Dual camera showdown: Huawei P9 goes head-to-head with iPhone 7 Plus

The dual camera is the new battlefield for all smartphones today. A trend which started five years ago, this movement in mobile technology is quickly gaining pace as some of the biggest names in the smartphone arena are adapting this innovation.

Huawei P9 vs iPhone 7 Plus

Chinese smartphone brand Huawei launched the P9 and P9 Plus, the frontliners of its mobile phone high-end line. Both units boast of a high-powered dual lens camera co-engineered with renowned German camera manufacturer, Leica. These dual cameras are equipped with 12MP sensors, RBG and monochromewith f/2.2 aperture that are built to work in tandem to enhance details for professional quality photos.

Months later, Apple launched its highly anticipated iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in September. Unlike its Huawei competitor, Apple only made the dual lens feature available in its iPhone 7 Plus model. Apple iPhone 7 Plus is also equipped with 12MP lenses, with one lens as wide angle and the other as a telephoto lens (2x zoom). The two lenses have f/1.8 and f/2.8 aperture, respectively.

The two smartphones seem to be in equal footing when it comes to clarity of details and overall quality of output. Nonetheless, each has its own highlights and strengths that cater to the photo savvy mobile phone user. For instance, Huawei P9 is known to be the go-to smartphone camera for taking dramatic, night cityscape shots with its low-light and bokeh photo effects, as well as its dedicated monochrome lens for crisp black and white shots. Meanwhile, the iPhone 7 Plus comes in handy in perfecting those medium shots with its 2x optical zoom enabled by the additional telephoto lens.

With their own highlight features and distinct functions, there is no clear winner in the duel between iPhone 7 Plus and Huawei P9. As seen above, iPhone 7 Plus performs  better in tighter and more focused shots due to its  post-simulation feature, which processes images in place more than the ordinary lens. On the other hand, Huawei P9 proves to be ideal for taking photos with more vivid color representation because of its P9 can stimulating capacity of flare effects and focus.

As these big players in the smartphone industry continue to set the pace in the dual camera arena, other mobile brands are foreseen to follow suit. Apple and Huawei have currently set the standards for dual camera technology, but as the competition heats up in this field, other players are anticipated to join in the trend with their own offerings in the next few years. 

References: Xiaomi Today, Gizmo China, Forbes