Apple iPhone 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S8 - Who Is Ahead?

Apple iPhone 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S8 - Major Specs Comparison

iPhone 8 - Rumored Specs

• Three new models including two minor "S" upgrades plus an all-new iPhone 8
• Display : 4.7, 5.5 and 5.8in  2436x1125 Curved OLED 
• Storage : 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB
• CPU and RAM : A11 processor, 3-4GB RAM
• Front Camera : 8MP
• Rear Camera : 12MP dual-lens, dual-OIS, 4K video recording
• Extras : Iris scanner, Wireless charging, Fingerprint reader, Bluetooth 5.0
• Curved, edge-to-edge OLED display with True Tone technology and/or Ion-X glass
• Virtual home button with integrated Touch ID
• Touch ID alternative via iris scanning and/or facial recognition 
• "Wireless" charging (inductive/magnetic charging, as with the Apple Watch)
• Dual-lens camera, possibly in a vertical configuration
• AR capabilities featuring rear-facing 3D laser for enhanced depth perception 
• Support for the Apple Pencil
• Stainless steel and glass body
• Four or more colors including a reflective, mirror-like option
• Upgraded storage and memory, possibly starting at 64GB and 3GB of RAM
• Intel or Qualcomm modem
• iOS 11 (preview)
• Superfast charging via USB-C connection
• Enhanced water resistance or waterproofing
• Higher quality earpiece for louder, clearer audio
• Apple's next-generation processor (the A10X or A11)
• List price around $1,000 to $1,200

Samsung Galaxy S8 - Announced

• Display : 5.8 and 6.2in  2960x1440 Super AMOLED Display
• Storage : 64GB internal, 256GB expandable
• CPU and RAM : Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 / Exynos 8895 Processor, 4GB RAM
• Front Camera : 8MP with autofocus
• Rear Camera : 12MP, 4K video recording, optical image stabilization.
• Extras : Iris scanner, Wireless charging, Fingerprint reader, Bluetooth 5.0

CPU and Memory

Apple's iPhone 8 is rumored to be powered by the new A11 processor and M11 motion-coprocessor. How does that compare to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 or Samsung Exynos 8895 processor in the Galaxy S8?

TSMC is reportedly making Apple’s 10-nanometer chipset. Production is rumored to start this spring. The new chipset Apple and may boast a 20% speed gain and 40% power reduction compared to the older 16-nanometer technology.

Both phones are expected to be evenly matched when it comes to RAM - 4GB each. The iPhone 8 is expected to have more internal RAM (256GB) but the S8, with its built-in 64GB RAM can match and even exceed the iPhone 8, once external memory is included because it can support up to a 256GB mini SD card.

Display

The new iPhone 8's screen may come in three sizes - 4.7, 5.5, and 5.8 inches. However, only the high end model may have the curved OLED screen, like the current Samsung S7 Edge but the new S8 and S8 Plus have the curved, Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2960 x 1440.

Camera

Both Apple iPhone 8 and Samsung S8 models will have a 8MP front camera but the S8 has autofocus. The rear camera will have a 12MP resolution but the iPhone 8 is rumored to have the 12MP dual lens. Apple is planning to take the crown in the area of smartphone photography.

Extra Features

The iPhone 8 is expected to have an iris scanner, fingerprint reader and wireless charging but the S8, with its own iris scanner, plans to take biometrics to an even higher level.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

With the acquisition of Viv Labs and the original creators of Siri under Samsung's umbrella, the S8's will come with the new AI Digital Assistant, Bixby.

Bixby will soon be introudced into all of Samsung's HDTVs, watches, tablets, etc. It is Samsung’s answer to Siri, Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa.

Who will have the Lead?

With the debacle of the Galaxy Note 7 in the rear view mirror, Samsung is determined to reverse its fortune with the S8 and S8 Plus. With its impressive phone shipping this month, they will have an approximate 6 months lead ahead of Apple.

The Apple iPhone 8's announcement may be delayed due to challenges around its 3-D sensing technology, difficulties with embedding the fingerprint reader on the front of the phone and shortage of OLED screens but still in time for the all important Christmas holidays. In the meantime, Apple is relying on the iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus to keep customers from switching to Samsung.

Samsung is salivating about converting some of the current Apple iPhone 7 users to their new phone. When the iPhone 8 debuts some time in Q4, Samsung will already have the new Galaxy Note 8 (debut August 23) to challenge Apple again.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 with dual cameras

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 possible specs

• IP68 water and dust certification, like all recent premium Galaxy smartphones
• Massive 6.3-inch ‘SuperAMOLED’ Infinity Display with minimal bezels
• New 18.5:9 aspect ratio with 1440 x 2960 (2K) native resolution
• Design will be more “squared off” (incl. display corners) compared to Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus
• Device dimensions of 162.5mm x 74.6mm x 8.5mm
• Globally it ships with the Exynos 8895 chipset with exception of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 in the US
• 6GB RAM as standard versus 4GB in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus (some limited 6GB editions were Asia-only exclusives)
• 64GB of internal storage
• MicroSD expansion slot retained
• Rear dual cameras: 12 megapixel, f/1.7 aperture, dual pixel and 12 megapixel, f/2.4 aperture with 2x optical zoom. Optical image stabilisation on both modules
• Front camera - 8 megapixel, f1.7 aperture
• 3300mAh battery
• Quick Charging and Wireless Charging via USB Type-C
• Midnight Black, Maple Gold, Orchid Grey and Deep Sea Blue color options
• European pricing around €1,000. About $1,000+ in the U.S.

Some observers say with the advent of ever smarter phones and their built-in cameras, they may even threaten the survival of point-n-shoot and DSLR cameras. Take a look at the video above to see some of the best smartphone cameras on the market now. Read my earlier post on this thought.

Apple iPhone 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S8 - Which One Should I Buy?

Apple iPhone 7 Plus Camera Hands-on Review

It is probably the worst kept secret to anyone following the photographic industry but camera manufacturers have been experiencing declining sales for the last few years. The main reason is due to changing customer preference and the advancement in many smartphone cameras.

Canon, the largest photographic equipment manufacturer in the world has experienced drops in profits in the last few quarters. They are hardly alone and based on the most recent data published by CIPA, the Japan-based Camera & Imaging Products Association, sales have not improved much so far this year.

It seems mirrorless cameras offered the industry a bright spot for about two years but now sales are leveling off and the increase in sales may have been at the expense of the traditional DSLR market.
There is no question smartphones have taken away some sales from the low end point-and-shoot and DSLR camera segment, but the best way to keep a photographic company relevant is to come out with the state of the art product to convince serious photographers why it is still the traditional DSLR camera that takes the best photos. What is more important than the number of DSLR sold is the mix of the sales, since low end cameras like the Rebel and SL series bring considerably less profit than the higher end models like the EOS-5 and EOS-1 bodies.

My readers know, I am the Wildlife Ho-tographer using Canon equipment for over 25 years. Through the decades, I have used almost all of Canon's cropped and full frame, film and digital cameras and lenses. You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com. On my recently concluded Polar bear photo shoot in the Canadian sub Arctic, I have used both my smartphone and DSLR cameras to take photos and find the two types of photography perfectly compatible with each other.  I use the EOS-1D X Mk II and EOS-5Ds cameras as main bodies for my work.

The following video is a hands-on demo of what the Apple iPhone 7 Plus can do. It has a great walk around camera but I know no serious photographer specializing in landscape or wildlife photography use it for their main line of work. You can read my earlier post on how much the camera components in an Apple iPhone 7 costs.

Are Smartphones Threatening The Survival of DSLR Cameras?

It is probably the worst kept secret to anyone following the photographic industry but camera manufacturers have been experiencing declining sales for the last few years. The main reason is due to changing customer preference and the advancement in many smartphone cameras.

Canon, the largest photographic equipment manufacturer in the world has experienced drops in profits in the last few quarters. They are hardly alone and based on the most recent data published by CIPA, the Japan-based Camera & Imaging Products Association, sales have not improved much so far this year.

It seems mirrorless cameras offered the industry a bright spot for about two years but now sales are leveling off and the increase in sales may have been at the expense of the traditional DSLR market.
There is no question smartphones have taken away some sales from the low end point-and-shoot and DSLR camera segment, but the best way to keep a photographic company relevant is to come out with the state of the art product to convince serious photographers why it is still the traditional DSLR camera that takes the best photos. What is more important than the number of DSLR sold is the mix of the sales, since low end cameras like the Rebel and SL series bring considerably less profit than the higher end models like the EOS-5 and EOS-1 bodies.

My readers know, I am the Wildlife Ho-tographer using Canon equipment for over 25 years. Through the decades, I have used almost all of Canon's cropped and full frame, film and digital cameras and lenses. You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com. On my recently concluded Polar bear photo shoot in the Canadian sub Arctic, I have used both my smartphone and DSLR cameras to take photos and find the two types of photography perfectly compatible with each other.  I use the EOS-1D X Mk II and EOS-5Ds cameras as main bodies for my work.

Apple iPhones To Have RAW Image Data in iOS 10

* * *  Apple released Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 6.20  * * * 

I have just returned from another successful wildlife photo trip to the High Arctic testing the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II camera. Trying to get back to my blog and catching up with the latest photography news. It will take me a week or two to get back to speed and precious little time to process the photos because by then, my next tour will be here already. I have a very busy Summer touring season ahead of me. You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Apple may be finally offering photographers who use their iPhones 'exclusively' to take photographs the opportunity to shoot and edit RAW images in a native camera app. The next version of the phone's software, iOS 10 is due to be released later this year. Apple is really behind their Android competitors. Users of the competing system already have access to RAW image editing for a while now.

Third party developers will be able to offer additional apps as Apple opens up the codes in the RAW file data. iOS 10 is scheduled for public beta access soon and a final release some time in Q4.

Are Worldwide Camera Sales Still Declining?

Canon DSLR, Mirrorless and CinemaEOS cameras and EF lens

It is probably the worst kept secret to anyone following the photographic industry but camera manufacturers have been experiencing declining sales for the last few years. The main reason is due to changing customer preference and the advancement in many smartphone cameras.

Canon, the largest photographic equipment manufacturer in the world has experience a drop in profits in their latest quarter. They are hardly alone and based on data published by CIPA, the Japan-based Camera & Imaging Products Association, Mayflower Concepts published the charts below illustrating the trend in camera sales over the past decade.

It seems mirrorless cameras offered the industry a bright spot for about two years but now sales are leveling off and the increase in sales may have been at the expense of the traditional DSLR market.
There is no question smartphones have taken away some sales from the low end point-and-shoot and DSLR camera segment, but the best way to keep a photographic company relevant is to come out with the state of the art product to convince serious photographers why it is still the traditional DSLR camera that takes the best photos. What is more important than the number of DSLR sold is the mix of the sales, since low end cameras like the Rebel and SL series bring considerably less profit than the higher models like the EOS-5 and EOS-1 bodies.

My readers know, I have been a Canon user for about 25 years. Through the decades, I have used almost all of Canon's cropped and full frame, film and digital cameras and lenses. You can see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com. On my recently concluded Polar bear photo shoot in the Canadian sub Arctic, I have used both my smartphone and DSLR cameras to take photos and find the two types of photography perfectly compatible with each other.  I am waiting for the EOS-1D X Mk II and EOS-5D Mk IV to debut early to mid 2016 for my next DSLR purchase.

Wildlife and Travel Photography Composition Tips

My readers know I am a wildlife photographer. My photo shoots take me around the globe and the subjects I photograph range from Hummingbirds to Blue whales, the largest animal on Planet Earth, ever. However, I also do some Travel Photography now and then. The video below reminds us of a few points to consider when composing photos of people and places. 

Read my posts on tips for photographing Hummingbirds, Great whales, Tigers and Polar bears. Visit my website MichaelDanielHo.com to see all the wildlife photos from my past trips.  

'DSLR' Quality SmartPhones To Challenge DSLR Cameras?

* * *  Read the latest post on how Apple iPhone 6S plans to challenge Canon  * * *

Recently, Qualcomm deliberately made a headline-grabbing claim, by boasting their, soon-to-be-released, SnapDragon 820 chip would be able to "support superior DSLR-quality photography and enhanced computer vision", all in the palm of your hand, via a smartphone.

This incendiary statement flies in the photography world of reality. The new chip runs on the new 14-bit Qualcomm Spectra ISP and Qualcomm claims 4K video capability at 60 fps, 25 MP at 30 fps, 40% less battery consumption, 40% faster processing, superior autofocus, and last but not least, NO shutter lag.

Clearly, no thinking person, let alone informed photographers will pay much attention to such a sound bite but I reference the Qualcomm claim in this post to highlight my point - too many people think equipment alone makes a better photographer. Take a look at my recent posts on Smart Phones vs DSLR Cameras and  Photography with an inexpensive camera.

Smartphone Cameras vs. DSLR Cameras

A bit of humor from Canon. Personally, I find the camera on my smartphone very handy but limited in capabilities and image quality. Therefore, my rule of thumb is, if the images mean a lot, I will reach for the real camera in my equipment bag, provided I have it with me. If not, the smartphone will have to do and let's hope for the best.

Simple Tips On Taking More Creative SmartPhone Photos

Happy New Year. Many of my readers have probably received or bought a new smartphone in the last few weeks as a present. Although the cameras in many smartphones like the Apple iPhone 6 and Samsung S5 are very capable, there is still no substitute for a proper DSLR camera when I want to take a serious photo. You can see my work with smart cameras on MichaelDanielHo.com

Nonetheless, there are times when a stand alone camera is not available, so one must learn all the tricks and capabilities of the smartphone in one's pocket or purse. The video below from Cooperative of Photography shows us some interesting ways on how to take panorama photos and even partial underwater shots. Take a look.