It’s time to put the cameras of the flagship phones to the test and find out which one performs the best. In this review, we compare the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Oppo Find X6 Pro, and OnePlus 11. We also mention the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, but note that it falls short in certain areas.
All of the phones in this test utilize a technique called pixel binning, which enhances the true length of each pixel. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Oppo Find X6 Pro feature the 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor, developed in collaboration with renowned camera manufacturers. The OnePlus 11, being more affordable, uses the Sony IMX890 sensor.
In daylight conditions, the main cameras of all the phones performed well, even the OnePlus 11. However, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra stood out with its better sharpness and detail compared to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which displayed some graininess and artificial sharpening. The Oppo Find X6 Pro showed soft focus, while the OnePlus 11 delivered tasteful sharpness without over-sharpening.
When it comes to colors, the Galaxy S23 Ultra produced the most natural-looking photos, while the Xiaomi 13 Ultra and OnePlus 11 tended to depict colors more vividly. The white balance on the Xiaomi flagship was particularly impressive.
In low-light conditions, the Galaxy S23 Ultra performed the best with its excellent illumination, low grain, and high level of detail. The OnePlus 11 surprisingly delivered good results, although it struggled with fuzzy details in street photos. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra had some issues with fuzziness and color accuracy in low-light situations.
In terms of ultra-wide angle and macro photography, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra provided a broader field of view, while the Oppo Find X6 Pro showcased better sharpness, especially in the corners of the images. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra had room for improvement in sharpness and graininess toward the edges.
Zoom capabilities varied among the phones. The OnePlus 11 and Find X6 Pro fell behind in higher zoom levels, while the Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Galaxy S23 Ultra excelled. The Galaxy S23 Ultra and 13 Ultra delivered excellent stabilization and performed well at higher zoom levels even in low-light conditions.
For selfies, the Galaxy S23 Ultra had the best sharpness and detail, while the Xiaomi 13 Ultra tended to airbrush facial features. The OnePlus 11 and Find X6 Pro were in between, with the OnePlus 11 having slightly reddish colors and the Xiaomi 13 Ultra making faces appear pale.
In terms of camera software, the Galaxy S23 Ultra offered the most customization options and settings, including Pro Mode and RAW image capture. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra had its own Pro Mode and the ability to access the sensor’s full resolution. The OnePlus 11 and Find X6 Pro had similar Pro Modes based on a unified code base.
No single phone triumphs in all aspects, but the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Xiaomi 13 Ultra offer the most comprehensive camera packages. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra excels in sharpness and detail, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra struggles with graininess and image information in daylight. The Oppo Find X6 Pro falls short in image sharpness and detail at higher zoom levels. The OnePlus 11, despite being more affordable, provides a satisfying camera experience. The battle for the best camera phone continues, and improvements are expected in future releases.
