Apple’s iPhone Xr is the top-ranked single-lens phone

Apple’s iPhone Xr is he top-ranked single-camera smartphone according to new tests by DxOMark, an independent benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of smartphones, lenses and cameras.

For photography, the iPhone X4 offers a single-cam solution, as opposed to the dual-cam setup of the Xs and Xs Max models. Its specs include a12Mp 1/2.55-inch sensor with 1.4µm pixel pitch, a 26mm f/1.8 aperture lens with optical image stabilization, phase-detection autofocus, and a dual-tone LED flash.

However, all three models sport most of the same software features. For example, when shooting stills, the Xr camera continuously captures a multi-frame buffer at different exposures, allowing for simultaneous zero shutter lag and HDR processing. Thanks to this technology, the latest iPhones can display HDR images in real time, making for a true “what you see is what you get” preview image, according to DxOMark.

Here’s part of the benchmarking service’s review of the smartphone: “Achieving an overall DxOMark Mobile score of 101 points, the iPhone X4 becomes the top ranked single-cam device we’ve tested to date. It just surpasses the Google Pixel 2 for still photos, with marginally better noise-versus-texture results, and significantly fewer artifacts. Both devices achieve the same overall score for video.

“The iPhone X4’s Photo score of 103 points is excellent, and for the key photo attributes of exposure, color, detail, noise, and artifacts, the cheaper Apple device offers a very similar proposition for image quality as the flagship iPhone Xx Max. Equipped with just a single lens, however, both zoom and bokeh shots aren’t as strong on the Xr compared to the Xs Max, but Apple has managed to improve the flash on the Xr a little, which we identified as a weak point for the XS Max during our testing.”