Specs
- Oneplus 6T
- Dual cameras
- 16MP Main shooter
- f1.7 with 1.22 micron pixel size and OIS
- 20MP Secondary Shooter
- f1.7 with 1 micron pixel size
- Galaxy Note 9
- Dual Cameras
- 12MP Main Camera
- f1.5 with 1.4 micron pixels with OIS and PDAF
- 12MP Telephoto Lens
- f2.4 with 1 micron pixels
The Pictures
These are pictures taken by the Note 9 and Oneplus 6T at night. Some of the pictures utilize Oneplus’s nightmode and others do not. Samsung’s photos automatically turned on night mode when it felt it was needed. All pictures were taken for the camera comparison with up to date software as of November 2018.
Nighttime Pictures:
- Galaxy Note 9 Low Light
- Oneplus 6T
- Oneplus 6T with Nightmode
- Note 9 Low Light
- Oneplus 6T
- Oneplus 6T with night mode
- Galaxy Note 9 Low Light
- Oneplus 6T with nightmode
- Oneplus 6T
I want to point out a few things that you’re probably already noticing. The Oneplus 6T has a tendency to over expose the image to make up for the low light scenarios. When I was shooting with the 6T it also took longer for the camera to take focus. I didn’t expect the camera to be bad but I did not expect the Note 9 to take this much of a lead.
Daytime Pictures:
- Note 9 without 2x zoom
- Galaxy Note 9 2x zoom
- Oneplus 6T
- Oneplus 6T 2x Zoom
- Oneplus 6T
- Galaxy Note 9
- Galaxy Note 9
- Note 9 Macro
- Oneplus 6T
Here I tried to take a variety of shots outdoors. I noticed the Oneplus 6T took a fair bit longer to get the correct exposure than the Note 9 did. I would click on a subject and the Note 9 seemed to instantly lock on. The Oneplus 6T tended to fade and refocus and fade again.
The 2x zoom is incredible on the Note 9. Unfortunately Oneplus uses software to capture this and Samsung uses a dedicated camera to zoom in and focus on a target bringing more clarity and less noise to the picture. Oneplus’s implementation isn’t bad, but it will never be as good as having dedicated hardware. As for macro shots, I assumed Oneplus would run away with this but Samsung did a far better shot. You’ll notice I couldn’t even get focus on the branch I wanted on the 6T but the Note 9 did it effortlessly. I swear I must have sat there with the 6T for 2 minutes and it still wouldn’t focus at such a close range.
Oneplus doesn’t do great at specialized features, however if you’re just taking quick still photos you’re not going to notice much of a difference between the 6T and Note 9. Most people will not do serious photography with their phones and I put these phones into very specific scenarios. It’s up to you to decide what kinds of pictures you take and if you’ll be using your phone for all these pictures.
Conclusion:
The Oneplus 6T’s camera isn’t bad by any means, but the Galaxy Note 9 runs away with this camera comparison. I will say, I’m completely happy with the pictures the 6T takes. You’re not going to win any awards for the pictures, but you certainly won’t look back on the pictures in 3 years and regret taking them. I would most closely compare the Oneplus 6T’s camera to that of Galaxy S8’s camera. You may be one generation behind, but that’s not necessarily horrible. Given the 6T is about half the price and is only marginally behind the Note 9, I would have to put my money on the 6T’s camera. When the Galaxy Note 9 drops in price in a month or so, I would say if the camera is your main concern and you’re stuck between these two phones, then go Samsung.
Onetechstop would like to thank AT&T for loaning us the Samsung Galaxy Note 9. This device is on loan and we were not paid to make any judgements about the device. All thoughts and opinions are our own.
The Oneplus 6T was purchased using my own funds. This was not a sponsored or loaned product.
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