Top 6 Best Camera Phones in the World for Photography

Top 6 Best Camera Phones in the World for Photography

In 2025, smartphone cameras are better than ever—some even rival professional cameras. After testing many phones in different lighting conditions, we've chosen the top 6 for photography. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the best overall, thanks to its powerful zoom and smart AI tools.

The iPhone 16 Pro shines for video, while the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL offers amazing photos with smart editing. OnePlus 13 is great for action shots, Xiaomi 15 Ultra gives pro-level control with Leica lenses, and Pixel 8 Pro is a reliable, budget-friendly option. These phones are perfect for capturing sharp, beautiful photos.

6. Google Pixel 8 Pro

While not the newest, the Pixel 8 Pro remains a formidable photography smartphone that continues to deliver exceptional results at a more accessible price point.

Best For: Value-conscious buyers, users wanting proven Pixel quality, long-term software support.

Rear Camera Setup:

• Main Camera: 50MP, f/1.68, OIS, 1/1.31" sensor

• Ultra-Wide: 48MP, f/1.95, autofocus for macro

• Telephoto: 48MP, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom, OIS

• Front Camera: 10.5MP

Consistent Results:

• Time-tested algorithms deliver predictable, high-quality results across various shooting scenarios.

Video Capabilities:

• Solid 4K recording with excellent stabilization and audio quality.

Battery Life:

• All-day performance even with intensive camera usage.

Pricing & Availability

• Starting at $699 (APX)

Who Should Buy: Budget-conscious photographers, users who prioritize software support, and anyone wanting proven Pixel quality.

5. Xiaomi 15 Ultra

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is certainly the cameraphone flagship to beat in 2025. The early comparative reviews out there seem to converge on the conclusion that this phone makes better stills than its closest competitors.

Best For: Photography purists, Leica enthusiasts, users who want a camera-like experience.

Rear Camera Setup:

• Main Camera: 50MP, f/1.63, 1-inch Sony LYT-900 sensor, Leica Summilux lens

• Ultra-Wide: 50MP, f/2.2, 14mm equivalent

• Telephoto: 50MP, f/1.8, 70mm equivalent, floating lens design

• Periscope: 200MP, f/2.6, 100mm equivalent, Samsung Isocell HP9 sensor.

Photography Kit Innovation

• Professional Accessory System: Xiaomi even created a separate Photography kit that includes an add-on camera grip with a physical shutter button, an adjustable dial and a dedicated video button. There's also a case that allows you to attach a standard 67mm filter adapter

Camera-Like Design: With aerospace-grade glass fiber and PU leather, it is more reminiscent of classic Leica cameras when held in landscape orientation than typical smartphones.

Pricing & Availability

• Starting at approximately $1,699 (APX)

Who Should Buy: Photography enthusiasts, Leica lovers, users who want the most camera-like smartphone experience.

4. OnePlus 13

The OnePlus 13 combines flagship-level camera performance with the brand's signature speed and value proposition.

Best For: Performance enthusiasts, users seeking flagship features at competitive prices, portrait photographers.

Rear Camera Setup:

• Main Camera: 50MP, f/1.6, OIS, large sensor

• Ultra-Wide: 50MP, f/2.0

• Telephoto: 64MP, f/2.6, 3x optical zoom, OIS

• Front Camera: 32MP

Key Strengths
Value Proposition:

• Flagship camera performance at a more accessible price point than premium competitors.

Software Optimization:

• Clean, fast camera interface with professional manual controls when needed.

Build Quality:

• Premium materials and construction that feel as good as phones costing significantly more.

Pricing & Availability

• Starting at $899 (APX)

Who Should Buy: Performance-focused users, portrait photographers, and those seeking flagship quality at a lower price.

3. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Google's Pixel 9 Pro XL continues the company's tradition of computational photography excellence, delivering consistently stunning results through intelligent software processing.

Best For: AI photography enthusiasts, Android purists, users who want effortless, great photos.

Rear Camera Setup:

• Main Camera: 50MP, f/1.68, OIS, 1/1.31" sensor

• Ultra-Wide: 48MP, f/1.7, autofocus for macro

• Telephoto: 48MP, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom, OIS

• Front Camera: 42MP for exceptional selfies

AI Innovation
Smart Scene Recognition:

• Automatically adjusts settings based on what you're photographing, from food to landscapes to portraits.

Advanced HDR Processing:

• Multiple exposures are intelligently combined to preserve detail in both highlights and shadows.

Pricing & Availability

• Starting at $1,099(APX)

Who Should Buy: Android enthusiasts, users who want great photos without technical complexity, AI feature lovers.

2. Apple iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro series represents Apple's most significant camera upgrade in years, with improvements across every lens that establish it as the premier choice for mobile videography.
Best For: Video creators, iPhone ecosystem users, users prioritizing ease of use and consistency.

Rear Camera Setup:

• Main Camera: 48MP, f/1.78, OIS, 1/1.28" sensor

• Ultra-Wide: 48MP, f/2.2 (upgraded from 12MP) - Major 2025 improvement

• Telephoto: 12MP, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom, OIS

• Front Camera: 12MP TrueDepth.

Creative Features
Enhanced Macro Photography:

• With 48MP of image however, a center crop delivers a true 12 MP image. It makes for Macro shots that are on another level

HDR Performance:

• In our tests, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max proved to be one of the best devices for capturing HDR scenes and achieved the best results to date in the color category

Pricing & Availability

• iPhone 16 Pro: Starting at $999 | iPhone 16 Pro Max: Starting at $1,199 (APX)

Who Should Buy: Video creators, iPhone ecosystem users, photographers who prioritize ease of use and consistent results.

1. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Samsung's new flagship improves the score achieved by last year's Galaxy S24 Ultra by two whole points, reaching 158 points in comprehensive camera testing, establishing itself as the ultimate photography smartphone of 2025.
Best For: Professional photographers, content creators, users who need maximum versatility.

Rear Camera Setup:

• Main Camera: 200MP, f/1.7, OIS, 1/1.3" sensor

• Ultra-Wide: 50MP, f/1.9 (upgraded from 12MP) - Major 2025 improvement

• Telephoto 1: 50MP, f/3.4, 5x optical zoom, OIS

• Telephoto 2: 10MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS

• Front Camera: 12MP, f/2.2

Professional Features
Expert RAW Support:

• Shoot like a professional photographer with Expert RAW. Virtual Aperture allows you to adjust the lighting, and after taking your pics, RAW files are saved into your gallery, ready for editing

S Pen Integration:

• The built-in S Pen serves as a remote shutter for group photos and provides precise control for photo editing and annotation.

Pricing & Availability

• Starting at $1,29(APX)

Who Should Buy: Professional photographers, content creators, power users who need the most comprehensive camera system available.

FAQs

What is the best overall camera phone in 2025?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the top-rated camera phone of 2025, offering a 200MP main sensor, dual telephoto lenses, Expert RAW support, and AI-enhanced features.

Which phone is best for video recording?

The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are ideal for video, offering 4K at 120fps, Dolby Vision HDR, and outstanding color science.

Are camera phones better than DSLR cameras?

While DSLRs still outperform in manual control and lens variety, flagship camera phones now rival DSLRs in everyday use, especially with AI and computational photography.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is based on independent testing, brand announcements, and expert reviews as of mid-2025. Prices are approximate and may vary by region or retailer. Specifications and features listed are subject to change by manufacturers. We do not guarantee product availability or price accuracy. Always verify through official sources or trusted vendors before making a purchase.