AND just like that, we have a new king of smartphone cameras. After sitting on the throne for a day, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, together with the Apple iPhone 8 Plus, has been dislodged from the top by the Google Pixel 2 and the Google Pixel 2 XL.

SEE ALSO: Watch out, Apple and Samsung. Google’s Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL are here

In an article published today, DxOMark — the authority when it comes to cameras — says that the big G’s just-announced devices have set a new record for overall smartphone-camera quality with an overall score of 98. This, even if they don’t have a dual-camera setup and “just” rely on a 12-megapixel main camera system.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL official product video

By comparison, the Note 8 received a rating of 94. You can see the current top 12 on the list below.

Take note that when it comes to stills, the Galaxy Note 8’s photo sub-score of 100 is still the best by DxOMark’s standards. The Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are right up there with the Samsung phone with its 99 rating, though, thanks to the following:

• Wide dynamic range in all lighting conditions
• Excellent auto-focus
• Good white balance both outdoors and indoors
• Good detail preservation
• Strong flash performance across the board
• Portraits rendered with pleasing foreground and background blur and bokeh

When it comes to stills, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8’s photo sub-score of 100 is still the best by DxOMark’s standards.

Video-wise, the 2017 Pixels have improved over last year’s models by 5 points. Their 96 rating puts them at the top of DxOMark’s ranking. And this is courtesy of the following:

• Good video stabilization
• Fast and accurate auto-focus with good subject tracking
• Good detail preservation indoors and outdoors
• Good noise reduction
• Fairly good white balance

Will the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL be knocked off their perch this year when the Apple iPhone X or Huawei Mate 10 gets released? We can’t wait to find out.

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