Make the comparison fair
Keep the original and result aligned at the same display scale. Start with a fitted view to judge the whole photograph, then inspect important details at 100%. Move the divider slowly across the areas that matter for your use case.
Do not assume every visible change is an improvement. A model can sharpen an edge, smooth skin or add a pattern that looks convincing but differs from the subject. Keep a copy of the untouched source as your reference.
Faces: identity before texture
Inspect the position and shape of the eyes, nose and mouth before focusing on fine detail. Compare small facial marks, the hairline and the boundary around the ears. In a group photograph, check each face rather than only the person nearest the camera.
Optional face restoration can change details. For a dating profile or family archive, avoid choosing a result simply because the skin looks smoother. A useful image should still look like the person you know.
Text: read every important character
Examine names, prices, addresses and numbers character by character. Look for changed punctuation and strokes that have merged or split. An apparently readable label may be an estimate, especially if the source letters were tiny or blurred.
For a document, use a better scan whenever you can. Enhancement does not authenticate text or replace verification against the source. Keep recognized text and the original page available together for review.
Products: preserve shape and material
Check the outline, proportions and any identifying marks. Ceramic, leather, linen and metal should still look like their actual materials. Look for new patterns in the texture, and for labels or logos that have been subtly redrawn.
For a shop listing, the goal is to communicate the item clearly. Invented detail can create the wrong expectation even if the photograph looks more polished. A sharper image is useful only when it still represents what you sell.
Rooms and landscapes: watch lines and repeated patterns
Window frames, door edges and furniture legs reveal warped geometry quickly. In landscapes, inspect tree branches and distant buildings for repeated or unnatural patterns. View both bright and shadowed areas.
After review, download the version that works for your purpose. If the result changes a meaningful detail, keep the original or try a dedicated editing workflow with more control. Enhancement is an editing choice, not an obligation.