We compare the OnePlus 5’s dual-lens camera with some of the best smartphone cameras around: the Samsung Galaxy S8, HTC U11, iPhone 7 Plus and Huawei’s P10 Plus. Which camera is the best all-round mobile snapper in our comparison tests?
One of the biggest updates with the OnePlus 5 is that fresh new dual-lens camera tech slapped on the back. This mobile shooter features a 16-megapixel wide-angle f/1.7 aperture lens, backed up by a 20-megapixel telephoto lens with an f/2.6 aperture – quite the departure from the OnePlus 3T’s solitary 16-megapixel snapper.
Of course, the OnePlus 5 is far from the first smartphone to boast a dual-lens camera. We’ve seen a similar setup from the iPhone 7 Plus and Huawei’s P10 Plus, to name just a couple.
This camera comparison pits the OnePlus 5 against both of those handsets, as well as the Samsung Galaxy S8 and HTC U11. Samsung and HTC’s 2017 flagship phones boast some of the best camera tech found on any phone out there, so we thought them suitably tough competition for OnePlus’ latest device.
So how did the OnePlus 5 fare? Here’s our in-depth OnePlus 5 vs Galaxy S8 vs iPhone 7 Plus vs HTC U11 vs Huawei P10 Plus camera comparison.
Take a look at our OnePlus 5 hub for all you need to know about the latest OnePlus flagship phone, including our in-depth review.
OnePlus 5 vs Galaxy S8 vs iPhone 7 Plus vs HTC U11 vs Huawei P10 Plus camera test: Camera features
The five cameras in this round-up offer completely different specs, hardware and features, so we’re talking about quite a diverse range of mobile optics. The table below shows how they stack up purely in terms of specs and features.
To see how each of these cameras fared in our testing process, as well as check out lots of photo and video samples, head to our in-depth camera reviews below.
Samsung Galaxy S8 camera review
OnePlus 5 vs Galaxy S8 vs iPhone 7 Plus vs HTC U11 vs Huawei P10 Plus camera comparison: Photo quality
All of our test shots were taken with the standard auto modes of each camera, unless otherwise specified. To get a full-sized view of any of these test photos, simply click.
Colour reproduction in strong light was effective in all five cases here. You can expect quite realistic capture, while vibrant colours really stand out in all of our test shots.
OnePlus 5
Galaxy S8
iPhone 7 Plus
HTC U11
P10 Plus
Similarly, detail levels are as good as we’d expect for flagship device cameras. You can view these test photos back on a full-sized TV and enjoy crisp visuals, when the maximum resolution is employed.
With extreme macro shots, the P10 Plus struggled to focus on occasion. Those issues aside, all of the phones here produced crisp and attractive results, packed with detail.
So, what about more tricky lighting conditions?
With high-contrast shots, the Galaxy S8 was the clear winner here. Our subjects always came out bright and sharp, with plenty of finer detail on offer. That said, you do get slight oversaturation of the backdrop on occasion as a side-effect.
The Huawei P10 Plus again struggled to focus on subjects shot against bright skies and lights, so our subjects occasionally appeared blurred. Meanwhile the other phones here offer similar levels of detailing, without any serious overexposure. The U11 is our choice for second place, coping well with a wide range of high-contrast situations. Balance levels are particularly impressive.
OnePlus 5
Galaxy S8
iPhone 7 Plus
HTC U11
P10 Plus
In low light, the U11, OnePlus 5 and Huawei P10 Plus offer the cleanest colour reproduction. The U11 is especially impressive in very low light, when it comes to colours as well as detail. The Galaxy S8 comes very close for clarity, while the OnePlus 5 impresses also.
OnePlus 5
Galaxy S8
iPhone 7 Plus
HTC U11
P10 Plus
Four of the five phones here offer a kind of ‘portrait’ mode, which keeps your subject sharp while blurring the background (a bokeh-style effect). The HTC U11 is the odd one out here, lacking that bokeh styling.
The iPhone 7 Plus produced a strange smeary effect when shooting a portrait, with blurred edging. Meanwhile the P10 Plus produced a very different look to the others, with a very bright background and the option to add more psychedelic, vibrant colours.
OnePlus 5
Galaxy S8
iPhone 7 Plus
HTC U11
P10 Plus
Our favourite results came from the OnePlus 5 and Galaxy S8. With the Samsung phone, you get an artificial depth of field effect created by the handset taking several photos and merging the results. This takes time, but is definitely effective. However, the OnePlus 5 produces very similar results, with none of the wait.
OnePlus 5 vs Galaxy S8 vs iPhone 7 Plus vs HTC U11 vs Huawei P10 Plus camera comparison: Video quality
All five cameras here can shoot up to 4K resolution video, as well as timelapse and slow motion footage. You can also shoot HD video at 60 frames-per-second on all of these phones except for the U11. However, the HTC U11 is the only phone here to offer 3D audio recording when shooting video, using multiple mics.
Video quality across the board is strong, especially at 4K resolution. You can expect plenty of detail packed into your footage, with a fast response to any changes in lighting conditions and focal point.
At Full HD level, the Samsung Galaxy S8 offers the best image stabilisation. Footage is impressively smooth, with nary a shudder or shake in sight. The iPhone 7 Plus and P10 Plus also impress, while there’s a slight vibration with the HTC U11.
The OnePlus 5 offers intense EIS to cut down the judder, which makes the end footage look rather mechanical, as if a robot were shooting it with very precise, calculated motions. However, the shake is almost entirely eliminated in the process.
Bump up to 4K resolution and the Galaxy S8 is again the winner as far as stabilisation goes, coping very well with movement despite the jump in quality. Apple’s iPhone 7 Plus is close behind, while the other show clear judder.
Also note that the Huawei P10 Plus’ encoding and compression means that you can’t easily share 4K resolution video. First, you’ll need to convert it to a different format using a computer.
For full video samples from each of these phones, check out the Recombu YouTube channel.
Read next: OnePlus 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S8 vs HTC U11 vs Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs LG G6: Which is best for me?
You can grab the OnePlus 5 exclusively from O2 here in the UK, from £34 per month (or £36 for the Midnight Black version). Pre-order now and you will receive the phone from June 22.
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