Phone Camera vs Scanner for Card Grading: Which Captures Better Images?

The Most Common Question We Get

If you are researching AI card grading, you have probably seen conflicting advice. Some sources say phone cameras produce better images. Others recommend dedicated scanners. And when you are about to invest in a grading plan, the last thing you want is to find out you are capturing images the wrong way.

Here is the truth: both methods work with CardGrade.io, and both can produce excellent results. But they have different strengths, and the best choice depends on how many cards you are grading and what your workflow looks like.

This guide breaks down the real differences so you can make an informed decision.

Phone Camera: The Quick and Accessible Option

Your smartphone — whether it is an iPhone 13 or newer, a Samsung Galaxy, or a Google Pixel — has a camera that is more than capable of capturing card images for AI grading. Modern phone cameras shoot at 12MP or higher, which exceeds what the AI needs to analyze centering, corners, edges, and surface condition.

Why phone photos work well

Natural color reproduction. Phone cameras are optimized for accurate colors and white balance. A well-lit photo of a card will look true to life, with accurate foil rendering, holographic effects, and color saturation. Scanners can sometimes wash out or oversaturate colors depending on their calibration.

Handles special surfaces better. Chrome cards, holographic cards, refractors, and other specialty finishes often photograph better with a phone. Scanners use a fixed light bar that moves across the card at close range, which can create harsh reflections or dark bands on reflective surfaces. A phone held at a slight distance with diffused room lighting avoids this issue entirely.

Zero additional hardware. You already own a phone. No scanner purchase, no driver installation, no dedicated desk space required. Open the camera app, take a photo, upload it.