HTC U Ultra vs Google Pixel and HTC 10: cameras compared

Several days ago, we published a camera comparison between HTC's latest high-end Android phone, the HTC U Ultra, and three other phones known for their great cameras, namely the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, the LG G6, and the iPhone 7 Plus. The results – Samsung's flagship from last year took the top spot, followed closely by the LG G6. Тhe Ultra finished in third place and the iPhone 7 Plus was just a step behind it. So yeah, perhaps the U Ultra isn't the ultimate cameraphone, but we're not done comparing its camera capabilities just yet. For today's camera comparison, we have it racing against the Google Pixel and HTC's 2016 flagship, the HTC 10. Let's start by taking a quick look at their camera specs.

It should not be too hard to notice the pattern here. All three cameras use very similar sensors – with 12MP of resolution and relatively big size. No less importantly, all three sensors have pixels that are physically larger than what's typical for a smartphone, so we should be expecting nothing short of excellent low-light images. But the Pixel appears to be in an unfair position. Because of its narrower aperture and its lack of optical image stabilization, its low-light performance might suffer. We'll see if that's the case soon enough.

This is the same scene that I started last camera comparison with. As I said then, a realistic image isn't always the one that looks best to the eye, and even though the U Ultra provides a more neutral representation of the scene, the images out of the Pixel and the HTC 10 are simply more eye-catching – with more contrast and greater color saturation. I must also point out that the photo out of the Google Pixel is impressively detailed. Zooming in on it reveals tons of fine detail, especially if you take a look at the cracks around the car's headlight. All in all, while all three images look good, it is the Pixel's photo that looks best.

And then this happens. Here's a scene where the Pixel resolved the least amount of detail, most noticeable in the fine pattern on the wallpaper. Some might be quick to blame the lack of optical image stabilization, but I actually shot the same frame two more times, and the results were not any better. Thankfully, that's a difference most people won't even notice.

This is a scene where the HTC U Ultra wins my vote. The thing I like the most about its image are the colors – natural, with the warm tone of the morning sun preserved quite well. The other two photos also look fine, of course, but the U Ultra is a step ahead in my book.

This scene was awe-inspiring! Puffy clouds filled the sky, floating west-bound, driven by forceful winds, and I just had to take a picture. Without a doubt, the one I shot with the Google Pixel stands out. Colors are richer and more accurate, while the automatic HDR feature has helped to bring out details in the shadows. Alas, the HTC U Ultra and the HTC 10 disappoint. Colors in their photos are dull, cold and lifeless. 

But that HDR magic the Pixel's camera is powered by is by no means a silver bullet. Here's an instance where I'm not quite happy with the results, seeing how the Pixel wiped off all the highlights from my face. Although I have to admit that the image overall is a good-looking one. Overall, I'd say that the HTC 10 did the best job, delivering a vivid, detailed image. Meanwhile, the HTC U Ultra's photo lacks clarity and liveliness.

This is another scene that I used in my last comparison. As I clarified then, the U Ultra had some troubles with setting the exposure, so I had to manually increase it from within the camera app. The first few images that I took looked darker than this one, thus not particularly appealing. But the one I managed to achieve with the manual tweak turned out quite nice. In fact, all three images look more or less equally pleasing.