Why I think you should get the Google Pixel 3 phone for the camera, instead of the Apple iPhone Xs for photography:
1. Low light: Pixel 3 is king.
Google Pixel 3 blows the iPhone Xs out of the water in low light.
For example here is iPhone:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/9E72D16C-16F6-4AA4-ACF9-FAA7389382B9-2000x1500.jpeg?resize=800%2C600)
Vs Pixel 3:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_20181201_174102-2000x1500.jpg?resize=800%2C600)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_20181201_174105-2000x1500.jpg?resize=800%2C600)
Another example:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/AA69524E-2637-4993-8EDE-88C75AA66871-2000x1500.jpeg?resize=800%2C600)
Vs Pixel 3:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MVIMG_20181201_210545-2000x1500.jpg?resize=800%2C600)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_20181201_210539-2000x1500.jpg?resize=800%2C600)
Books low night
Let us say you’re shooting random objects, in low light.
iPhone:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/51EB82EF-41E6-46F5-B87D-A90E56ADBB01-1000x750.jpeg?resize=1000%2C750)
Vs Pixel 3:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_20181201_203612-1000x750.jpg?resize=1000%2C750)
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_20181201_203617-1000x750.jpg?resize=1000%2C750)
Night street photography scene
iPhone Xs:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/27DA79C1-06D3-41B1-8808-EDE34DD3C5B3-1000x750.jpeg?resize=1000%2C750)
This one really blows me out of the water, on Pixel 3:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_20181201_190824-1000x750.jpg?resize=1000%2C750)
Now look at the amazing Night Sight mode:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_20181201_190828-1000x750.jpg?resize=1000%2C750)
Color and saturation at night
Here you can see the colors and saturation and vibrancy of the Pixel 3 is far better than iPhone Xs.
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/DE24C748-6788-42C9-A207-734BB3296988-1000x750.jpeg?resize=1000%2C750)
2. Shooting in the shade
Better saturation and contrast on Pixel 3, even after applying filters and post processing.
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/398C823D-D64C-4FE3-8964-95AC29784F39-1000x1333.jpeg?resize=1000%2C1333)
Closeup:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/61AC5276-F786-423D-8C1F-5B52FB22B2EA-1000x2165.png?resize=1000%2C2165)
With different Apple Photos filters:
With VSCO:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-12-02-07.30.29-1-1000x1333.jpg?resize=1000%2C1333)
With Pixel 3– already looks great out of camera for color:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_20181201_143345-1000x1333.jpg?resize=1000%2C1333)
Closeup: much better details
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Screenshot_20181203-115432-1000x2000.png?resize=1000%2C2000)
With the “auto” Google Photos filter, which works very well:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-12-03-11.57.17-1-1000x1333.jpg?resize=1000%2C1333)
Now with VSCO A6 preset applied; looks even better:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-12-03-11.57.17-2-1000x1333.jpg?resize=1000%2C1333)
Should I get the iPhone Xs or Pixel 3?
Practical ideas:
- Pixel 3 (by far) is the better camera, when compared to Apple iPhone Xs
- iPhone Xs is the better phone (when comparing the user interface, UX, and software of iOS vs Android). iOS is far superior to Android in operating system.
- Option: You can own both phones. Use the iPhone Xs as your primary computing device, and use Pixel 3 to shoot photos.
Google Photos and computational photography
- Pixel 3 big benefit is integration with the native Google Photos app. Unlimited storage of photos, the filters work super super well, and even using VSCO to process photos, Pixel 3 photos look superior to iPhone Xs photos.
- Pixel 3 Night Sight is a game changer. Makes photos that look at least 10x better than iPhone Xs photos in low light.
Don’t listen to ERIC KIM
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-12-03-12.12.01-1-1000x1333.jpg?resize=1000%2C1333)
Ultimately test it for yourself. These are just my thoughts; you must have your own.
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IMG_20181203_113511-1000x750.jpg?resize=1000%2C750)
I’ve been shooting with Pixel 3 for a week, and it is cool; the more I shoot with it, the more I like the camera and photos I can produce with it!
More takeaways:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2018-12-02-07.45.27-3-1000x750.jpg?resize=1000%2C750)
- Shoot more with your phone. Shoot more abstract photos, and shoot more monochrome.
- Experiment more with processing pictures on Google Photos or VSCO.
- Have fun!
ERIC