We've already analyzed the camera performance of upper-class and high-end smartphones in previous tests, and now it's time for a detailed camera comparison in the mid-range segment. The Samsung Galaxy A55, Sony Xperia 10 VI, Google Pixel 8a, and Xiaomi 13T — four of the most intriguing mid-range smartphones of 2024 — are competing for the camera crown.
In this comparison, we take a closer look at how significant the differences in photo quality are across various photo subjects and lighting conditions. The technical specifications of the installed camera modules are summarized in a table:
| Xiaomi 13T | Google Pixel 8a | Sony Xperia 10 VI | Samsung Galaxy A55 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camera setup: Rearside | 50 MPix (OIS, f/1.9, 1/1.28") | 64 MPix (f/1.89, OIS, 1/1.73) | 48 MPix (f/2.2, OIS, 1/2.0") | 50 MPix (f/1.8, OIS, 1/1.56") |
| Telephoto lens | 50 MPix (2x optical zoom, f/1.9, | - | - | - |
| Ultra wide angle | 12 MPix (f/2.2) | 13 MPix (f/2.2) | 8 MPix (f/2.2) | 12 MPix (f/2.2) |
| Camera setup: Frontside | 20 MPix (f/2.2, FF) | 13 MPix (f/2.2, FF) | 8 MPix (f/2.0, FF) | 32 MPix (f/2.2, FF) |
| Software version | 14.0.11.0 | AP2A240605.024 | 70.0.A.3.117 | A556BXX4AXF3 |
The smartphones are priced in the (upper) middle tier. The Galaxy A55 and Pixel 8a start at $350 and $400, respectively, while the Xperia 10 VI is available at a lower RRP of $399. The most expensive smartphone in this comparison, the Xiaomi 13T, carries an official retail price of $590. However, actual street prices for these devices are much closer, ranging between $350 and $500.
For our test shots, we used the default camera settings on each of the mid-range smartphones. The images produced by the main cameras do not reflect the full sensor resolution; instead, they are processed into photos with fewer pixels. All the mid-range smartphones in this comparison utilize pixel binning, a process that effectively increases the individual pixel size to improve image quality. The 50 MP sensors on the Galaxy A55 and Xiaomi 13T generate photos with a 12.5 MP resolution. The Pixel 8a employs a "classic" 4-to-1 binning technique for 16 MP photos, while the Xperia 10 VI produces images with a 12 MP resolution.
