In the world of photography, having the right camera at hand is crucial. This is especially true for smartphones, which have become the go-to devices for capturing moments. Manufacturers have long competed to claim the title of “best camera phone,” and recent high-end models from Chinese brands like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Honor are equipped with impressive camera hardware, including large sensors designed to enhance photo quality. Unfortunately, many of these models aren’t available in the U.S. market.
To determine which of these smartphones stands out, I conducted a comprehensive camera comparison featuring the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Oppo Find X7 Ultra, and Honor Magic 6 Pro, alongside the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus for reference. After taking numerous photos, I’ve included a selection of images with insights into the distinct hardware and software choices made by each manufacturer.
In this review, I’ve ranked the photos according to my preferences, though you may have a different opinion. All images were captured using the automatic settings, which is how most users will operate their devices. In many cases, the differences in quality are minimal, but I placed the Samsung Galaxy S24+ photos last for comparison.
Camera Specifications Overview
Each of the smartphones boasts advanced camera systems loaded with the latest technology. Here’s a brief summary of their main camera specifications:
- Xiaomi 14 Ultra: 50 MP main, 50 MP ultrawide, 50 MP telephoto, 50 MP periscope telephoto
- Oppo Find X7 Ultra: 50 MP main, 50 MP ultrawide, 50 MP periscope telephoto
- Honor Magic 6 Pro: 50 MP main, 50 MP ultrawide, 180 MP periscope telephoto
The Galaxy S24 Plus serves primarily as a reference point, but here are its specs for context:
- Samsung Galaxy S24+: 50 MP main, 10 MP telephoto, 12 MP ultrawide
Evaluating the Main Cameras
The main camera is typically the most used, and all three devices excel in various conditions, producing impressive results with a simple point-and-shoot approach. However, there are notable distinctions in their technical specifications.
Each smartphone features large sensors, with the Xiaomi and Oppo models equipped with the Sony LYT-900 1-inch sensor, while the Honor utilizes a smaller H9000 OmniVision 1/1.28-inch sensor. Larger sensors generally capture more light, which improves performance in low-light conditions, resulting in clearer images with reduced motion blur.
The lens aperture, which determines how much light enters the camera, also plays a key role. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a variable aperture ranging from f/1.63 to f/4.0, while the Honor Magic 6 Pro features an aperture of f/1.4 to f/2.0. In contrast, the Oppo Find X7 Ultra and the Galaxy S24 Plus both have a fixed aperture of f/1.8.
While larger sensors and wide apertures allow for excellent low-light photography, they can create a shallow depth of field, which might lead to focus issues. A variable aperture helps mitigate this by offering a broader depth of field, ensuring more elements in the frame remain in focus. The focal lengths of the main cameras also vary, with Xiaomi and Oppo having a 23-mm equivalent, while Honor opts for a 27-mm focal length.
Most users will rely on automatic settings, making the manufacturers’ image processing algorithms a crucial factor. Although the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is technically the most versatile, users will need a bit of photographic knowledge to make the most of its features.
Ultrawide Lenses
Ultrawide lenses excel at capturing expansive scenes or fitting larger groups into a single shot. Here’s how each phone’s ultrawide camera compares:
- Xiaomi 14 Ultra: 50 MP (f/1.8), 1/2.51-inch Sony IMX858 sensor, 122-degree field of view, 12-mm focal length.
- Oppo Find X7 Ultra: 50 MP ultrawide (f/2.0), 1/1.95-inch Sony LYT-600 sensor, 123-degree field of view, 12-mm focal length.
- Honor Magic 6 Pro: 50 MP ultrawide (f/2.0), 1/2.88-inch Omnivision OV50D sensor, 122-degree field of view, 13-mm focal length.
The shorter focal length of ultrawide lenses enables closer focusing, allowing them to serve as macro lenses. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra can focus as closely as 5 cm, while both the Oppo and Honor models can achieve a distance of 4 cm.
Telephoto Capabilities
Each smartphone includes at least one telephoto lens, a key differentiator among flagship models. Here are the specifications for the telephoto features:
- Xiaomi 14 Ultra: 50 MP floating lens (f/1.8), 1/2.51-inch Sony IMX858 sensor, 75-mm focal length; 50 MP periscope (f/2.5), 1/2.51-inch Sony IMX858 sensor, 120-mm focal length.
- Oppo Find X7 Ultra: 50 MP periscope (f/2.6), 1/1.56-inch Sony IMX890 sensor, 65-mm focal length; 50 MP periscope, 1/2.51-inch Sony IMX858 sensor, 135-mm focal length.
- Honor Magic 6 Pro: 180 MP periscope (f/2.6), 1/1.49-inch Samsung Isocell S5KHP3 sensor, 68-mm focal length.
Telephoto lenses provide flexibility, allowing for detailed shots of distant subjects or macro photography without disturbing the scene. Optical zoom retains high image quality, while digital zoom can lead to pixelation, especially at higher levels. Each phone performs adequately at lower zoom levels, but images can degrade significantly beyond 10X.
Software Influence on Photography
Software plays a vital role in how photos are captured and processed. The image processing algorithms, color tuning, and other adjustments can significantly impact the final outcome.
For instance, Google’s Pixel series is renowned for its superior software capabilities, and while Apple and Samsung also produce excellent results, each brand has its distinct style. Xiaomi collaborates with Leica for camera tuning, offering shooting modes that emphasize either natural colors or more vibrant tones. Oppo, meanwhile, partners with Hasselblad to create a Pro mode that allows for diverse focal lengths.
Although Honor doesn’t partner with a major brand, it employs advanced AI processing. All three smartphones generally deliver impressive results across varying lighting conditions, though some models, like the Honor Magic 6 Pro, occasionally underperform.
Xiaomi’s Leica Authentic setting yields the most realistic images, but this can lead to darker photos compared to the others, which tend to produce more vivid images.
User Experience and Additional Features
The Oppo Find X7 Ultra is primarily available in China, which limits accessibility for many users. While importing is an option, it requires additional effort to install Google services, and some apps may not function properly. In contrast, the Honor Magic 6 Pro and Xiaomi 14 Ultra are available in global versions with Google services. I’ve found that the software experience on the Honor Magic 6 Pro has improved recently, and it offers excellent battery life. However, my top pick remains the Xiaomi 14 Ultra for its smooth performance and overall capabilities.
Despite being larger devices, all three phones offer a satisfying user experience. Their designs feature prominent circular camera modules, but be cautious when using them without a case, as the camera module is prone to scratches. I had a few minor issues with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra due to this.
The Honor model stands out for its sleek, symmetrical camera design and elegant glass finish, while both Oppo and Xiaomi opt for leather-like textures. Xiaomi’s flatter display and broader frame enhance grip stability during photography, and it also offers a photography kit that includes a leather case and a camera grip, albeit at a high price point.
