It’s said that a picture is worth a 1,000 words and whether you’re a professional photographer, hobbyist, selfie-addict, or just a regular smart phone user, you probably use your phone’s camera quite a bit.As mobile technology increases rapidly, so is the tech behind smartphone cameras. Not too long ago we were stuck with using Polaroid’s or disposable cameras that we got from the drug store. Now, smartphone cameras have turned those devices into ancient artifacts. Now everyone has a powerful, high-quality, camera with a digital display right in their pocket.However, with so many phones on the market and so many different features, options, and functions, how do you know what the best smartphone camera is? The characteristics of cameras vary wildly and suit very different needs.This article will show you the top 3 smartphone cameras of this year so that you can make the best decision possible when it comes to picking the best smartphone camera for you.

The 3 The Best Smartphone Cameras of 2016, hands-down

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

Image by SamDownloads via YouTube

Image by SamDownloads via YouTube

Features
  • 5 inch, quad-HD display camera
  • 12-megapixel camera
  • 32GB internal storage and microSD expansion
  • IP68 rate for water resistance
OverviewThe Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge’s dual-pixel sensor makes it the fastest camera on the market. For example, The S7 Edge’s camera locates subjects up to three times faster than an iPhone 6S Plus. The phone also has a wide f/1.7 aperture and large 1.4 micron pixels which allow it to let in more light than the previous phone in the series. This allows you to take better pictures in lower lighting.Pros
  • Powerful 12MP camera
  • Large aperture for less digital noise
Cons
  • Shares the limitations of it’s predecessor, the S7
  • The selfie quality is “off”
Final VerdictThis phone features a few minor drawbacks in picture quality but overall it has an incredibly fast, and high quality camera.

Samsung Galaxy S7

Features
  • 12-megapixel camera
  • 26mm phase detection autofocus
  • Optical Stabilization
  • LED Flash
OverviewThe camera on the S7 is a lower resolution than its predecessor the S6 but it’s brighter lens and larger pixels make it better in lower lighting. This feature makes up for the loss in resolution. The camera can record 4k video and comes equipped with Optical Stabilization (OIS).The phone’s new dual-pixel autofocus feature is the same technology that you will find in some DSLR cameras that are on the market today. Each of the S7’s pixels act as a point of autofocus so the camera is able to rapidly adjust and focus on a subject as it moves.Pros
  • Dual-pixel technology makes the camera incredibly fast
  • Great for taking pictures in low light
Cons
  • Selfies look a little off. They are either too sharp or too smooth.
  • The flash is a little too bright
Final VerdictThe S7 is an excellent piece of hardware for taking pictures.

Sony Xperia Z5

Features
  • 5X zoom (without quality loss)
  • .03-second Hybrid AF (autofocus)
  • 23 megapixels
OverviewThe Xperia Z5’s autofocus feature is crazy fast – about 0.03 seconds. It focuses on objects at a blazing fast speed that it’s hard to realize that the camera is actually focusing. It also shoots at 120 frames-per-seconds and 7209 in slow-motion mode. The image stabilization feature coupled with its Hybrid AF feature will result in a clear image with very little digital noise.Pros
  • Hybrid AF feature results in fast, sharp images
  • Image stabilization feature lowers digital noise
  • “Lossless Zoom” allows you to zoom into 8 MP pictures without quality loss
Cons
  • The camera seems to misrepresent red colors as pink-ish
Final VerdictThis camera has excellent definition with natural saturation and contrast. The image stabilization, Hybrid Autofocus, and Lossless Zoom features makes this phone’s camera excellent.ConclusionIf you’re in the market for a cell phone that has the best smartphone camera, all three of these phones make excellent options. The minor differences between the phones could be what helps you make your decision on what phone you’re getting next.For example, if you’re going to be shooting a lot of photos in low light you should go with the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. If you’re going to be shooting a lot of pictures with moving subjects, you may want to take advantage of the super-fast autofocus of the Sony Xperia Z5. No matter which phone you go with, you’ll be getting great camera.Do you think your phone has the best smartphone camera?Let us know what phone you have and why it’s great in the comments below!image credit: eyetee.ro

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What's my model number?

There are several ways to locate your model number:

Option 1
On your device, go to Settings, then "About device" and scroll down to "Model number"
Option 2
Often times you can view the model number inside the device, by removing the battery
Option 3
Using Samsung's model/serial number location tool

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