Phone - decent camera required (£400-£500)

Soldato
Joined
19 Apr 2003
Posts
13,567
Buying my wife a phone for her birthday and i have zero clue as to what is good. Although i love my gadgets phones have never grabbed me - possibly as it's the device that enables people to disturb you wherever you are now :/

She obviously wants a decent GUI and ease of use but the main criteria is the camera. What is considered by 'users' as the best camera?

From my laboured searches I've narrowed the choices to 2 phones:
  • Galaxy S7 (none edge version)
  • Huawei P10 5.1 inch
I've visited our local Carphone Warehouse and they were pushing me towards the Huawei P10. The natural cynic in me is concerned that they had more stock to shift but the twin Leica lens did sound compelling and the pictures (viewed on on the phone) looked very impressive to our dated phones. They also looked better than the Galaxy but was aware i was comparing pictures on the phone's screens...

Would appreciate any hands on feed back or even advice if you feel i'm looking at completely the wrong phones.

Thanks.
 
If you can stretch your budget just a little bit further, you can now get a Galaxy S8 for £575

https://www.mobilephonesdirect.co.u...Deals&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=20363

Edit, you can also get the Google Pixel for around £400. Many people still argue this phone has one of the best cameras on the market. Might actually be the perfect choice.

https://www.mobiles.co.uk/sim-free-...&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=HotUKDeals

Finally, there are some phones out which have dual cameras. If she's into that sort of thing (you can take portrait photos with blurry backgrounds), maybe have a look at the OnePlus 5, LG G6, iPhone 7 or the upcoming Moto G5S Plus
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the responses guys.

  • I personally like the Pixel too - especially for the price but the salesman scared her off by claiming there was a pixle issue with the screens? - which is about the time my cynicism kicked in... I will take a closer look.
  • Wasn't shown a Sony - i will have a look.
  • The S8 - do they do a none Edge version (can't tell)? My wife would crucify the Edge's screen within hours. Her phones/tablets/laptops lead a charmed life already - without adding extra fear factors for me (i can't count how many times i've just caught her devices that have been balanced on thin air). :)
  • Looking at the OnePlus 5 as i type - reviews look good.
However, she has been talking about the Samsung S7 (non edge) all morning - so my research and request for help may become redundant. Although, if there was an S8 'none' Edge - i would prefer this to surprise her.

Thanks again.
 
I recommend the samsung galaxy s8 for camera picture quality.

From what i know apparently it is better then google's pixel and oneplus 5.
 
Cheers, lltfdaniel - researching wife proof cases as it's looking like the S8 with added kevlar shielding or the S7.

I'm also trying to decide if she would take offence with the S8 Active... :)
 
Back to your OP, having had the Huawei P9 and now the P10 Plus, I'd say that as far as cameras go, they are superb. Leica optics, dual cameras, easily as good as my colleague's Pixel and definitely better than my other colleague's S8.
 
Back to your OP, having had the Huawei P9 and now the P10 Plus, I'd say that as far as cameras go, they are superb. Leica optics, dual cameras, easily as good as my colleague's Pixel and definitely better than my other colleague's S8.
Thanks, yes, i keep coming back to this phone (it's open now as i'm pricing up S7 contracts) - but for some reason she's not keen on the look. Which confuses me as i thought it looked very apple like - especially in the rose/gold version we were shown.

The only thing i didn't like was the default screen protector - but this would be another added bonus for my wife's use. He took it off so i could try it without and it felt just as smooth as the S7 screen - Gorilla 5 glass too. And massive ram 6Gb...

The portrait mode especially was very impressive.
 
It is indeed a fantastic device for the money, and most laymen/laywomen do seem to mistake it for an apple device on first glance.

The "carpet" backed Huawei genuine cases are nice too!

Also, for what it's worth, I'm currently writing this reply on my P10 Plus with 36% (estimated 11 hours) battery remaining, after an already accumulated 37hrs worth of power-on since the last recharge.
 
Thanks for the detailed, hands-on, reply paradigm, appreciated.

The salesguy mentioned it had the best battery out of the bunch and i i'm glad i'm not alone in the apple similarity.

I was also impressed with its functionality - the knuckle feature being particularly useful and the middle button simulating the back button etc was also funky. Plus, it had an installed manual with easy to follow instructions which i think should be compulsory for all phones...

I'll search out the cases as that may help my cause. But in truth they all review well - computers are so much eaiser to spec...

At this rate i'll be buying her the S7 and i'll be trading my nondescript handset for the P10, as the more i research the more i'm becoming interested in the harware. I had no idea they had become such capable cameras...

...and phones of course :).
 
S7 (I have the edge) had amazing low light. Only thing that comes close that I've seen is the pixel.
Others perform as good or but better in other conditions, but low light.. Hard to beat

I wouldn't get anything else if I was buying today (assume s8 is better /as good)

Certainly wouldn't get Sony or one plus
 
87gRWe8.jpg

I include this difficulty lit shot with my wide angled lens

Qrnfgvw.jpg

Low light in doors

LJ6OQ5Z.jpg

Good light!
 
Last edited:
Thanks for taking the trouble to upload that 413x.

Considering light levels - even with the colosseum illuminated- that's very impressive for a phone.

Really is food for thought.

She's sat by the side of me saying 'see!' - so getting strong vibes that it's a one horse race... :)
 
Back
Top Bottom