Key Takeaways
1. Apple launched the iPhone 15 with a standard photo resolution of 24 MP, improving both megapixel count and dynamic range without lag and requiring less storage.
2. Oppo’s Find X9 Pro offers a choice between 50 MP and 200 MP options, while Samsung has only provided 24 MP in the separate Expert RAW app until now.
3. The upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to introduce a 24 MP option in the standard camera app, requiring activation through the Camera Assistant app.
4. The 24 MP setting on Samsung devices will not replace the 12 MP option unless activated and may have a delay of around 3 seconds after pressing the shutter button.
5. Initial tests show that the 24 MP quality on the Galaxy S26 Ultra is better than both the 12 MP and the 24 MP mode in Expert RAW, suggesting it may become the default option for portrait and regular photo modes.
Upon the launch of the iPhone 15 in 2023, Apple raised the bar by offering a standard photo resolution of 24 MP. This upgrade not only provides a higher megapixel count but also enhances the dynamic range of photos. Interestingly, doubling the resolution doesn’t come with any lag and requires much less storage compared to a full sensor resolution photo. So far, no Android brand has made this smart transition from the typical 12 MP photo, even though 200 MP sensors are readily available in the market.
Oppo’s Unique Strategy
Oppo has chosen a different path with its Find X9 Pro, which features an automatic mode with either 50 MP or 200 MP options. Meanwhile, Samsung’s premium cameras have only featured a 24 MP option in the separate Expert RAW app, which isn’t commonly used by most people as their main photo app. However, according to reliable leaker Ice Universe, the upcoming Galaxy S26 series, particularly the Ultra model, is set to introduce a 24 MP option in the standard camera app for the first time. The catch is that users will need to unlock this feature through the Camera Assistant app. This information comes from Ice Universe’s own testing of a Galaxy S26 Ultra prototype.
Features and Limitations
Unlike Apple’s approach, the 24 MP photos on Samsung devices will only be an additional option and will not replace the 12 MP setting in the camera app unless activated. There’s also a potential drawback, as users might experience a delay of around 3 seconds after hitting the shutter button, at least on the current testing models. Nonetheless, Ice Universe suggests that switching to 24 MP is still a beneficial move.
The initial impressions indicate that the photo quality is considerably better than 12 MP and even surpasses the 24 MP mode found in Expert RAW. It seems to eliminate most issues like oversharpening and purple fringing that can occur in some images. The leaker believes that the 24 MP setting has the capability to become the default option and will be available for both portrait and regular photo modes. Unfortunately, it seems that Samsung may limit this feature strictly to the Galaxy S26 lineup, despite the sensor technology likely remaining unchanged. This situation is reminiscent of Apple’s strategy when the iPhone 14 Pro did not see the benefits of the increased photo resolution at its launch in 2023.
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