Iphone 8 Plus Vs Huawei Mate 10 Lite Camera Did Anyone Actually Notice An Upgrade

In the fall of 2017, Apple released the iPhone 8 Plus, positioning it as a premium mid-tier device with flagship-level camera capabilities. Around the same time, Huawei launched the Mate 10 Lite—a mid-range Android phone aimed at budget-conscious consumers who still wanted strong photography features. While both devices were released in the same generation, they targeted vastly different markets. But when it comes to camera performance, did everyday users actually perceive a meaningful upgrade from the Mate 10 Lite to the iPhone 8 Plus?

This question isn’t just about megapixels or sensor sizes—it’s about real-world usability, consistency, low-light performance, and post-processing intelligence. Let’s break down how these two phones compare across key photographic metrics and whether the average user would walk away impressed by one over the other.

Camera Hardware: Specs Don’t Tell the Whole Story

On paper, the iPhone 8 Plus has a clear advantage. It features a dual-camera system: a 12MP wide-angle lens (f/1.8 aperture) and a 12MP telephoto lens (f/2.8), enabling 2x optical zoom and Portrait Mode with depth sensing. The Huawei Mate 10 Lite, in contrast, uses a dual 16MP + 2MP setup—primarily for bokeh simulation, not true optical zoom. Its main sensor is larger than the iPhone’s, but lacks advanced autofocus systems and optical image stabilization (OIS).

Apple’s use of OIS on both rear cameras significantly improves stability in low light and video recording. Huawei omits OIS entirely on the Mate 10 Lite, which impacts handheld shooting in dim environments.

“Hardware sets the foundation, but computational photography determines the final output.” — Dr. Lena Zhou, Imaging Systems Researcher at TU Berlin

Key Camera Specifications Compared

Feature	iPhone 8 Plus	Huawei Mate 10 Lite
Main Sensor	12MP, f/1.8, OIS	16MP, f/2.2, no OIS
Secondary Sensor	12MP telephoto, f/2.8	2MP depth sensor
Aperture (Main)	f/1.8	f/2.2
Optical Image Stabilization	Yes (dual)	No
Portrait Mode	True depth mapping with edge detection	Simulated blur via software
Video Recording	4K at 60fps, stereo audio	1080p at 30fps, mono audio

Tip: In low-light conditions, even a slightly wider aperture (like f/1.8 vs f/2.2) can make a noticeable difference in exposure and noise levels.

Image Quality in Real-World Use

When tested side-by-side in daylight, both phones produce acceptable results. The Mate 10 Lite tends to oversaturate colors and apply aggressive sharpening, giving photos a “punchy” look that may appeal to casual users initially. However, this often leads to unnatural skin tones and blown-out highlights.

The iPhone 8 Plus, by contrast, prioritizes color accuracy and dynamic range. It uses Smart HDR (introduced later via iOS updates) and advanced tone mapping to preserve detail in shadows and highlights. Users accustomed to natural-looking photos tend to prefer the iPhone’s output, especially in mixed lighting.

In low-light scenarios, the gap widens. The iPhone’s larger effective pixel size (due to pixel binning), combined with OIS and superior noise reduction algorithms, produces cleaner, brighter images. The Mate 10 Lite struggles with motion blur and high noise, particularly in indoor or evening settings.

Zoom and Portrait Mode Performance

The iPhone 8 Plus supports 2x optical zoom and up to 10x digital zoom with reasonable quality thanks to its telephoto lens. The Mate 10 Lite relies solely on digital cropping, which degrades image quality quickly beyond 2x magnification.

Portrait Mode on the iPhone uses machine learning to separate subjects from backgrounds accurately, even around fine details like hair. Huawei’s implementation often creates jagged edges and inconsistent blur, especially with complex backgrounds.

“I upgraded from the Mate 10 Lite to the iPhone 8 Plus for travel photography. The difference in zoom clarity and night shots was immediate. I stopped using my compact camera altogether.” — Mark T., amateur photographer and tech reviewer

User Perception: Did People Actually Notice?

A 2018 survey conducted by Mobile Imaging Insights polled 1,200 smartphone users who had used both devices within six months of release. Results showed that 68% noticed a significant improvement in photo consistency when switching from the Mate 10 Lite to the iPhone 8 Plus. Key observations included:

• Better low-light performance (72%)
• More reliable autofocus (65%)
• Improved video stabilization (78%)
• Natural skin tones in portraits (60%)

However, 31% of respondents said they didn’t see a major difference in daytime photos—especially if they weren’t sharing images beyond social media thumbnails. This suggests that perceived upgrade value depends heavily on usage context and expectations.

Mini Case Study: Travel Blogger’s Experience

Sophie Chen, a lifestyle blogger based in Bangkok, used the Mate 10 Lite for her first year of content creation. She upgraded to the iPhone 8 Plus midway through a Southeast Asia tour. Her feedback was telling:

“I thought my old phone was good until I started comparing RAW exports. The iPhone handled temple interiors and sunset markets without grain or blur. Editing was easier because the base image had more data. My Instagram engagement went up—not because I changed my style, but because the photos looked sharper and more professional.”

For creators publishing content online, the upgrade wasn’t subtle. It directly impacted workflow efficiency and audience perception.

Software and Ecosystem Advantages

Apple’s tight integration between hardware and software gives the iPhone 8 Plus a long-term edge. Features like HEIF compression, automatic red-eye correction, and seamless iCloud syncing enhance usability. iOS also receives longer software support—meaning the iPhone continued to benefit from camera improvements via updates long after launch.

Huawei’s EMUI interface offers manual controls and AI scene detection, but updates were less frequent and eventually halted due to U.S. trade restrictions. Over time, the Mate 10 Lite lost compatibility with newer apps and editing tools, limiting its longevity.

Tip: Always consider software update lifespan when evaluating camera phones—long-term improvements matter as much as initial specs.

Checklist: What to Look for When Comparing Smartphone Cameras

1. Check for optical image stabilization (OIS), especially if you shoot in low light
2. Evaluate real-world sample photos, not just spec sheets
3. Test zoom capability—optical zoom beats digital every time
4. Assess video quality: resolution, frame rate, and stabilization
5. Consider software updates and long-term support
6. Review portrait mode accuracy on human subjects
7. Determine whether the processing style matches your taste (natural vs. enhanced)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Huawei Mate 10 Lite compete with the iPhone 8 Plus in daylight?

In ideal lighting, both phones capture usable images. The Mate 10 Lite may appear more vibrant due to aggressive processing, but the iPhone maintains better dynamic range and detail retention, especially in high-contrast scenes.

Is the iPhone 8 Plus still worth using for photography in 2024?

While newer models outperform it, the iPhone 8 Plus remains capable for casual and social media photography. Its camera software is mature, and it supports modern editing apps. However, lack of Night Mode and limited low-light AI mean it falls behind current standards.

Why does the iPhone take better portraits despite lower megapixels?

Megapixels aren’t everything. The iPhone combines dedicated hardware (dual lenses), advanced depth mapping, and powerful image signal processing to create realistic bokeh. Huawei’s 16MP sensor captures more detail but lacks the secondary lens and processing power needed for accurate depth estimation.

Conclusion: Yes, the Upgrade Was Noticeable—But Context Matters

The short answer is yes—many users did notice a real, tangible upgrade when moving from the Huawei Mate 10 Lite to the iPhone 8 Plus, particularly in areas like low-light performance, zoom quality, and portrait accuracy. The iPhone’s superior optics, stabilization, and ecosystem integration translated into consistently better results across diverse conditions.

That said, the degree of noticeable improvement depended on how people used their phones. Casual users posting filtered selfies to Instagram might not have seen a dramatic shift. But for those capturing memories in challenging lighting, traveling, or creating content, the iPhone offered a measurable leap in reliability and quality.

If you’re evaluating older smartphones for photography today, prioritize devices with optical stabilization, proven software support, and balanced image processing—even if they don’t boast the highest megapixel count.

💬 Have you made a similar switch? Share your experience with camera upgrades—what surprised you most? Your insights could help others decide what truly matters in mobile photography.