Galaxy S20 Vs Iphone 11 Is The Camera On The S20 Really That Much Better

When Samsung launched the Galaxy S20 and Apple released the iPhone 11, both were positioned as flagship devices with serious camera upgrades. But for photography enthusiasts and everyday users alike, a key question emerged: Is the Galaxy S20’s camera truly superior to the iPhone 11’s? The answer isn’t just about megapixels or marketing claims—it depends on how you use your phone, what kind of photos you take, and what aspects of image quality matter most to you.

This comparison dives deep into sensor design, zoom capabilities, low-light performance, video features, and real-world usability to determine whether the S20’s camera system delivers a meaningful advantage over Apple’s offering.

Camera Hardware: Specs Tell Only Part of the Story

The Galaxy S20 introduced a triple-lens rear setup: a 12MP wide, a 64MP telephoto, and a 12MP ultra-wide sensor. It also featured a 10MP front-facing camera. Most notably, the S20 brought 3x hybrid optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom via its Space Zoom feature, which was a significant leap in mobile telephoto capability at the time.

In contrast, the iPhone 11 has a dual-camera system: a 12MP wide lens and a 12MP ultra-wide. It lacks an optical telephoto lens, relying solely on digital zoom up to 5x. However, Apple emphasized computational photography—Smart HDR, Deep Fusion, and advanced image signal processing—to compensate for fewer lenses.

Tip: Don't judge camera quality by megapixel count alone. Sensor size, pixel binning, and software processing often matter more than raw resolution.

Samsung's higher megapixel telephoto sensor enables more flexible cropping and zooming, while Apple focuses on consistent color science and dynamic range across shots. The S20 captures more data; the iPhone 11 prioritizes balance and natural tone reproduction.

Zoom Performance: Where the S20 Pulls Ahead

If you frequently shoot distant subjects—wildlife, concerts, architecture—the Galaxy S20 holds a clear edge. Its 3x hybrid zoom uses the 64MP telephoto lens to deliver sharper results than the iPhone 11’s purely digital approach. At 10x zoom, the S20 still produces usable images, especially in daylight, whereas the iPhone 11 becomes soft and noisy beyond 3x.

However, Samsung’s 30x “Space Zoom” is more of a novelty than a practical tool. While it can capture distant objects under ideal conditions, results are highly dependent on lighting and hand stability. Without a tripod or steady hand, images tend to be blurry or over-processed.

“Optical zoom remains one of the most underrated differentiators in smartphone cameras. Once you’ve used a true telephoto lens, going back to digital-only zoom feels limiting.” — David Kim, Mobile Photography Reviewer at TechLens Weekly

For users who value framing flexibility, the S20’s zoom capability offers tangible benefits. But if you mostly shoot portraits, landscapes, or casual snapshots within close range, the iPhone 11’s lack of optical zoom may not be a dealbreaker.

Low-Light and Night Mode: A Closer Race Than You’d Think

Both phones introduced enhanced night modes around this era. The Galaxy S20’s Night Mode uses multi-frame exposure stacking across all rear cameras, including the ultra-wide and telephoto. This allows for surprisingly decent low-light shots even when zoomed out.

The iPhone 11, however, set a new standard with its Night Mode implementation. Apple’s Deep Fusion technology kicks in at lower light levels, analyzing texture and detail at the pixel level before merging multiple exposures. As a result, the iPhone often preserves finer textures—like fabric patterns or facial details—while suppressing noise more naturally than the S20.

Feature	Galaxy S20	iPhone 11
Night Mode Availability	All three rear cameras	Wide and ultra-wide only
Average Exposure Time	2–6 seconds	1–3 seconds
Noise Handling	Aggressive smoothing	Balanced, detail-preserving
Color Accuracy in Low Light	Slightly warmer tones	Neutral, consistent

In side-by-side tests, the iPhone 11 often produces more balanced shadows and highlights, while the S20 sometimes oversaturates or boosts brightness excessively. That said, Samsung’s wider dynamic range in some scenes can recover more highlight detail, particularly in backlit environments.

Video Quality and Stabilization: The iPhone Still Leads

For videographers, the iPhone 11 maintains a strong lead. It records 4K video at 60fps with extended dynamic range and excellent stabilization. The microphone system is also tuned to reduce wind noise, making outdoor clips clearer.

The Galaxy S20 supports 8K recording at 24fps—a headline-grabbing feature—but in practice, 8K files are massive (up to 600MB per minute), offer minimal visible improvement on most screens, and drain battery quickly. For most users, 4K at 60fps is more practical, and here the iPhone edges ahead in color grading and stabilization consistency.

That said, the S20 offers more manual controls through Pro Video mode, letting users adjust ISO, white balance, and focus manually—features absent on the iPhone 11 without third-party apps.

Mini Case Study: Concert Footage Comparison

Jamie, a music blogger, attended a rooftop concert last summer and recorded clips on both devices. Using the iPhone 11, she captured smooth, well-stabilized footage with clear audio and accurate skin tones under stage lighting. On the S20, her 8K clip showed slightly more detail in static shots but suffered from overheating after two minutes and required a tripod due to instability during movement. She ultimately edited her final post using iPhone footage because it required less correction and looked more cinematic out of the box.

Real-World Usability: Software, Speed, and Consistency

Beyond hardware, user experience plays a major role. The iPhone 11’s camera app launches faster, focuses more reliably in mixed lighting, and applies Smart HDR seamlessly across photos. Colors remain consistent between shots, and the interface is minimalist and intuitive.

The Galaxy S20 offers more customization—pro modes, live focus adjustments, single-take photography—but this complexity can overwhelm casual users. Some report slower shot-to-shot processing, especially when HDR or Night Mode engages. Additionally, Samsung’s aggressive sharpening and saturation can make images look “overcooked” compared to the iPhone’s more natural rendering.

• The S20 excels in versatility: zoom, high-resolution capture, and creative modes.
• The iPhone 11 wins in consistency, speed, and natural-looking results.
• iOS offers tighter integration with editing tools like iMovie and Photos’ AI suggestions.
• Android’s openness allows for third-party apps like ProShot or Filmic Pro, giving pros more control.

Checklist: Choosing the Right Phone Based on Your Photography Needs

1. Need optical zoom? → Choose Galaxy S20.
2. Shoot mostly in daylight? → Both perform well; prefer color science.
3. Prioritize low-light clarity? → iPhone 11 for natural detail.
4. Record a lot of video? → iPhone 11 for stabilization and audio.
5. Want maximum flexibility? → S20 for manual modes and 8K option.
6. Prefer point-and-shoot simplicity? → iPhone 11’s automation is unmatched.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 64MP on the S20 actually useful?

Not directly. The S20 uses pixel binning to combine four pixels into one, producing 12MP images with better light sensitivity. The full 64MP mode is available but creates large files with limited benefit unless you’re heavily cropping or printing large formats.

Does the iPhone 11 have portrait mode without a telephoto lens?

Yes. Apple uses machine learning and depth mapping from the wide and ultra-wide sensors to simulate depth effects. Results are impressive and often more accurate than early dual-lens Android systems.

Can the S20’s 8K video be shared easily?

Not really. Most social platforms don’t support 8K, and the file sizes make sharing inconvenient. It’s best suited for archival or professional post-production work.

Final Verdict: Better Doesn’t Always Mean Best for You

The Galaxy S20’s camera is technically more advanced—especially in zoom and resolution—but the iPhone 11 often produces more pleasing, reliable results in everyday scenarios. If you value reach, customization, and cutting-edge specs, the S20 delivers. But if you want a camera that just works, with excellent dynamic range, consistent colors, and top-tier video, the iPhone 11 remains a compelling choice—even years after release.

Ultimately, the “better” camera depends on how you define it. For tech enthusiasts and mobile photographers pushing boundaries, the S20 offers exciting tools. For most users who prioritize ease, reliability, and natural-looking photos, the iPhone 11 holds its ground remarkably well.

💬 Which phone took the better photo in your last side-by-side test? Share your experience and help others decide based on real-world use!