Galaxy S10+ is best in DxOMark selfie tests but not overall

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As expected, DxOMark has finally released its preliminary review of the Galaxy S10+, which has the exact same cameras as the Galaxy S10, and so far things are looking up for Samsung. In fact, Samsung is boasting how it has achieved DxOMark's highest score in its relatively new selfie tests. That said, Samsung might still have some reason to worry considering how it has failed to beat last year's champion in all other aspects and how close the Xiaomi Mi 9 is to its score.

Do people buy phones for selfies? Probably but not but it's also foolhardy to deny that it's one of the important factors. DxOMark has finally accepted that fact and has added a new and separate set of benchmarks to test phone's front cameras. There are only a few phones that have undergone that test, only thirteen in fact, and Samsung is quite proud to have the Galaxy S10+ at the top of that list.

On the one hand, it might not be that surprising since the Galaxy S10+ has added an RGB depth camera at the cost of a larger hole on the screen. The Galaxy S10 doesn't have that and might fare worse if tested. That additional sensor does work and DxOMark notes how the front cameras produce accurate white balance and colors, well-managed noise levels, and an accurately simulated bokeh effect. However, the camera's narrow depth of field makes background details out of focus and faces at the back rendered more softly than others.

But while selfies have become important, most of the time you will be using the phone's rear cameras. This, unfortunately, is where the Galaxy S10+ (and presumably the Galaxy S10 as well) start getting into trouble. Mind, DxOMark remarks how great the cameras are overall, with accurate exposure, great performance in low light situations, wide dynamic range, and low noise levels. Video recording also has good exposure and autofocus, though it seems to also struggle in tracking moving objects and the missing HDR hurts it a lot.

That said, the Galaxy S10+ loses a few scores when it comes to sacrificing detail in exchange for noise control. The 2x optical zoom is acceptable but loses out to its closest competition. In fact, while the Galaxy S10+ does achieve the same 109 score, the minor details push it down to third place against last year's Huawei Mate 20 Pro and even an older Huawei P20 Pro. And with a Xiaomi Mi 9 so close to that mark at half the price, buyers outside of the US might have a more difficult time deciding on a Galaxy S10 or S10+ as far as cameras are concerned.