We are proud to announce the official launch of VCX PhoneCam 2025, the latest evolution of our Smart phone camera evaluation standard. This new version represents not just an update, but a comprehensive redesign—rebuilt with updated user expectations in mind.


What’s New in VCX PhoneCam 2025?


1. A Smarter, More Intuitive Structure

VCX PhoneCam 2025 introduces a fundamental restructuring of the evaluation hierarchy. Instead of starting from lighting conditions, we now organize tests around key performance aspects—such as Texture and Resolution—with lighting treated as subcategories. This makes the scoring more modular, and easier to interpret across use cases.

Additionally, the new modular framework separates:

  • Main camera image quality
  • Selfie image quality
  • Performance tests

This allows clearer insights into specific use scenarios. In particular, challenges related to zoom functionality during video recording, selfie video quality, and overall video performance have now been recognized as key aspects of real-world content creation. As a result, these areas have been formally integrated into the VCX testing framework to better reflect user experiences when capturing content through video.


2. Expanded Test Coverage

We’ve expanded and refined critical metrics to reflect modern use cases:

  • Ultra-Wide Angle quality is evaluated using a dedicated Tartan chart to capture peripheral clarity.
  • Video quality evaluation has been enhanced, with 3x zoom and selfie video evaluations, plus new methods to assess dynamic range using transmissive charts.

3. Refined Scoring and Metric algorithms

We’ve overhauled our Lookup Tables (LUTs) and Score weights for improved score differentiation:

  • Texture Loss now carries a higher combined weight, making it a central factor in the final score calculation. The metric has been improved to better reflect both typical viewing conditions on standard monitors and actual smartphone usage scenarios. In addition, safeguards have been introduced to prevent manipulation techniques aimed at inflating benchmark results—such as artificially boosting the MTF10 value beyond realistic levels.
  • Resolution includes Effective Pixel Count (EPC), EPC/TPC ratio, and s-SFR-based Acutance.
  • Visual Noise (VN) has been refined for more accurate representation. Instead of relying solely on average values, the metric now selectively evaluates the worst-performing image regions to enhance clarity and relevance in the final assessment.
  • Sharpening Artifact definitions, focusing on real-world overshoot/undershoot effects.
  • Color and White Balance are evaluated with a careful balance between expert judgment and general user tolerance—particularly under challenging lighting conditions. While the slightly reduced weighting, it is still primarily to assess how much the reproduced colors deviate from the original chart references.

Based on subjective study results showing that opinions on color vary significantly, it is evident that deviations within a reasonable range do not necessarily indicate a clear difference in perceived quality. Since color perception is more subjective than other metrics, VCX has deliberately assigned it a lower weight, allowing users greater freedom to interpret color quality according to their own preferences.


4. Unified Lighting Condition Weights

Lighting contributions have been standardized across all metrics: Bright: 41%, Indoor: 28%, Low Light: 31%

This aligns the model more closely with how consumers actually use their devices.


5. Evaluation built with end users in mind

VCX PhoneCam 2025 marks a definite shift with a sharper focus on consumer-driven preferences. Informed by extensive user research, this new system offers relatable scores while keeping full automation and objectivity at its core.

Every VCX test is:

  • Repeatable with the same equipment and setup.
  • Transparent, with all procedures openly documented.
  • Bias-resistant, thanks to automation and reproducibility.


Why It Matters



VCX PhoneCam 2025 isn’t just more advanced—it’s more honest, more human, and more relevant. It bridges the gap between technical precision and everyday user expectations, providing both engineers and consumers with a benchmark they can trust.

As with previous versions, the entire testing and scoring process is fully automated—conducted entirely by machines without any human intervention—ensuring consistency across all evaluations. The evaluation methodology is fully transparent: anyone can review it in the public white paper, and with the appropriate equipment, the same results can be reproduced by any lab or engineer.


We invite all members, partners, and industry observers to explore the new standard and discover by requesting the new version's whitepaper, how VCX PhoneCam 2025 is reshaping the way we measure smartphone camera performance.

For full details, visit the VCX score page




Warm regards,

Benjamin Pak Coordinator