I took four cameraphones on a lifetime adventure to Antarctica. But which is the best device for capturing memories? It’s complicated.
What mattered most for this trip was camera versatility and image quality. I knew I wouldn’t be taking too many pictures in low light since our outings would be during the day, but I also knew that I wouldn’t always be close to the subject I wanted to shoot, so the ability to zoom up to 10x (and beyond) without any significant loss in quality would be critical. And while photography was my first priority, video recording was also important.
Based on the strengths of each handset, I decided to use the iPhone 15 Pro Max primarily for videos, the Galaxy S24 Ultra to zoom beyond 12x, the Pixel 8 Pro to capture images of people and the Find X7 Ultra for its ultrawide and 1x-12x performance. Obviously, these were just my overall guidelines; in reality, I often ended up shooting with whatever phone I was already holding so I wouldn’t miss a critical moment. Here’s what I learned about each device, including the imaging pros and cons of each.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Consistent Video And Imaging
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
This might come as a surprise to some, but the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max isn’t the best cameraphone on the market today. It’s consistently one of the better options, for sure, but Apple has often lagged behind in adopting features pioneered by the competition. Take the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s “tetraprism” 5x telephoto, for example; a similar type of folded lens was introduced by Chinese tech giant Oppo with the Reno 10x Zoom back in 2019. Still, it’s nice to have for shots that require zooming, especially when photographing wildlife from a distance.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes vivid, colorful shots despite being a cloudy day.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s ultrawide and 5x telephoto shooters only feature 12 MP sensors while the competition uses 48/50 MP sensors. More megapixels isn’t always better—it’s pixel size that counts—but 48/50 MP sensors enable pixel binning (combining groups of nearby pixels for better low-light performance) and lossless 2x magnification (enabling a 5x telephoto to shoot at 10x without significant degradation). In short, it’s the best of both worlds: Your image comes out with better lighting and more detail.
An zoomed shot on the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max showcases the detailing it can capture on some penguins.
But where the iPhone always shines is video recording. Apple has always delivered higher quality videos than its competitors, with better color rendition, more accurate exposure, higher levels of detail, better image stabilization and rock solid frame rates. The iPhone 15 Pro Max also supports ProRes Log for professional-grade video capture and Spatial Video to create 3D content for Apple’s Vision Pro headsets.
Another strength of the iPhone is consistency. Tap the shutter button and Apple delivers excellent results in almost any condition. In Antarctica, I used the iPhone almost exclusively for videos, and even shot some Spatial Videos to share with friends who have Apple Vision Pro. I also used it for zoom shots on some of the local wildlife, and the camera delivered some solid images.
The landscape of Antarctica captured by the author’s iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Another perk? Since most people are familiar with the iPhone camera, I also handed my iPhone to others on the cruise to take pictures of me and my spouse with consistent, high-quality results. If you’re interested in learning more about the device, you can read the full Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max review.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Great Zooming Features Mixed With AI
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung wasn’t the first to squeeze four cameras in the back of a phone—Huawei, a Chinese company, beat them with the P40 Pro+ back in 2020. But since the S21 Ultra’s debut in 2021, every one of the company’s “Ultra” handsets have featured an ultrawide shooter, a large main sensor and a pair of telephoto lenses in the rear. So, what sets the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s cameras apart from the competition—at least here in North America—is versatility.
The icebergs as shot with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra highlight the depth of coloring and detail it can capture.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra stands out thanks to a large 200 MP main sensor and an excellent 50 MP 5x periscope (folded) telephoto lens. Like the iPhone, Samsung’s 12 MP ultrawide and 10 MP 3x telephoto aren’t as pixel-dense as the equivalent 48/50 MP cameras offered by Google, Oppo and Xiaomi. But otherwise, the Galaxy S24 Ultra delivers great imaging performance whether you’re taking pictures or shooting videos.
I also took a photo of the same iceberg archway on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Samsung’s flagship also packs the best display on any smartphone available today. It’s significantly less reflective than other screens, making it easier to frame shots in direct sunlight—especially when surrounded by icebergs.
The detailing captured on the slumbering seals looks great
And while the Find X7 Ultra’s 50MP f/4.3 6x periscope (folded) telephoto shooter is technically impressive, the Galaxy S24 Ultra usually took sharper photos beyond 12x magnification. It’s the real winner when it comes to zooming in and getting the best shots of local wildlife. It came in handy for capturing photos of seals and penguins, highlighting their spots and feathers, and it quickly became my go-to camera for any shots requiring serious zoom performance.
And, of course, beyond the impressive cameras, it’s also a great all-around smartphone flagship. You can learn more about its other features aside from its camera in the full review of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
User-Friendly And Professional-Looking
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Since its introduction back in 2016, Google’s line of Pixel handsets has been synonymous with computational photography—image capture and processing techniques that use computer algorithms instead of optical processes. The company almost single-handedly led the rest of the industry with techniques that are included on its flagship Google Pixel 8 Pro, such as HDR+, Super Res Zoom and Night Sight, plus AI tools like Portrait Mode, Magic Eraser and Unblur.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro captures coloring so well it looks professionally edited (it’s not).
For years, Google’s computational photography chops meant that Pixel smartphones could get away with relatively pedestrian sensors and lenses, and still deliver class-leading images. As competitors learned to master these algorithms, the gap narrowed. Google adopted state-of-the-art camera hardware starting with the Pixel 6 series in 2021, and culminating with today’s Pixel 8 Pro. And boy, does this device deliver.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro sensor dims the image slightly, but it captures the color and detail well.
Like the iPhone 15 Pro Max I used, the Pixel 8 Pro took great photos consistently, regardless of conditions. It features a 48 MP ultrawide lens, large 50 MP main sensor and 48 MP 5x periscope (folded) telephoto shooter. Together with Google’s image processing, this camera system delivers excellent results—especially when it comes to contrast and skin tones. I’m a big fan of Google’s easy-to-use, point-and-click cameras.
Like the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the Google Pixel 8 Pro captures high detail. You can see the feathers clearly in this zoom shot.
While I prioritized using the Pixel 8 Pro to capture pictures of people in Antarctica, it’s also my daily driver, so I ended up shooting other subjects with it as well. Landscapes feature more contrast than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Not only does the Pixel 8 Pro hold up to the competition, but it produces high-quality images that don’t require edits. You can’t go wrong with the Pixel 8 Pro. You can read the Google Pixel 8 Pro full review, too.
Oppo Find X7 Ultra
If you haven’t heard of the Oppo Find X7 Ultra, it’s basically a Oneplus 12 “Pro”—if there was such a thing. Oppo is Oneplus’ sister company within BBK Electronics, and sells devices in Europe and Asia. You can find it across a few secondary retailer sites, but—cameras aside—it’s extremely similar in design and features to the Oneplus 12. Right now, Oneplus has its flagship—the aforementioned Oneplus 12, and its inaugural foldable, the Oneplus Open. Unlike the Oppo, the Oneplus 12 is available at most retailers including Best Buy and directly from Oneplus’ website.
The Oppo Find X7 Ultra produces professional-grade images, in part thanks to the built-in Leica camera set.
If you want the ultimate cameraphone, you have two choices: the Oppo Find X7 Ultra (only available in China) and the recently-announced Xiaomi 14 Ultra (available globally, but again not in the United States). Yes, it’s frustrating that the best cameraphones aren’t available here, but again, the Apple, Samsung, Google and Oneplus flagships come close. You can think of the Find X7 Ultra as a Oneplus 12 on steroids, with a larger main sensor and an additional telephoto lens.
The Find X7 Ultra’s claim to fame is that it packs two (3x and 6x) periscope (folded) telephoto lenses and tuning by Hasselblad. And, because the Oneplus 12 features similar shooters, you also get that signature Hasselblad design. In both cases, the Hasselblad branding isn’t just a marketing exercise, but a genuine partnership.
Note the soft colors and sharp detailing on the iceberg the Oppo Find X7 Ultra captured.
As you’d expect from such impressive specs and pedigree, the Find X7 Ultra takes superb photos regardless of which 50 MP shooter you pick. Hasselblad’s color science is particularly special. The massive 1-inch type main sensor and f/1.8 lens provide a delightfully shallow depth-of-field and pleasantly natural bokeh, making it ideal for portraits at 2x magnification. And that’s what made this a great device to cross-test with the US-market flagship competition.
While it has a solid zoom feature, the Oppo X7 Ultra’s zoom could be improved.
Still, there’s room for improvement. I was surprised to find out that Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra generally captured sharper images when zooming beyond 12x with its 50 MP f/3.4 5x periscope (folded) telephoto lens. It was a similar story when compared to my Google Pixel 8 Pro, too. It made me appreciate the Samsung cameras all the more for capturing more detail at high zoom levels, especially on such a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Since then, my Find X7 Ultra has received a couple software updates with improvements to the cameras, closing the gap. Ultimately though, I shot the vast majority of my photos in Antarctica with the Oppo, and I have no regrets. If you’re seriously considering the Oppo X7 Find Ultra, be sure to look at the Oneplus 12, which delivers 80% of the Oppo’s camera experience.
Final Verdict: Which Cameraphone Is Best?
So, if you ever end up in Antarctica, or even if you’re simply looking for the best cameraphone for your travels, here’s my advice: Take the best smartphone you can afford with you—ideally a flagship from Apple, Samsung, Google or OnePlus.
If you’re a photography buff like me, the Oppo Find X7 Pro, or perhaps even the Oneplus 12, should be your first choice. Perhaps video is more important to you? Then Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max has got you covered. If all-round versatility is paramount, it’s hard to beat Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra. And finally, if you’re an Android user looking for a simple yet bulletproof camera, Google’s Pixel 8 Pro is where it’s at. You can’t go wrong with any of these.
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