DxOMark posts its final scores for the iPhone 13 series' cameras

Apple has touted the cameras in the new iPhone 13 series as stunning upgrades over those of their predecessors, although there are no significant changes in terms of sensor resolution or number in this new flagship line.

On the other hand, its maker insists that they are worthwhile updates as they are the world's first smartphones to be capable of focus-racking, which, moreover, is done automatically. However, as it turns out, this feature is not enough to propel it to the top of the DxOMark charts.

This ubiquitous mobile-tech testing organization has now released its conclusions on the new iPhones' cameras. To this end, it has judged it necessary to test the 13 Mini and Pro variants only: their specs in this area are the same as for the base 13 and 13 Pro Max respectively, and, accordingly, stand in for either in these terms.,

While it is not DxOMark's new #1, the 13 Pro is now the 4th best phone on its list in terms of camera performance, leaving the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra sandwiched between Huawei's Mate 40 Pro+ and P50 Pro at #2 as before. Then again, the newer iPhone has beaten the 12 Pro Max - as has the 13 Mini, which has knocked the older and bigger model out of the #11 spot in these rankings.

Then again, the new Mini was found unequal to older devices such as the Vivo X50 Pro+ and OPPO Find X3 Pro. Nevertheless, DxOMark praised its exposure, white balance and color accuracy in the course of awarding its final score, not to mention its new focusing capabilities. 

They were found to be reliable and reproducible in this test, as they were in the 13 Pro (although another prominent reviewer has posted less favorable impressions of it recently). DxOMark also concluded that the larger iPhone owed its new ranking to its ability to capture details and skin tones under various conditions.

On the other hand, both new variants were far from perfect, apparently tending toward the loss of white balance in certain settings and to skin-smoothing in video, even in full daylight (this has also been seen in one or two YouTube reviews thus far).

Therefore, it seems Apple may have produced worthy upgrades over the 12 series in terms of cameras - although both the 13 Mini and Pro scored only 1 more point in terms of selfies over the 2020 handsets. However, it seems this new iteration of the traditional triple 12MP array is still not sophisticated enough to disrupt the largely-Android hegemony of the top 10 on DxOMark's website.

Then again, this is ultimately based on one group's testing under very specific lab conditions, and may not translate to real-world use. In addition, the true test of year-on-year iPhone upgrades may come when DxOMark finally gets around to testing the 13 Pro's inaugural 120Hz display.

All in all, potential iPhone 13 owners might be advised to check out at least 1 more review from different sources prior to making any buying decisions.