## The Great Camera Phone Showdown: iPhone 16 Pro, Galaxy S24 Ultra, Pixel 9 Pro, and OnePlus 12 Battle it Out in NYC
If you’re in the US and searching for a smartphone that captures stunning photos, you’ve likely narrowed your choices down to a few familiar names: Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and Apple. Each brand boasts impressive camera tech, but which truly reigns supreme? We put the Galaxy S24 Ultra (renowned for its 10x zoom), the Google Pixel 9 Pro (known for its exceptional triple camera system), the OnePlus 12 (offering top-notch performance at a more affordable price), and the iPhone 16 Pro (with its exclusive 5x telephoto camera) to the test in the concrete jungle of New York City.
Food Photography: Capturing Deliciousness
Instagram feeds are flooded with food pics, so it’s crucial your phone can capture those drool-worthy dishes. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro delivered the most lifelike colors, showcasing the melted cheese on our French onion soup perfectly. The iPhone 16 Pro edged out the Pixel 9 Pro for capturing the most detail. The OnePlus 12 also had excellent color reproduction but struggled with focus, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra produced a much duller image, making the soup less appealing.
Zoom Test: Scaling the Heights of One World Trade Center
To truly test the zoom capabilities, we ventured to the top of One World Trade Center for breathtaking views of the NYC skyline. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, with its dual telephoto lenses (including a 10x optical zoom), seemed to be in a league of its own. However, the Pixel 9 Pro and OnePlus 12 proved surprisingly capable despite having fewer telephoto lenses. The OnePlus 12 uses a hybrid zoom approach (similar to Oppo) and offers a 6x hybrid zoom alongside a 3x telephoto lens, while the Pixel 9 Pro combines a 2x “optical zoom” with a 5x zoom. The iPhone 16 Pro, with its 25x maximum zoom, exhibited a strange hue that wasn’t present in other photos. While the Galaxy S24 Ultra set the benchmark, the Pixel 9 Pro and OnePlus 12 delivered impressive results in this test.
Lady Liberty: A Test of Distance
Capturing the iconic Statue of Liberty from afar presented a challenge for all phones. The Galaxy S24 Ultra emerged as the most reliable option, producing the most usable photos, while the other phones struggled to deliver crisp, clear images.
Traveler’s Test: Airport Flight Screens
We put the phones to the ultimate travel test: reading flight screens at the airport. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, with its strong secondary telephoto lens, excelled in this scenario. The iPhone 16 Pro provided solid all-around performance, while the OnePlus 12 and Pixel 9 Pro performed better at closer distances. The Pixel 9 Pro’s super-resolution zoom feature proved helpful, but the choice between these three came down to personal preference.
Selfie Showdown: Backlight and Regular Tests
Selfie cameras are essential for social media, and we tested how each phone handled both regular and harsh backlighting. The Pixel 9 Pro stood out for its regular selfie performance, capturing features without over-smoothing the skin. However, the iPhone 16 Pro excelled in backlighting, delivering a more balanced image with excellent background detail. The Galaxy S24 Ultra and OnePlus 12 didn’t fare as well in the backlight test.
LaGuardia Airport: Putting Portrait Mode to the Test
We took the phones to LaGuardia Airport’s new terminal, a stunning space, to test portrait mode. The Galaxy S24 Ultra impressed with its color science, closely followed by the iPhone 16 Pro. The Pixel 9 Pro, limited to 1.5x zoom in portrait mode, came in last. The OnePlus 12 delivered a solid image, but the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro captured the most natural and balanced photos.
The Verdict: No Single Winner, But a Few Standouts
Like most comparisons, there’s no single winner, but the phones each excel in different areas. The Galaxy S24 Ultra reigns supreme in zoom capabilities, while the Pixel 9 Pro consistently delivers excellent overall performance. The OnePlus 12 offers a fantastic blend of features and affordability, and the iPhone 16 Pro is a reliable all-rounder. Ultimately, your ideal choice depends on your specific needs and priorities. Which phone would you choose, and what are your favorite features in a smartphone camera? Share your thoughts and let us know which phone you’d like to see us test next!
