Samsung`s Galaxy S9+ is a large, fast smartphone that`s jam-packed with photography-focused features. But while it`s certainly capable of great image quality, we found some issues with regard to capturing moving subjects, shooting under low lighting and when using `Live Focus` portrait mode. On the other hand, 4K/60p video capture is of very high quality with good autofocus, and the screen on the S9+ is the best we`ve seen on a smartphone to date.
Key photographic / video specs
Dual rear cameras, each with optical stabilization
Wide-angle: 12MP F1.5-2.4, 26mm equiv. focal length, dual pixel autofocus
Telephoto: 12MP F2.4, 52mm equiv. focal length, contrast detect autofocus
Wide-angle module is the only variable aperture smartphone design on the market
Front-facing wide-angle camera: 8MP F1.7 25mm equiv.
`Live Focus` background blurring for rear and front cameras
`Pro` mode offers manual control in built-in camera app
UHD 4K/60p video recording, slow-motion 1080/240p and 720/960p recording (8x and 32x slow motion when outputted at 30 frames per second)
To start, the Galaxy`s dual rear cameras are similar to the setup on Apple`s iPhone X (one wide-angle, one telephoto), while Google`s Pixel 2 makes do with just a single camera on the rear of the phone.
Out-of-camera JPEG | ISO 32 | 1/614 sec | F2.4
But beyond just the number of cameras, each of these phones takes a noticeably different photographic approach across different shooting scenarios. We`re starting to see enough differences between the experiences of using these phones to really warrant consideration of what you want (and like) to photograph, especially if you`re choosing your next phone with camera quality as a primary concern.
The `Live Focus` portrait mode experienceis disappointing
With the Galaxy S9+, Samsung touts its Dual Aperture technology as an aid to low-light shooting and the included telephoto lens is primarily used for the `Live Focus` ...
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