9 best smartphones with dual cameras

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

A high-quality smartphone camera has long been a must-have thing. However, the mobile format, with its strict limitations on the size of the optical node and matrix, forces you to play in too narrow limits. In particular, it is problematic to make ultra-compact matrices with a high density of physical pixels highly sensitive – noise increases too much, the image is 'washed out' due to the mutual influence of neighboring matrix elements. A small physical focal length leads to the fact that the depth of field in photographs is too large – and this simply spoils many frames (primarily portrait ones), the bokeh effect that 'full-fledged' cameras create physically cannot be given by a smartphone by itself.

A paradoxical solution was found, but a working one – to place two cameras side by side (however, now this is not the limit). Analyzing the image from two matrices, the processor gets the opportunity to improve the detail, blur the background, and better analyze the distance to the shooting objects (cameras, even if they are located close, still do not give completely identical images – as is the case with human vision). Therefore, now, when choosing a smartphone with claims for good photography capabilities, it is worth stopping exactly at the 'multi-camera' models: choosing the best of them is the task of our experts. The rating was compiled on the basis of analysis of the technical characteristics of smartphones on the RankQuality analytical portal.

Rating of the best smartphones with a dual camera

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Rating of the best smartphones with a dual camera	1	Apple iPhone 11 256GB	RUB 66 840
	2	Samsung Galaxy Note 9 512GB	RUB 53,950
	3	Apple iPhone X 64GB	RUB 49,990
	4	OnePlus 7 6 / 128GB	RUB 43,500
	5	Samsung Galaxy S10e 6 / 128GB	RUB 37,969
	6	Google Pixel 4 6 / 64GB	RUB 49,590
	7	Honor View 20 6 / 128GB	RUB 24 989
	8	OPPO Reno Z 4 / 128GB	RUB 22,990
	9	Meizu 16 6 / 64GB	RUB 12 920

Apple iPhone 11 256GB

Rating: 4.9

The assembly of rear cameras on the 'eleventh' is asymmetric: it uses matrices with the same resolution (12 Mp), but with different optics. One camera is wide-angle, with a typical smartphone viewing angle and aperture of f / 1.8, the second is an 'ultra-wide-angle' with a viewing angle of 120 degrees, but a lower aperture (f / 2.4). The main one is a wide-angle one, it also received an optical stabilizer – the second camera is used to implement photo effects and optical zoom (note that the term 'zoom' is not entirely correct here, since it goes to decrease, not increase due to the fact that that the viewing angle of the second camera is larger). The smartphone supports 'smart' portrait shooting with bokeh effect and improved depth processing, stitching of panoramic frames up to 63 megapixel maximum resolution and, of course, saves frames not only in compressed JPEG format, but also in more modern HEIF. However, the maximum photo quality, of course, is obtained when processing a RAW image before compressing it (especially since Lightroom also works on iPhone), and the standard camera application in iPhone 11 is not saved in RAW supports – so you will have to use third-party applications from the AppStore, but, alas, they allow you to save only information from the main camera matrix in RAW.

iPhone 11 also has good video capabilities. The smartphone supports operation in 4K mode with a frame rate of up to 60 frames per second – in this case, buying a model with 256 GB memory is reasonable, since 4K video will require a large amount of free space on the drive. Slow motion video (with a frame rate of 120 or 240 fps to choose from) is supported only in FullHD.

The front-facing TrueDepth camera, first introduced on iPhone of the previous generation, here received optics with f / 2.2 aperture and a 12-megapixel matrix (versus 7-megapixel in iPhone X). Due to TrueDepth technology (projection of a network of reference points with an infrared projector, read by a separate IR camera), the camera allows you to quickly and accurately authorize the owner by his face, separate the face from the background, and implement bokeh in software. Video recording is also supported in resolutions up to 4K with a frame rate of up to 60 fps.

At the same time, the smartphone can be removed in almost any conditions – its body is made in accordance with the IP68 standard, that is, the rain that has begun or an accidental fall into the water is not terrible for iPhone 11. The main thing is not to forget to charge it, and we can immediately advise you to purchase a more powerful charger for your smartphone: iPhone 11 supports fast charging, but requires an 18-watt charger for this, while a less powerful charger is included which fast charging won't work with.

Advantages

• Impressive photo and video capabilities, including from the front camera
• Large amount of memory for photo and video archive
• Good photo quality, even in low light conditions

disadvantages

• Lack of native support for shooting in RAW
• Complete charger without fast charging support

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 512GB

Rating: 4.8

Samsung offers an unprecedented amount of built-in storage for a mobile device – 512 gigabytes. With such a volume, synchronization with the 'cloud' can only be viewed as a backup, you will have to try to fill it even when shooting video at 4K / 60 fps. And it is especially convenient given the use of a hybrid slot – if you install two SIM cards in your smartphone, you will no longer be able to install a flash card. For those who like to shoot everything around them from morning to evening, Galaxy Note 9 becomes an interesting option – especially since the smartphone's photo and video capabilities are good.

The rear camera has two 12-megapixel matrices and two lenses, of which the 'main' one also has a 'double aperture' in Samsung terminology. In fact, the camera has the ability to change the aperture with a choice of one of two physical values ​​- f / 1.5 (note the good optical aperture – iPhone 11, for example, gives only f / 1.8) or f / 2.4. Optical stabilization is supported. The second module – with a fixed f / 2.4 aperture, is used to realize 2x optical zoom and photo effects. To the delight of the regulars Instagram, the standard camera application was able to shoot square photos with a resolution of 9.1 megapixels or 4.7 megapixels. In addition, unlike iPhone, the smartphone has the ability to shoot in RAW without installing additional applications – and thanks to the support of the S Pen stylus, it is more convenient to retouch photos without transferring them to a PC. In addition, the smartphone itself, when connected to a proprietary docking station, can be used with a full-fledged monitor and keyboard – and the power of its eight-core processor allows you to confidently 'pull' and software for working with photos. As a result, we can admit that it is in terms of photography that Samsung can compete on equal terms with iPhone and even surpass it in a number of details.

Front camera – with lower resolution than iPhone 11 (8 MP vs 12 MP), but with better aperture (f / 1.7 vs f / 2.2). However, in a direct comparison of on-camera JPEGs in two smartphones, Samsung visually loses: frames from an iPhone without additional processing come out sharper and richer. We can say that as a selfie camera iPhone 11 looks more interesting.

Advantages

• Excellent rear camera with high aperture
• Optical stabilization for still images (except 4K)
• Fast front camera
• Native RAW shooting support

disadvantages

• The image from the front camera should be post-processed – it often looks insufficiently contrasting and saturated

Apple iPhone X 64GB

Rating: 4.7

The fundamental difference between the set of rear cameras iPhone X in comparison with the more modern iPhone 11 is the optics: if the main camera is wide-angle in both cases, then the additional one iPhone X – with a telephoto lens, not an 'ultra wide angle'. The aperture of the main lens is f / 1.8, the additional one is f / 2.4. The matrix resolution of both smartphones is the same – 12 megapixels on the main and additional cameras, optical stabilization is provided on both – iPhone 11 has a stabilizer only on the main camera.

Due to the use of teleoptics on the additional camera iPhone X is more attractive for macro photography and working with optical zoom in comparison with iPhone 11 – it wins when shooting general shots. In addition, the zoom is 'correct' here, at magnification. On-camera JPEG is traditionally sharp for iPhone, with good color saturation. Video recording is supported in resolutions up to 4K with frame rates up to 60 fps.

The front camera with a 7 megapixel matrix and support for the TrueDepth technology described above is not bad, but nothing more – from the same Samsung, it wins only with better contrast, the software bokeh effect is poorly implemented. In this regard, camera iPhone 11 is made better. In addition, iPhone X cannot shoot high-definition video on it and use a high frame rate: for a smartphone, the ceiling is 1080p at 30 fps.

The smartphone itself is more compact than modern flagships due to the 5.8-inch frameless display, and the display itself is better than that of iPhone 11: with a smaller physical size, it has a higher resolution (2436 × 1125 pixels versus 1792 × 828) and contrast. The level of moisture protection of iPhone X is weaker (IP67), but even this is sufficient for quiet use of the smartphone on the street.

Advantages

• Optical stabilization of both rear cameras
• Macro quality
• 4K video support
• Great screen

disadvantages

• Weak front camera by modern standards
• The included adapter does not allow using fast charging
• Fast charging is not supported from wireless chargers

OnePlus 7 6 / 128GB

Rating: 4.6

The OnePlus 7, introduced at the same time as the OnePlus 7 Pro, is a slightly simplified version of the company's flagship phone. The list of technical characteristics was clearly formed by marketers taking into account those who like to 'buy megapixels' – the resolution of the matrix of the main camera is declared as much as 48 megapixels, although we should note that in reality, especially on ultra-compact matrices of smartphones, an increase in pixel density is rather harmful due to the growth of noise and a decrease in the range of operating light sensitivity – and this despite the fact that in reality such resolutions are needed only for photographic printing on formats larger than A2. However, in the standard shooting mode, the camera groups information from 4 neighboring pixels, obtaining the usual 12 megapixel resolutions at the output – and inferior in quality to the same 12 megapixel frames from Samsung or iPhone.

The main camera has optical stabilization. The additional one is simpler in all positions – a matrix with a resolution of 5 megapixels, the optics are darker (f / 2.4, while the main one has f / 1.7), there is no stabilizer. This camera is used only for additional analysis of the scene and the corresponding software image processing from the main one, its functionality is much less than that of flagship smartphones even three years ago, the contribution to the two-fold optical zoom cannot be called significant if we compare the image detail in comparison with the one released two years earlier iPhone X.

The front camera is weak: it has no autofocus, image stabilization is only electronic. Optics aperture – f / 2.0, matrix resolution – 16 megapixels.

The strange features of OnePlus smartphones, unfortunately, have migrated to the OnePlus 7. There is no support for wireless charging, no dust and moisture protection, or an SD card slot. In addition, you cannot charge your smartphone and use wired headphones at the same time, since there is no 3.5 mm jack and the headset is connected to the USB connector.

Advantages

• High processor performance
• Optical stabilization on the rear camera
• Support for shooting 4K video

disadvantages

• Virtually uselessly bloated rear camera sensor resolution
• Ineffective secondary camera
• Weak front camera by modern standards
• Lack of wireless charging
• No moisture protection
• No memory card slot

Samsung Galaxy S10e 6 / 128GB

Rating: 4.5

The S10e is positioned by Samsung as a 'simplified flagship', in fact conceived as a competitor to the iPhone Xr. Moreover, unlike the smartphone from Apple, which did not show good sales due to competition in its own lineup, Samsung is selling well: in Russia, according to Yandex, it became the most popular smartphone of the Korean company last year, and in USA entered the top three (data from Counterpoint).

The rear camera assembly is a 12MP 'dual aperture' sensor (similar to the Samsung Galaxy Note 9) and an ultra wide-angle camera (viewing angle – 123 degrees) with f / 2.2 aperture optics and 16MP matrix resolution. This combination, as is clear from the angle of view of the additional camera, is focused more on shooting general shots than close-ups or macro photography (they are stronger than the S10 and S10 +, which have a third camera with teleoptics). Autofocus is available only on the main camera, thanks to the DualPixel technology, it is fast and accurate (a similar principle is used, in particular, by Canon DSLR cameras in LiveView mode and high-end mirrorless cameras). Shooting quality is high: with good sharpness, detail and color saturation, with moderate noise. In this regard, the smartphone can compete with full-fledged flagships. The background blur mode for portraits is implemented efficiently, point light sources give a typical bokeh pattern (formed by the camera optics).

The front camera – with a 10 megapixel matrix, autofocus and a good aperture f / 1.9 / The image from it traditionally loses to the 'iPhones', but in general it is at a decent level by the standards of 2020, only optical stabilization is lacking.

Advantages

• Photo quality, especially for general shots
• Smartly implemented background blur
• Availability of dust and moisture protection of the case according to the IP68 standard

disadvantages

• No optical stabilization of the front camera

Google Pixel 4 6 / 64GB

Rating: 4.4

The Pixel 4 is Google's first smartphone to feature dual rear cameras. The main one is assembled on an almost standard by today's standards 12-megapixel matrix (similar resolution is used by most competitors) with a wide-angle lens (effective focal length – 28 mm) aperture f / 1.7. Additional – with almost 'normal' by the standards of cameras optics with an EGF 45 mm (since the days of film cameras, lenses with a focal length of 50 mm are considered 'normal') and aperture f / 2.4 and a matrix of 16 megapixels. This combination allows you to use optical zoom to increase, although the image quality is slightly lower than that of the same Samsung – but the Pixel 4's strong point is portrait photography, which gives a good elaboration of the face with a soft background blur. The smartphone also has a good night shooting mode: the smartphone even has an astrophotography mode, which is rather an exception for mobile equipment. At the same time, good detail and a moderate level of noise are provided – at the level of good cameras, we definitely attribute the Pixel 4's night mode to the strengths of the smartphone. The only noticeable drawback of the night mode that we can point out is that the auto white balance does not always work out correctly.

Phase detection autofocus is implemented on both cameras, so the smartphone is convenient for shooting 'on the fly', when you need to quickly capture the right moment. In the standard camera application, for some reason, the HDR shooting mode is always enabled, which is not always appropriate – however, there is also the possibility of shooting in RAW, when all the adjustments remain available to the user in an external photo editor without losing the original information.

The front camera looks pale against the backdrop – it does not have autofocus, wide-angle optics give noticeable distortions at the edges of the frame. Blurring the background works moderately, while the central part of the frame is automatically cropped. This is partially remedied by the presence of a good night mode (in the absence of a flash in front).

Advantages

• Optical stabilization and phase detection autofocus on both rear cameras
• Good image quality when shooting at night

disadvantages

• Front camera not the best by modern standards
• Short life on one battery charge
• Fingerprint scanner missing
• No support for a second SIM card

Honor View 20 6 / 128GB

Rating: 4.3

Honor The View 20 duplicates the OnePlus 7 marketing strategy – this smartphone also has a 48MP Sony IMX586 main camera. At the same time, alas, the smartphone lacks optical image stabilization, which is poorly suited when shooting handheld, especially in moderate lighting, when you have to work with increased shutter speeds. The second camera is essentially not such – it uses a 3D TOF sensor, not an ordinary matrix, and it only serves to calculate the relief of the objects being shot (the same technology is used by front cameras Apple starting from iPhone X).

Therefore, in terms of capabilities and image quality Honor it loses to smartphones, where an additional one works in tandem with the main camera. The situation can be partially corrected by the 'smart' photography mode, but it is relevant only with a stable position of the camera and shooting stationary objects, since in fact, when it is activated, the camera takes several pictures in succession, then collecting from them (and with a noticeable delay in processing) 'averaged best'.

The main camera shoots video at a resolution of up to 4K, though only at 30 fps. Due to the lack of an optical stabilizer, only digital stabilization is implemented, with a crop of the central part of the frame.

But the front camera is not bad – with a 25-megapixel matrix, f / 2.0 aperture optics and good image sharpness. For selfie lovers, comparing test examples of photos from it, we can say that Honor can even compete with Samsung, although it does not reach the saturation and contrast results shown by iPhone .

Advantages

• Good quality front camera
• Decent quality (although losing to the same OnePlus 7 with a similar matrix) shooting with the rear camera

disadvantages

• The rear camera is actually a 'single camera'
• Ineffective in practice mode of 'smart' shooting in high resolution
• Lack of optical stabilization and optical zoom

OPPO Reno Z 4 / 128GB

Rating: 4.2

This smartphone looks even more like the OnePlus 7 than the Honor View 20 – paired with the main 48MP Sony IMX 586 sensor is also a 5MP sensor used for software-based depth-of-field processing. With its help, a 'night mode' is implemented, which gives a good study of the clarity of the edges of the shooting objects, but at the cost of a large (several seconds) delay for software processing, since the main camera takes several consecutive frames, 'averaged' taking into account the calculated relief. The optics of the main camera are quite fast (f / 1.7), the company does not disclose the characteristics of the second lens – but since the second camera is not used for wide-angle shooting or macro photography, there is no big influence of optics on the quality of the final image. For the same reason, there is no optical zoom either. There is no optical stabilization either. Also, shooting in RAW is not provided on a regular basis, for this you will have to use third-party camera applications.

To attract selfie lovers, the front camera received a 25-megapixel matrix with f / 2.0 aperture optics – both in terms of characteristics and image quality in this regard, Oppo Reno I can be called an analogue of Honor View 20.

Advantages

• Decent photo quality from the front camera
• Good detailing of photography with the main camera

disadvantages

• Limited functionality of the secondary camera
• No regular shooting in RAW
• 'Brake' intelligent and night shooting modes

Meizu 16 6 / 64GB

Rating: 4.1

Meizu uses a rather interesting 'duo' of rear cameras for the 'sub flag'. The upper one is assembled on a 12-megapixel Sony IMX 380 sensor, equipped by mobile standards with a 'long' lens with an effective focal length of 38 mm and aperture of f / 2.6 – this is somewhat 'darker' than other smartphones in the rating. The lower camera (main) is based on a Sony IMX350 matrix (resolution – 20 megapixels) with phase detection autofocus and wide-angle (EGF 25 mm) optics with aperture f / 1.8 and optical image stabilization. The manufacturer used the same set earlier in the smartphone Meizu 15 Plus, but the software part of the camera has become better – the resulting JPEG is sharper, richer, with better noise suppression. 3x hybrid zoom is offered. Bokeh imitation works well, although the texture of the elaboration, which is given by the lenses of full-fledged cameras, is not here, point flares also do not give the characteristic play of light circles: here Meizu it was not possible to approach even the level of old Canon DSLR cameras installed through adapter with a Soviet manual lens (we took this example as the most affordable option to get frames with the 'correct' bokeh, physically realizable – and cheaper than the entire cost Meizu 16).

Front camera – 20 megapixels, with medium aperture optics (f / 2.0). There is no optical stabilization in it. Blurring the background is quite accurate in highlighting the foreground subject, but even more boring than on the rear camera.

Advantages

• Decent shooting quality, albeit with flaws (perhaps software, since software often becomes a 'bottleneck' of smartphones Meizu, including in terms of photography)
• Good CPU performance for this price segment

disadvantages

• The feeling of dampness of the firmware according to many reviews
• Average battery life
• Lack of NFC

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.