---
title: "MKBHD's Camera Test & The AI Powering Your Next Pro Photo"
description: "Marques Brownlee's camera comparisons show how far mobile photography has come. Discover how AI, like Glossify, makes pro photos accessible."
date: "2026-04-10"
author: "Glossify Team"
tags: ["AI photo", "photo editing", "iOS photography", "portrait", "professional headshot", "background removal", "image enhancement", "generative AI"]
sourceUrl: "https://petapixel.com/2026/04/09/marques-brownlee-took-the-same-photo-on-every-generation-of-samsung-galaxy-and-google-smartphone/"
sourceTitle: "Marques Brownlee Took the Same Photo on Every Generation of Samsung Galaxy and Google Smartphone"
---
Marques Brownlee, better known as MKBHD, has a knack for cutting through the noise and showing us what really matters in tech. His recent series, where he takes the same photo across every generation of popular smartphones – from iPhone to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel – isn't just entertaining; it's a fascinating masterclass in the evolution of mobile photography.
For years, we've watched smartphone cameras evolve from grainy novelties to sophisticated imaging powerhouses. MKBHD's side-by-side comparisons vividly illustrate this journey, showcasing how each new iteration brings subtle yet significant improvements. But what these comparisons truly highlight isn't just the hardware, the megapixels, or the lens arrays. Increasingly, the magic happens *after* you press the shutter button, thanks to the silent, tireless work of artificial intelligence.
The Unseen Revolution: AI Behind Every Great Mobile Photo
When you look at the progression of smartphone cameras, especially in the last five years, you'll notice a distinct shift. While hardware still plays a role, the biggest leaps in quality often come from computational photography – algorithms and AI working in the background to enhance, correct, and even create elements of your photo.
Think about the difference between an early smartphone photo and a modern one. Today's phones can intelligently balance exposure in challenging light, sharpen details that would otherwise be blurry, and even mimic the shallow depth of field once exclusive to professional DSLR cameras. This isn't just better hardware; it's smart software making your photos look better than ever before.
Beyond Basic Filters: True Image Enhancement
Traditional photo editing often involved manual adjustments: tweaking brightness, contrast, saturation, and perhaps applying a pre-set filter. While effective, it required a certain eye and often significant time. AI-powered image enhancement moves beyond these basic steps. It can analyze the content of your photo – identify faces, distinguish foreground from background, and understand different textures – to apply context-aware improvements.
For instance, AI can intelligently sharpen details in a blurry shot without introducing artifacts, a process known as super-resolution upscaling. It can identify and reduce noise in low-light photos, making them clearer and more vibrant. These aren't just aesthetic overlays; they are fundamental improvements to the image data itself, making every pixel work harder for you.
Crafting the Perfect Shot, Post-Capture
One of the most exciting aspects of AI in photography is its ability to refine a photo *after* it's been taken, often transforming a good shot into a great one. Ever wish you could change a distracting background or ensure everyone in a group photo looks their best? AI is making this increasingly possible.
Generative AI, for example, allows for sophisticated background replacement. Imagine taking a portrait in your living room and instantly swapping the cluttered backdrop for a serene park, a professional studio, or an abstract art piece. This capability not only saves time but also opens up creative possibilities that were once the domain of professional photo editors with expensive software.
Similarly, AI can analyze facial features in a portrait, intelligently optimizing elements to ensure natural-looking enhancements. This isn't about artificial beauty filters; it's about subtle refinements that bring out the best in every subject, helping to correct minor imperfections or lighting issues that might detract from an otherwise excellent shot.
From Snapshot to Professional Headshot
The true power of AI in mobile photography lies in its democratizing effect. You no longer need to be a seasoned photographer with specialized equipment and editing expertise to achieve professional-looking results. AI brings those advanced capabilities to your fingertips, simplifying complex processes into intuitive, often one-tap actions.
This is particularly evident in areas like portrait photography and professional headshots. Achieving a clean, well-lit, and perfectly composed headshot used to require studio setup or an experienced photographer. Now, with intelligent AI tools, you can take a photo with your smartphone and, with minimal effort, transform it into a polished, professional-grade image suitable for a LinkedIn profile, resume, or business website. The AI can handle everything from background isolation to subtle facial enhancements, ensuring a consistent, high-quality output every time.
Practical Takeaways for Your Mobile Photography
So, what does all this mean for you and your smartphone camera?
- **Don't Underestimate Your Phone's Capabilities:** Modern smartphones are incredibly powerful. Trust their automatic modes, but also explore their advanced settings and modes like Portrait or Night mode.
- **Focus on Good Lighting and Composition (Still!):** While AI can fix a lot, it works best with good raw material. Natural light is your best friend, and thoughtful composition always pays off.
- **Embrace Post-Capture Editing:** Editing isn't cheating; it's an integral part of modern photography. Don't be afraid to enhance your photos.
- **Experiment with AI-Powered Tools:** Explore apps that leverage AI for enhancement, background removal, or other intelligent adjustments. You might be surprised at the results you can achieve.
The journey MKBHD showcases, from early flip phone cameras to today's multi-lens marvels, is a testament to relentless innovation. But the story doesn't end when the shutter clicks. It continues in the milliseconds afterward, as AI works its magic, turning everyday snapshots into extraordinary images.
This is where Glossify steps in. We believe professional-quality photo editing shouldn't require hours of learning or expensive software. Glossify is built on the premise that advanced AI can bring sophisticated enhancements – like intelligent background replacement, super-resolution upscaling, and nuanced facial refinements – directly to your mobile device, all with the simplicity of a single tap. We're committed to making the power of AI accessible, so everyone can create stunning images effortlessly.
Sources
- Marques Brownlee Took the Same Photo on Every Generation of Samsung Galaxy and Google Smartphone. PetaPixel. [https://petapixel.com/2026/04/09/marques-brownlee-took-the-same-photo-on-every-generation-of-samsung-galaxy-and-google-smartphone/](https://petapixel.com/2026/04/09/marques-brownlee-took-the-same-photo-on-every-generation-of-samsung-galaxy-and-google-smartphone/)