DxOMark ranks iPhone 15 Pro Max as the smartphone with the best selfie camera in the world

iPhone 15 Pro Max has achieved outstanding scores in DxOMark's prestigious camera evaluation tests, with a total score of 154. This helps Apple's flagship model firmly in second place in the phone camera rankings. DxOMark's global smart score, only two points behind Huawei P60 Pro.

However, if only considering the selfie camera, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the real king at the present time. Apple's new smartphone model topped DxOMark's selfie camera rankings with a score of 149, 4 points higher than its predecessor iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Both iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max have the same 12-megapixel front camera with a 1/3.6-inch sensor, built-in autofocus and optical image stabilization. However, DxOMark believes that the outstanding photography performance of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is mainly due to the A17 Pro chip and the new image signal processor (ISP).

The selfie camera on the iPhone 15 Pro Max impresses with accurate exposure, fast and accurate autofocus, large dynamic range and very high detail in good lighting conditions. DxOMark also praised the effective video stabilization, which works smoothly even when users move continuously while filming.

However, the selfie camera of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is not without flaws. The sensor favors a large depth of field, but this can also lead to noise in photos, even with good lighting conditions. Color errors can sometimes occur, and color levels sometimes vary from photo to photo when recording video.

Another advantage is that in portrait mode, the Face ID module accurately calculates depth, creating a progressive and natural background blur (or bokeh) effect. However, as the example photo shows, Apple is having trouble with details as small as individual hairs, which can make portrait mode look like a software simulation on closer inspection.

Kareem Winters

Update 22 October 2023