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10 Best Camera Phones for Video Recording in 2025 Ranked Guide

Updated 16 May 2025 02:17 PM

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10 Best Camera Phones for Video Recording in 2025 Ranked Guide

Top 10 Best Camera Phones for Video Recording in 2025

Smartphone video recording has improved a lot in the past few years. What used to be shaky and low-quality video is now clear and smooth, like something from a movie.

In 2025, the best camera phones offer great video quality, sharp pictures, and smart tools that help anyone shoot videos like a pro. Here are the top 10 phones that are making a big difference for people who create videos with their phones this year.

Rank

Smartphone

10

Huawei P70 Pro

9

Nothing Phone (4)

8

OPPO Find X8 Pro

7

OnePlus 13 Pro

6

Vivo X100 Pro Plus

5

Xiaomi 16 Ultra

4

Sony Xperia 1 VII Pro

3

Google Pixel 10 Pro

2

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

1

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

10. Huawei P70 Pro

Even though it doesn't fully support Google services, the Huawei P70 Pro still stands out with its excellent camera features. Made in partnership with Leica, its four-camera setup captures high-quality video with rich, movie-like colors. The special "XD Fusion Pro" processor highlights fine details, even in low or tricky lighting.

One of its best features is "Director Mode," which helps turn your video clips into complete stories with smooth editing. The phone also has a powerful zoom lens that can record clear video even at 10x zoom.

For those who care most about camera quality, the P70 Pro is a strong choice.

Pros:

  • Leica cameras deliver rich, film-like video.
  • Great performance even without Google.
  • Strong in low light and detail capture.

9. Nothing Phone (4)

The Nothing Phone (4) offers great video quality without the high price. It runs smoothly with no extra apps slowing it down, making video recording easy and lag-free.

It has a built-in "Creator's Kit" that lets you edit videos directly on the phone without needing other apps.

One cool feature is the "Glyph" lights on the back, which act like a mini video light. They change brightness and pattern depending on how and where you’re filming.

While it doesn’t have all the high-end specs of more expensive phones, it gives users solid video features and tools at a budget-friendly price.

Pros:

  • Clean, fast system with no bloatware.
  • Stylish and lightweight.

8. OPPO Find X8 Pro

The OPPO Find X8 Pro is made for users who want high-quality video with little effort. It has a special chip that helps process video quickly and clearly, giving you sharp pictures and accurate colors.

The "Dynamic Zoom" lets you smoothly zoom in and out between its three cameras, just like in movies. It also handles tough lighting like concerts or sunsets by adjusting brightness up to 30 times every second.

Pros:

  • Smooth zoom for cinematic shots.
  • Adapts instantly to changing light.
  • Auto scene recognition for the best settings.

7. OnePlus 13 Pro

The OnePlus 13 Pro is a great choice for anyone who wants high-quality and flexible video recording. Its camera system, developed with Hasselblad, makes sure your videos have natural, true-to-life colors across all lenses.

The "Action Track" feature keeps moving people or objects clear and in focus, with smooth video even while you're on the go.

Shooting at night or in low light? "Nightscape Video 3.0" keeps your videos bright and clear, without that grainy look.

The "Director's View" lets you see all camera angles at once and switch between them while recording, perfect for creators who want more control over their shots.

Pros:

  • Live view of all cameras while recording.
  • True colors from Hasselblad tuning.
  • Lightweight and easy to handle.

6. Vivo X100 Pro Plus

Vivo worked with ZEISS to make the X100 Pro Plus great for video recording. It has a special feature that adjusts colors based on what you're filming, so your videos look more polished.

The phone has four cameras with built-in gimbal stabilization, which keeps your videos steady no matter how you hold the phone or what you're filming.

It’s especially good for portrait videos, thanks to its "Skin Natural" feature that keeps skin looking real but smooth. The "Vlogger View" lets you record with both the front and back cameras at the same time perfect for travel or storytelling.

Pros:

  • Four-way stabilization keeps the video steady.
  • Great for vloggers with a dual-camera view.

5. Xiaomi 16 Ultra

Xiaomi teamed up with the famous camera brand Leica to give the 16 Ultra top-level video features. It has a large one-inch main sensor, the biggest ever in a phone, which helps capture more light and detail in every shot.

With "Cinema Color" settings, you can make your videos look like classic movies with just one tap.

The "Hyper Steady 3.0" keeps your videos smooth, even if you're running or filming fast action. It also has an "8K Cinematic" mode that records in a wide movie-style format, and a background blur effect that makes your subjects stand out. The 16 Ultra offers high-quality video at a more affordable price than many premium phones.

Pros:

  • Huge one-inch sensor for rich detail.
  • Affordable for its features.

4. Sony Xperia 1 VII Pro

Sony has used its camera experience to create the Xperia 1 VII Pro, a phone made especially for people who take video seriously.

It includes the same kind of manual controls found in Sony’s high-end cameras and has a special "Videography Pro" app that gives you full control over your video settings.

The phone records in real 8K HDR with rich colors and great contrast, making your videos look like they were made for the big screen.

A feature called "Focus Mapping" shows you exactly what part of your shot is sharp and clear, while "Sound Separation" helps reduce background noise so voices are easier to hear.

Pros:

  • Real 8K HDR recording with 10-bit color.
  • Real-time focus display helps accuracy.

3. Google Pixel 10 Pro

Google’s Pixel 10 Pro is great for video recording, especially if you care about natural-looking results. Its "Real Tone 2.0" feature makes sure that all skin tones look correct, no matter the lighting.

The "Audio Focus" tool helps record clear sound from your subject while reducing background noise around them.

One of its best tools is "Story Capture," which records events as they happen and picks out the most important parts to turn into a short, edited video. It also works very well in low light and gives smooth, natural-looking video. For anyone who enjoys capturing real moments, the Pixel 10 Pro is a great option.

Pros:

  • Accurate skin tones with Real Tone 2.0.
  • Clear voice recording with Audio Focus.

2. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a top choice for people who want powerful video features. It has a 200MP main camera and a strong 10x zoom that lets you film far-away subjects clearly without losing quality.

The "Motion Pro" feature lets you record super slow-motion videos at 960 frames per second in 4K great for capturing fast action like sports or animals.

The phone also handles tough lighting really well with "Adaptive HDR Video," which adjusts the brightness in every frame, even when moving from dark rooms to bright outdoor scenes.

Another helpful feature is "Studio Mode," which keeps your subject in focus and centered while they move, making it easy to get smooth and professional-looking shots.

Pros:

  • 960fps slow-motion at 4K resolution.
  • Smart HDR for tricky lighting changes.

1. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is one of the best phones for recording video. Its new "CinemaVision" system uses four cameras on the back to capture clear and detailed footage with great depth.

You can record in sharp 8K quality at 60 frames per second, and the special "ProRes Raw" format is great for people who like to edit videos professionally.

Thanks to "Liquid Stabilization," your videos stay smooth even while walking, like using a gimbal. Night video is also much better, letting you film clear scenes even in low light.

If you make videos for social media, the "Director Mode" can help by putting your clips together with music and smooth transitions, making your content ready to share quickly and easily.

Pros:

  • ProRes Raw format for pro-level editing.
  • Smooth video with Liquid Stabilization.
  • Easy automatic edits with AI Director mode.
  • Shoots high-quality 8K video at 60fps.

Can You Record Professional-Quality Video with a Smartphone?

Yes, many flagship smartphones now support features like 8K video, manual controls, and high-quality audio.

Devices like the Sony Xperia 1 VII Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra give users the tools they need to shoot cinematic videos, complete with custom focus, exposure settings, and crisp sound ideal for creators and filmmakers on the go.

How to Choose the Best Camera Phone for Video Recording?

Picking the right smartphone for video depends on your needs, whether you're a casual user, a content creator, or a pro filmmaker. Here's what to look for:

1. Video Resolution

  • Look for phones that can shoot in at least 4K. If you want high detail and editing options, go for phones with 8K video, like the iPhone 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.

2. Stabilization

  • Smooth video is key. Phones with optical image stabilization (OIS), gimbal systems, or strong software-based stabilization (like Vivo X100 Pro Plus or iPhone 17 Pro Max) are ideal for handheld shooting.

3. Low-Light Performance

  • If you film at night or indoors, choose a phone with a large sensor and good night video mode—such as the Pixel 10 Pro or OnePlus 13 Pro.

4. Audio Quality

  • Clear sound matters as much as video. Phones like the Pixel 10 Pro (with directional microphones) and Sony Xperia 1 VII Pro (with sound separation) are great picks.

5. Manual Controls and Pro Modes

  • If you want full control over focus, exposure, and white balance, look for phones with manual video options—like Sony Xperia 1 VII Pro or Samsung’s “Pro Video” mode.

6. Extra Features

  • Think about extras like:
  • Multi-camera recording (OnePlus 13 Pro’s Director’s View)
  • Built-in editing tools (Nothing Phone (4)'s Creator Kit)
  • Cinema filters and color grading (Xiaomi 16 Ultra or Vivo X100 Pro Plus)

7. Storage and Battery Life

  • High-resolution videos take up space and drain battery. Choose a phone with at least 256GB of storage and strong battery life if you shoot often.

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