Best Camera Phones in 2025 (Top 7: iPhone, Google Pixel, Samsung and More)
When it comes to choosing a new phone, many people prioritize having an excellent camera. And it’s no surprise — the best camera phones deliver stunning photo quality, impressive zoom capabilities, low-light performance, and even 4K video recording.
The iPhone 16 Pro stands out as the best camera phone, offering the same advanced cameras as the Pro Max at a lower price, along with innovative AI features. For Android users, the Pixel 9 Pro is a standout option with exceptional photo quality, even surpassing the Galaxy S24 Ultra in detailed comparisons. Here’s a roundup of the top camera phones available today.
Contents
Best Camera Phones: Reviews and Recommendations
In this section, we provide detailed reviews to help you find the best camera phone. Check out our top picks below.
1. iPhone 16 Pro Max
The Ultimate Camera Phone
Introduces significant camera improvements, notably with its telephoto lens, which now features a 5x optical zoom and a tetraprism design. The main camera has also been upgraded to a faster Fusion camera, while the ultrawide lens now boasts a 48MP sensor. These changes result in brighter, more detailed action shots, more natural colors in ultrawide images, and impressive low-light performance.
The iPhone 16 Pro also brings practical features, like a Camera Control button for easy photo-taking and mode adjustments, without needing to interact with the screen. The larger 6.3-inch display is perfect for reviewing your photos. Plus, the upcoming Apple Intelligence with the Photo Clean Up tool enhances your pictures, although Google’s version remains a bit more refined.
2. Google Pixel 9 Pro
Top Android Camera Phone
The Pixel 9 Pro stands out as one of Google’s finest camera phones, offering a powerful triple-camera setup. Its 5x optical zoom delivers crisp and detailed close-ups, while the Super Res Zoom extends to 30x with minimal noise. The ultrawide lens enhances versatility, supporting Macro Focus for intricate details in close-up shots. The phone’s photo-processing capabilities consistently produce vibrant and balanced images, complemented by AI-powered tools like Reimagine for enhancing selected areas and Add Me for creative group shots.
With its impressive camera system and intuitive features, the Pixel 9 Pro offers an exceptional photography experience for Android users, making it a top choice for capturing stunning photos and videos.
3. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Best Camera Phone for Unlimited Budgets
Continues the legacy of exceptional camera performance, building on its predecessor’s strengths. Larger pixels enhance its ability to capture light, resulting in brighter and more vibrant colors in photos. The standout upgrade is the telephoto lens, which now features a 50MP sensor, delivering more detailed zoom shots. While the optical zoom has been scaled back to 5x, the camera compensates by using full-resolution images to achieve a 10x zoom with impressive clarity, although some softness can be noticed in certain areas.
Samsung’s AI-powered photo editing tools add versatility, allowing users to resize and reposition subjects effortlessly using generative AI. These tools enhance creative control but are also available across other recent Samsung models, ensuring a consistent experience for enthusiasts who value innovative editing features.
4. Google Pixel 8a
Great Camera for the Price
Builds on the strengths of its predecessor, maintaining the same 64MP main camera and delivering impressive photo quality through advanced processing capabilities. While it may not be a significant upgrade for Pixel 7a users, those seeking an affordable camera phone will appreciate the Pixel 8a’s ability to produce high-quality images with ease.
Powered by the Tensor G3 chipset, the Pixel 8a introduces advanced photo editing tools like Magic Editor for resizing and repositioning subjects, and Best Take to perfect group shots by swapping in better facial expressions. Alongside these features, the Pixel 8a offers improved battery life, lasting significantly longer than many smartphones, making it a reliable companion for extended photo sessions.
5. iPhone 16
An excellent iPhone camera at a lower cost
Offers a great alternative for those who want a high-quality camera experience without the higher-end features of Apple’s Pro models. While it lacks a telephoto lens, the 48MP main camera can crop in to simulate a 2x optical zoom, and the larger ultrawide lens captures more light, allowing for impressive macro shots. The addition of the Camera Control button, also found on the Pro models, enhances usability for users looking for quick access to camera functions.
In our testing, the iPhone 16 delivered dynamic, detailed shots that stood out in its price range, excelling in both lighting and low-light conditions. The rearranged camera lenses, stacked vertically, allow for spatial video capture, even on this more affordable flagship model. Whether you choose the standard iPhone 16 or the larger Plus version, the camera performance remains consistent, making it an excellent option for anyone seeking great photos.
6. Samsung Galaxy S24
Best Value for a Samsung Camera Phone
Offers impressive camera features without the high price tag, delivering vibrant, detailed photos thanks to its 50MP main camera. While it doesn’t have the 200MP sensor of the higher-end model, it still produces high-quality images with rich colors, and its telephoto lens is a rare find on phones in this price range.
Though the camera hardware hasn’t drastically changed from its predecessor, the S24 benefits from the same Galaxy AI tools seen on Samsung’s premium models. These include smart edit suggestions and a generative editing tool, allowing users to resize, move, or remove objects from their photos with ease.
7. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
Compact Camera Power
Introduces a significant upgrade with its 50MP main camera, offering sharper images and the ability to simulate a 2x optical zoom using pixel binning. This is a smart solution for fitting high-quality camera features into a compact folding design, eliminating the need for a separate telephoto lens.
The camera performance of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 impresses, even outperforming competitors in direct comparisons. Users can take advantage of the foldable design by using the exterior cameras for selfies, with the cover display acting as a viewfinder. Galaxy AI tools, like transforming photos into illustrations or cartoons, add even more versatility to its camera capabilities.
Check out the Best-Selling Phones
If you’re still unsure, click the link below to check out the best-selling products.
See Also Other Useful Articles
Also check out other useful articles that can help you make more informed decisions.
- Best Gaming Phone in 2025 (Top 5: Asus, iPhone, OnePlus and More)
- Best Phone Battery Life in 2025 (Top 8: OnePlus, Asun ROG Phone, Moto G and More)
- Best Samsung Phones in 2025 (Top 7: Galaxy A35, Galaxy S24 Ultra, Z Fold 6 and More)
Video About the Best Camera Phones
We created a video on the topic. To watch, simply click play below.
Conclusion
When shopping for a smartphone with a focus on camera quality, it’s crucial to consider the types of photos you most enjoy capturing. Whether you prefer wide landscapes, detailed portraits, or low-light shots, understanding the benefits of different lenses, apertures, and megapixels can help guide your choice. Additionally, post-capture processing and AI-driven features play an important role in enhancing your images, so comparing real-world results is essential.
Don’t overlook the front camera, as selfies are more important than ever. Many phones now offer portrait modes on front-facing lenses, and video capabilities, including resolution and frame rate, should also be considered for those who enjoy shooting dynamic content. With all these factors in mind, you can choose a device that aligns with your photo and video needs.
Written by: Wilson Junior / Edited by: Pablo Marques
Related Articles
About the Author
Co-founder of illustraTop, he is a Systems Analyst with a postgraduate degree in Computer Engineering. He specializes in creating content focused on technology and innovation, always aiming to apply efficient solutions to make life more practical.