Iphone 6 Plus Vs Galaxy S7 Camera Was The Upgrade Really Worth It

In 2016, smartphone photography reached a turning point. The Samsung Galaxy S7 emerged as a flagship challenger with aggressive camera improvements, while Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus—released in 2014—had set a high bar for consistency and ecosystem integration. For users considering an upgrade from the iPhone 6 Plus to the Galaxy S7, one question loomed: was the camera leap substantial enough to justify switching ecosystems?

This isn’t just about megapixels or marketing claims. It’s about real-world results—how well each phone handles dim lighting, dynamic range, autofocus speed, and color accuracy. More importantly, it's about whether those improvements translate into meaningful gains in daily use.

Camera Specifications Compared

On paper, the Galaxy S7 brought significant hardware upgrades over the iPhone 6 Plus. While both devices featured single rear cameras at the time (a dual-camera trend hadn't yet taken hold), their underlying technologies diverged sharply.

Feature	iPhone 6 Plus	Galaxy S7
Resolution	8 MP	12 MP
Sensor Size	1/3\"	1/2.55\"
Pixel Size	1.5µm	1.4µm (but with Dual Pixel tech)
Aperture	f/2.2	f/1.7
Optical Image Stabilization	Yes	Yes
Autofocus Type	Contrast-detect	Dual Pixel (phase-detect)
Video Recording	1080p @ 60fps, 4K not supported	4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 60fps

The most notable difference is the S7’s larger aperture (f/1.7) and significantly bigger sensor. Combined with Samsung’s new Dual Pixel autofocus system—borrowed from DSLRs—the S7 promised faster focusing and superior low-light performance. Meanwhile, Apple stuck with an 8MP sensor but emphasized software processing and pixel binning to maintain image quality.

Tip: In low light, tap to focus before capturing—this helps both phones lock exposure correctly and avoid blurry shots.

Low-Light Performance: Where the S7 Shines

If there’s one area where the Galaxy S7 clearly outperformed the iPhone 6 Plus, it was in dim environments. Thanks to its f/1.7 lens and improved sensor efficiency, the S7 captured up to 50% more light than its predecessor—and dramatically more than the iPhone 6 Plus.

Real-world testing shows that indoor restaurant shots, evening cityscapes, and poorly lit interiors were consistently better on the S7. Images retained more detail in shadows, had less noise, and preserved natural colors without excessive brightening.

“Smartphone cameras in 2016 began prioritizing light capture over resolution. The S7 was among the first to prove that bigger pixels and wider apertures matter more than megapixel counts.” — David Kim, Mobile Imaging Analyst at DXOMark

The iPhone 6 Plus, by contrast, relied heavily on software-based noise reduction in dark scenes. This often resulted in overly smoothed textures—especially in hair, fabric, or foliage—giving photos a \"plastic\" look. While Apple’s tone mapping was generally pleasing, it lacked the dynamic depth the S7 could achieve.

Daylight and Dynamic Range: A Closer Race

In well-lit conditions, both phones produced sharp, vibrant images—but with distinct stylistic differences.

The iPhone 6 Plus delivered consistent color reproduction with warm skin tones and reliable white balance. Its JPEG processing favored naturalism over drama, making it a favorite among users who preferred minimal post-processing.

The Galaxy S7, however, leaned into saturation and contrast. Greens were lusher, blues deeper, and skies more dramatic. While some praised this \"pop,\" others found it artificial, especially when compared side-by-side with the iPhone’s more neutral output.

Dynamic range—the ability to retain detail in both shadows and highlights—was slightly better on the S7 due to its higher bit-depth processing and HDR mode. Backlit subjects, such as people standing near windows or against bright skies, showed fewer blown-out highlights.

Mini Case Study: Travel Photography in Barcelona

Consider Sarah, a casual photographer upgrading from an iPhone 6 Plus to a Galaxy S7 before a trip to Barcelona. She noticed immediate differences:

• Her sunset shots along La Barceloneta retained cloud detail without overexposure.
• Inside Gothic Quarter cafes, her food photos didn’t require flash and looked natural.
• Street portraits at golden hour had accurate skin tones and rich background separation.

However, she also found that the S7’s aggressive sharpening made some close-ups look grainy when zoomed in. And occasionally, the auto-HDR would over-process skies, creating halos around buildings. She ended up disabling Smart HDR after a few days.

For her, the upgrade was worth it—not because every photo was better, but because the S7 gave her more flexibility in challenging conditions.

Speed, Usability, and User Experience

Hardware aside, how easy was it to take great photos?

The Galaxy S7 introduced a faster launch time from standby—users could double-press the home button to open the camera in under a second, even from sleep mode. Autofocus was nearly instantaneous thanks to Dual Pixel technology, making action shots of pets or children far more successful.

The iPhone 6 Plus, while capable, used contrast-detect autofocus, which sometimes \"hunted\" in low contrast scenes. Launching the camera required swiping up from the lock screen—a small friction that mattered in fleeting moments.

Tip: Use the volume buttons as shutter controls on both phones for steadier handheld shots.

Checklist: Maximizing Camera Performance on Either Device

1. Clean the lens regularly – Smudges degrade clarity, especially in backlight.
2. Avoid digital zoom – Both phones lack optical zoom; cropping later preserves quality.
3. Tap to set focus and exposure – Prevents under/overexposed subjects.
4. Use grid lines – Enable in settings for better composition (Rule of Thirds).
5. Shoot in RAW if possible – The S7 supports third-party apps like ProShot for RAW capture; iPhone requires external apps.
6. Stabilize your hands – Even with OIS, motion blur occurs in low light.

Was the Upgrade Worth It? A Balanced Verdict

For photographers who valued low-light capability, faster autofocus, and 4K video, the Galaxy S7 represented a tangible leap forward. The combination of hardware innovation and intelligent software made it one of the best mobile cameras of its era.

But for users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem—relying on iCloud, AirDrop, or seamless integration with Macs and iPads—the switch involved trade-offs beyond camera quality. iMessage, FaceTime, and ecosystem continuity carried weight.

Moreover, the iPhone 6 Plus still held advantages: superior video stabilization, cleaner audio recording, and longer software support. iOS updates continued for years, while Android 6 (Marshmallow) on the S7 eventually stopped receiving major upgrades by 2019.

So, was the upgrade worth it?

• Yes, if: You prioritized photo versatility, shot frequently in low light, or wanted future-proof features like 4K.
• No, if: You preferred consistent color science, valued long-term OS updates, or weren’t ready to leave iOS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the Galaxy S7 have a better front camera than the iPhone 6 Plus?

Yes. The S7 featured a 5MP front camera with f/1.7 aperture and auto-HDR, while the iPhone 6 Plus had a 1.2MP FaceTime camera with f/2.2 aperture. Selfies and video calls were noticeably clearer and brighter on the S7.

Could the iPhone 6 Plus keep up in daylight photos?

In most daylight scenarios, yes. The iPhone produced reliable, well-balanced images with excellent skin tones. Only in high-contrast scenes did the S7 pull ahead with better shadow recovery and highlight control.

Is the Galaxy S7 still usable for photography today?

As of 2024, the S7 is outdated. Limited app support, degraded battery life, and lack of security patches make it impractical as a primary device. However, as a secondary retro camera for nostalgic shooting, it remains charming.

Final Thoughts: Progress Measured in Context

The jump from iPhone 6 Plus to Galaxy S7 wasn’t revolutionary, but it was evolutionary in all the right ways. Samsung addressed real pain points: poor low-light performance, slow autofocus, and limited video options. They built a camera that felt responsive, capable, and adaptable.

Apple, meanwhile, focused on refinement—improving what already worked rather than reinventing it. That philosophy continues today. Whether the upgrade was “worth it” depended less on specs and more on personal priorities: Do you chase cutting-edge performance, or do you value consistency and ecosystem harmony?

For many, the answer was clear: the Galaxy S7 offered enough photographic improvement to justify the switch. For others, the cost of leaving iOS outweighed sharper night shots.

💬 Still using either device? Share your experience! Did the camera upgrade change how you took photos? Let us know in the comments.