Mobile

Smartphone cameras have become one of the main ways everyday people capture photos and document life, and even professional photographers may use phones to shoot paid work. PetaPixel covers the latest news and information on how smartphones are transforming the way photographs are made.
Close-up image of a hand holding a sleek, modern smartphone with a quad-camera setup on the back. The metal finish of the phone is highlighted against a black background, showcasing the sophisticated design and prominent camera lenses.

Xiaomi’s Three New Smartphones All Feature Leica Summilux Lenses

Smartphone maker Xiaomi and legendary camera brand Leica teamed up yet again on the co-engineered Xiaomi 14T series smartphones. The two models, the 14T and 14T Pro, sport a triple camera system developed in collaboration with Leica. There's also a third phone, a Leica-powered flip phone, the Xiaomi Mix Flip.

A lineup of four Apple iPhone 15 Pro models is shown against a black background. The phones are in various colors including black, silver, gold, and titanium. The screens display apps and widgets, showing the phone's home interface.

Apple’s Lips Are Sealed but iPhone 16 Models Have Bigger Batteries

The iPhone 16 series smartphones, including the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, will arrive to customers and store shelves starting tomorrow. Although reviewers have gone hands-on with the smartphones, and Apple has shared a lot of information, some details remained a mystery, including the precise size of the new phones' batteries.

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Megapixels Aren’t All Equal But the iPhone’s Camera is Still Impressive

In a recent video about the iPhone 16 Pro, specifically its camera specifications and features, photography Tony Northrup of the popular YouTube channel Tony & Chelsea Northrup called the iPhone 16 Pro camera "disappointing and misleading," opening a complex can of worms concerning megapixels, resolution, image sensor designs, and image quality at large.

A person holds up an iPhone with a triple camera system in front of colorful surfboards. The back of the phone with the Apple logo is prominently visible. The image has a text overlay "PetaPixel Reviews" in the bottom right corner.

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max Review for Photographers

After Apple concluded its keynote featuring the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, I dove into my review of this new smartphone as a photographic and videographic tool in the sunshine of California. Jordan Drake shot our entire video review on the iPhone 16 Pro and I scoured the area around Monterey and Santa Cruz to take pictures with the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Two screenshots of an Instagram interface. The left image shows a menu with options such as "Unfollow," "About this account," and "Why you're seeing this post.” The "All info" option is highlighted. The right image shows an "All info" page explaining the content's modifications.

Instagram is Changing How It Labels AI Content, Again

Earlier this year, Meta -- parent company of Facebook and Instagram -- said it would be adding a notification to images uploaded to its platforms that were made with AI. That rollout went poorly, and now the company is making another update to how it displays that notification, it's second in three months.

A person holds up a Google Pixel smartphone facing the camera. The phone's camera array is visible. The person has a beard, mustache, and gray hair. "PetaPixel Reviews" is prominently displayed in text on the left side of the image.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Review for Photographers: It’s All About AI

As I write this, there is a Pixel 9 Pro XL in my hand with a beautiful, newly designed camera bump -- but what's inside is largely the same as what we've seen before. Sure, Google says they're more durable, have a longer battery life, and feature a redesigned imaging pipeline from the sensor to the photo, but what is the real improvement from last year's model? Well, some would say that the improvement isn't real at all, because the Pixel 9 is all about the powerful new generative AI tools added to the Magic Editor.

A sleek smartphone with a dual-lens rear camera and a display featuring abstract colorful shapes. The phone has a metallic finish and is set against a background of black hexagonal shapes. The Google logo is visible on the back of the device.

The ‘Team Pixel’ Drama Exposed a Disconnect Between Creators and Brands

Last week, Google updated its agreement with "Team Pixel" members to stipulate that they weren't allowed to support any other smartphone brand or else risk ejection from the platform. Because many in that program considered themselves reviewers, it exposed a major disconnect between how many perceived themselves versus how Google perceived them.

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Google’s Pixel 9 Pro May Have Finally Made AI Useful

We have been extremely skeptical of AI tools, especially as they relate to photography. But today during the launch of the Pixel 9 Pro, Google said its latest round of Gemini-powered AI would be actually helpful and after seeing some of what it can do, we might agree.

A modern smartphone with a sleek design is displayed on a reflective surface. The back of the phone has a camera module with three lenses shaped like a rectangle. In the background, a blurred image of two people can be seen. The text overlay reads "PetaPixel Hands-On.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Hands-on: A New Face With the Same Soul

Google is giving it another go with a foldable phone but also choosing to extend its flagship lineup at the same time. The Pixel 9 series comprises four models, with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold being the most unique of the new quartet. The regular Pixel 9, on the other hand, is the modest entry-level choice.