Iphone 7 Plus Vs Huawei P10 Plus Camera Is The Upgrade Worth It

The iPhone 7 Plus and Huawei P10 Plus were both flagship smartphones released in 2017, representing the pinnacle of mobile photography at the time. While Apple focused on consistency, natural color reproduction, and software-driven enhancements, Huawei partnered with Leica to bring a more artistic, contrast-rich imaging style to its devices. For users still holding onto an iPhone 7 Plus considering a switch to the P10 Plus—or vice versa—camera performance is often the deciding factor. But is the upgrade truly worth it?

Camera Specifications: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Understanding the hardware behind each phone’s camera system is essential to evaluating their capabilities. Both phones featured dual-camera setups, but with different philosophies in design and execution.

Feature	iPhone 7 Plus	Huawei P10 Plus
Main Sensor	12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide)	12 MP RGB, f/2.2, 27mm (wide)
Secondary Sensor	12 MP, f/2.8, 56mm (telephoto)	20 MP monochrome, f/1.8, 27mm (wide)
Optical Zoom	2x lossless zoom	No dedicated telephoto lens
Aperture (Main)	f/1.8	f/2.2 (RGB), f/1.8 (monochrome)
Image Stabilization	Optical (main only)	Optical (both sensors)
Video Recording	4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 60fps	4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 60fps
Front Camera	7 MP, f/2.2	8 MP, f/1.9

The iPhone 7 Plus offers optical zoom via its telephoto lens, allowing true 2x magnification without digital interpolation. The Huawei P10 Plus, while lacking a dedicated telephoto sensor, uses its unique dual-lens system—one color, one black-and-white—to enhance detail and dynamic range by combining data from both sensors.

Tip: If you frequently take portraits or need zoom capability, the iPhone 7 Plus may still hold an edge despite being older.

Image Quality: Natural vs Artistic Rendering

Apple has long prioritized accurate color science and realistic skin tones. The iPhone 7 Plus produces images that are well-balanced, with excellent dynamic range and minimal processing artifacts. Its Smart HDR and local tone mapping create photos that look true-to-life, especially under mixed lighting.

In contrast, the Huawei P10 Plus, co-engineered with Leica, applies a distinct photographic signature. Colors are richer, contrasts higher, and blacks deeper—ideal for social media where punchy visuals stand out. The monochrome sensor adds texture and clarity to black-and-white shots, producing results that mimic classic film photography.

“Huawei’s collaboration with Leica isn’t just branding—it changes how light and shadow are interpreted at the algorithmic level.” — Dr. Lena Zhou, Computational Imaging Researcher

In daylight, both phones perform admirably. The iPhone excels in consistency across scenes, while the P10 Plus delivers more dramatic results. However, in challenging conditions like backlit subjects or high-contrast environments, the P10 Plus sometimes over-processes, leading to halos or unnatural sharpening.

Low-Light and Night Photography Performance

Night photography remains a key battleground for smartphone cameras. The iPhone 7 Plus relies on software-based noise reduction and longer exposure times, which can result in motion blur if the hand isn’t steady. It lacks Night Mode, a feature introduced years later in newer iPhones.

The Huawei P10 Plus benefits from larger pixel sizes on its monochrome sensor and aggressive multi-frame stacking. In practice, this means brighter low-light shots with better shadow detail. However, the trade-off is increased noise in darker areas and occasional color smudging due to mismatched alignment between the two sensors.

For users who often shoot indoors or at night, the P10 Plus generally captures more usable light. But those who value clean, noise-free images with accurate white balance may prefer the iPhone’s more conservative approach.

Real-World Example: Concert Photography

Imagine attending a dimly lit indie concert in a small venue. You want to capture the energy without using flash.

• iPhone 7 Plus: Produces a slightly darker image with visible grain, but preserves facial details and avoids blown-out highlights from stage lights.
• Huawei P10 Plus: Brightens the scene significantly, revealing more of the background, but introduces color fringing around bright LEDs and softens fine textures.

In this scenario, neither phone delivers DSLR-level quality, but the P10 Plus gives a more immediately shareable photo—albeit one that may require post-processing to correct oversaturation.

Portrait Mode and Depth Sensing

Both phones introduced Portrait Mode shortly after launch, leveraging their dual-camera systems to simulate depth-of-field effects. The iPhone 7 Plus uses software algorithms to detect edges and apply bokeh, with updates improving hair segmentation over time.

The Huawei P10 Plus takes a different approach, using the monochrome sensor’s superior detail capture to refine edge detection. While this sounds promising, early firmware versions struggled with complex backgrounds or glasses. Later updates improved accuracy, but inconsistent subject separation remained a common complaint.

Apple’s implementation feels more polished, with smoother transitions and fewer artifacts. If portrait photography is a priority, the iPhone 7 Plus continues to deliver reliable results even today.

Tip: For best portrait results on either device, ensure consistent lighting and maintain a distance of 2–3 feet from your subject.

Should You Upgrade? A Practical Checklist

Deciding whether to switch depends on your priorities. Use this checklist to evaluate your needs:

• ✅ Need vibrant, Instagram-ready photos out of the box? → P10 Plus
• ✅ Prefer natural colors and consistent exposure? → iPhone 7 Plus
• ✅ Frequently use optical zoom? → Stick with iPhone 7 Plus
• ✅ Shoot often in low light without a tripod? → P10 Plus has advantage
• ✅ Value long-term software support and ecosystem integration? → iOS wins
• ✅ Want better front camera for selfies? → P10 Plus (f/1.9 aperture)

Keep in mind that the Huawei P10 Plus runs Android with EMUI, offering greater customization but less app optimization than iOS. Additionally, lack of Google services on newer Huawei devices doesn’t affect the P10 Plus, as it was released before the U.S. restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Huawei P10 Plus really compete with the iPhone 7 Plus in video quality?

Yes, both phones record 4K video at 30fps with good stabilization. The iPhone tends to produce smoother motion and better audio sync, while the P10 Plus offers sharper detail in static scenes. Neither has electronic image stabilization in 4K, so handheld footage may show some shake.

Is the Leica branding on the P10 Plus just marketing?

No. While some skepticism exists, Leica contributed to tuning the color profiles, contrast curves, and black-and-white modes. Photos taken in “Leica Mode” follow specific tonal guidelines used in traditional photography, giving them a distinctive aesthetic not found on other phones.

Does the iPhone 7 Plus still hold up in 2024?

Surprisingly, yes—for basic photography. Its JPEG processing remains among the most natural in the industry. However, limited storage, aging battery, and lack of modern AI enhancements make it impractical as a daily driver unless you're using it as a secondary device.

Final Verdict: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

For most users, upgrading from the iPhone 7 Plus to the Huawei P10 Plus will yield noticeable differences in photo style—not necessarily overall quality. The P10 Plus shines in well-lit environments where its Leica-tuned profile can enhance drama and contrast. Its superior low-light performance and selfie camera add practical benefits.

However, the loss of optical zoom and less consistent portrait mode diminishes the appeal for photography enthusiasts who value precision over flair. Moreover, switching ecosystems involves learning new workflows, managing app compatibility, and adjusting to Android’s interface nuances.

If you’re drawn to bold, expressive images and prioritize front-camera quality, the upgrade makes sense. But if you value reliability, natural color reproduction, and seamless integration with other Apple devices, staying with the iPhone—or upgrading to a newer model—may be the smarter move.

💬 Have you made the switch from iPhone to Huawei or vice versa? Share your experience with camera performance—we’d love to hear what worked (or didn’t) for you!