2024 FLAGSHIP SMARTPHONE CAMERA SHOWDOWN

Smartphone cameras are getting outrageously good these days.

- CHERYL TAN

It's now commonplace to see users (like myself) opting to predominantly use our smartphones instead of lugging around big, bulky cameras. While specialised equipment is still needed for specific or ultra-professional shooting scenarios, the vast majority of people who take snapshots of delicious food or their travels would be well-served by powerful smartphone cameras.

THE CONTENDERS

• Apple iPhone 16 Pro

• Honor Magic6 Pro Google Pixel 9 Pro Huawei Pura 70 Ultra

• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Sony Xperia 1 VI

• Xiaomi 14 Ultra

The selected models were launched and sold in Singapore officially in October 2024 or earlier. Given that smartphones no longer have regular launch seasons, we understand some handsets can become outdated, replaced or that some models have to be excluded. For example, the Oppo Find X8 Pro, which uses a 2025 processor, and as you read this issue, Samsung would also have just launched their Galaxy S25 series. However, we had to stop somewhere, and this cut off was also chosen to give us enough time to evaluate the phones.

JUDGING CRITERIA