iPhone lovers swear up and down that their cellphone reigns supreme with regards to pictures, but when we had been to blind-test them, would they really select an iPhone over Android?
In search of a solution to this query, I blind-tested 20 coworkers who personal iPhones, presenting them with two footage of the identical topic: one taken on a Google Pixel 8 Professional — and the opposite on an iPhone 15 Professional Max.
Let’s have a look at which pictures, iPhone or Android, gained the vast majority of the vote.
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional evaluate: Take a peek at our digicam samples
The pictures
I went gallivanting by way of Midtown Manhattan and took some snapshots of in style factors of curiosity, together with the Vessel and the Empire State Constructing.
With out additional ado, let’s get into the outcomes of the blind take a look at.
The Vessel
Images of the Vessel, taken with an Android and an iPhone
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Listed below are two huge pictures of the Vessel, a beehive-like, artsy construction situated in Hudson Yards. The left photograph is richer and delivers higher distinction. Nonetheless, the one on the correct seems to make use of software program that enhances the photograph’s colours, which makes the golden-brown hues extra hanging.
On this photograph, the iPhone 15 Professional Max is on the left, and the Google Pixel 8 Professional is on the correct.
The Google Pixel 8 Professional gained the vote right here. I theorize it was victorious as a result of the Pixel 8 Professional seems to be brighter, making the Vessel extra visually interesting. However within the iPhone 15 Professional Max’s protection, it delivered probably the most correct illustration of the scene.
Winner: Google Pixel 8 Professional
Illuminated scorching air balloon
Illuminated scorching air ballon in Hudson Yards, taken with Android and an iPhone
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Throughout from the Vessel, you will discover a 32-foot, illuminated scorching air ballon inside a sprawling upscale buying heart referred to as “the Retailers.”
Right here, the iPhone 15 Professional Max’s huge shot, situated on the correct, showcases how nicely it recreates shade precisely. In actual life, the hot-air balloon emanates a surprising, vivid cerulean blue hue. The Google Pixel 8 Professional received it fallacious right here, reproducing a lilac-esque shade.
The individuals of the experiments appeared to acknowledge this; most selected the iPhone 15 Professional Max because the winner right here.
Winner: iPhone 15 Professional Max
The Edge

Ultrawide pictures of the Edge, taken with an Android and iPhone.
Credit score: Mashable / Ok
Within the backdrop of this photograph, you will discover the Edge, probably the most in style statement decks in Manhattan, overlooking town.
I switched to ultrawide for these pictures. This one has a transparent winner: Members leaned towards the iPhone 15 Professional Max, the photograph on the correct. The Apple system completely captured the verdant grass and royal-blue indicators. The Pixel 8 Professional picture, on the left, appears a bit washed out.
Winner: iPhone 15 Professional Max
Apple iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max evaluate: Near perfection
The Empire State Constructing

The Empire State Constructing, taken with an Android and an iPhone.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
I snapped a 5x zoom photograph of the Empire State Constructing after sundown, which kicked in each telephones’ night-mode processes. The precise (Pixel 8 Professional shot) seems to have extra definition and element in comparison with the left, doubtless as a result of Google’s post-processing enhancements. It is just a little too “constrasty” for my tastes.
Curiously, most of the individuals on this experiment didn’t agree with me; they most popular the photograph on the correct.
Winner: Google Pixel 8 Professional
Rolex signal

Rolex retailer signal photograph, taken with an Android and iPhone.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
In one other 5x zoom shot, I took footage of a inexperienced LED-lit Rolex signal contained in the Retailers in Hudson Yards.
As soon as once more, it appears just like the individuals most popular the Google Pixel 8 Professional (proper). The signal seems to be sharper, and there is much less of that “glowy” impact obstructing the letters. The iPhone 15 Professional Max is the primary to function 5x optical zoom; its predecessor maxed out at 3x.
The Pixel collection, however, delivered 5x optical zoom for the reason that Pixel 7 Professional, so you might argue that Google has had some extra time to good the lens.
Winner: Google Pixel 8 Professional
Ultimate ideas
Do iPhone homeowners really want Apple-branded telephones with regards to pictures? Solely in some circumstances.
In line with this experiment, the iPhone homeowners most popular the iDevice for huge and ultrawide pictures. Nonetheless, with regards to zoomed-in pictures, iPhone customers exhibited a choice for the Pixel 8 Professional.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings