Iphone X Camera Vs Galaxy S8 Was The Upgrade Really Worth It 3

In 2017, two flagship smartphones dominated the conversation: the Apple iPhone X and the Samsung Galaxy S8. Both devices represented major design shifts—Apple ditched the home button for Face ID, while Samsung pushed edge-to-edge Infinity Display technology. But beyond aesthetics, one of the most debated questions among users was whether the iPhone X’s camera upgrade over the Galaxy S8 truly justified the premium price. For photographers, casual shooters, and tech enthusiasts alike, this wasn’t just about megapixels—it was about real-world performance, consistency, and long-term satisfaction.

Design and Camera Hardware Overview

The iPhone X introduced a dual 12MP rear camera system: a wide-angle lens (f/1.8) and a telephoto lens (f/2.4), both with optical image stabilization (OIS)—a first for an iPhone in the telephoto lens. This setup enabled 2x optical zoom and improved portrait mode capabilities with depth sensing. The front-facing TrueDepth camera also debuted here, offering 7MP resolution and enabling Portrait Mode selfies.

In contrast, the Galaxy S8 featured a single 12MP rear sensor with a wider f/1.7 aperture, Dual Pixel autofocus, and OIS—but no secondary lens. Its strength lay in low-light sensitivity and faster focusing. The front camera was 8MP with an f/1.7 aperture, ideal for bright selfies but lacking depth-mapping features.

On paper, the iPhone X had more advanced hardware with its dual-camera system, but hardware alone doesn’t define photo quality. Image processing, software tuning, and real-world usability play equally critical roles.

Image Quality: Daylight and Dynamic Range

In daylight conditions, both phones produced excellent results, but with distinct characteristics. The iPhone X leaned toward natural color reproduction, preserving accurate skin tones and avoiding oversaturation. Its Smart HDR (introduced later via iOS updates) helped retain detail in highlights and shadows, particularly in high-contrast scenes like backlit landscapes or cityscapes.

The Galaxy S8, using Samsung’s aggressive HDR processing by default, often delivered punchier images with enhanced contrast and vibrancy. While visually striking on small screens, these photos sometimes suffered from blown-out highlights or unnatural color casts, especially in greens and blues. Enthusiasts who preferred a more “Instagram-ready” look straight out of the camera favored the S8’s output, while purists appreciated the iPhone X’s consistency and editing headroom.

“Apple prioritizes tonal accuracy and dynamic range; Samsung leans into visual impact. It’s not about which is better—it’s about what kind of photographer you are.” — David Lin, Mobile Imaging Analyst at DXOMARK (2017)

Low-Light Performance and Night Photography

Low-light photography revealed a nuanced trade-off. The Galaxy S8’s larger f/1.7 aperture allowed more light intake, giving it an edge in brightness during dim conditions. However, its processing often amplified noise in darker areas, particularly in indoor settings with mixed lighting. Images could appear grainy when viewed at full resolution.

The iPhone X, despite its slightly narrower aperture, used superior computational photography techniques—even before Night Mode existed. Through local tone mapping and noise reduction algorithms, it maintained cleaner shadows and more balanced exposure. In many side-by-side comparisons, the iPhone X produced less noisy, more natural-looking night shots, even if they were marginally darker than the S8’s output.

Tip: In low light, stabilize your phone against a surface or use a mini tripod app to reduce blur—especially on the S8, where shutter speed tends to lengthen.

Portrait Mode and Depth Effects

This was arguably the iPhone X’s biggest differentiator. With its dual-lens system and TrueDepth front camera, it offered Portrait Mode on both rear and front cameras. The depth estimation was remarkably accurate, creating smooth bokeh effects with proper edge detection around hair and glasses—something early Android implementations struggled with.

The Galaxy S8 attempted to simulate depth effects through software-only solutions like Live Focus (on later models) or third-party apps, but results were inconsistent. Hair strands, fast movement, or complex backgrounds often caused halos or incorrect blurring. For users who valued professional-looking portraits, the iPhone X provided a noticeably more reliable experience.

Video Capabilities and Stabilization

When it comes to video, the iPhone X pulled ahead decisively. It supported 4K recording at up to 60fps, along with 1080p at 240fps for slow-motion footage. Optical and electronic image stabilization worked in tandem to deliver smooth handheld video, even while walking. Audio zoom synchronized microphone focus with visual framing, enhancing production value.

The Galaxy S8 also recorded 4K video but capped at 30fps and lacked advanced stabilization tuning. While acceptable for casual use, footage tended to exhibit more jitter and rolling shutter during rapid motion. For vloggers, travelers, or social media creators, the iPhone X offered a more polished, cinematic result.

Real-World User Experience: A Mini Case Study

Consider Sarah, a travel blogger who upgraded from the Galaxy S8 to the iPhone X in late 2017. Her primary goal was improving her Instagram content without carrying a DSLR. She found that while the S8 produced vibrant thumbnails that attracted quick engagement, the iPhone X gave her greater flexibility in post-processing. On a trip to Morocco, she shot narrow alleyways in Marrakech under harsh sunlight—the iPhone X preserved details in both shadowed doorways and sunlit walls, whereas the S8 clipped highlights on white-washed buildings.

More importantly, Sarah relied heavily on Portrait Mode for influencer collaborations. The iPhone X’s consistent background blur and natural skin rendering reduced her editing time significantly. Over six months, she cut her average photo-editing workflow by nearly 40%, allowing her to publish content faster. For her, the upgrade was absolutely worth it—not because every photo was objectively better, but because the overall creative process became more efficient.

Comparison Table: Key Camera Features

Feature	iPhone X	Galaxy S8
Rear Camera	Dual 12MP (f/1.8 + f/2.4), OIS on both	Single 12MP (f/1.7), OIS
Front Camera	7MP, f/2.2, TrueDepth, Portrait Mode	8MP, f/1.7, no depth sensing
Zoom	2x optical, up to 10x digital	Digital only
Video Recording	4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, advanced stabilization	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, basic stabilization
Portrait Mode	Rear and front, depth mapping	Software-only simulation, limited accuracy
Low-Light Performance	Balanced exposure, lower noise	Brighter preview, higher noise

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the iPhone X camera better than the Galaxy S8 overall?

Yes, in comprehensive evaluations by independent labs and user reviews, the iPhone X scored higher in overall camera performance due to its dual-lens versatility, superior video, and consistent image processing. However, the S8 remained competitive in still photography, especially in well-lit conditions.

Can the Galaxy S8 take good portraits?

It can simulate portrait effects using software, but results are less reliable than the iPhone X’s hardware-assisted depth sensing. Edges around subjects—especially fine details like hair—are often inaccurately blurred, reducing professionalism.

Did software updates change the outcome over time?

Significantly. iOS updates brought improvements like Smart HDR and better noise reduction, widening the gap over time. Meanwhile, Samsung’s updates focused more on UI features than core image science, leaving the S8’s camera largely unchanged in fundamental behavior.

Actionable Checklist: Choosing Based on Your Needs

• ✅ Need professional-looking portraits? → iPhone X
• ✅ Prioritize vibrant, ready-to-share photos? → Galaxy S8
• ✅ Record videos frequently? → iPhone X
• ✅ Want brighter low-light previews? → Galaxy S8
• ✅ Value editing flexibility and dynamic range? → iPhone X
• ✅ Prefer lightweight, single-lens simplicity? → Galaxy S8

Final Verdict: Was the Upgrade Worth It?

For users coming from older iPhones or those deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the jump to the iPhone X camera was transformative. The addition of Portrait Mode, improved low-light handling, and class-leading video made it a compelling upgrade—not just incrementally better, but meaningfully different.

For Galaxy S8 owners, however, the answer is more nuanced. If your priority was sharper zoom, better portraits, or smoother video, then yes—the iPhone X offered tangible benefits. But if you primarily shared casual snapshots and valued bright, saturated colors, the difference might not have justified switching ecosystems or paying a $1,000 price tag.

The “worth it” factor ultimately depended on how you used your phone. For creatives, professionals, and frequent content creators, the iPhone X’s camera system represented a clear evolution. For everyday users satisfied with solid point-and-shoot performance, the Galaxy S8 remained highly capable.

💬 Have you made the switch from Galaxy to iPhone or vice versa? Share your camera experience below—your insights could help others decide what truly matters in mobile photography.