DxOMark tested 12 smartphones to see the best camera

DxOMark considers themselves the benchmarking experts for smartphones, not only for digital cameras. Even OEMs began using them in their marketing thanks to their popularity. However, for many years, DxOMark did not want to deal with one of a smartphone’s most important uses. That situation has finally changed, and now the company benchmarks how is the front camera’s performance at bokehs, selfies, and even video recording.

DxOMark stayed away from font camera benchmarks for such a long period because until recent times such cameras were not worth testing. The technology of front cameras has evolved so there is something to test.

DxOMark made a promise that for their front camera tests they will not apply something else but the same rigorous methods they have already used for rear-facing cameras, however, with a few changes. As the front cameras are mostly used for selfies, their tests focus on scenes with more than one people in them, maybe with varying skin tones and also with different distances.

DxOMark tested 12 smartphones for its first round of reviews, and they were from across a wide range of markets and brands. After the first round, the best phones for taking selfies are the  Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and the Google Pixel 3. Even though the scores are similar, DxOMark says the Pixel 3 is better at contrast, autofocus, and stills. On the other hand, Galaxy Note 9 takes cleaner images, is great at video recording, the faces are softer.

Surprisingly, the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 is better than the iPhone XS Max which puts Apple’s phone in the fourth place because it is not that good at difficult lighting situations. However, if the rumors are true and Apple will equip their 2019 iPhone with better front sensors, that will change.