Smartphones with optical stabilization. How to choose a smartphone with the best camera. Video: video review of the Sony xperia xa ultra smartphone! only high-quality selfies

The modern electronics market is filled with gadgets with the most incredible functions. But the majority of users choose mobile phones that have the most popular properties:

  • high-quality camera;
  • good battery;
  • clear sound;
  • contrast screen;
  • high performance.

Buying a smartphone with best camera 2017 requires a thorough study of the available range to choose a reliable device.

Rating of smartphones with the best camera 2017

For your reference, we present the best models of mobile phones equipped with a good camera and a powerful battery.

The beginning of the rating and the tenth place go to the brand, known for its race for the leading developments of American and South Korean companies. Huawei and its sub-brand Honor have developed a real camera phone.
Unpretentious in appearance, equipped with a budget platform, the 6X impresses with the quality of its images - clear, rich, realistic. They are created using a dual lens of 12 and 2 megapixels. The 12-megapixel Sony IMX386 module is equipped with phase detection autofocus with a duration of 0.3 seconds.
The settings interface is quite simple, but varied; there are many modes, adjusting brightness, white balance, and contrast.

Characteristics:

  1. Android 7.0;
  2. 12 MP camera, autofocus;
  3. RAM: 3 or 4GB;
  4. battery 3340 mAh;
  5. weight 162 g;
  6. support for two SIM cards.

Advantages:

  • good display;
  • sufficient speed;
  • good nutrition optimization;
  • reasonable price/functionality ratio.

Flaws:

  • screen covering;
  • slippery;
  • Notifications are not visible when the screen is locked.

The ninth place is occupied by a model in the classic Sony design. In terms of price, the smartphone is considered a flagship, and the quality of the gadget confirms this. It combines high-speed performance, a capacious battery and luxurious cameras.

The 21.5 megapixel main camera takes excellent photos - juicy, with successful calibration and precise detail. Hybrid auto focus allows you to capture action shots. The selfie camera has a beauty mode and also independently corrects the image.
A useful feature of the phone is the ability to shoot 4K video. There is also a slow-motion video mode.

Characteristics:

  1. Android 5.0;
  2. screen 5″, resolution 1920×1080;
  3. camera 21.50 MP, autofocus;
  4. RAM: 3GB;
  5. battery 2600 mAh;
  6. weight 142 g;
  7. dimensions: 72x145x7.6 mm.

Advantages:

  • large and bright screen;
  • excellent front camera;
  • very comfortable;
  • moisture protection.

Flaws:

  • the processor turned out to be not the fastest;
  • software glitches;
  • warming up.

Eighth on the list of smartphones with the best camera of 2017 is the Chinese favorite of Xiaomi users. The stylish device, which looks like the well-known Galaxy, continues the line of camera phones.

The rear lens has 16 megapixels, optical stabilization, and phase detection autofocus. The pictures come out natural, with natural color rendition. Noise cancellation works great. The aperture remains stable at 2.0.
The front camera is designed for bright, colorful selfies with wide viewing angles. The output photos have clear outlines without visible pixels. But night mode leaves much to be desired.

Characteristics:

  1. Android 6.0;
  2. screen 5.15″, resolution 1920×1080;
  3. camera 16 MP, autofocus, F/2;
  4. RAM: 3GB;
  5. battery 3000 mAh;
  6. weight 129 g;
  7. support for two SIM cards.

Advantages:

  • very powerful;
  • super camera;
  • The battery lasts a day, charges in 1.5 hours;
  • screen, materials, build quality.

Flaws:

  • The back panel is scratched.

Another Chinese representative is in the seventh position of the top. According to technical characteristics mobile phone is not inferior to many flagships from leading brands. The cameras deserve special attention.
The main 12 megapixel camera with a built-in Sony IMX386 module creates realistic photos with a deep effect and correct frame detail. The lack of laser and stabilization is saddening, but the shutter speed makes up for minor shortcomings.
The front one shows great results. The picture turns out balanced, bright, and contrasting. There is a flash.

Characteristics:

  1. Android 6.0;
  2. screen 5.5″, resolution 1920×1080;
  3. camera 12 MP, autofocus F/2;
  4. RAM: 3 or 4 GB;
  5. battery 3060 mAh;
  6. weight 155 g;
  7. support for two SIM cards.

Advantages:

  • very stylish design;
  • The battery lasts a day and a half;
  • a screen with very good color rendering and a very high-quality touchscreen;
  • good sound.

Flaws:

  • sometimes does not read the fingerprint the first time;
  • There is no slot for SD card.

The Chinese again gets to the top six. Le Eco Cool 1 is the result of the combined efforts of two brands. And the result is quite decent, especially the quality of photography.

A unique feature of the device is a dual camera with dual LED flash. Two cameras are equipped to increase image clarity. The effect of professional photographic equipment is used: one lens transmits color shades, the other – black and white.
The settings include HDR, ISO, contrast, sharpness, and exposure adjustments.
Photographing even in cloudy weather produces images that are detailed and accurate across the entire width.

Characteristics:

  1. Android 6.0;
  2. screen 5.5″, resolution 1920×1080;
  3. camera 13 MP, autofocus F/2;
  4. RAM: 3 or 4 GB;
  5. battery 4060 mAh;
  6. weight 173 g;
  7. support for two SIM cards.

Advantages:

  • design and assembly;
  • excellent dual camera;
  • powerful processor;
  • holds a charge for a long time;
  • shell eui 5.8.

Flaws:

  • no memory card slot;
  • Not enough brightness in the sun.

In the central position of the ranking is a native of Taiwan, whom hardly anyone expected to see here. Previous copies did not impress with their characteristics in the photo. But HTC 10 surprised the public by releasing quality smartphone with a good camera.

The camera is equipped with Ultra Pixel 2 technology, which is focused on macro photography. The frames turn out to be unusually voluminous, sharp, and rich.
To improve images, laser focus, optical stabilization, and dynamic range are used. There is no noise, viewing angles are perfectly visible.

Characteristics:

  1. Android 6.0;
  2. screen 5.2″, resolution 2560×1440;
  3. RAM: 4 GB;
  4. battery 3000 mAh;
  5. weight 161 g;
  6. WxHxD 71.90×145.90×9 mm.

Advantages:

  • very cool sound;
  • fast charging;
  • QuadHD screen;
  • overall performance;
  • data reception/transmission speed.

Flaws:

  • slippery;
  • no moisture protection.

The phone, which became an example of technological progress in mobile photography, fell slightly short of the top three. The device was created by the Chinese brand together with the famous German photo laboratory Leica. The device is developed by introducing cutting-edge lenses.

One creates a color image with a resolution of 12 megapixels, the second - a monochrome image with 20 megapixels. This provides photographs with naturalness, detail, depth and volume. Sensors installed in a circle reproduce several types of focus:

  • deep;
  • laser;
  • phase;
  • contrasting.

A dual-LED flash transforms the frame, making viewing angles wide and clear.

Characteristics:

  1. Android 7.0;
  2. screen 5.1″, resolution 1920×1080;
  3. camera 20 MP, autofocus F/2.2;
  4. RAM: 4 GB;
  5. battery 3200 mAh;
  6. weight 145 g;
  7. support for two SIM cards.

Advantages:

  • awesome design, very neat, excellent build;
  • very fast fingerprint scanner;
  • The camera takes great pictures, even in poor lighting;
  • stereo sound;
  • The shell works very quickly, there are many options for different settings.

Flaws:

  • weak vibration without adjustability;
  • Selfie mode is enabled by default with face enhancement.

Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 EDGE

The South Korean company, which produces some of the best smartphones with a good camera, has released a gadget that ranked third in the top. This is not surprising - footage taken on Samsung Galaxy, have always been distinguished by excellent quality.


By default, all settings and filters are located on the main screen. You can adjust the screen yourself by setting your own modes. TO unique features Galaxy S7 also includes:

  • focus selection - the ability to change it after saving the photo;
  • virtual shooting - capturing an object from all sides for a three-dimensional image.

Characteristics:

  1. Android 6.0;
  2. screen 5.5″, resolution 2560×1440;
  3. camera 12 MP, autofocus F/1.7;
  4. RAM: 4 GB;
  5. battery 3600 mAh;
  6. weight 157 g;
  7. support for two SIM cards.

Advantages:

  • dust- and moisture-proof;
  • very cool camera;
  • practically does not heat up;
  • design view 5+;
  • metal case.

Flaws:

  • slippery;
  • the cost of the phone itself.

IPhone 7/ 7 Plus

The silver medalist of the rating is the object of admiration for most of the planet - the product from Apple, the iPhone 7. IPhone Cameras have always been considered the highest quality and most accurate, but the latest version of the gadget has left its predecessors far behind.

A picture created in natural light looks natural and contrasty. The white balance is set comfortably, and convenient calibration helps reproduce rich footage.
The level of night photography deserves special attention. There is no grain in the finished images, details are clearly visible even at the edges.

Characteristics:

  1. iOS 10;
  2. screen 5.5″, resolution 1920×1080;
  3. camera 12 MP, autofocus F/1.8;
  4. RAM: 3 GB;
  5. battery 2900 mAh;
  6. weight 188 g;
  7. dimensions: 77.9×158.2×7.3 mm.

Advantages:

  • excellent screen;
  • speed of work;
  • excellent screen;
  • protection from water;
  • excellent dual camera.

Flaws:

  • price;
  • battery for one day.

If you ask an experienced smartphone user which one is better in terms of photo and video shooting, 90% of the time you will hear - Google Pixel. This model is the best smartphone of 2017 with a good camera.

The developers have introduced the latest innovations in the field of photography. Daylighting produces high-quality images with precise detail and wide spatial coverage. But this is difficult to surprise experienced amateur photographers.
Google Company placed emphasis on night photography. Cloudy weather, poor lighting or night are no problem for Google Pixel. Each frame is full of life, realism, and depth. There is no noise, the picture is not blurry at all.

Once upon a time, ambitious smartphone makers said they would soon drive compact cameras out of the market. This happened before our eyes. Today everyone knows that the camera even in an inexpensive smartphone takes pictures no worse than a point-and-shoot camera. Next stage - catch up with DSLR quality. While this does not sound entirely realistic, new smartphones prove that this goal will also be achieved sooner or later. There are a lot of decent models on the market that allow you to create very, very good photos. High Quality. We analyzed the existing offer and selected smartphones with the best camera of 2018 for our readers. Looking ahead, we note that all these camera phones they are very, very expensive, but the cameras in them are truly luxurious.

When it comes to evaluating a camera, the question involuntarily arises: how can you understand that it is cool in one smartphone, and worse in another? First of all, you need to look at the technical specifications:

  • number of megapixels. Forget about the “more is better” rule. This has not been the case for a long time, but for some reason marketers and sellers continue to mislead users. When it comes to a tiny (compared to a DSLR) camera in a smartphone, a large number of megapixels can even cause harm. 12-13 megapixels is enough to create wonderful pictures. It’s good that many companies realized this and focused their attention on improving other parameters;
  • diaphragm. To take a good photo, the camera needs light. It hits the matrix and forms an image. Light passes through the aperture, and the wider the aperture blades are open, the greater the chance of getting a clear, beautiful photo, even in conditions that are far from ideal. In the specifications, the aperture is designated as f/2.0 or F2.0. The lower the number, the better. For example, a camera with f/2.2 and f/1.9 will shoot equally well during the day, but in the evening with a module with f/1.9 the pictures will be better. Today the standard is even for inexpensive smartphones– f/2.0, and they put it in flagships modules forf/1.8 and evenf/1.6. By the way, a wide aperture, even in the absence of a second module, will allow you to create macro photographs with a bokeh effect;
  • matrix diagonal. The bigger it is, the better. That's all the average user needs to know. There is no need to go into details. The diagonal of the matrix is ​​indicated by a fractional number, and the smaller the number under the fraction, the better. For example, a 1/3” camera is ok for budget class, 1/2.9” and 1/2.8” are for the average, and 1/2.5” are for the flagships, but there are often exceptions. Recently, manufacturers prefer not to indicate this characteristic at all;
  • pixel size. A lot of stupid pixels may not improve the quality of the photo, but, on the contrary, cause blurriness and noise. Therefore it’s better to have fewer larger pixels on the matrix than many small ones. Manufacturers usually indicate the pixel size. For budget and mid-range smartphones this figure should be 1.22 microns or more, in flagships - at least 1.25 microns, and better - 1.4 and even 1.5 microns;
  • autofocus type. Autofocus can be contrast (the most primitive, used in very cheap smartphones), phase(works quickly during the day, problems are possible at night) and laser. The latter is the most modern and accurate, always works quickly;
  • optical stabilization– the key to high-quality photographs of dynamic scenes. This feature is invaluable when shooting video and will be useful to all those whose hands often tremble;
  • number of lenses. Many people believe that the more there are, the better. No. It is better when the lenses are of high quality, but this can only be judged by test images;
  • camera sensor manufacturer. Modules from Sony, as well as from Samsung(the company makes better sensors for itself than those it sells externally). Slightly worse, but acceptable, sensors are removed from OmniVision. The most popular are Sony sensors, which in the camera characteristics are marked as IMX and a three-digit number, for example, IMX The first digit indicates the generation, the second indicates the class of the photosensor (the larger the better), the third indicates the version;
  • additional main camera performed in several versions. Option #1 is a black-and-white sensor, which captures light better and allows you to take better photos in low-light conditions. Option #2 – a camera with a wide viewing angle to squeeze as much of the landscape into the frame as possible. Option No. 3 – the second camera is used for zooming.

It also happens that a camera with seemingly ideal parameters takes, to put it mildly, not very good pictures. This means that the manufacturer did not pay enough attention automation, optics and software algorithms. It is advisable to personally evaluate examples of photos in different shooting conditions before purchasing. It often happens that with a fairly mediocre set of characteristics, a smartphone takes excellent pictures - this means that the developer was not too lazy to finish shell software. But when a manufacturer takes a good sensor, but kills it with lenses or software problems, it’s very disappointing.

We move from theory to practice. We found the best camera phones, selected the best among them and prepared a rating for you. The analysis used sample images, as well as the opinion of an authoritative resourceDxOMark, which tests cameras using its own algorithm and gives them scores. Go!

Smartphones with the best camera 2018

Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Just a few weeks ago, the new flagship from Samsung was presented atM.W.C. 2018. The model received a very cool camera and has already been called a smartphone with the best camera in the world. Both the Galaxy S9 Plus and the slightly more compact Galaxy S9 received main module with variable aperture. No one had done this before. Yes, they tried, but Samsung was the first to bring the idea to life. What does it give us? aperture with variable value fromf/2.4 to a/1.5? This feature brings the smartphone camera closer to the DSLR and allows it to adapt to any shooting conditions. When it’s light, the aperture blades close to keep the frame clear and to convey depth, which is especially important when shooting landscapes. When it is dark, the petals open as much as possible to let in light. Tests show that The device takes pictures at night, indeed, much better than all other smartphones, even better than its main competitor, the iPhone X. The matrix resolution is 12 megapixels, there is optical stabilization and phase detection autofocus.

Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, unlike the Galaxy S9, received additional main camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels and f/2.4 aperture. The second module is required for 2-card optical zoom. The pixel size of the main camera is 1.4 microns, in the additional one – 1 microns. The smartphone can shoot video in slow motion, has a portrait mode and copes superbly with all shooting scenarios. The 8 MP front camera can also blur the background and takes excellent pictures (f/1.7 aperture, 80-degree viewing angle).

We can talk about the Galaxy S9+ for a long time, because it one of the most advanced smartphones today. It received an 8-core Exynos 9810 processor with a frequency of 2.7 GHz: very powerful, but such resource-intensive applications where this “stone” would show itself 100% have not yet been invented. The screen has a diagonal of 6.2 inches, made using technology Super AMOLED, resolution 2960*1440. There is 6 GB of RAM, the main one is 64/128/256 GB, there is a slot for memory cards up to 400 GB. The model received IP68 protection from moisture and dust, is equipped with a face and retinal scanner, and can make AR Emoji - an analogue of Animoji in the iPhone. Let's add stereo speakers, fast charging (battery capacity 3500 mAh) and a chic appearance, and we'll probably get best smartphone for today. The 6/64 version costs about $1200.

Apple iPhone X

Apple smartphones always have good cameras. Anniversary and revolutionary iPhone model X only confirmed this rule. Before the release of the Galaxy S9+ (and even after it), the camera in the iPhone X will serve as an example for comparison. Apple traditionally pays attention to software optimization, but everything is fine with the hardware. Rear camera – dual, both modules received 12 megapixels. One of them is a wide-angle lens with f/1.8 aperture, the second is a telephoto lens with f/2.4 aperture. Both modules have optical stabilization. There is a portrait mode, 2x optical zoom. The camera performs well in all shooting scenarios, but is inferior to the Galaxy S9+ at night. The front module has a resolution of 7 megapixels, an f/2.2 aperture, and can use the screen backlight as a flash.

The main feature of the new iPhone is the “bangs” on top. The attitude towards it is ambiguous, so we will not comment on this feature. Let us only note that, following Apple, many Chinese companies have churned out clones of the iPhone X at very different prices. The AMOLED screen has a diagonal of 5.8 inches and a resolution of 2436 * 1125, the highest contrast and brightness. A fast processor, IP67 water and dust protection, face recognition technology and other more or less useful features make the gadget dream smartphone. The dream (64 GB version) costs about $1350.

Google Pixel 2

The flagship from Google is distinguished not only by its compact size, but also by its conservatism, and this is not a minus at all. The company did not use fashion trends such as a dual camera and an elongated screen. However, the smartphone takes excellent photos, and many experts are confident that this is the best camera phone on the market. this moment. The main module has a resolution of 12.3 megapixels (f/1.8 aperture, pixel size 1.4 microns, matrix diagonal 1/2.6”), phase and laser autofocus, optical and electronic stabilization. Everything is perfect on paper, and in reality it’s no worse. The camera can handle any scene, the pictures turn out really gorgeous - amateur photographers should appreciate it.

The front camera has a resolution of 8 megapixels, an aperture of f/ 2.4, a pixel size of 1.4 microns and a matrix diagonal of 1/3.2”. The characteristics, frankly, are not so hot, but the front camera takes pictures very well. In addition, background blur is also implemented here. In general, the pictures come out great in any conditions. Video can be shot in 4K at 30fps, FullHD at up to 120fps, and HD at 240fps.

As for the main parameters, the smartphone received a 5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920*1080, protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5, fast Snapdragon 835 processor with a frequency of up to 2.45 GHz, IP67 water and dust protection. The battery capacity is small (obviously for the sake of compactness) - 2700 mAh, but the function should save fast charging. The smartphone is equipped with 4 GB random access memory, main memory – 64 or 128 GB. The pluses also include the presence of stereo speakers, a system active noise cancellation and a bunch of chips from the manufacturer. There is no 3.5mm jack. The device costs about $800: a lot, but better than its competitors.

Huawei Mate 10 Pro

Another confident contender for the title of smartphone with the best camera. The device has a glass body, a giant screen, a fast processor, enviable battery life and a dual camera, which becomes the object of our interest. The Leica main camera duo is positioned vertically. The color module has a resolution of 12 megapixels, the additional monochrome module has a resolution of 20 megapixels. Aperture for both camerasf/1,6 , contrast, phase and laser autofocus, optical stabilization, there is a 2x hybrid zoom. The smartphone is excellent at taking photos in low light conditions, not to mention simpler shooting scenarios such as landscapes, portraits and macro. The background is blurred perfectly, the pictures are clear and the colors are reproduced correctly. The front module has an 8 megapixel sensor with f/2.0 aperture and fixed focus. He copes with his tasks at a high level.

Huawei installed in its flagship an 8-core HiSilicon Kirin 970 processor with a frequency of up to 2.36 GHz and neural computing module. Thanks to this decision the smartphone will be much faster and more efficient in handling applications that use the technology artificial intelligence. OLED screen with a diagonal of 6 inches and a resolution of 2160*1080, protective glass, 4000 mAh battery with fast charging function, IP67 waterproof – here everything is so perfect it's boring. The only downsides are the easily soiled body (glass, after all) and the price. There are versions with 4 and 6 GB RAM, main memory can be 64/128/256. The “simplest” phone with 4/64 GB costs $630, which compares favorably with its more expensive fellow camera phones.

HTC U11 and HTC U11 Plus

HTC U11 was released in the summer of 2017 and captivated fans of mobile photography with its excellent photography in the dark and excellent detail when photographing complex objects such as threads and hair. There were only questions about the design, so in the fall the company released the HTC U11 Plus. The camera module remains the same, but above appearance we worked: whether it has become better is a big question, everything is subjective.

The main camera in both models received a resolution of 12 megapixels and aperturef/1.7 , pixel size – 1.4 microns, there is optical image stabilization. All this means that both day and night you will be able to get photos of excellent quality, with a spectacularly blurred background. Post-processing enthusiasts will love the fact that smartphone can shoot inRAW. Naturally there is manual mode– the user himself will be able to configure all shooting parameters. The 16 megapixel front module with f/2.0 aperture and without autofocus allows you to create very decent selfies. In general, the device deserves to be included in the ranking of smartphones with the best camera.

HTC U11 received a body made of glass and metal, a 5.5-inch screen with a resolution of 2560*1440, protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and a 3000 mAh battery. The 8-core Snapdragon 835 with a frequency of up to 2.45 GHz is responsible for performance; there are versions with 4 and 6 GB of RAM, and 64/128 GB of main memory. An under-screen fingerprint scanner, features include a body compression sensor and a physical activity tracking sensor. The price for the 4/64 version is about $660.

HTC U11 Plus received, as is now commonly called, a full-screen 6-inch display with an aspect ratio of 18:9. The changes also affected the batteries: new version its capacity is 3930 mAh. The 4/64 version costs $790.

Apple iPhone 8 and Apple iPhone 8 Plus

Yes, the eighth iPhones are criticized for their outdated design, but they still buy them, because in terms of technical characteristics they are practically perfect. From sevens new iPhones They are distinguished by a glass body, a faster processor and an increased memory reserve. The rest has not changed, but the cameras began to shoot even better. IN Plus versions The main camera is dual, while the younger one remains single.

iPhone 8 Plus received two main camera modules 12 MP each. One of them is wide-angle with an f/1.8 aperture, the second is a telephoto lens with an f/2.8 aperture. Eat dual optical zoom, portrait mode, stage lighting mode, and the wide-angle lens received optical stabilization. iPhone 8 equipped with only one 12 MP f/1.8 lens, there is no optical zoom. The cameras work quickly, produce images of decent quality, and they are not afraid of the dark. The 7 MP f/2.2 front camera produces decent results.

The eighth iPhones look solid. The younger version received a 4.7-inch screen (resolution 1334*750), the older version – 5.5 inches (1920*1080). Both versions are powered by a 6-core A11 Bionic processor, equipped with 3 GB of RAM, the main one can be 64 or 256 GB. Powerful and beautiful apples are traditionally not cheap - fashion gadgets, after all. iPhone 8 – from $790, iPhone 8 Plus – from $1060.

We also note that the year before last iPhone 7 andiPhone 7 Plus also filmed at the level, namely, the iPhone 7 Plus set the trend for dual main cameras.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

Last year, the company's line of phablets was replenished with a model Galaxy Note 8. This year, obviously, it will be released updated version, well, in the meantime, the “eight” can confidently fight for the title of best camera phone. However, the camera is not the only advantage of the gadget, but it is very, very significant. Both main cameras received 12 megapixel resolution and optical stabilization. This was the first smartphone in which both main modules are equipped with optical stabilization. One of the cameras is wide-angle with an f/1.7 aperture, the second is a tele-camera with an f/2.4 aperture. Their joint work allows you to create excellent photographs in any conditions and effectively blur the background. Thanks to the function dynamic focus You can change the focus object after shooting. The photos turn out spectacular. The good news is that video in 4K resolution turns out to be of really high quality. The front camera, with its 8 megapixels and f/1.7, performs quite well.

The giant 6.3-inch display amazes with high-quality images. The device comes to our market with Samsung processor Exynos 8895: in AnTuTu tests the device scores more than 170 thousand points. This is power! RAM of 6 GB and built-in 64/128/256 GB is enough for the eyes. Separately worth noting sound quality and a multi-functional unsinkable stylus. By the way, the smartphone itself received protection from moisture and dust according to the IP68 standard. The battery capacity, however, is only 3300 mAh. Some may not like the dirty glass case, as well as the price, but it’s time to get used to the fact that flagships cost about a thousand “green” and are a fashion item. This model, for example, is perfect for business people who need to work a lot with documents and spreadsheets. For the 64 GB version they are now asking from $900 to $1050.

ASUS Zenfone 5Z and ASUS Zenfone 5

The recent MWC exhibition, held in Barcelona, ​​introduced us to a lot of interesting new products. ASUS has introduced a whole series of new smartphones. If Zenfone 5 Lite just received an elongated screen, then 5 and 5Z are very strongly reminiscentiPhone Xwith his bangs, but they are much cheaper. Zenfone 5Z and Zenfone 5 are slightly different in terms of hardware, but they have the same cameras. Rear module – double. The main camera received a Sony IMX363 sensor, 12 megapixel resolution, f/1.8 aperture, optical stabilization and phase detection autofocus. The 8-megapixel auxiliary module has a viewing angle of 120 degrees. In theory, the camera should cope well with different scenes and produce effective blur. The front module is more modest: 8 megapixels and the same viewing angle of 120 degrees.

Zenfone 5 received a 6.2-inch diagonal screen with an aspect ratio of 19:9 and a resolution of 2264 * 1080. On board is a fast Snapdragon 636 processor and 4 or 6 GB of RAM, 64 GB of main memory, it can be expanded. The developers say that the smartphone uses software with the makings of artificial intelligence, and its forces will be used to more economically consume energy and improve the quality of shooting.

Zenfone 5 Z externally it is exactly the same, but inside it hides a slightly more powerful Snapdragon 845. There are 4, or 6, or even 8 GB of RAM!! Latest version Overall impressive. Main memory capacity – 64/128/256 GB. The price will start at $590 (Zenfone 5 will obviously be cheaper), sales will begin in June.

LG V30+

Recently everyone praised the cameraLG V30 . We don’t argue that it’s really cool, but the new product, which was released just recently, promises even better shooting quality. As befits a flagship, it uses dual main camera. One of them has a resolution of 16 megapixels, aperturef/1.6 , the second is 13 megapixels, f/1.9 and a viewing angle of 120 degrees. As a result, excellent photo quality in any shooting conditions, the ability to create photos with maximum scene capture, and the presence of optical stabilization will allow you to achieve excellent results even when shooting in difficult conditions. Cameras received glass lenses CrystalClear, which minimize light scattering when transmitting it to the matrix. The front camera with its 5 MP and f/2.2 takes acceptable pictures.

The smartphone has top-end hardware. This is a powerful modern 8-core Snapdragon 835 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal memory (expandable up to 2 TB). The screen is made using OLED FullVision technology, has a diagonal of 6 inches and a resolution of 2880*1440 pixels. There is protection against water and dust IP 68 and a fast charging function, the battery capacity is minimally sufficient - 3300 mAh. The device looks futuristic and costs about $900.

Xiaomi Mi Note 3

The new flagship from the famous Chinese company received the same pair of cameras as in the more expensive Xiaomi Mi 6. Both main cameras have a resolution of 12 megapixels, one of them has an f/1.8 aperture, and the second one has an f/2.6 aperture. the first is wide-angle, the second camera has a telephoto lens, so you can zoom in on the image without losing quality and create bokeh. In most shooting scenarios, the camera performs excellently, almost on par with its more expensive counterparts. The front module with a resolution of 16 megapixels will delight those who like to take selfies.

The beautiful glass case houses the fast Snapdragon 660 processor. The manufacturer decided to save money on the screen. Well, how to save money. Not to say that the display is bad, but these days they are also installed in lower-end devices. price segment. The screen is made using IPS technology, has a diagonal of 5.5 inches and a resolution of 1920*1080. The fingerprint scanner is conveniently located under the display. The 3500 mAh battery can charge quickly and provides acceptable battery life. The smartphone is sold in 6/64 and 6/128 GB versions. If you need a smartphone with a good camera under 20,000 rubles ($350), then take a closer look at version 6/64. A device with twice as much memory will cost 1.5 times more.

Vivo X20 Plus

The flagship from Vivo completes our top camera phones. Now everyone is actively discussing that the company's updated smartphone Vivo X20 Plus UD will be the first in the world in which The fingerprint scanner will be built into the screen and will be located at the bottom of the display. While everyone is just waiting for the new product to go on sale, it is known that the cameras in the new smartphone will be the same as those in the Vivo X20 Plus.

The model is equipped dual main camera: the first module has a resolution of 12 megapixels and an f/1.8 aperture, the second has a modest resolution of 5 megapixels. An additional module is needed to blur the background. The front module also has a resolution of 12 megapixels and f/2.0. The authoritative resource DxOMark rated the device’s camera at 90 points out of 100, which is a good result.

The device received a Super AMOLED display with a diagonal of 6.43 inches and a resolution of 2160 * 1080, an 8-core Snapdragon 660 processor, a fairly capacious 3905 mAh battery and an acceptable memory reserve of 4/64 GB. The device costs about $540. There are also cheaper alternative – Vivo X20. This smartphone is equipped with the same cameras, but has a slightly smaller screen (6.01 inches, the same resolution) and a less capacious battery (3245 mAh), but the processor is the same, and the price is about $460.

Friends, it only remains to add that we need to keep our finger on the pulse and closely monitor the release of new products, because cameras are being improved literally before our eyes.

When choosing the best camera phones for our rating, we focus, in particular, on the rating of the very authoritative (in the relevant circles) network resource DxOMark. But we also try to take into account the reviews of ordinary users as fully as possible, giving preference to reviews on specialized threads of various forums. We hope that the following will be useful for inexperienced readers: general information that can influence the choice specific model camera phone.

Other things being equal, Photosensors with larger elementary cells provide better images. Least, physical dimensions pixels should be larger than one micron (ideally closer to 1.4 microns). In addition, a small matrix (1/3" or smaller) desperately needs high-aperture optics (at f/1.9 and higher). Otherwise, you can only dream of good image quality in low light conditions.

Recently, manufacturers are increasingly using clever multi-pixel matrices, using Quad Bayer or TetraCell technology. On the one hand, they allow marketers to talk about the incredible clarity of the resulting image (without saying that this requires ideal shooting conditions). On the other hand, they actually provide an increase in photosensitivity by combining four pixels and proportionally reducing the resolution.

Another modern trend is increasing the number of cameras, since a single module does not allow you to cover the entire variety of shooting modes. Recommendations are determined by your interests. For some, optical zoom is extremely important, others like to shoot panoramas, and some mobile photographers prefer the portrait genre with all the effects that come with it, such as bokeh. The “sad thing” is that a truly high level of quality is still achievable only with the main camera, and this is in the best case.

Without going into technical details, the more pixels, the more information that needs to be processed. Moreover, the existing dependence is far from linear. By the way, this is another explanation why budget smartphones They shoot quite mediocre. Yes, because flagships have better optics, cooler cameras, and more computing resources. And the prices are higher, unfortunately. And the recommendation here is simple - choose models on the latest hardware platform of at least the middle class.

WITH autofocus not everything is so simple, and it is impossible to give preference to a specific type. It is not surprising that some manufacturers are trying to implement all options in “one bottle”. It is now considered good practice to install an autofocus system not only in the main module, but also in auxiliary modules.

One of the main parameters of the classical photo flashes is the leading number - a quantity characterizing the power of the generated light flux. Alas, in relation to smartphones it is practically irrelevant, regardless of the number of available LEDs and their brightness. At best, we can talk about some help at a distance of a couple of meters to the subject.

Availability of opportunity save pictures in uncompressed format- a useful thing in itself, but it’s extremely difficult to imagine a professional photographer armed with only a smartphone. As well as an amateur who is constantly engaged in serious post-processing of his photos before posting them on Odnoklassniki. Yes - good, no - not fatal.

And finally - optical or hybrid stabilization preferable to purely electronic.

As you can see, there is a choice, and quite diverse. We do not undertake to recommend any of the models with a price even lower. In principle, now most smartphones can take relatively decent pictures of stationary objects in good lighting conditions. More complex tasks require more expensive equipment.

Happy shopping!

Top 5 smartphones that have optical camera stabilization

Availability OIS (optical stabilization) for a smartphone camera provides the opportunity to take higher quality photographs. When high-speed shooting is done in the sun, it helps to get rid of the effects of smartphone vibrations that occur when you press the shutter. When there is a lack of light, which forces you to set long shutter speeds, the benefits of OIS are even greater.

However, many manufacturers, for some reason, prefer EIS (electronic stabilization). It does not take into account that this function has increased sensitivity to software quality, and in addition, a certain place has to be allocated to the matrix for it. But in fairness, it must be said that you can still find a good smartphone whose camera has optical stability. These include the following models.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

The flagship of frameless models

Samsung has released a flagship frameless smartphones, good in almost all respects. The diagonal of the screen, which has a customizable 3K resolution, is 6.2 inches. The memory can be 64.0 or 128.0 GB.

Performance is ensured by the top-end Exynos 8895 or Snapdrafgon 835 chipset. In addition, the gadget is packed with a variety of pleasant functions:

  • Fast charging.
  • Hi-Res audio supported.
  • Protection against penetration of moisture and dust particles at the IP68 level.

I'm pleased with the smartphone and its cameras. The main one has a 12.0 megapixel matrix with a size of 1:2.5″. It is complemented by DualPixe phase autofocus, as well as an optical stability system. This allows you to do almost the most the best photos, when compared with all other smartphones. Both night and day shooting are carried out without problems, and videos are recorded in 4K. The front camera supports automatic focusing and video recording in QHD resolution.

If you are only interested in the quality of the camera, without taking into account such bells and whistles as top-end hardware and the absence of a frame, then you can opt for the S7 device. If you compare the cameras of these models, you can only notice the presence of cosmetic improvements.

For lovers of compactness

It hardly makes sense to talk much about this smartphone, because it has already been done many times by us and before us. The appearance of the iPhone 8, logically, should lead to a reduction in prices for last year's smartphones, which will not make them worse. After all, all the new products (with the exception of the iPhone X) have acquired new cases that have undergone cosmetic reconstructions, and the latest technologies SoC. However, the real benefit of all the bells and whistles can only be obtained from high-speed charging.

The camera on the iPhone 8 has not undergone any significant changes compared to the 7 (it will be possible to talk about the presence of actual improvements only after the first reviews). And both models use 1:3″ matrices with a resolution of 12.0 megapixels. The camera is equipped with an optical stability system, phase autofocus, a flash with four diodes, and supports 4K video recording. In addition, FullHD (120.0 FPS) as well as HD (240.0 FPS) resolution recording is supported. The front panel uses a 7.0 megapixel matrix.

Flagship with watering can

Huawei P10 is the name of the leader with a 5.1-inch screen, the brainchild of a giant from China. Its advanced hardware is developed by the company's specialists. Its performance is supported by the Kirin 960 chipset, which has Mali G71 graphics. This is its main difference from advanced smartphones produced by other companies.

On board there are:

  • Fast charging function.
  • Hi-Res music is supported.
  • Expandable memory 32.0 or 64.0 GB.
  • The RAM volume is 4.0 GB.

Huawei P10 has two cameras of 12 megapixels and 20 megapixels. The color main matrix is ​​equipped with a system for ensuring optical stability. The second is monochrome and serves to increase the detail of pictures when there is a lack of light. The camera optics were developed with the participation of Leica (Germany), which is a recognized brand in the field of premium cameras. High-quality selfies are obtained thanks to the front-mounted 8.0 megapixel sensor.

For selfie lovers

  • The screen diagonal is six inches.
  • Quite a fresh MediaTek Helio P20 chipset.
  • The OP volume is 4 GB.
  • With a fairly small battery (2.7 thousand mAh), autonomy is optimized normally. This allows you to easily withstand the whole day under average loads.
  • Fast charging available.

The main feature of the Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra is that the optical stability system is available not only for the main camera, but also for the front camera. The base is a 16-megapixel matrix with a size of 1:2.6″. There is an autofocus function and a flash. This smartphone is simply irreplaceable for those who are fans of selfies.

The rear camera specs are also pretty decent:

  • 4K video recording is supported.
  • f/2 optics.
  • Phase auto focus available.
  • Sensitivity 23 MP.

Cameras mobile devices Their capabilities are constantly approaching the level of full-fledged cameras. To improve the quality of pictures, developers equip them with all the “adult” paraphernalia. First, a flash appeared (LED or xenon), then contrast autofocus was added. In the 2010s, smartphone cameras acquired the ability to shoot in RAW, phase and laser autofocus systems, as well as image stabilization (electronic or optical).

The smartphone with optical image stabilization is equipped with a special camera gimbal and motion and position sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope). If vibrations occur during shooting, the sensors give a signal to the stabilizer, which finely adjusts the position of the matrix. Due to this, camera movements are eliminated, leading to blurring of the picture if the hand trembles when pressing the shutter. This collection contains smartphones with optical stabilization, released in 2016.

Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge and Galaxy Note 7 – an impressive trio

The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, released in February 2016, became the new flagships of the Korean manufacturer with optical stabilization. They received a significantly redesigned camera based on the Sony Exmor IMX/Samsung S5K2L1 module, with a 12 MP 1/2.5" matrix. In August, they were joined by the Galaxy Note 7 phablet, which has an enlarged screen, but almost identical hardware (including , camera module).The front photo modules of the devices are 5 MP, with an f/1.7 aperture, without stabilization.

The smartphones received AMOLED screens with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels and diagonals of 5.1", 5.5" and 5.7" (S7, S7 Edge, Note 7, respectively). The S7 has a flat screen, the others have curved edges. All smartphones run on an eight-core Exynos 8890 chip or a quad-core Snapdragon 820 and are equipped with 4 GB of RAM. For data storage, there is 32 or 64 GB of ROM, expandable with a MicroSD card. The flagships operate on Android based 6 with TouchWiz shell.

The battery capacity of smartphones is 3000, 3600 and 3500 mAh, respectively. All three devices have waterproof housings certified to IP68. Both Galaxy S7s have a MicroUSB port that supports OTG, while the Note 7 uses USB Type C.

Xiaomi Mi5 is a beautiful flagship from China

Together with Samsung, Xiaomi also showed its flagship in February 2016. He received a camera with a Sony IMX298 matrix that supports optical image stabilization. Its resolution is 16 MP, diagonal is 1/2.8", pixel size is 1.12 microns. The camera is equipped with f/2 aperture optics. The front one is 4 MP - the same as used in HTC One M7 as the main one.

IPS Xiaomi screen Mi5 has a diagonal of 5.15" and a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. The "heart" of Xiaomi Mi5 is a quad-core Snapdragon 820, with Adreno 530 graphics. The smartphone has 3 or 4 GB of RAM, flash memory - 32, 64 or 128 GB. Memory card slots, traditional for Xiaomi flagship, No. The smartphone OS is Android 6 with the MIUI 7 add-on (there is an update to 8).

The Xiaomi Mi5 battery has a capacity of 3000 mAh. It should be enough for a day of active use. In general, the device deserves attention, since for this money (about $400) there are few worthy competitors.

HTC 10 – balanced TOP

Another flagship of 2016, equipped with a camera with optical stabilization, is the HTC 10. It was released in April, the price of the smartphone is about $700. The new product was equipped with an “ultra-pixel” Sony IMX377 matrix, 1/2.3" in size and with a resolution of 12 MP. The optics have an aperture of F/1.8. The 5 MP front camera has the same aperture, optical stabilization and pixels increased to 1.3 microns.

The display of the HTC 10 is SUPER LCD, with a size of 5.2" and a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. The processor is standard for most 2016 flagships - Snapdragon 820. The smartphone has 4 GB of RAM, 32 or 64 GB of built-in storage. There is a slot for a memory card, it is separate. OS HTC 10 – Android 6 with Sense shell.

The capacity of the non-removable battery is 3000 mAh, it is enough for a day of active use of the smartphone. HTC 10 is a productive and balanced smartphone. It copes with any task, as it embodies all the ideas of the One M series, but brought to a more advanced form.

OnePlus 3 – “flagship killer”, take 3

OnePlus 3 was released in June 2016, its price is about $500. The device was equipped with the same IMX298 camera as previously used in Xiaomi Mi5. There is optical stabilization, the aperture remained the same (f/2), that is, no one made changes to the design of the module, the original Sony design is used. The front camera is 8 MP, most likely IMX179.

The OnePlus 3 screen has a diagonal of 5.5", with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. Similar matrices are already available in devices that are twice as cheap, so FullHD is not exciting - it’s just good screen. The OnePlus 3 processor is Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, which gives the smartphone first place in the top ten most powerful as of July 2016. RAM – as much as 6 GB, built-in storage – 64 GB. Because of this, the lack of a slot microSD cards a little upsetting. The gadget runs on Oxygen OS - a modification of Android 6. There are minor complications with overheating.

The autonomy of OnePlus 3 is ensured by a non-removable 3000 mAh battery, which provides 24 hours of active operation. Traditionally for the OnePlus line there is USB port Type C. The device looks decent for the money, but resellers often set an excessive markup.

Sony Xperia XA Ultra is a huge selfie camera

The Sony Xperia XA Ultra, released in May, is a phablet in the true sense of the word. It also falls into the category of mid-range camera phones (price: about $400) aimed at selfies. This explains the presence of the IMX234 matrix at the front, used as the main one on the LG G4 and G5. It is based on a 1/2.6" matrix with 1.12 micron pixels, and is equipped with a flash. The rear camera is 21 MP, with a 1/2.4" matrix (IMX230), but optical stabilization (unlike She doesn’t have a front camera.

Sony Xperia XA Ultra is equipped with a huge 6" IPS display with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. The tablet chipset is an eight-core MediaTek Helio P10, with Mali T860 MP2 graphics. The amount of RAM is 3 GB, the built-in memory is 16 GB. There is a MicroSD slot available. It works. phablet based on Android 6 OS, expected to be updated to version 7.

The battery capacity is 2700 mAh, which seems insufficient for a phablet, and this is the main disadvantage of the smartphone. The second minor drawback is the Helio P10 chipset, they put it in Chinese handsets for $150, but for $400 you want something more.

Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro is a powerful phablet with a good battery

Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro is a direct competitor to the previous device, but released in Korea. It was released in May 2016, at a price of just over 500 USD. The device is equipped with a camera S5K3L2 of Samsung's own production. The same matrix is ​​used in Xiaomi Redmi 3s, but there is no optical stabilization. Here it is available, and the lens aperture is opened to f/1.9. The front camera is more modest than Sony's: 8 MP resolution, f/1.9 aperture, no stabilization.

The phablet display is 6", 1920x1080 pixels, like the Xperia XA Ultra, but it uses an AMOLED matrix rather than IPS. The processor is an eight-core Snapdragon 652, which is on the border of the middle and top class (80 thousand in AnTuTu). The smartphone has RAM. 4 GB, ROM – 32 GB There is a slot for MicroSD, it is not combined with a SIM card slot.

Capacity samsung batteries The Galaxy A9 Pro is 5000 mAh, which is another matter. After all, the device is powerful, takes good photographs and can last for 2 days. The only thing that’s a little confusing is the price: not everyone is willing to pay $500 for a mid-level device.

HTC One S9 - almost a flagship

HTC has never been known for its cheap devices, but good smartphones She knows how to do the middle class. One of them is the HTC One S9, released in May, starting at $300. The smartphone is equipped with a 13 MP camera, the manufacturer of which could not be clarified. It has an aperture of f/2 and supports optical image stabilization. Front camera – 4 MP, with 2 micron pixels: this is the same module on which the main camera of the One M7 was based.

The display of the HTC One S9 has a diagonal of 5", its resolution is 1920x1080 pixels. The device is powered by the MediaTek Helio X10 chip, last year's flagship solution. The amount of RAM is 2 GB, the storage capacity is 16 GB. There is a slot for a memory card. operating system– Android 6.

The smartphone battery has a capacity of 2850 mAh, it will last 1-2 days active loads, which is not bad. The HTC One S9 has become a cheaper version of the One M9, has an almost identical body and is equipped with stereo speakers. And although it is a long way from the 2016 flagship, the device is not bad for the money.

In August 2016, ASUS released the 3rd generation ZenFone series of smartphones. The line includes a variety of devices, including ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra and ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe. The first smartphone costs about $500, the second - around 700. Both devices are equipped Sony cameras IMX318 23 MP, with optical stabilization. Matrix size – 1/2.6", pixel size – 1 micron, aperture – f/2. Front cameras– 8 MP each, aperture – f/2, they have no stabilization.

The hardware devices are different: ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra is a huge phablet at 6.8", ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe is more compact, 5.7". The resolution of both screens is 1920x1080 pixels. Ultra runs on a Snapdragon 652 chip (mid-level), Deluxe – Snapdragon 820. The first device has 3 or 4 GB of RAM, the second – 4 or 6 GB. ROM capacity is 32, 64 and 128 or 64, 128 and 256 GB, respectively. Memory card slots available. Phablet OS – Android 6 version.

The battery capacity of ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra is 4600 mAh, ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe – 300 mAh. The indicators are adequate, as for phablets, but not record-breaking. The advantages of the devices include design, large screens(for those who buy large phablets, this is definitely a plus) and good hardware. Minus - the price is not the most affordable.

Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are the most powerful smartphones with optical stabilization

In September 2016, the next versions of the apple flagship were presented - Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Our official prices for iPhone 7 are higher than in the USA. In the minimum configuration (32 GB), the junior version costs about $800, 7 Plus will cost about $900. “Gray” devices are sold for a hundred cheaper.

The younger iPhone 7 is equipped with a 12 MP camera, with 1.25-micron pixels and high-aperture optics with an f/1.8 aperture. iPhone 7 Plus equipped additional module with the same resolution, but with closer optics with smaller viewing angles and f/2.8 aperture. Both smartphones support optical stabilization. On the front there is a 7 MP matrix.

The iPhone 7 has a 4.7-inch IPS screen with, traditionally for Apple, a non-standard resolution of 1334x750; in the 7 Plus it is increased to 5.5", with a FullHD matrix. The chipset is the new quad-core Apple A10, the most powerful among smartphones in 2016. The smaller version has 2 GB of RAM, the older version has 3 GB. Built-in flash memory - 32, 128 or 256 GB, flash drives are naturally not supported. OS - Apple iOS 10. The capacity of the non-removable battery is 1900 or 2900 mAh, which does not seem to be very much, but consumption optimization is at a high level.

Samsung Galaxy A5 and A7 (2016) - premium series with optical stabilization

Although the Samsung Galaxy A5 and A7 were introduced at the end of 2015, they went on mass sale only in 2016. The price of the younger model is now from 350 dollars, for the older one they ask a little more than 400. The smartphones have similar hardware, the same 13 megapixel cameras, with OIS (optical stabilization), 1.12-micrometer cells and optics with an F/1.9 aperture. The front camera is quite ordinary, 5 MP. The A5 model has a 5.2-inch diagonal screen, the A7 has a 5.5-inch diagonal. Both displays are AMOLED, PenTile FullHD matrix.

The RAM capacity of the smaller smartphone is 2 GB, and the larger one is 3 GB. Other parameters are identical: eight-core Exynos 7580 (Snapdragon 615 in the version for the USA and China), 16 GB of memory, microSD card slot up to 256 GB. Initially, the system on board was Android 5.1, later an update to version 6 was released. The battery in the Galaxy A5 (2016) has a capacity of 2900 mAh, and in the A7 (2016) – 3300 mAh.

Both smartphones do not excel in gaming performance, but demonstrate stable performance. These are nice and thin devices for those who value design and need a good camera with optical stabilization.

Sony Xperia XA Ultra - phablet with selfie camera with optical stabilization

In May 2016, Sony Xperia XA Ultra was presented - a faablet for lovers of self-portraits. The current price is from 350 US dollars. Its main camera is based on a 1/2.4" IMX230 sensor with 21 MP, has optics with an aperture of F/2, and does not stand out in anything special. But the front one is 16 MP, Exmor RS IMX234 (diagonal 1/2.6 "), is also equipped with a flash, has a better F/2 aperture and optical stabilization.

Screen - six-inch IPS, 1920x1080 pixels. The chipset is an eight-core Helio P10 from MTK. The device has 3 GB of RAM, 16 GB of flash storage, MicroSD cards are supported. Operating system - Android 6, an update to OS version 7 is planned. The battery capacity is not very large, only 2700 mAh.

Xperia XA Ultra is an inexpensive phablet designed for selfie lovers. Its main camera is in some ways inferior to the front one, which may not please those who take pictures not only of themselves. Another disadvantage is that the battery is small for such a screen.

Motorola Moto Z - ultra-thin modular flagship

In September 2016, Lenovo introduced Motorola Moto Z is the flagship of the modular series, made in a case only 5.2 mm thick. The price of the smartphone is about 650 US dollars. It is equipped with a 13-megapixel camera with a laser autofocus system, optical stabilization, and the optical aperture has a decent f/1.8 value. On the front there is a regular 5 MP front camera, with pixels increased to 1.4 micrometers.

The Motorola Moto Z display is QHD, 2560x1440 pixels, and its diagonal is 5.5”, typical for a phablet. It is produced using AMOLED technology. The Motorola Moto Z processor is no longer the top-end, but still very powerful Snapdragon 820. The system and applications are provided with 4 GB of RAM, and the capacity of the internal memory chip is 32 or 64 GB, flash drives up to 256 GB are supported. Initially preinstalled on board Android versions 6, but an update to seven has already been released. The battery capacity of the smartphone is only 2600 mAh, which is due to its small thickness.

Motorola Moto Z is good not only for its optical stabilization and module support. This is a powerful smartphone that can do it all. Although the battery capacity leaves much to be desired, it is enough for a day, and if you want more, a plug-in external battery module will help.

HTC 10 Lifestyle - a simplified flagship with OIS

In parallel with the main model number 10, HTC 10 Lifestyle was released in 2016. This is a lightweight version of a top-end smartphone, which uses a more modest chipset. But the camera remains the same: 12 MP, 1/2.3" sensor, 1.55 micron cells, laser autofocus and optical stabilization - everything is in place. The front matrix is ​​also very complicated: although it is 5 megapixels, it has cells the size 1.34 microns, autofocus, f/2.8 aperture and is also equipped with an optical stabilization mechanism.

HTC 10 Lifestyle is equipped with a 5.2" SuperLCD screen (the commercial name of one of the varieties of IPS), with a resolution of 2560x1440 sufficient for VR. The SoC of the device is Snapdragon 652, with 8 cores and Adreno 510 graphics. There is only one version of the gadget, 3 GB RAM and 32 GB of ROM (there is no modification with 4/64 GB), a microSD storage tray is present. Android version 6 is installed, an update to Nougat is planned. Autonomy is ensured by a non-removable battery with a capacity of 3000 mAh.

HTC 10 Lifestyle - a good choice for those who want top smartphone with optical stabilization, but “parrots” in tests are not important. It is almost no worse than the base model, and costs less.

Huawei Mate 9 - flagship with two cameras

In December 2016 of the year Huawei introduced the new flagship phablet Mate 9. The official price is about $900. It is equipped dual camera with 12 (IMX286) and 20 MP matrices, one of them is color, the second is black and white. There are Leica optics with f/2.2 aperture, laser phase autofocus, and optical stabilization. Another feature is hybrid zoom: due to its high resolution, a monochrome camera conveys additional details of the image that are lost with conventional digital zoom (interpolation). On the front there is 8 MP, with a fairly strong F/1.9 aperture.

The display is a classic IPS, 5.9 inches, with FullHD resolution. The hardware platform is Kirin 960, with 8 cores and a new Mali G71 MP8 video core. There is 4 GB of RAM on board, a 64 GB internal storage, and a slot for MicroSD storage devices is also provided. The smartphone runs Android OS version seven. The 4000 mAh battery should provide good battery life in everyday use.

Huawei Mate 9 is an attractive smartphone with powerful hardware and an interesting implementation of the camera, but the price of $900 is a lot. Few are willing to pay such a sum for a device of Chinese origin, even if it is Huawei.

Huawei Nova Plus - metal phablet with optical stabilization

Huawei Nova Plus was presented in September 2016 at the IFA exhibition in Germany. This is a mid-range phablet, made in a thin aluminum body. It has a 16-megapixel photo-video camera on a 1/2.8" sensor with an F/2 aperture lens and optical stabilization. On the front there is an 8 MP camera with the same aperture.

Huawei Nova Plus is equipped with a 5.5" display based on an IPS matrix, its resolution is FullHD. The device runs on a modern Snapdragon 625 chipset with 8 cores inside. Inside there is 3 GB of RAM, a 32 GB storage, and a MicroSD connector has not been forgotten. The OS is Android 6. The capacity is 3340 mAh - quite normal for a device with energy-efficient hardware.

Huawei Nova Plus is a balanced mid-level smartphone. It has a thin body, a good display, a normal battery, and good performance. Optical image stabilization is also pleasing.