I actually liked the cameras on the OnePlus 6. It offered great colours, decent dynamic range, and good video recording. The newly-launched OnePlus 6T, despite using the same hardware, has slight improvements in the software algorithm. Firstly, you get a new Night mode for better low light shots. And secondly, OnePlus has worked closely with acclaimed photographer Kevin Abosch — known primarily for his portrait photography skills — to refine the algorithm for portraits and selfies.
Also read: OnePlus 6T review: aggressively marching towards the future
So here we are, with yet another camera comparison – this time between the OnePlus 6T and the OnePlus 6. This time, let’s do a blind test instead of my detailed analysis. There’s a reason for this; I shall tell you why at the end of this article and share a brief analysis.
Camera specs
To start off, let’s quickly take a look at an infographic of the camera specs, which are unchanged. The new camera app for Android Pie on the OnePlus 6T includes a new Night mode wherein it simulates a slow shutter to take in more light. OnePlus claims that this new mode is also coming to the OnePlus 6 in due time but for now the 6T has an advantage.
For the blind test, we have two images marked A and B, which could either be the OnePlus 6 or the 6T. Go to the end to find out which is which. Don’t cheat, okay?
P.S. click on the image to see the full resolution images
Wide
A
B
A
B
Close up
A
B
A
B
A
B
HDR
A HDR off
A HDR on
B HDR off
B HDR on
Portrait
A portrait 1
B portrait 1
A portrait 2
B portrait 2
Selfie
A
B
Selfie Portrait
A selfie 1
B selfie 1
A selfie 2
B selfie 2
Video – 4K, Video – slow-motion
Indoor
A
B
Indoor selfie
A
B
Low light
A
B
Low light with flash
A
B
Low light selfie
A
B
Low light selfie with flash
A
B
Conclusion
So, you guys have made up your mind? Which phone takes better pictures? The OnePlus 6T, right?
Wrong answer. Neither phone is the winner. By the way, the pictures marker A was from the OnePlus 6, and the ones marked B were captured by the OnePlus 6T.
According to me, both the phones take the same pictures the same level of sensor details, sharpening, dynamic range, and colour boost. I could literally not tell the difference between the two pictures. And that my friends, is the reason why I didn’t do a detailed analysis because I wouldn’t have much to say about it anyway.
But talking about that new Night mode…honestly, the difference in exposure is barely perceptible and it is not necessarily that great. In my testing, I noticed that it increased the sharpness artificially and tends to smudge the details in certain areas too. I am not really a fan. Maybe, it will improve over time with better software updates, But in its current state, I don’t really find it very useful.
As for the upgrades to the selfie algorithms and portrait mode, I don’t see any drastic differences. The only thing I noticed is that the Oneplus 6T offers a slightly warmer facial tone compared to the OnePlus 6. Maybe that’s what the new hardcoded studio lighting is doing to the face.
Overall, if you’ve seen the pictures from the OnePlus 6, you’ve seen the pictures from the OnePlus 6T.
What do you guys think? Do let us know in the comments section below.
