Lunar eclipse sparks debate: Which phone captured the best Blood Moon photos, Android or Apple?
A Blood Moon, the term often used to describe a total lunar eclipse, occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that fully covers the Moon.
Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Media
The “Blood Moon” which occurred during the total lunar eclipse on Sunday, had many people taking out their cameras and zooming in to get a glimpse of the mesmerizing moon.
According to the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), the moon moved fully into the Earth's shadow, giving it a deep red glow, known as the 'Blood Moon'.
SAASTA explained that for those interested in seeing the lunar eclipse, they should look East/East-North-East from a spot with a clear low horizon (the moon is low as totality begins).
“Unlike a solar eclipse, no eye protection is needed. Binoculars or a small telescope will enhance the view. For photos, stabilise your phone or camera, tap-focus on the Moon, lower the exposure a bit, and try a short-to-moderate zoom,” they said.
The Blood Moon rising behind the abandoned Ritz Hotel in Sea Point.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
Those of us with normal phones and not photographic cameras were hoping to get the best glimpse of the moon, in all its glory.
My simple iPhone 13 with 3x zoom feature didn't capture the blood moon to its fullest glory. This was evident when I logged onto X and saw the beauty of other pictures taken.
To fully capture the blood moon from it’s long distance, zooming is essential and popular Android models such as the Samsung S24 Ultra has 6x, 1x, 3x, 5x and 10x optical zoom and an iPhone 16 Pro Max has 5x, 1x, 2x and 5x optical zoom.
While it is debatable whether an Android or an Apple phone took the best picture, here is what some X users have said.
@Chris_JNdonga said: "This blood moon eclipse is cool. iPhone cameras zona ⚰️"
A few netizens agreed with him that iPhones were not delivering when it came to capturing the blood moon.
@_mrchaturvedi said: "iPhones are not known for distance photography or celestial photography however I feel, my iPhone did a decent job today with #LunarEclipse at 5x zoom."
@VoiceOfTribals_ said: "Clicked with Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Tonight’s lunar eclipse is a cosmic show not to miss! The moon’s reddish glow is pure magic."