These are two of the best smartphone cameras available, no question, but it probably won't surprise you to learn that Samsung and Apple take two very different approaches to the matter.
The iPhone 6 is undoubtedly the lesser specced of the two. It's an 8-megapixel camera with an f/2.2 lens, which appears to compare unfavourably to the Samsung Galaxy S6's 16-megapixel camera with f/1.9 lens. In addition, the Galaxy S6 features optical image stabilisation (OIS) for steadier shots - which is particularly useful for low-light conditions.
Both phones have 1/3-inch image sensors and phase detection autofocus for super-quick focusing.
However, the iPhone 6's strength - and something that it still rules supreme on - is taking great pictures with the absolute minimum of fuss. Whip out the phone and take a quick snapshot in all but the most challenging of conditions (i.e. in poor lighting) and nine times out of ten you'll capture the moment spot on.
Apple's camera interface remains our favourite in this respect, and the phone's snappy A8 processor ensures that you can jump straight to the camera with little delay.
Meanwhile Apple's auto-HDR mode takes care of those scenes that contain extremes of light and dark without having to manually fiddle with the settings.
The Galaxy S6 also makes it very easy to capture good shots. In particular, I loved the ability to jump straight to the camera app with a double press of the home button, making this initial boot-up process even more dependable in a pinch than the iPhone 6.
Samsung's partial auto-HDR mode also deals with extremes of light and dark without as much of a false, otherworldly appearance as many full-on HDR modes (particularly on Android phones) can produce. The results aren't as natural as the iPhone 6's, though. In the Galaxy S6's favour, it shows you a real time preview of what that HDR shot will look like on its display.
However, the Galaxy S6 interface just isn't quite as nice or intuitive as the iPhone 6 with its simple scrollable functions. It's not bad by any means, but Apple's is on a whole other level of intuitiveness.
Whether you prefer the Galaxy S6 camera's widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio or the iPhone 6's more traditional 4:3 will be a matter of pure preference, as always.
Where the Samsung Galaxy S6 trumps the iPhone 6 is when you want to take a little extra time and care over your mobile shots. The phone's new Pro mode offers full control over things like focus, white balance, ISO, and exposure. It's both slick and powerful, and there's nothing like it on the iPhone 6.
As for image quality, both phones are capable of taking great shots. On this front, however, we'd have to give the nod to the Galaxy S6 for its greater low light capabilities and potential for capturing more detail. Zoom in on any picture and that extra information is apparent.
The S6 camera is perhaps slightly less consistent, and you might need to work a little harder to get the perfect shot (though only a little), but again, that's partially mitigated by that killer home button shortcut.
