Both the Samsung Galaxy Note9 and the Apple iPhone XS claim to have the world’s best cameras. While both take great photos in good light, how do they perform in low-light conditions?
Let’s find out in our photo and video comparison of the Apple iPhone XS and the Samsung Galaxy Note9. See for yourself which smartphone has the best low-light camera performance!
Updated @ 2018-12-25 : Minor updates of the article, with some additional information.
First posted @ 2018-12-18
iPhone XS vs Galaxy Note9 – Low Light Camera Performance!
We compared the Samsung Galaxy Note9‘s low light performance against the iPhone X back in September, just before the Apple iPhone XS (US | UK | Shopee | Lazada) was released.
The iPhone XS maintained the same dual-lens camera module from last year’s iPhone X, with software improvements like Smart HDR and better tone mapping. The only hardware upgrade we could tell was the ability to record stereo sound for its videos.
What this means is the iPhone XS has very similar photographic capabilities to the Samsung Galaxy Note9. They both use 12 MP image sensors with 1.0 µm pixels, paired with f/2.4 lens that offer 2X optical zoom with optical image stabilisation. Where they really differ in is their wide-angle cameras.
The iPhone X’s wide-angle camera uses a 12 MP image sensor with 1.22 µm pixels, paired with f/1.8 lens that support optical image stabilisation.
The Galaxy Note9, on the other hand, uses a 12 MP image sensor with larger 1.4 µm pixels, paired with a Dual Aperture lens that can switch between f/1.5 and f/2.4. It also supports optical image stabilisation.
Here is a table comparing the key features of their main cameras.
| Main Camera Specifications | Samsung Galaxy Note9 | Apple iPhone XS / XS Max |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Dual Camera System with wide and telephoto lens | Dual Camera System with wide and telephoto lens |
| Main Camera Features | - 12 MP Dual Pixel sensor - 1.4 µm pixel size - can switch between f/1.5 and f/2.4 apertures - optical image stabilisation (OIS) | - 12 MP sensor - 1.22 µm pixel size - f/1.8 aperture - optical image stabilisation (OIS) |
| Telephoto Camera Features | - 2x optical zoom - 12 MP sensor - 1.0 µm pixel size - f/2.4 aperture - optical image stabilisation (OIS) | - 2x optical zoom - 12 MP sensor - 1.0 µm pixel size - f/2.4 aperture - optical image stabilisation (OIS) |
| Built-in Flash | Dual-tone LED flash | Quad-LED flash |
| Video Recording Capabilities | 4K video : up to 60 fps 1080p video : up to 60 fps 720p video : Up to 960 fps | 4K video : up to 60 fps 1080p video : up to 240 fps 720p video : 30 fps |
| Camera Switching While Recording Video | Yes | No |
| Live Focus Capability | Yes | No |
| Dual Capture Capability | Yes | No |
As you can see, there are other differences between the two camera systems :
- You can switch between the two cameras while recording a video in the Samsung Galaxy Note9, but not with the Apple iPhone XS (US | UK | Shopee | Lazada).
- The Samsung Galaxy Note9 (US | UK | Shopee | Lazada) can record from both cameras simultaneously, and therefore supports Live Focus and Dual Capture, which are not possible with the Apple iPhone XS.
Now, let’s take a look at how well they both perform in low-light conditions!
[adrotate group=”1″]
iPhone XS vs Galaxy Note9 – Low Light Video Shootout
Let’s kick it off with a comparison of their low-light video recording capabilities. This time, we tested them with and without their flash turned on.
With and without the flash, the Samsung Galaxy Note9 (US | UK | Shopee | Lazada) was definitely better at recording low-light videos than the Apple iPhone XS (US | UK | Shopee | Lazada).
It is not just about the brightness. Thanks to its quad-lens flash, the iPhone XS has better control of the light. But it lacks contrast compared to the Galaxy Note9.
Here is an example of a night dancing session at the Curve. The singers are on a well-lit platform, but the dancers are not lit by street lights. The Samsung Galaxy Note9 was not mounted on any gimbal.
Despite the changing brightness of the scene, the Samsung Galaxy Note9 did a great job of instantly adjusting the brightness of the subjects. This is not an easy feat when we switched focus to the dancers, because the background is much brighter.
What we ended up with is a happy balance of reasonably bright subjects without overly bright backgrounds. In fact, you can see right into the restaurant behind the dancers!
Next Page > iPhone XS vs Galaxy Note9 Low Light Photo Shootout + Verdict
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
iPhone XS vs Galaxy Note9 – Low Light Photo Shootout
Let’s start with a dimly-lit shot. Here we have four toys with some indirect lighting.
Dimly-Lit Scene
When you try to take a poorly-lit scene, the Samsung Galaxy Note9 (US | UK | Shopee | Lazada) automatically switches to the wide f/1.5 aperture. The depth-of-field was much shallower, so you need to be careful about framing the shot, or focusing on the subject, or it will be out-of-focus.
But look at how well the colours turn out. Even in the low light, the colours appear vivid, especially the red lightsaber and Mario’s red shirt. You can also make out that his jeans is blue in colour.
The photo taken by the Apple iPhone XS (US | UK | Shopee | Lazada) was darker, so the colours are noticeably muted. And Mario’s jeans now appears to be black, instead of blue. Its f/1.8 aperture is definitely no match for the Galaxy Note9’s wider f/1.5 aperture.
Extremely Low Light
We turned off the background light, and it’s almost completely dark. Yet, we can make out all four toys, including Darth Minion, using the Samsung Galaxy Note9.
Unfortunately, it was so dark with the iPhone XS, we can barely frame the shot. You can just about see a little of the baby leopard’s head, but that’s about it.
Bright Night Scenes
These two photo comparisons will look at street scenes that are lit up by street lights.
In both cases, the Samsung Galaxy Note9 (US | UK | Shopee | Lazada) delivered brighter and more realistically-lit photos than the iPhone XS (US | UK | Shopee | Lazada).
iPhone XS vs Galaxy Note9 – Our Verdict
When we first posted our Galaxy Note9 vs iPhone X comparison, some iPhone fans criticised us for not using the newer iPhone XS. Never mind the fact that they were not available when we did the test. Never mind the fact that both the iPhone X and iPhone XS have the same camera hardware.
To be fair to these Apple fans, the iPhone XS (US | UK | Shopee | Lazada) introduces some new software improvements. Squeezing a little extra out of old hardware is something Apple engineers are very good at.
But no matter how clever they are, they just cannot beat the superior optics and sensor in the Samsung Galaxy Note9 (US | UK | Shopee | Lazada), and by extension, the Samsung Galaxy S9+. In every test, the Samsung smartphone was superior in low light conditions.
Not only does the Galaxy Note9 have a larger and brighter f/1.5 aperture, its image sensor has 32% larger pixels – 1.4 microns vs. 1.22 microns. They both allow for significantly better low-light camera performance, whether you are taking photos or recording videos.
Whatever Apple may put on the billboards, the Galaxy Note9 and Galaxy S9+ has superior photography and videography performance. This is yet another reason why we gave it our Editor’s Choice Award!
Where To Buy The Samsung Galaxy Note9?
Malaysia
- Samsung Galaxy Note9 (128 GB) : RM 3,299 (Lazada | Shopee)
- Samsung Galaxy Note9 (512 GB) : RM 4,199 (Lazada | Shopee)
United States
- Samsung Galaxy Note9 (128 GB, International Unlocked) : $732
- Samsung Galaxy Note9 (128 GB, US Unlocked) : $899.99
- Samsung Galaxy Note9 (512 GB, International Unlocked) : $992.49
- Samsung Galaxy Note9 (512 GB, US Unlocked) : $1,149.99
United Kingdom
Where To Buy The Apple iPhone XS?
Malaysia
United States
United Kingdom
Recommended Reading
[adrotate group=”2″]- The Samsung Galaxy Note9 In-Depth Review
- Galaxy Note9 vs iPhone X – Who Wins The Low Light Shootout?
- Samsung Galaxy Note9 Low Light Performance Examined!
- The 7 Secret Galaxy Note9 S Pen Features You Never Knew!
- Awesome Samsung Galaxy Note9 Photo Samples From Our Taipei Trip!
- The Spectacular Samsung Galaxy Note9 Launch Event!
Go Back To > First Page | Mobile Devices | Home
Support Tech ARP!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
