Today, many smartphones are equipped with a dual photo module. This allows you to get spectacular background blur when taking macro photography and creating portraits, clearer pictures, zoom without loss of quality, or wide-angle photos.

In this article we have collected best models based on expert opinions (DxOmark, CNet, Techradar) and consumer reviews.

Perhaps the best phone you can buy today. This also applies to him. A dual 12 megapixel module with optical stabilization is used. One is a wide-angle lens with an f/1.8 aperture, the second is an f/2.4 telephoto lens (this allows for high-quality 2x zoom). The pictures are clear, juicy, macro like from DSLR cameras. The 7-megapixel front camera is also good.

We note decent battery life, a powerful chipset, and a recognition system Face ID, water and dust protection according to IP67 standard. There are also some shortcomings: there is no fingerprint scanner (but this is a matter of habit), a slot for memory cards and a very, very high price.

Characteristics

• Display: 5.8 inches (2,436 x 1,125 pixels).
• Processor: Apple A11 Bionic.
• Memory: 3 GB RAM, from 64 GB ROM.
• Cameras: main - 12 + 12 MP, front - 7 MP.
• OS: iOS 11.
• Price: from 66,000 rubles.

Possibly the second best phone you can buy today. Unlike the previous generation, the S9 Plus model received a dual 12-megapixel camera module (the regular S9 has a single one). And - we have to somehow persuade people to upgrade from the S8 - Samsung swears that they have reinvented the camera. And these are not marketing gimmicks. For the first time in the world, a camera with a variable aperture (from f/2.4 to f/1.5) has been created. This brings the S9 Plus as close as possible to a DSLR and allows the device to adapt to different shooting conditions. For example, when shooting landscapes, you get very natural light, and in the dark, the pictures come out super clear and bright (as much as possible).

The modules also have optical stabilization, super slow motion and noise removal options (when 12 pictures are taken simultaneously and one almost perfect one is created), 2x zoom is available without loss of quality. Front-camera(8 MP, f/1.7) blurs the background well and takes excellent shots.

Other features: a powerful hardware platform, a retinal scanner, IP68 moisture protection, a slot for memory cards up to 400 GB, stereo speakers. In the reviews, some complain about the active post-processing of images, others about the low battery capacity, but this is not very critical.

Characteristics

• Display: 6.2 inches (2,960 x 1,440 pixels).
• Processor: Exynos 9810.
• Memory: 6 GB RAM, from 64 GB ROM + microSD slot.
• Cameras: main - 12 + 12 MP, front - 8 MP.
• Battery: 3500 mAh.
• OS: Android 8.0.
• Price: from 67,000 rubles.

The DxOMark website claims that this is the best camera phone on the market today. There are already three “eyes” on the back panel of the device: a dual module (main sensor size 1/1.7″, f/1.8 aperture, 40 MP resolution + monochrome 20-megapixel sensor with 1/2.7″ matrix and f/1.6 aperture) + 8 MP telephoto with a focal length of 80 mm and an aperture of f/2.4. The smartphone boasts three-fold optical and five-fold hybrid zooms, the ability to shoot at high ISO 102400 and in Super Slow-Mo, an intelligent optical stabilization system and advanced autofocus and an equally advanced 24-megapixel front camera.

Here is a model with outstanding cameras. Everyone notes high-quality and extremely clear pictures under any lighting conditions, in black and white mode. Among other things, P20 Pro is a flagship with top-end hardware. Please note that there is no memory card slot, but the 128 GB in the base version compensates for this.

Characteristics

• Display: 6.1 inches (2,240 x 1,080 pixels).
• Memory: 6 GB RAM, 128 GB ROM.
• Cameras: main - 40 + 20 + 8 MP, front - 24 MP.
• Battery: 4000 mAh.
• OS: Android 8.1.
• Price: from 55,000 rubles.

Not such a “cunning” option, but more accessible. The dual camera under the Leica brand features two modules (12 + 20 megapixels, one monochrome, f/1.6 aperture) with optical stabilization and 2x hybrid zoom. The pictures are good both from the main camera and from the 8 MP front camera (but there is a minus - it has a fixed focus). Huawei is relying on artificial intelligence technologies - recognizing photographed objects.

And otherwise, a good device for the money: top-end chipset, IP67 waterproofing, capacious, attractive glass case (but quite easily soiled). There is no slot for memory cards.

Characteristics

• Display: 6 inches (2,160 × 1,080 pixels).
• Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 970.
• Memory: from 4 GB RAM, 64 GB ROM.
• Cameras: main - 12 + 20 MP, front - 8 MP.
• Battery: 4,000 mAh.
• OS: Android 8.0.
• Price: from 40,000 rubles.

Honor is a subsidiary of Huawei, as you probably know. At the same time, both brands are now releasing strong models good prices and they compete with each other. The new Honor 10 can be called a budget flagship. He's different affordable price, an iridescent glass body, a fashionable design with a “bang”, a dual camera module (24 + 16 megapixels, one monochrome sensor, AI functions) and, albeit not top-end, but productive hardware. There is no slot for memory cards. The pictures are very good, but in poor lighting conditions the quality decreases.

Characteristics

• Display: 5.84 inches (2,280 x 1,080 pixels).
• Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 970.
• Memory: 4 GB RAM, from 64 GB ROM.
• Cameras: main - 24 + 16 MP, front - 24 MP.
• Battery: 3,400 mAh.
• OS: Android 8.1.
• Price: from 27,000 rubles.

The newest flagship from the Chinese. Of course, with top-end hardware and a dual camera. Modules with apertures f/1.8 and f/2.4 are used, 2x zoom is available without loss of quality, and optical stabilization is available. Again, artificial intelligence technologies are proposed to identify content and select best settings. The device just went on sale, but judging by the first reviews and test results from the same DxOMark, the camera turned out to be successful. The front 20-megapixel module with f/2.0 aperture is also excellent and uses different modes"beautification".

The smartphone is beautiful (although it obviously copies the iPhone X), the only disappointment is the relatively low battery capacity. The device has not yet “arrived” in Russia, but it can be purchased on AliExpress.

Characteristics

• Display: 6.21 inches (2,280 x 1,080 pixels).
• Memory: 6 GB RAM, from 64 GB ROM.
• Cameras: main - 12 + 12 MP, front - 20 MP.
• Battery: 3300 mAh.
• OS: Android 8.1.
• Price: from 35,000 rubles.

Another advanced Chinese flagship, which became a bright new product last month. The case is made of metal and glass, the screen has a “bang” and minimal frames. Not copy iPhone, and beautiful at the same time. Hardware is traditionally at the cutting edge for OnePlus. They also tried to make the camera stand out. Two modules from Sony are used: a 16-megapixel IMX 519 with optical stabilization and an f/1.7 aperture, as well as a 20-megapixel IMX 376K. To demonstrate the shooting capabilities of the OnePlus 6, a model was even captured on the cover of Indian Vogue. The manufacturer offers an improved HDR mode and automatic selection of shooting parameters depending on the scene.

Everything is not bad, but I would like the battery to be more capacious. And keep in mind: there is no memory card slot, just like the Mi8. It seems like he's starting to fade into the past?

Characteristics

• Display: 6.28 inches (2,280 x 1,080 pixels).
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845.
• Memory: from 6 GB RAM, from 64 GB ROM.

DxOmark is confident that this smartphone ranks second in its photographic capabilities. - the first flagship of the company after a long break that has dual camera(remember that the brand was once a pioneer in the market, introducing a model with a dual camera and a 3D screen). It uses a 12-megapixel wide-angle module (f/1.75, optical stabilization) and a 16-megapixel telephoto camera with a 54mm f/2.6 lens. This combination allows you to do a 2x zoom without losing quality. We also note the brand’s traditional UltraPixel 4 technology (enlarged pixels receive more light).

The smartphone has manual mode Pro shooting and RAW support. Ultraspeed Autofocus 2 (a combination of phase detection and laser autofocus) ensures sharp focusing. Video recording in 4K at 60 fps is supported. The pictures are beautiful, good bokeh effect. This also applies to the front module: it is also double.

Otherwise, we have a top-end new product based on Qualcomm 845 with IP68 water protection and the Edge Sense option (you can squeeze the edges of the smartphone to activate some functions). The U12+ also has a translucent body. But the gadget is too expensive for a model from a company that is struggling to stay afloat.

Characteristics

• Display: 6 inches (2880 × 1440 pixels).
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845.
• Memory: 6 GB RAM, from 64 GB ROM, slot for microSD memory cards.
• Cameras: main - 12 + 16 MP, front - 8 + 8 MP.
• Battery: 3,500 mAh.
• OS: Android 8.0.
• Price: from 59,000 rubles.

Many users demand that a phone with a good camera can not only take high-quality pictures, but also be able to pleasantly please the user with its performance in games or something else. There are plenty of such offers on the market, but it’s quite easy to get confused in them. To protect you from this, we have created our own rating, which contains the most successful solutions with a good camera. Each of them has its own bonuses in the form of powerful hardware, a large display or excellent battery life.

No. 10 – Meizu M6T

Price: 7,990 rubles

Meizu M6T is equipped with a pair of sensors with a resolution of 13 and 2 MP, including a Sony IMX276 RGBW sensor, its main task is to improve the camera’s light sensitivity in order to take high-quality photos in low light. Chinese smartphone Worth recommending to all lovers of macro photography, in this mode the camera does an excellent job of identifying small details and also boasts realistic colors.

The gadget is also suitable for lovers of autonomy. The battery with a capacity of 3300 mAh can last a whole day at active load. The model is disappointing because it runs on Android 7.1 OS. In all other respects, this is an interesting solution in terms of price and quality.

#9 – Xiaomi Redmi S2

Price: 9,990 rubles

If you are looking for a great phone with a good camera, but at the same time have a modest budget, then a popular model from the budget segment Xiaomi Redmi S2 is what you need. Of the two cameras, the 16-megapixel front camera turned out to be the most successful. It shows a rich image with decent detail, plus it has stabilization that works during video shooting.

The presence of Snapdragon 625 in a smartphone at this price is simply amazing. The productive chipset is complemented by 3 or 4 GB random access memory. This set will easily run PUBG and World Of Tanks, even at maximum settings. The gadget does not have NFC and dual-band Wi-Fi, which are its main disadvantages.

#8 – Vivo Y85

Price: 15,000 rubles

Vivo Y85 will appeal to all aesthetic lovers with its design. The device is available in two colors – black and red, that is, for both boys and girls. The 6.22-inch display with minimal frames and a resolution of 1520 by 720 pixels also looks attractive. The screen does not suffer from pixelation and produces a cool image, replete with rich colors.

The main camera consists of a pair of 13 and 2 MP sensors. The results of their work are distinguished by a wide dynamic range and correct sharpness across the entire field of the frame. For advanced users, the camera interface has a variety of shooting modes, including a Pro mode that allows you to manually adjust exposure and ISO. The main disadvantage of the model is the plastic body, as well as the lack of NFC.

No. 7 – Honor 8X

Price: 16,990 rubles

We cannot call the Honor 8X the best in terms of photo capabilities, but from a design point of view it is one of the most attractive solutions for its price. Glass panels shimmer effectively in the light and make the gadget look more expensive than its price. The same can be said about the display with a resolution of 2340 by 1080 pixels and a diagonal of 6.5 inches. These screen characteristics make it easy to watch movies on it or use your smartphone as an e-reader.

The main camera received the most positive feedback and praise in reviews. A pair of modules with a resolution of 20 and 2 MP, combined with advanced AI, allows the user to achieve detailed results with the correct color balance at a minimum cost. The thing is that Honor 8X independently determines optimal settings, based on the scene. The model uses a MicroUSB connector, which can be attributed to its main disadvantages.

No. 6 – Xiaomi Mi8 Lite

Price: 16,000 rubles

If you are looking for a smartphone with a good camera, then you will definitely be interested in the Xiaomi Mi8 Lite. The combination of 12 and 5 MP modules takes excellent photos with a decent level of sharpness across the entire frame. Add to list strengths The gadget also includes the ability to edit the blur parameters of a photograph taken in portrait mode, as well as apply various effects to all pictures.

The smartphone's inclusion in our rating is due not only to its very good camera, but also to its powerful hardware platform. The Snapdragon 660 processor can easily handle any giant in the gaming industry, and together with the optimized Android 8.1, dressed in the proprietary MIUI interface, you will be pleasantly surprised by the smooth operation of the phone when solving everyday tasks. There was no place in the case for a Jack connector, which can be considered the main mistake of the engineers. Despite this, the model is one of best phones Xiaomi.

No. 5 – AGM A9

Price: 27,000 rubles

AGM A9 is one of the most ergonomic rugged smartphones on the market. This is most clearly manifested in the thinness indicator - only 12.6 mm, which is simply amazing considering that the case is protected according to the IP68 standard. The autonomy for which the AGM A9 brothers are famous is also at a high level - a battery with a capacity of 5400 mAh is enough for two days battery life smartphone.

The Sony IMX486 sensor with a resolution of 12 megapixels serves as the main camera. Despite the fact that it has only one, and a modest number of megapixels, it manages to take detailed and rich pictures, however, at night the situation deteriorates due to the presence of noise in the photographs. The main disadvantage of the model is the Snapdragon 450 processor, which does not allow us to recommend the gadget to users who like to run in PUBG.

No. 4 – Honor 10

Price: 24,000 rubles

Honor 10 is one of the best Huawei phones in terms of design. It's all about the glass case, which has already become a signature feature of the manufacturer's top solutions. The 5.84-inch display goes well with it. Its resolution of 2280 by 1080 pixels allows the picture not to suffer from pixelation, and also comfortably use the smartphone in any scenario, from surfing the Internet to top games. Fortunately, Kirin 970 allows this.

For selfie lovers, Honor 10 is equipped with a 24-megapixel front camera with F/2.0 aperture. These characteristics allow the sensor to capture a huge amount of detail. I would also like to mention the built-in manual background blur mode and beautifier. If the latter makes the photos a little unnatural, then the former only improves them. It is almost impossible to find fault with the model; the only thing that raises doubts is the practicality of the glass case.

#3 – OnePlus 6

Price: 30,000 rubles

OnePlus 6 is definitely one of the first ones that comes to mind when you hear the question “which phone?” best camera in 2019? This is possible thanks to two sensors with a resolution of 16 and 20 MP. They are successfully complemented by optical stabilization, allowing the captured video to be smooth and clear. As for the photo capabilities, everything is fine here too - the dynamic range is wide, and color rendition is close to ideal.

The model is famous for its autonomy - the 3300 mAh battery lasts for two days in most usage scenarios. During this entire time, your smartphone will be protected using a fingerprint scanner that clearly recognizes your fingerprint. Like most flagships, the main disadvantage of the OnePlus 6 is the price.

#2 – iPhone XS Max

Price: 92,000 rubles

Even if the 4-inch iPhone 5S is valued for its photographic capabilities, the iPhone XS Max takes this to a professional level. The combination of two 12-megapixel sensors allows photos to be detailed and have the right color balance. The advantages definitely include the Apple A12 Bionic processor, which so far has no equal in performance on the market.

The 6.5-inch display with a resolution of 2688 by 1242 pixels is also worthy of special mention. The dimensions, as well as the manufacturing technology of the AMOLED matrix, allow the gadget to successfully replace a tablet, and in some scenarios, e-book. Fortunately, ideal color rendition, a powerful reserve of brightness, as well as maximum viewing angles contribute to this. As for the minuses, it is the price.

No. 1 – Huawei Mate 20 Pro

Price: 77,800 rubles

With its curved edges, the Huawei Mate 20 Pro is the top-end camera phone on the market. Many publications recognized it as such in 2018, and so far there are no models on the horizon that can remove it from the throne. Three modules with a resolution of 40, 20 and 8 MP are responsible for the quality of photographs. Detailed description You should look for what function each of them is responsible for in the review. We note that the set allows Huawei Mate 20 Pro to have the widest range of focal lengths (from 16 to 88 mm) among smartphones. In terms of detail and color rendition of images, the solution of Chinese engineers surpasses even Apple flagships.

The 6.39-inch display with a resolution of 3120 by 1440 pixels is also worthy of praise. It is perfectly calibrated - the colors are rich and rich, the viewing angles are maximum, and the image contrast is exactly what it should be. All of the above will be an advantage when you run PUBG on maximum graphics settings thanks to the Kirin 980 and 6GB of RAM. There is no need to worry about the duration of sessions, since the 4200 mAh battery can provide up to two days of autonomy with active use of the smartphone. The main drawback, as you might guess, is the price, as well as the size. If you are looking for a small phone, then the Huawei Mate 20 Pro is definitely not for you.

Huawei Mate 20 Pro

We also have a similar one, which has now dropped significantly in price.

If the article was useful to you, do not forget to bookmark (Cntr+D) so as not to lose it and subscribe to our channel!

The quality of cameras in Redmi smartphones is a song “don’t rub salt in my wound” for more than 4 years. In general, budget Xiaomi has never shone with the quality of shooting, and as soon as it comes to head-on competition, the budget Huawei nova from the same Aliexpress, it bypasses the army of Redmi mobile phones without difficulty.

But we’re not just interested in camera phones, but in durable camera phones, aren’t we? And in this case, it is better to choose a “snake-hedgehog hybrid” - a tuned model called Redmi Pro.

Xiaomi Redmi Pro

We take a standard Xiaomi budget phone and add it to a slightly modified rear camera (based on the Sony IMX258 sensor, like in Redmi Note 4, by the way) additional module to “blur” the background and replace the IPS display with an AMOLED one - you’re done!

The disadvantages of the Note 4 migrated to this model - at night, instead of video, the camera shoots a disgusting slideshow, and generally does not please with the quality of shooting in the dark. But smartphones with a better camera (Honor 6X, ZTE Nubia Z17 mini) for the same money will not be marathon runners, to put it mildly. And all the other “long-livers” take photos even worse and will be slower - the ten-core MediaTek Helio X20 processor, although it is power hungry and does not shine in games, in combination with an AMOLED matrix gives good autonomy and a good performance reserve for applications.

There is simply no other similar combination of battery capacity, camera quality and performance within 15 thousand rubles - fans of universal budget mobile phones will love the Redmi Pro.

ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom

The camera is the second component of smartphones (after processors), for which manufacturers encourage people to buy new model instead of the outdated one. But buy a smartphone that has cool only camera, no one is in a hurry, and the first ZenFone Zoom with complex optics in a thick body ordered it. ASUS engineers scratched their heads and designed a “zoom smartphone” from scratch.

ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom

Therefore, ZenFone 3 Zoom is extremely durable (AMOLED + 14 nm processor + capacious battery), but not a thick middle-class mobile phone. What about the cameras? Present, but with many reservations.

Optical (lossless) zoom in a smartphone is now done not with “glasses”, but by switching to a second, initially more “far-sighted” camera. The 2.3x optical zoom can be supplemented with software zoom to bring the image up to 12 times closer. During the day, this way you can even read the inscription on a sign, the letters on which you cannot distinguish with your own eyes.

But from an artistic point of view, the cameras in ZenFone 3 Zoom (as in any other ASUS, by the way), are not very impressive - they just middle class, with its narrow dynamic range (either white sky and light buildings, or black buildings and blue sky) and a huge amount of digital noise in night shots. Although we must give ASUS its due - in complete darkness, ZenFone 3 Zoom, even without a flash, “sees” objects where most smartphones see nothing.

ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom

In short, it cannot compete with Chinese flagships for the same money (Xiaomi Mi 6 or Honor 9) in terms of shooting quality, but with the middle class (Huawei nova, Samsung Galaxy A5 2017) is comparable, and sometimes a little better. We add to this excellent autonomy, a rarity in new smartphones, a bright and economical AMOLED display, good sound in headphones - and we get a durable and small-sized combine, the best camera phone among long-lived smartphones. Not cheap, but no one else has the same combination of autonomy and shooting quality.

Moto Z Play

Lenovo is wise enough not to interfere in the affairs of its subsidiary Motorola, so even non-flagship Motos look cool and feel like truly high-quality models, and not “basement China.” And smartphone developers are free to create with Chinese money, which is why the Z Play turned out to be such a successful model that it even eclipsed the flagship.

The smartphone, which was supposed to be a model from the “neither fish nor fowl” category (sub-flagship), turned out to be something more. Firstly, because it is confusingly similar to the much more expensive Moto Z, and the difference of 2 mm in thickness is not immediately noticeable. Secondly, because Motorola packed 3500 mAh into a thin (like the iPhone 7 Plus) flat body. God knows what capacity for a 5.5-inch display, but the display here is an expensive and economical AMOLED matrix, and the processor is not a flagship, but fast and not voracious Snapdragon 625. Add Android to this with almost no frills - and we get the most durable smartphone in a thin body.

The camera is middle class (at the level of ASUS ZenFone 3 ZE552KL or Meizu MX6), but focusing is fast, and the noise reduction always knows how to maintain a balance between the level of sharpness and the level of “roughness” of the frame.

Young people will like the ability to attach a speaker, gamepad, Power Bank, a projector or even a “piece of camera” in a standard way - the choice of Moto Mods is not bad, although few people need them in real life.

For the 18-19 thousand that this model is asking for on Aliexpress, the Moto Z Play is an excellent choice for those who need a durable, thin smartphone with no frills and a good camera. Moreover, the Moto Z2 Play turned out to be no better than its predecessor.

LeEco Le Pro 3

This is the case when “Chinese rules,” but we are not talking about Xiaomi. LeEco admit that sales of certified smartphones in Russia were “so-so” - if the cheap Le 2 somehow “went to the people,” then people were in no hurry to pay 25 thousand for the flagship Le Pro 3. Therefore, Le Pro 3 and Le Max 2 are no longer officially sold in Russia - LeEco plans to officially sell only budget models.

Everyone defines the word “best” in their own way: not many smartphones came out this year, and most of them are similar to each other. We decided to focus on the most noticeable and interesting of them: we present to you the most distinguished smartphones in the past year.

ZOOM selection: the best smartphones of autumn

There are five of them, and each of them is unique in its own way. Far from being the preserve of a few Silicon Valley geeks, they have made their mark by bringing innovation or simply balance to the world. Without exaggeration, we can say that each of them will have their share of influence on the further development of the smartphone industry.

LG G2: buttons away

This smartphone is actually accompanied by various ironic and simply original coincidences. Let's say it is very similar to the new standard Google Nexus 5, produced by the same LG.

However, Nexus has not officially reached Russian shelves yet, so let’s talk about the existing product under the laconic name G2.

LG G2 is a clear success for the Korean manufacturer

He, too, was noted for a number of innovations that could slightly change the digital world of pocket computers, which some people still call phones out of habit. For example, GRAM graphics memory, which, according to the manufacturer, reduces the energy consumed by the display by 26% when displaying a static image, and in medium activity mode the technology on average can provide up to 10% battery savings. Not much, but it's something.

Or here are the cameras: the Dual Camera function allows you to shoot using both (rear and front) cameras simultaneously, and in VR Panorama mode, a series of images are generally combined into one circular panorama. In general, there is an analogue of the first mode Samsung smartphones, and the second mode is nothing special, it just simplifies what has already happened for a long time.

But there is innovation in terms of sound: LG claims that the G2 is the first device to support ultra-high quality playback with a bit depth of up to 24 bits and a sampling rate of up to 192 kHz. True, no one may really need this yet, but at first they didn’t think about CDs that they would completely replace compact cassettes.

In addition, LG showed us a special Korean take on convenience: the volume rocker was moved to the rear cover (yes, that’s right) under the camera, and the screen power button was placed in its center and called the whole thing the “Rear Key concept.” There are no controls at all on the front panel and ends of the smartphone. This approach, in fact, is a response to the ever-increasing diagonals of smartphones: in them, pressing the side buttons with one hand is becoming more and more difficult. The Koreans simply tried a new option, by the way, you can read about how convenient it is in our detailed LG G2. In general, the case is very comfortable, even despite its large size (screen diagonal is 5.2 inches).

The design of the LG G2 is pleasantly surprising

The rest of the innovations are not so new, they are just conveniences that make the user's life easier. For example, the QuickRemote application allows you to use it as a remote control for various devices with preset codes, but you can also train your smartphone by creating codes for non-standard equipment. Guest Mode helps to display only pre-selected applications, although, in general, the presence of this program may seem incomprehensible given the fact that Android 4.3 introduced full profile separation (but the smartphone has not yet received this update, it will receive it in the very near future ).

The G2 can also be noted as one of the first smartphones on the new top-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. In addition, in the review we noted the good IPS screen of the gadget, at the level HTC One and iPhone 5S.

As for the 13 MP rear camera, there are no special breakthroughs here: sapphire glass, multi-point autofocus and high-quality optical stabilization are used.

In addition, the G2 has a lot of small improvements in usability, which cannot be called cardinal, but can be pleasant. For example, the Plug & Pop function recommends appropriate applications when connecting a USB cable or headphones; Answer Me can automatically pick up the handset and lower the ringer volume when the user brings the smartphone to the ear. And the Slide Aside feature ensures you can work with multiple applications simultaneously by sliding open application to the side with three fingers at the same time.

Finally, we note an interesting accessory - the LG QuickWindows case, which covers the smartphone on both sides, but leaves the active part of the screen open in front, and the smartphone can recognize this case and display various notifications in this area.

Nokia 1020: the last of the Mohicans

In the middle of the list we have a 41-megapixel flagship from Nokia with an index of 1020. Of course, this is a smartphone with Windows Phone 8, it's big, according to the latest fashion, and it has a very advanced camera.

As for video, the main camera can shoot in resolutions up to FullHD (1920x1080) at 30 frames per second, enlarge the recorded video without loss up to six times, and also stabilize it. The smartphone can broadcast video on special sites in streaming mode, and Nokia Rich Recording technology will help make the sound clearer than it actually is.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3: the founder of “phablets”

Apple iPhone 5S: get your fingers ready

This time the presentation was awaited with less impatience than the previous ones, due to the large number of information leaks before the announcement.

Apple iPhone 5s is easy to identify by the button

Among the innovations we can note, for example, the Touch ID fingerprint scanner built into the Home button.

But besides this there are other interesting details. In particular, new processor Apple A7, which became Apple's first commercial ARM processor with support for 64-bit instructions. Because of this, all bundled applications and operating system iOS 7 has been recompiled to 64-bit, although there is, of course, a full backward compatibility with 32-bit applications. In addition, the new processor has become twice as fast (according to company representatives, of course) and the same can be said about the graphics coprocessor, which also acquired OpenGL support WS 3.0. Actually, the iPhone has never suffered from a lack of performance (unlike Android smartphones).

The "gold" iPhone 5s is no more expensive than the rest

The new product also has a new M7 coprocessor, introduced specifically for processing data from sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope and compass). The idea is that applications that constantly read data from these sensors will no longer load the CPU, which will, in turn, lead to increased performance. In addition, thanks to M7, network processes will not be active while driving.

Apple also claims that the new processor and coprocessor are extremely energy efficient. By the way, the camera has become twice as fast – or rather, its autofocus, thanks to the new signal processor in the A7. The camera is called iSight, it now has a new five-element f/2.2 lens and a sensor that uses 15% more area. Light sensitivity is also increased by 33%. Also, the new camera can now shoot slow-motion (4x) at a frequency of 120 frames per second in HD resolution. Continuous shooting now allows up to 10 frames per second, and the real-time analyzer will suggest the best photo you take yourself. The technology, by the way, is similar to the long-existing Nokia Smart Cam, but no one is interested in this anymore.

The last significant innovation in the rear camera is a combination of “cold” and “warm” flashes. This will allow the device to automatically adjust the intensity and color temperature so that colors (and especially faces) appear as natural as possible. The front camera has also improved, having received a BSI sensor.

Sony Xperia Z1: does not burn in fire, does not sink in water

It clearly reminds us of the company’s previous hit, the armor-piercing Xperia Z – and that’s basically what it is. The Japanese have done an excellent job of fixing the bugs and presented to our attention a greatly improved gadget. And improvements begin immediately with the body: it is monolithic, with a metal frame around the perimeter and glass front and rear panel. The screen is covered protective plate with a plastic oleophobic protective film, which is needed to reduce the number of fingerprints.

Water and dust protection Sony Xperia Z1 remains a rare feature for smartphones

However, the performance of the Truluminos screen is quite ordinary for modern smartphone premium: five-inch screen with FullHD resolution, brightness up to 460 nits and pixel density of 440 ppi. In addition to this, the user receives as a gift the proprietary X-Reality Pro image enhancement technology, and this is not to mention the OptiContrast technology, which eliminates the air gap between the glasses. However, some problems with the screen remain; many users still complain about the low contrast of the display.

Xperia Z1 also meets IP55 and IP58 dust and water resistance safety standards. Translated into Russian, this means that with all ports and covers closed with plugs, the Z1 is protected from the effects of jets of water, and it can also float for up to 30 minutes at a depth of one and a half meters. In general, if you spill coffee or drop it in the bathroom or toilet, it’s not a big deal.

Other innovations include the rear camera. Sony followed the path of many and, among other improvements, made more megapixels: now there are 20.7, an Exmor RS sensor and a Bionz processor are used. Photo resolution - 3840x2160 pixels maximum automatic mode. You can also read a detailed one with examples of photographs on our portal.

The smartphone boasts a large number of related technologies: for example, the Time Shift Burst mode allows you to take 61 pictures in two seconds and select the best one. Info-Eye inserts text into the frame during shooting, and when capturing any landmark, text with information about the object can be superimposed on the photo at your request. But the most entertaining thing is the AR Effect function, which allows you to combine pictures with animation using SmartAR’s proprietary augmented reality technology.

The colors of the Xperia Z1 body are well chosen

The same unusual innovation awaits you in voice communication. Sony Z1 offers unique feature“Slow speech”, which allows you to slow down the interlocutor’s speech in real mode for your hearing if the speed of his speech apparatus is greater than the data processing speed of your brain processor. “Speaking slowly” can actually serve someone well.

Well, pay attention to additional accessories that are offered for an additional fee: for example, a case with fasteners for the DSC-QX100 camera, and what’s unusual here is that the camera can work wirelessly with a smartphone. In addition to such exotic items, the user can purchase a branded portable charging battery pack, wireless speaker, tripod, docking station, Bluetooth headset, etc.

The evolution of mobile autofocus:
from contrast to Dual Pixel

When shooting with a smartphone, it is very important that the photos come out clear. To do this, the subject must be in focus before you click on the “Take Photo” button. IN Lately A number of manufacturers are working on improving autofocus technologies, and today we'll look at how they differ from each other.

When choosing a camera phone, many pay attention to the number of megapixels - they say, whoever has more is cooler. However, it is often more important and useful to look at other factors that have an equally serious impact on the quality of photographs. Among them is the camera's autofocus type. Apple, Samsung, LG and other manufacturers are now actively rushing into this area, and many have actually managed to make significant progress.

What is autofocus and why do we need it?

The autofocus system adjusts the lens to focus directly on your subject, making the difference between a clear shot and a missed opportunity.

In a simplified way, the principle of operation of the camera is that rays of light are reflected from the objects being photographed and then hit the sensor, which converts the stream of photons into a stream of electrons. After this, the current is converted into a set of bits, the data is processed and recorded in the camera’s memory. CMOS sensors are now especially popular among smartphone manufacturers, which convert charge into voltage directly in the pixel, subsequently providing direct access to the contents of an arbitrary pixel.

In theory, it works like this: lenses focus light onto a sensor, which then creates a digital photo. In reality, everything is not so simple. The angle of the incoming light rays depends on the distance at which the photographed object is located. The diagram on the left shows lenses that focus light rays on a blue object: the green and red objects are out of focus and will be blurred in the final photo. If we want to focus on green or red objects, we need to change the distance between the lenses and the sensor.

At the dawn of camera phone manufacturing, most devices had a fixed focus. Modern smartphones provide the ability to adjust the distance between the lenses and the sensor. Therefore, you get high-quality detailed images. Currently, three methods are mainly used to implement autofocus in smartphones: contrast, phase and laser.

Contrast autofocus

Contrast autofocus is a passive type of autofocus. This solution is still used in most smartphones, largely because it is one of the simplest. Using the sensor, the amount of light on the object is measured, after which it moves the lens depending on the contrast. If the contrast is maximum, then the subject is in focus.

In general, contrast autofocus copes with its task quite well and has a significant advantage - it is quite simple and does not require any complex hardware.

But it also has several disadvantages. Contrast AF in particular is slower than others, typically taking about a second to focus on a subject. During this time, you may change your mind about taking a photo, or, for example, if you wanted to capture a fast-moving object, the moment will be missed. This is due to the fact that the lion's share of time is occupied by the process of “shifting the focus point/lens of the lens – contrast assessment – ​​shift – contrast assessment.” In addition, contrast autofocus lacks tracking focusing capabilities, and in low light conditions it is unlikely to impress you. That's why this type autofocus today is used mainly in budget smartphones, such as Lenovo A536, ASUS Zenfone Go and others.

Phase detection autofocus: a fast and advanced alternative

One of the pioneers here was Samsung, which borrowed technology from digital SLR cameras and equipped its Galaxy S5 smartphone with phase detection autofocus. The point is that in this case special sensors are used - they catch the passing light flux from different points of the image using lenses and mirrors. Inside the sensor, light is divided into two parts, each of which hits an ultra-sensitive sensor. The distance between the light streams is measured by the sensor, after which it determines how much the lens needs to be moved for accurate focusing. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S5 takes only 0.3 seconds to focus on an object.

The first and main advantage of phase detection autofocus is that it is much faster than contrast detection, it is simply a must have for shooting moving objects. In addition, the camera can evaluate the movement of an object using sensors, hence the possibility of tracking autofocus.

But there are also disadvantages. Phase detection autofocus, like contrast autofocus, doesn't do its job very well in low-light conditions. It also requires more powerful hardware, so it is usually available in high-end smartphones. Among them, for example, Huawei Honor 7, Sony Xperia M5 and Samsung Galaxy Note 5.

Some manufacturers have gone further and decided to use laser autofocus in smartphones (more on this later), while others are actively engaged in improving phase detection autofocus technology. For example, Apple uses so-called “focal pixels” in its iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus: the point is that the technology uses part of the pixels as a phase sensor, and shooting with Apple smartphones is really fast.

And here Dual technology Pixel, which Samsung uses in its Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge smartphones, is indeed different from standard phase focusing. Although it is a type of phase detection autofocus, it still has some differences and subtleties. In smartphones, phase detection autofocus is somewhat limited in its capabilities - in order to assign a focal sensor to each pixel, you need to greatly reduce it, which results in noise and blurred photos. Typically, about 10% of light-sensitive points are equipped with sensors; some manufacturers, however, do not go beyond 5%.

In Dual Pixel, each pixel is equipped with a separate sensor due to the increase in pixel sizes. The processor processes the readings of each pixel, but does it so quickly that autofocus still takes tenths of a second. Samsung says that Dual Pixel technology is similar to focusing using the human eye, but this is more of a metaphor. Nevertheless, we must recognize the innovativeness of this approach to phase detection autofocus. Now this is a real exclusive for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge.

Laser autofocus: the most active

Like phase detection, laser autofocus is an active type of autofocus. LG has been working in this area for a long time, which first implemented laser autofocus in its G3 smartphone. The technology is based on the principle of a laser rangefinder: a laser emitter illuminates an object, and a sensor measures the time of arrival of the reflected laser beam, determining the distance to the object.

One of the main advantages of this autofocus is time. According to LG, the entire laser autofocus process takes 0.276 seconds. Significantly faster than contrast autofocus and slightly faster than phase detection.

The obvious advantage of laser autofocus is that it is incredibly fast and does its job well in low light conditions. But it only works at a certain distance - the most best effect achieved if the distance from the smartphone to the object is less than 0.6 meters. And after five meters - hello, contrast autofocus.