Iphone 7 Plus Vs Note 8 Camera Was The Samsung Upgrade Really Worth It

In 2017, smartphone photography took a major leap forward. Apple had refined its dual-camera system with the iPhone 7 Plus, delivering solid portrait mode effects and reliable image processing. Meanwhile, Samsung responded with the Galaxy Note 8, introducing its first dual-lens setup on a Note device—featuring optical image stabilization on both rear cameras and an improved telephoto lens. For users debating whether to switch from the iPhone 7 Plus to the Note 8, the camera was a key selling point. But was the upgrade truly worth it?

This isn’t just about megapixels or marketing claims. It’s about real-world performance, consistency, dynamic range, and how each phone handles challenging conditions like low light or backlit scenes. Let’s break down the differences in hardware, software, and actual output to see if the Samsung jump delivered meaningful improvements.

Hardware Differences: A Closer Look at the Sensors

The iPhone 7 Plus features a dual 12MP rear camera system: one wide-angle (f/1.8, 28mm equivalent) and one telephoto (f/2.8, 56mm equivalent). The telephoto lens lacks optical image stabilization (OIS), which can result in blurrier zoomed shots in dim lighting. Apple relies heavily on computational photography and tight hardware-software integration to deliver consistent color science and dynamic range.

In contrast, the Galaxy Note 8 steps up with two 12MP rear sensors as well, but both include OIS—a rarity at the time. The wide lens uses an f/1.7 aperture (slightly better than Apple’s), while the telephoto operates at f/2.4. More importantly, Samsung implemented dual-pixel autofocus across both lenses, improving focus speed and accuracy. This hardware advantage laid the foundation for more reliable zooming and better low-light capture.

“Dual OIS in a smartphone was a game-changer in 2017. It meant users could take sharper zoomed photos without needing perfect hand stability.” — David Kim, Mobile Imaging Analyst at DXOMark

Image Quality Comparison: Daylight, Zoom, and Low Light

In daylight, both phones produce excellent images with accurate colors and strong detail. However, subtle differences emerge upon closer inspection:

• Dynamic Range: The iPhone 7 Plus often preserves highlight details slightly better, especially in high-contrast outdoor scenes.
• Color Science: Apple favors natural tones, while Samsung leans toward richer saturation—particularly noticeable in skies and greens.
• Zoom Performance: Here, the Note 8 pulls ahead. Its stabilized telephoto lens produces noticeably sharper 2x zoom shots compared to the iPhone 7 Plus, where the lack of OIS on the telephoto sensor leads to softness, especially in motion or lower light.
• Low-Light Photography: The combination of a faster aperture (f/1.7), dual OIS, and larger pixel size gives the Note 8 an edge in dim environments. Images retain more detail and exhibit less noise, even though neither phone had a dedicated night mode at launch.

Tip: When using digital zoom on the iPhone 7 Plus, brace your arms against your body or use a surface for stability—its telephoto lens is prone to blur without support.

Portrait Mode and Depth Control

Both phones introduced portrait mode around the same time, leveraging their dual-camera systems to simulate DSLR-style bokeh. The iPhone 7 Plus launched this feature first, and Apple’s algorithm quickly became known for accurate edge detection and smooth background blur. However, it initially required good lighting and struggled with complex edges like hair or glasses.

The Note 8 arrived later and refined the approach. Samsung’s Live Focus feature allowed users to adjust the depth effect before or after taking the photo—a flexibility the iPhone didn’t offer until iOS 11. Also, the Note 8’s wider aperture on the telephoto lens contributed to a more natural-looking depth falloff.

That said, Apple’s consistency in skin tones and overall realism gave it an artistic advantage. Samsung sometimes over-blurred backgrounds or created halo artifacts around subjects. Still, for creative control, the Note 8 offered more options out of the box.

Real-World Example: Travel Photography Upgrade

Consider Sarah, a frequent traveler who upgraded from the iPhone 7 Plus to the Note 8 for a trip through Southeast Asia. She noticed immediate differences:

• Her temple shots in Cambodia benefited from the Note 8’s superior zoom clarity—she could frame distant carvings without losing sharpness.
• Dining photos in dimly lit Bangkok restaurants came out clearer on the Note 8, with less grain and better exposure balance.
• She appreciated being able to tweak the bokeh strength on her portraits of local artisans, giving her social media posts a professional touch.

Sarah concluded that while the iPhone produced dependable results, the Note 8 gave her greater confidence in varied conditions—especially when she couldn’t control the lighting or composition.

Comparison Table: Key Camera Features

Feature	iPhone 7 Plus	Galaxy Note 8
Wide Lens Aperture	f/1.8	f/1.7
Telephoto Lens Aperture	f/2.8	f/2.4
OIS on Both Lenses?	No (only on wide)	Yes
Digital Zoom (Recommended)	Up to 2x	Up to 2x (sharper due to OIS)
Portrait Mode Editing	No post-capture adjustment	Adjustable blur intensity
Low-Light Performance	Good, but softens at dusk	Better retention of detail and brightness
Front Camera	7MP, f/2.2	8MP, f/1.7

The table highlights where the Note 8 holds technical advantages—particularly in stabilization, low-light sensitivity, and user control. These weren’t just incremental upgrades; they represented a shift toward treating smartphones as serious photographic tools.

Software and Post-Processing Behavior

Apple’s approach has always been conservative: minimal sharpening, restrained HDR, and true-to-life color reproduction. This appeals to photographers who prefer editing flexibility and dislike oversaturated outputs.

Samsung, on the other hand, applies more aggressive processing. HDR is nearly always active, boosting contrast and vibrancy. While this makes images “pop” instantly on social media, some argue it sacrifices nuance. JPEG compression is also heavier, which can affect fine texture detail.

If you value authenticity over instant visual impact, the iPhone may still feel more trustworthy. But if you want punchy, ready-to-share photos straight out of the camera, the Note 8 caters to that preference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the Note 8 have a night mode?

No, the Galaxy Note 8 did not include a dedicated night mode. That feature debuted in Samsung’s lineup with the Galaxy S10 series in 2019. However, its dual OIS and brighter lens allowed for better low-light performance than the iPhone 7 Plus, even without computational long-exposure techniques.

Can the iPhone 7 Plus do 2x optical zoom?

Yes, the iPhone 7 Plus supports 2x optical zoom using its telephoto lens. However, because the telephoto sensor lacks OIS, zoomed shots in anything less than ideal lighting often suffer from motion blur unless the phone is perfectly steady.

Which phone has better video quality?

Both phones record 4K video at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps. The iPhone 7 Plus generally offers more stable electronic image stabilization and superior audio recording. The Note 8 matches it in resolution but exhibits slightly more jitter in handheld movement. For vloggers or casual videographers, the iPhone retains a small edge in smoothness and sound clarity.

Was the Upgrade Worth It?

For many users, yes—the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 represented a meaningful upgrade over the iPhone 7 Plus, particularly in camera versatility and low-light reliability. The inclusion of OIS on both lenses wasn’t just a spec bump; it translated into sharper telephoto shots, better indoor photography, and more consistent results across different scenarios.

However, “worth it” depends on priorities. If you valued color accuracy, video stability, and seamless ecosystem integration, sticking with the iPhone made sense. But if you wanted more creative control, stronger zoom performance, and improved low-light capability, the Note 8 justified the switch—especially for enthusiasts who treated their phone as their primary camera.

Action Checklist: Evaluating Your Own Upgrade Path

1. Assess how often you use zoomed or low-light photography.
2. Compare sample photos side-by-side in your typical shooting environments (e.g., indoors, outdoors, night).
3. Test the front camera if you take frequent selfies or video calls.
4. Evaluate software preferences—do you like vibrant or natural colors?
5. Consider ecosystem loyalty: switching between iOS and Android involves data migration and app relearning.

Final Thoughts

The battle between the iPhone 7 Plus and Galaxy Note 8 wasn’t just brand rivalry—it reflected two philosophies of mobile photography. Apple prioritized consistency and realism; Samsung pushed boundaries with hardware innovation and user customization. In the end, the Note 8’s camera upgrades were technically superior, especially for those demanding more from their smartphone in challenging conditions.

While neither phone would match today’s computational photography standards, the leap from the iPhone 7 Plus to the Note 8 was one of the most tangible camera upgrades of its era. If you were looking for more than just “good enough” snapshots, the answer is clear: yes, the Samsung upgrade was worth it—for the right user.

💬 Used both phones? Share your experience with the camera difference in the comments below. Help others decide based on real-world use.