Apple's iPhone XR named best single-lens smartphone by DxOMark
The photography software firm's benchmarking arm praises Apple for improvements to flash but criticizes zoom shots and low-light images. For overall quality, the iPhone XR still beats the previous best phone, the Google Pixel 2.
Detail of an iPhone XR with its single rear camera
Apple's iPhone XR is now the top-ranked single-camera smartphone according to photo specialist DxO's benchmarking unit, DxOMark. Testers shot over 1,500 images and more than two hours of video to conclude that the XR is "excellent."
It beat the Google Pixel 2 and DxOMark says the cheaper iPhone "offers a very similar proposition for image quality as the flagship iPhone XS Max." This is in spite of the XS Max's dual-camera setup.
Where the iPhone XR falls down compared to the more expensive XS Max is in zoom and bokeh shots. The iPhone XR attempts to mimic the bokeh of a dual-camera phone through software algorithms. While Apple claims to have "turned the model of a lens into math," in this case software is never going to equal hardware.
Yet if the XS Max maintains its hardware lead, the software has been improved for the XR. Of note, the single-lens iPhone boasts a digital zoom function that produces "very acceptable" results up to 2x magnification.
A high-contrast scene photographed during testing (Credit: DxOMark)
Equally, the firm reports that Portrait Mode on the XR performs well in low-light environments, offering better detail on faces than the XS. However, the company says that the XR's "depth estimation is relative poor making the overall effect look a bit 'photoshopped'."
DxOMark notes that its bokeh tests involve both people and objects. Using Apple's built-in Camera app, the iPhone XR's computational bokeh is activated only when a face is detected. Outside of those scenarios, users looking to add bokeh to images must rely on iPhone's physical lens stack, which produces minimal blur effects due to a relatively short equivalent focal length.
"Apple has managed to improve the flash on the XR a little, which we identified as a weak point for the XS Max during our testing," said DxOMark.
These same flash issues in part hindered iPhone XS Max's chances of taking top honors in a round of testing earlier this year. DxO ultimately named Huawei's P20 Pro as the world's best smartphone camera system.
DxOMark's iPhone XR feature ranking
According to DxOMark's points ranking system, the iPhone XS Max scored 110 in photo and 96 in video. By comparison, the newly announced results for the iPhone XR are 103 points for photo and the same 96 for video. DxOMark describes the XR's video, saying it gives: "outstanding performance in bright light conditions."
DxOMark's overall smartphone rankings
While the iPhone XR is now the top-ranked single camera smartphone in DxOMark's testing, it is still bested by dual camera handsets. DxOMark currently places the XR seventh out of all smartphones, with the Huawei P20 Pro still top overall.
Keep up with AppleInsider by downloading the AppleInsider app for iOS, and follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider and Facebook for live, late-breaking coverage. You can also check out our official Instagram account for exclusive photos.
Detail of an iPhone XR with its single rear camera
Apple's iPhone XR is now the top-ranked single-camera smartphone according to photo specialist DxO's benchmarking unit, DxOMark. Testers shot over 1,500 images and more than two hours of video to conclude that the XR is "excellent."
It beat the Google Pixel 2 and DxOMark says the cheaper iPhone "offers a very similar proposition for image quality as the flagship iPhone XS Max." This is in spite of the XS Max's dual-camera setup.
Where the iPhone XR falls down compared to the more expensive XS Max is in zoom and bokeh shots. The iPhone XR attempts to mimic the bokeh of a dual-camera phone through software algorithms. While Apple claims to have "turned the model of a lens into math," in this case software is never going to equal hardware.
Yet if the XS Max maintains its hardware lead, the software has been improved for the XR. Of note, the single-lens iPhone boasts a digital zoom function that produces "very acceptable" results up to 2x magnification.
A high-contrast scene photographed during testing (Credit: DxOMark)
Equally, the firm reports that Portrait Mode on the XR performs well in low-light environments, offering better detail on faces than the XS. However, the company says that the XR's "depth estimation is relative poor making the overall effect look a bit 'photoshopped'."
DxOMark notes that its bokeh tests involve both people and objects. Using Apple's built-in Camera app, the iPhone XR's computational bokeh is activated only when a face is detected. Outside of those scenarios, users looking to add bokeh to images must rely on iPhone's physical lens stack, which produces minimal blur effects due to a relatively short equivalent focal length.
"Apple has managed to improve the flash on the XR a little, which we identified as a weak point for the XS Max during our testing," said DxOMark.
These same flash issues in part hindered iPhone XS Max's chances of taking top honors in a round of testing earlier this year. DxO ultimately named Huawei's P20 Pro as the world's best smartphone camera system.
DxOMark's iPhone XR feature ranking
According to DxOMark's points ranking system, the iPhone XS Max scored 110 in photo and 96 in video. By comparison, the newly announced results for the iPhone XR are 103 points for photo and the same 96 for video. DxOMark describes the XR's video, saying it gives: "outstanding performance in bright light conditions."
DxOMark's overall smartphone rankings
While the iPhone XR is now the top-ranked single camera smartphone in DxOMark's testing, it is still bested by dual camera handsets. DxOMark currently places the XR seventh out of all smartphones, with the Huawei P20 Pro still top overall.
Keep up with AppleInsider by downloading the AppleInsider app for iOS, and follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider and Facebook for live, late-breaking coverage. You can also check out our official Instagram account for exclusive photos.
Comments
I say this now where it'll garner less controversy because Apple are at the top, but I'll be saying it again when the next Samsung/Google/whatever phone claims the top spot, despite not actually producing better or clearer photos.
That's his job.
It's amazing how its suddenly gained the favour of this community!
I believe the article is more about hypocrisy/irony in tech politics than praise for iPhone XR
Why are they so slow with new updates for Chinese Flagships and Pixel 3?
America wants to know, and now!
And the fact that DxO does not test 4k video...which pretty much makes their “Video” score invalid.
And you keep flip flopping - the video score is the only reason the iPhone gets up on the list as it doesn't match the Android flagships on still footage. If you really want to remove the DXOMark video, you're going to get a number of iPhones slipping down the list ...
XS has the best camera system bar none. XR is right up there, but a notch below due lack of 2nd lens.
Once DxOMark tests 4K, then we can talk. And once DxOMark quit accepting money from OEMs for their “kit”, we can talk.
And yeah Android flagships, esp Huawei can’t shoot a 4K video worth a damn. Haha
You may enjoy it?
Also helps a lot with a conversation!
I thought you were late teens ... But it seems maybe early teens?
Is there a forum for Huawei users like yourself to discuss how to support terrorists and killing innocent people ?? Or how you guys are BANNED from so many countries now?? Or do you guys just talk about cheating benchmarks and being BANNED by Futuremark and Antutu over and over again??
huawei = terrorist and cheater.
Incredible
And you changing topic of discussion won't change that fact...nor will it change fact that Huawei is a bonafide terrorist supporter and cheater. The fact that YOU have one and going around championing it like an idiot makes you look a fool and a terrorist sympathizer!!
DXO means jack shit when Apple are doing badly and it means exactly the same when Apple are doing well.
Android users are all about specs and numbers where Apple users are all about usability and real world performance.
Where do folks get this stuff?
What makes you believe anyone else buying "not Apple" doesn't care about useability and performance, ie fit for purpose? My old OG Pixel, purchased refurb'd for around $150, has low-light capabilities that Apple doesn't offer on even their newest iPhones. Since I don't recall ever recording even 30 seconds of video on a smartphone, nor even with my enthusiast DLSR's for that matter, any potentially "better" video offered by your phone has zero value to me.
I've no intent in getting involved in the somewhat juvenile discussion among two or three members that occured this weekend. Only wanting to point out that not investing in one of the most expensive phones available doesn't mean the buyer doesn't care about real life performance any more than choosing not to buy one of the most expensive full-frame DSLR/mirrorless cams with best-in-class 4K video specs means the photographer behind the lens doesn't care about the quality or his/her images.