot of noise on the picture of Pixel 3. The only problem with the XS Max is the extreme lack of contrast, which gives it a flat appearance.

Finally, let's see if this impressive dynamic range also translates into panoramic photos. Here is the shot on the pixel 3. The sky is blown and I look a little dark.

Now, on the XS Max, you can see almost every detail in the sky and I am much better exposed. Not only that, but there are many more details compared to Pixel 3.

Portrait Photo Comparison

Turning now to portraits, we tested a very heavily lit scene, and the XS Max did a great job of bringing out the shadows for a properly exposed face. The pixel still had a lot of contrast.

In this picture, the two phones do a great job in terms of fuzzy outlines, but the Pixel's white balance is way too blue, as the waterfall shows.

We see exactly the same problem in this photo, but both phones work perfectly with a fuzzy border.

Now, the XS Max has a feature that is not available on the Pixel: depth control. You can easily adjust the depth from F16 to F1.4, adding a lot of extra blur.

Here is the same picture in F2.8 and now in F1.4. As you can see, there is a lot of extra blur, but this makes the problems related to blur outlines, such as around the ear, more visible.

In this test in extreme portrait mode, the Pixel 3 does a much better job than the XS Max, which was missing a lot in the center.

Low light photo comparison

Finally, when transitioning to low light, the iPhone XS Max is not able to take a portrait shot without using the flash, because the telephoto lens has an aperture F2.4 compared to F1.7 on the camera. Pixel 3's wide lens, which allows for light.

By using the flash, the Pixel 3 XL outperforms the XS Max in virtually every way. It seems like the XS Max is trying not to turn off the light bulb in the background, but it looks a lot worse.

When taking a photo with wide-angle lenses, the Pixel 3 is still much better than the XS Max, which is really dark and flat. We love the way Pixel 3 is able to bring out colors.

On this wide shot, the XS Max exposes the face better, but it blows a little more bricks above the lamp. The white balance on the XS Max is also more accurate.

Now, with the flash, the XS Max completely destroys this photo by making it flash too bright for the conditions. In reality, the pixel has limited the brightness of the flash to obtain an incredibly good overall exposure for the entire photo.

On the front-end, we see the exact opposite results. The Pixel 3 flashed a lot too fast and it looks very blue, while the XS Max does a great job here.

As we are now heading out and zooming in on a neighboring building, we can easily say that the pixel picture is better. The XS Max just lacks contrast and is very noisy.

For our last shot, we can see that the XS Max still lacks contrast and looks a bit flat. The Pixel 3 is able to bring out the colors and the added contrast gives it a more detailed appearance.

Pixel 3 XL vs. XS Max: Which phone takes better pictures?

After looking at all these pictures, let's discuss what we noticed. First of all, the telephoto lens added on the XS Max is really handy in many situations, such as pictures of people, cars and moments when you need to zoom in.

The details between the two cameras were extremely similar, but the Pixel 3 was always producing too blue pictures and the XS Max was a bit too hot.

The XS Max certainly provided a better job with dynamic range under difficult lighting conditions, while the Pixel blew in the sky and presented a much too high contrast in some situations.

For fuzzy portrait outlines, it seems like the Pixel 3 has done a better job compared to the XS Max, but the depth control feature of the iPhone is really nice and helps bring out the portraits.

Regarding low light, Pixel 3 was the big winner. He was able to reproduce the colors much better than the XS Max, which still lacked contrast.

We went to see each photo and found that the iPhone XS Max produced better photos about 60% of the time, not counting some invalid photos.

So with this, we give the iPhone XS Max victory for photo quality.

Deals on iPhone XS Max and Google Pixel 3 XL

If you have not yet ordered the iPhone XS Max from Apple, mobile operators are encouraging it to buy. Want to get your hands on a new device as soon as possible? EBay sellers are also shipping units now.

Carrier offers:

Those interested in purchasing the Google Pixel 3 XL can enjoy a purchased Pixel 3 XL, get a free 64GB Pixel 3 at Verizon Wireless.