iPhone 11 Pro, Pixel 4 and Galaxy Note 10 in a blind test: Which photos do you like better? (Voting ended)

So that you can approach the vote with an open mind, I won't tell you which smartphone the photos are from. You can only say whether you like number 1, 2 or 3 the best, although they don't always come from the same smartphone. You can find my rating of the photos - and some more pictures - in the following article:

On the road with three cameras

Unless otherwise stated, all photos were taken in standard camera mode. I relied on the automatic mode and activated HDR. I want to know what the software does when humans interfere as little as possible and do nothing more than select the subject and press the shutter button.

Contrast

The sun is shining at midday. Actually a terrible time for cameras. There are very bright areas and dark shadows, which the camera software automatically compensates for today. However, the HDR effect for a wide dynamic range is always slightly different. Which image achieves this best?

• Image 1: Pixel 4
• Image 2: iPhone 11 Pro
• Picture 3: Galaxy Note 10+

Zoom

While the iPhone 11 Pro and the Galaxy Note 10+ have a triple camera on the back, Google considers two cameras to be sufficient for the Pixel 4 and dispenses with a wide-angle camera. A telephoto lens to get closer to the subject is more important. That is why we have utilised the zoom to the limit. The tenfold magnification is digital on all three smartphones. It's not just the lenses and image sensors that are in demand here, but also the software. Which shot has the best details?

• Image 1: iPhone 11 Pro
• Image 2: Galaxy Note 10+
• Picture 3: Pixel 4

Portrait

Portrait mode came with the dual cameras. Special feature: Using the information from the second camera, the software blurs the background so that the person in the foreground is visibly in focus. An effect that occurs naturally with cameras and corresponding focal lengths and apertures must be calculated by the software on smartphones. Although some manufacturers offer different distortions for the background, I opted for the respective standard option. Even without hair, the question of which smartphone separates the person better from the background remains exciting.

• Image 1: Galaxy Note 10+
• Image 2: Pixel 4
• Picture 3: iPhone 11 Pro

Night

In good lighting conditions, many smartphones now deliver usable images. If it is not bright, however, the wheat is still separated from the chaff. With the automatic mode and without flash, these pictures come out in the city with street lighting at night
.

• Image 1: iPhone 11 Pro
• Image 2: Pixel 4
• Picture 3: Galaxy Note 10+

Night mode

We photographed the same spot again using the smartphones' night mode. This requires a steady hand and a steady subject. The exposure time is several seconds. You don't necessarily need a tripod, as the software compensates for slight movements of the hand.

• Image 1: Galaxy Note 10+
• Image 2: Pixel 4
• Picture 3: iPhone 11 Pro

Selfie

The manufacturers use different focal lengths for the front cameras. However, HDR effects also work here and in the end the question remains as to where you look better. Speaking of looks: I have deactivated all the beauty options on sale.

• Image 1: Galaxy Note 10+
• Image 2: iPhone 11 Pro
• Picture 3: Pixel 4

Selfie at night

Almost mean: The lone front camera has to make do without a flash or night mode in the dark. But let's be honest, how many selfies do you take in good lighting conditions and how many in poor lighting conditions? Sure, you can usually switch on the display as lighting, but here you have to make a decision without any aids.

• Image 1: Pixel 4
• Image 2: Galaxy Note 10+
• Picture 3: iPhone 11 Pro

Conclusion: No clear winner

If you award points for the rankings - 3 for first place, 2 for second place and 1 for third place - the Galaxy Note 10+ is ahead with 15 total points. But the gap is minimal. The Pixel 4 has 14 points and the iPhone 11 Pro 13 points.

In contrast to the overall assessment, there are clear winners in individual points. For example, the iPhone is ahead in the poll in the dark and the Pixel in selfies. <p