Iphone 8 Plus Vs Galaxy S6 Camera Is The Upgrade Worth It In 2024

In 2024, smartphones are expected to deliver DSLR-like photography, AI-enhanced processing, and computational photography that was unimaginable just a decade ago. Yet, millions still rely on older flagships like the iPhone 8 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S6. Both were once top-tier devices with strong camera systems for their time. But how do they stack up against each other today—especially when considering an upgrade purely for camera performance?

This isn’t just a nostalgia trip. For users holding onto aging hardware due to budget constraints or loyalty to older designs, the question remains: if you're switching from an iPhone 8 Plus to a Galaxy S6 (or vice versa), does the camera justify the change in 2024?

Camera Specifications: A Technical Breakdown

The first step in evaluating camera performance is understanding what’s under the hood. While both phones launched years apart—iPhone 8 Plus in 2017 and Galaxy S6 in 2015—their camera tech reflects the priorities of their respective eras.

Feature	iPhone 8 Plus	Galaxy S6
Rear Camera (Main)	12 MP, f/1.8, OIS	16 MP, f/1.9, OIS
Secondary Rear Camera	12 MP, f/2.8 (telephoto, 2x optical zoom)	N/A
Front Camera	7 MP, f/2.2	5 MP, f/1.9
Video Recording	4K at 60fps, 1080p at 240fps slo-mo	4K at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps
Image Signal Processor	Apple A11 Bionic (advanced for its time)	Exynos 7420 (capable but less refined)
Dual Pixel Autofocus	No	Yes (on main sensor)

The iPhone 8 Plus holds a clear advantage with its dual-camera system, enabling true 2x optical zoom and Portrait Mode with depth sensing. The Galaxy S6, while featuring a higher megapixel count and early adoption of Dual Pixel AF for faster focusing, lacks any secondary lens. In practical terms, this means no telephoto reach and no native bokeh simulation without third-party apps.

Tip: Megapixels aren't everything. Sensor size, pixel binning, and image processing matter more for low-light performance and dynamic range.

Real-World Photo Quality in 2024 Conditions

Fast forward to 2024, where lighting conditions, social media standards, and viewer expectations have evolved. Let's examine how each device performs in typical modern use cases.

Daylight Photos: The Galaxy S6 produces sharp, vivid images with rich color saturation typical of Samsung’s tuning. However, its 16MP sensor tends to over-sharpen and clip highlights in high-contrast scenes. The iPhone 8 Plus, by contrast, delivers more natural tones, better dynamic range, and smoother gradients thanks to Apple’s tone mapping and Smart HDR groundwork laid in iOS 11 and refined over updates.

Low-Light Performance: This is where the iPhone pulls ahead significantly. Its larger pixels (1.22µm vs 1.12µm), combined with optical image stabilization and superior noise reduction algorithms, result in cleaner night shots. The S6 struggles with grain, color smearing, and slower shutter speeds—even with OIS. Third-party camera apps can help, but stock performance lags behind.

Portrait Mode & Depth Effects: The iPhone 8 Plus introduced Portrait Mode to the mainstream, using machine learning on the A11 chip to separate subjects from backgrounds. Even today, these portraits hold up reasonably well with smooth edge detection. The S6 has no such feature natively. Some users report success with Samsung’s later software updates ported via custom ROMs, but reliability varies.

“Hardware matters, but long-term software support defines a camera’s lifespan. Apple’s consistent iOS updates gave the 8 Plus years of imaging improvements the S6 never received.” — Lena Park, Mobile Imaging Analyst at TechLens Weekly

User Experience and Practical Limitations Today

It’s not enough to compare raw image output. How usable are these cameras in daily life in 2024?

The Galaxy S6 runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out of the box, with official updates ending in 2017. Most security patches stopped by 2019. Using it today exposes users to vulnerabilities, app compatibility issues, and missing features in modern photography apps. Google Camera ports exist but often lack full functionality like HDR+ or Night Sight.

The iPhone 8 Plus, meanwhile, supports iOS 16 (and unofficially iOS 17 via sideloading). It benefits from years of camera enhancements: improved noise reduction, better face detection, and continued optimization of Portrait Mode. Even basic features like Live Photos and HEIF compression improve storage efficiency and image quality.

Battery degradation also plays a role. Older S6 units frequently suffer from rapid drain during camera use, especially when recording video. The iPhone 8 Plus, while also prone to battery wear, benefits from easier replacements and better power management in iOS.

Mini Case Study: Sarah’s Upgrade Dilemma

Sarah has used her Galaxy S6 since 2015. She loves its compact size and AMOLED screen but finds herself embarrassed by blurry group photos at events and dim restaurant shots that look muddy online. After borrowing a friend’s old iPhone 8 Plus, she noticed immediate differences: clearer facial details, balanced exposure in mixed lighting, and the ability to zoom without losing quality.

She considered sticking with Android but found most affordable secondhand options either too large or lacking camera flexibility. Ultimately, she upgraded to a refurbished iPhone 8 Plus for $120, citing “better photos and longer software life” as deciding factors—even though she missed Samsung’s interface.

Is the Upgrade Worth It in 2024?

If you’re moving from a Galaxy S6 to an iPhone 8 Plus solely for camera reasons, the answer is yes—on paper and in practice. The 8 Plus offers:

• Better dynamic range and color accuracy
• True optical zoom and Portrait Mode
• More advanced video capabilities (4K/60fps, slow-motion)
• Ongoing software support and security updates (relative to S6)
• Superior low-light processing

However, consider the trade-offs:

• Larger, heavier device
• iOS ecosystem lock-in (vs Android openness)
• No microSD expansion or headphone jack (S6 retains both)

For pure photography gains, the iPhone 8 Plus is objectively better. But if you value compactness, removable batteries (with modded backs), or prefer Android’s customization, staying with the S6—or upgrading to a newer mid-range Android phone—might make more sense.

Checklist: Before You Decide to Upgrade

1. ✅ Assess your current phone’s condition: Is the camera lens scratched or fogged?
2. ✅ Test both devices side-by-side in your common shooting environments (indoor, outdoor, night).
3. ✅ Check app compatibility: Will your preferred camera or editing apps run smoothly on the target device?
4. ✅ Evaluate battery health: A failing battery undermines any camera benefit.
5. ✅ Consider total cost: Include accessories, data transfer, and potential repair needs.
6. ✅ Think long-term: Which platform receives updates? Which ecosystem do you already use?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Google Camera on the Galaxy S6 for better photos?

Yes, GCam ports exist for the S6, but results are inconsistent. Due to outdated drivers and lack of HAL3 support, features like HDR+ and Astrophotography mode rarely work properly. Expect crashes and limited functionality.

Does the iPhone 8 Plus still receive camera improvements?

Officially, Apple ended major iOS updates for the 8 Plus with iOS 16. However, minor refinements and bug fixes continued into 2023. Unofficial iOS 17 ports exist but are unstable. Realistically, significant new camera features are unlikely, but existing ones remain well-optimized.

Which phone takes better selfies?

The iPhone 8 Plus wins here too. Its 7MP front camera with Retina Flash (screen-based fill light) produces brighter, more evenly lit selfies. The S6’s 5MP shooter performs well in daylight but struggles in low light and lacks face detection tuning seen in later models.

Final Verdict: Future-Proofing Your Photography

In 2024, neither the iPhone 8 Plus nor the Galaxy S6 qualifies as a modern photography tool. They lack Night Mode, AI scene detection, multi-frame processing, and ultra-wide lenses now standard even on budget phones. But between the two, the iPhone 8 Plus clearly offers a more capable, supported, and future-resilient camera experience.

The upgrade from Galaxy S6 to iPhone 8 Plus isn’t about chasing cutting-edge tech—it’s about gaining reliable, consistent photo quality with room to grow through software. For someone clinging to a 2015 flagship, stepping into a 2017-era Apple device feels like a meaningful leap, not just a lateral move.

🚀 Ready to make the switch? Whether you choose iOS or Android, prioritize devices with recent software support and proven camera consistency. Your future memories deserve more than fading pixels.