Which Phone Has Better Night Photography: The iPhone 14 or Galaxy S23?

When looking for your next phone upgrade, you will likely weigh a few features carefully, such as battery life, screen size, and cost. Now that many phones come packed with standard feature sets, they don’t vary too greatly in daily performance. It’s in the added bells and whistles that carriers distinguish their flagship models.

 

One such perk is night photography, an increasingly popular photo mode that allows you to capture stunning after-dark shots with multiple cameras. Whether you’re using a Samsung Night Mode camera or an iPhone Night Mode camera, this mode also includes auto-retouching and light balancing.

 

If you often take photos at night, you probably want to know which smartphone has the best low-light photography between Apple and Samsung’s popular devices. Between the Samsung Galaxy S23 camera and the iPhone 14 camera, we’ll look at options, low-light results, and device pricing so you can make the most informed decision when you’re ready for a new smartphone.

 

On paper, the Samsung Galaxy S23 boasts a 50MP main camera, giving it a significant megapixel advantage over the iPhone 14’s 12MP main sensor. The iPhone 14 also lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, topping out at just 5x digital zoom, while the Galaxy S23 includes a dedicated 3x optical zoom (69mm equivalent) and can reach up to an impressive 30x zoom.

 

When it comes to low-light performance specifically, Samsung uses advanced pixel-binning technology on the S23. At night, the S23 Ultra combines 16 pixels into one, creating a larger 2.4-micron virtual pixel that captures significantly more light for 12.5MP output shots. For astrophotography enthusiasts, the Samsung Expert RAW app even supports exposures of up to 10 minutes, enabling breathtaking night-sky captures that the iPhone 14 simply can’t match in that niche.

 

However, raw specs don’t always tell the whole story. According to GSMArena, Apple’s low-light image processing tends to produce more natural-looking results, and their testing found that Apple’s Night Mode performs slightly better than the standard Galaxy S23 in real-world low-light scenarios. The iPhone 14 may have fewer megapixels and no telephoto lens, but its computational photography and color accuracy in night mode remain highly competitive.

 

Ultimately, the best choice depends on how you plan to use your camera. If you prioritize zoom range, high-resolution night shots, and advanced astrophotography features, the Galaxy S23 has the edge. If you value natural color reproduction, ease of use, and consistent low-light results without post-processing, the iPhone 14 holds its own impressively well.

Night Mode works similarly on each device. 

iPhone and Samsung Galaxy have nighttime features allowing users to take better photos in low-light conditions. The iPhone Night Mode camera uses computational photography to combine multiple exposures into a single image that reduces noise and helps create a more stable image. The Samsung Galaxy Night Mode camera uses a similar technique, and the Scene Optimizer tool can automatically detect the type of scene you’re photographing.

 

Both manufacturers created phone models that take most of the guesswork out of Night Mode operation. Each smartphone similarly turns on this mode automatically when the phone’s sensors detect lower light. Users can operate them manually, too, by turning Night Mode on and off in each device’s additional photo settings.

Typically, with Night Mode on the iPhone 14 camera or the Samsung Galaxy Night Mode camera option, your phone takes the photo over several seconds, operating similarly to how HDR displays balance imagery on monitors and television screens. Then, artificial intelligence analyzes your photograph, considering several factors including the image’s lighting and any subject movement captured in the frame.

While holding the camera button in Night Mode, it may take the photo quickly, or you might have to continue pressing for several seconds. Depending on the lighting conditions, the Galaxy S23 and iPhone 14 can still take quick pictures at night, but darker environments require extra exposure time. It’s worth noting that the Galaxy S23‘s night photography is especially impressive due to its pixel-binning technology — at night, it merges 16 pixels into one, creating a larger 2.4-micron virtual pixel for brighter, cleaner 12.5MP shots. For those wanting even more control, Samsung’s Expert RAW app allows for manual long exposures, though serious night-sky photography can require exposures of up to 10 minutes.

 

When it comes to overall Night Mode performance, both phones deliver strong results, though each has its strengths. According to GSMArena, Apple’s low-light processing tends to yield more natural-looking photos, noting that the iPhone’s Night Mode does a bit better than the standard Galaxy S23. That said, Samsung pulls ahead in zoom versatility — the Galaxy S23 offers a dedicated 3x optical zoom lens and reaches up to 30x zoom, while the iPhone 14 relies solely on digital zoom, maxing out at 5x. This makes the S23 the stronger choice for zoomed-in low-light shots.

 

One thing to keep in mind about any device’s Night Mode capabilities is that many nighttime shots struggle with moving objects. Since Night Mode requires extended exposures and multiple images, movement often creates blurring and distorted pictures. Many long-exposure photographs — like Night Mode pictures, panoramic shots, and other similar features — don’t work well for action photography, especially in low-light conditions. If you’re trying to determine which phone has the best camera for your needs, it’s worth considering how often you shoot in challenging lighting.

 

Both device families feature high-quality camera specs. 

Depending on your chosen model, you’ll likely see quite a bit of variance between overall camera specifications. For instance, the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus have 50MP main cameras, while the S23 Ultra steps things up dramatically with a 200MP primary camera. The Ultra also includes a 12MP Ultrawide camera for expanded shots and two 10MP telephoto lenses, giving it both 3x and 10x Optical Zoom, along with digital zoom capabilities reaching up to 100x.

 

The base Galaxy S23 also features a dedicated 3x zoom lens (equivalent to 69mm), making it a strong performer for zoomed shots. In low-light situations, the S23 Ultra’s pixel size adjusts to 1.12 microns for 50MP photos, and at night it bins 16 pixels into one, creating a 2.4-micron virtual pixel for 12.5MP shots — a clever way to capture more light in dark environments. Samsung’s Expert RAW app even supports long exposures, with night-sky shots capable of using exposures as long as 10 minutes.

 

On the Apple side, the base iPhone 14 uses a 12MP main camera and lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, maxing out at 5x digital zoom. By contrast, the standard Galaxy S23 reaches up to 30x zoom — a notable difference for users who frequently shoot at a distance. When you step up to the iPhone 14 Pro models, you gain significantly more versatility, including LiDAR, telephoto lenses, and macro photography capabilities.

 

It’s worth noting that raw specs don’t tell the whole story. According to GSMArena, Apple’s low-light processing tends to yield more natural-looking photos, with Night Mode on the iPhone 14 edging out the standard Galaxy S23 in real-world low-light testing. Both platforms bring serious computational photography to the table, just with different priorities — Samsung leaning toward flexibility and zoom range, while Apple focuses on color accuracy and natural rendering.

Different contrast and exposure options impact image quality. 

While both sets of devices come packed with quality camera specs, how they treat color and contrast greatly affects the final photograph. The Samsung S23’s 50MP main camera produces more true-to-life coloring in daytime photos, while Apple’s devices often increase contrast and color saturation for richer-looking photos.

 

The S23 can also overcorrect photos if you don’t manually adjust the correction settings, causing you to lose some finer details in your shots. However, this doesn’t mean that the iPhone 14 naturally has the better camera, as the added contrast and saturation can sometimes work against it.

 

Regarding Ultrawide photos, Samsung often treats its image coloring more effectively than Apple in well-lit conditions. However, when it comes to low-light and nighttime photography, things get more nuanced. The Galaxy S23 uses advanced pixel binning at night, combining 16 pixels into one to create a 2.4-micron virtual pixel, resulting in sharper 12.5MP night shots. That said, according to GSMArena, Apple’s low-light processing tends to yield more natural-looking results, noting that “Apple’s Night Mode just does a bit better” than the standard Galaxy S23 in typical nighttime scenarios.

 

One area where Samsung holds a clear and significant advantage is zoom. The iPhone 14 uses a 12MP main camera and lacks a dedicated telephoto lens entirely, maxing out at just 5x digital zoom. The Galaxy S23, on the other hand, features a dedicated 3x optical zoom camera and can reach up to 30x zoom overall. This is a meaningful real-world difference — if you enjoy taking zoomed-in concert photos, wildlife shots, or long-distance photography, the S23’s zoom capabilities far outpace what the iPhone 14 can offer.

 

There are visual differences in each manufacturer’s Night Mode. 

With this added insight into each manufacturer’s overall camera performance, you’re ready to look more closely at the Night Mode camera Samsung and Apple each offer. For the most part, both devices offer a high-quality nighttime shooting experience with rich colors and more accurate representation that older devices can’t match.

 

It’s worth noting that the hardware behind each phone’s camera differs significantly. The Galaxy S23 features a 50MP main camera that uses pixel-binning at night, merging 16 pixels into one to create a 2.4-micron virtual pixel, resulting in sharper 12.5MP low-light shots with improved light capture. The iPhone 14, by contrast, uses a 12MP main camera without a telephoto lens, relying more heavily on software processing to compensate in low-light conditions.

 

In nighttime videos, the Samsung Night Mode camera takes crisp, stable videos that add depth to the scene without losing too much detail in shadows. Comparatively, the iPhone 14 camera can pick up warmer tones in nighttime videos that add a soft glow to some shots.

 

These differences are also apparent in each phone’s nighttime photos. Interestingly, according to GSMArena testing, Apple’s low-light processing tends to yield more natural-looking photos overall, with reviewers noting that “Apple’s Night Mode just does a bit better” than the standard Galaxy S23 in direct comparisons. Apple devices tend to brighten subjects naturally and handle lighting in a way that feels true to the scene, though light sources can appear slightly harsher with more visible lens flare in some shots. The iPhone 14 camera may also pick up artificial lighting with a subtle greenish hue in certain environments.

 

The Samsung Galaxy S23’s Night Mode shines in its ability to preserve natural shadows and represent depth accurately in darker shots, diffusing both natural and artificial light across the frame rather than simply boosting overall brightness. For users who want to push night photography further, Samsung’s Expert RAW app also unlocks advanced capabilities, including astrophotography with extended exposures of up to 10 minutes for night-sky shots.

 

Keep in mind that Night Mode isn’t perfect on any device, with natural limitations that prevent both Samsung and Apple from delivering a flawless result every single time. Both approaches have their strengths depending on the scene, and as Night Mode technology continues to improve, we can expect even better results in future generations.

 

Each smartphone represents an improvement over its predecessors. 

Though the differences between the Samsung and iPhone Night Mode cameras may seem small to the casual photographer, the Galaxy S23 marks a notable jump forward compared to the S22, much like the iPhone 15 builds on the improvements introduced with the iPhone 14.

 

A few users prefer the S22 Ultra’s crisper indoor photos but note that its Night Mode camera tends to wash out skin tones as a result. The S23 Ultra appears less washed out while maintaining image quality for better overall nighttime hues. If you’re upgrading to the S23 from an S22 or earlier model, you’ll likely notice a clear improvement in the general quality of nighttime photos. The S23 Ultra also handles nighttime zoom more effectively – reaching up to 30x zoom – compared to the standard S23’s dedicated 3x optical zoom. It’s worth noting, however, that specific zoom options aren’t always available within the official Night Mode across all devices in the Galaxy family.

 

On the iPhone side, Apple has continued to refine its Night Mode processing across recent generations. The iPhone 14’s 12MP main camera – notably without a telephoto lens – holds its own in low-light conditions, and Apple’s low-light processing is generally regarded as producing more natural-looking results. According to GSMArena, Apple’s Night Mode “just does a bit better” than the standard Galaxy S23 in terms of overall natural rendering. That said, neither phone is infallible. The S23 Ultra’s advanced pixel-binning technology – combining 16 pixels into a single 2.4-micron virtual pixel for low-light shots – gives it a technical edge in very dark environments, even if Apple’s processing pipeline often produces more visually pleasing results straight out of the camera. If you’re weighing how much an iPhone will cost versus a Galaxy, it’s worth factoring in how each handles your specific shooting needs.

 

For those pushing night photography to its absolute limits, the Samsung Expert RAW app unlocks manual long-exposure capabilities on the S23 – capable of exposures as long as 10 minutes for night-sky photography – a feature that puts it in a league of its own for astrophotography enthusiasts. Before diving into advanced shooting modes, make sure your device has enough storage space to handle large RAW files.

 

Check out Gazelle for your next smartphone upgrade. 

Ultimately, your final device selection will come down to your preferences in photo quality, user interface, and other manufacturer-specific benefits. Both phones bring meaningful strengths to Night Mode photography – the Galaxy S23’s 50MP main sensor and advanced pixel-binning technology (combining 16 pixels into one for low-light shots) delivers impressive detail and versatility, while Apple’s low-light processing tends to yield more natural-looking results. According to GSMArena, Apple’s Night Mode “just does a bit better” in standard low-light conditions, though the S23’s hardware flexibility – including a dedicated 3x zoom camera and up to 30x zoom range – gives it an edge for users who want more shooting options after dark.

Whether you prefer the natural tones of the iPhone 14’s Night Mode or the powerful low-light hardware the Galaxy S23 brings to the table, you can trust Gazelle when finding your next device. We offer refurbished and lightly used devices that we back with our extensive testing and quality assurance processes. When you know what phone you want next or need help picking out your next upgrade, look to Gazelle for the best deals.

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