I Tested GCam on iQOO 15 and Compared It With Stock Camera YTECHB

Summarize This Article:

iQOO recently launched its flagship, the iQOO 15, in the market. And to no one’s surprise, the device became a hot topic in the tech discussions. It brings upgrades in almost every possible way, compared to the iQOO 15. However, with that comes a steep price increase as well. While the device is positioned as a performance-first flagship, iQOO has also put considerable effort into the camera hardware this time around.

As for the hardware, it packs a triple rear camera setup with all lenses using a 50MP sensor. The primary camera uses a Sony IMX921 sensor. On the front, it packs a 32MP selfie shooter. While the hardware looks good, I was curious to test whether installing Google Camera (GCam) could further improve image quality, especially given how popular GCam mods are among Android users.

The installation was the easiest and confusing process. I had to go through multiple GCam versions to find the best compatible one. After testing, I was able to finally find a version that works for both photography and videography. One important thing to note is that GCam on the iQOO 15 only supports the main rear camera and the selfie camera. The auxiliary lenses, like ultrawide and telephoto, are not supported.

Anyway, let’s have a look at the quick installation and comparison between the outputs of the GCam and the stock camera.

How to Install GCam on iQOO 15

As said earlier, finding a compatible GCam for iQOO 15 wasn’t easy at all. Unlike Xiaomi and OnePlus, Vivo (and iQOO devices, for that matter) have less compatibility with the GCams. But there is a quick guide that will save you the time and effort required to find a compatible GCam.

Step 1: Download the GCam module from the following link. (Download Link for GCam)

Step 2: Once downloaded, install the APK package.

Step 3: Open the app and give it all the required permissions.

That’s it. No config files or additional setup are required. GCam works straight out of the box on the iQOO 15 for the supported cameras.

GCam vs Stock Camera on iQOO 15: Which One Performs Better?

Now comes the most important part of the article: does GCam actually improve the camera experience on the iQOO 15, or is the stock camera already good enough? (SAMPLES ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE IS GCAM, LEFT HAND SIDE IS STOCK CAMERA)

Main Camera

Starting with the main sensor, the difference between GCam and the stock camera is noticeable, but not drastic.

GCam captures images with more natural colors and softer contrast, which many photography enthusiasts might appreciate. The images look realistic and are great if you plan to edit them later.

However, the stock camera produces more appealing photos straight out of the phone. Colors are slightly boosted, details look crisper, and HDR handling is better in challenging lighting conditions. Overall, stock images tend to look more “finished” without needing any post-processing.

Digital Zoom

Since GCam doesn’t support the telephoto lens on the iQOO 15, all zoom shots are essentially digital crops from the main sensor.

Here again, the stock camera performs better. It produces sharper results with better color consistency. GCam zoomed shots look flatter and lose detail more quickly.

Selfie Camera

Selfies are another area where the stock camera clearly takes the lead.

While GCam selfies have natural tones, they often appear slightly soft or hazy. Skin tones can look dull, and detail retention isn’t great. The stock camera, on the other hand, produces sharper selfies with better color reproduction and more pleasing results overall.

Video Performance

Video recording is an easy win for the stock camera.

GCam is usable for photos, but video recording is not very reliable. Occasional crashes, inconsistent stabilization, and weaker HDR make it hard to recommend GCam for video use. The stock camera delivers more stable footage, better colors, and reliable performance.

Final Verdict

The answer to the earlier asked question is simple: the GCam doesn’t outperform the stock camera on the iQOO 15.

While GCam does offer more natural-looking photos, the stock camera consistently delivers better detail, stronger HDR, more appealing colors, and superior video performance. Add to that the lack of auxiliary lens support in GCam, and the stock camera becomes the obvious choice for most users.

However, GCam can be worth trying if you specifically prefer natural colors or plan to edit your photos later. For everyone else, the stock camera app is better in almost every scenario.

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