Technology
It’s time for Android phones to get serious about great video
Do you want to take the absolute best photos possible with your phone? Choosing which smartphone to use is more difficult than ever.
In 2024, there’s a range of fantastic camera phones to choose from, including the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Google Pixel 8 Pro, Honor Magic 6 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
As you can see, most of these are Android phones. Recent iPhone models are doing well, but Android devices match and even surpass Apple in some areas.
However, with video it’s a different story. The iPhone 15 range has a significant lead in both quality and consistency, with the 2022 iPhone 14 handsets not far behind. Even the best current Android flagships can’t compete.
In short, if video is a top priority for you, get an iPhone. It’s no wonder that most content creators like TikTok and Instagram don’t use Samsung or Google phones.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
I saw this firsthand when I used the Honor Magic 6 Pro at a music festival recently. It takes some beautiful photos, and personally I liked the video I was able to create, but there were undeniable flaws in the footage.
Color accuracy and exposure were slightly off on more than one occasion, while it was often difficult to know what to focus on. These issues are easily excusable for personal use, but mean you simply can’t rely on it for anything more serious.
It’s no wonder most content creators don’t use a Samsung or Google phone
The experience wasn’t identical on every Android phone I tested, although all had video quality issues in some way. The footage isn’t bad, it’s just a big step down from photos, making it unsuitable for most professional scenarios.
It doesn’t help that optical image stabilization (OIS), found on at least one lens on virtually every mid-range and flagship Android phone, is noticeably worse at enabling smooth video than the iPhone.
Unfortunately, this applies to both the front and rear cameras, with the former being particularly important for video calls and social media content. If you want to look your best on video, an iPhone is still the way to go.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
It is difficult to understand why this inequality still exists. Android phones have some of the most advanced camera hardware around, while the quality of photos proves that most companies are moving in the right direction when it comes to software processing.
My only explanation is that video quality is a priority for Apple in a way that no Android phone maker wants to match. The iPhone has a reputation as a device that filmmakers and vloggers use, so Apple needs to tap into that market.
This is reflected in the marketing, with Android companies focusing heavily on promoting the phone’s quality and versatility for photos, often only making quick mention of video.
The quality of the photos proves that most Android phone companies are doing well in terms of software processing
As someone who regularly switches Android phones but rarely uses an iPhone, this drop in video quality is very frustrating. With any luck, the growing influence of AI on smartphones will help Android devices close the gap, but it could also allow Apple to extend its lead.
But until then, anyone getting a phone for their video-loving mom should take Apple CEO Tim Cook’s advice and “buy your mom an iPhone.”
Check out our round-up of the best iPhone models you can buy right now. Alternatively, our general guide to best smartphones includes both iPhone and Android phones.
