Top 7 Best Smartphones for Low-Light Photography in 2025: Complete Buyer's Guide

Top 7 Best Smartphones for Low-Light Photography

Low-light photography has become one of the most important features smartphone buyers consider today. Whether you're capturing memories at evening events, shooting stunning nightscapes, or taking photos in dimly lit restaurants, having a smartphone that excels in challenging lighting conditions is crucial.

In 2025, smartphone manufacturers have pushed the boundaries of computational photography, introducing advanced night modes, larger sensors, and AI-powered image processing that can turn darkness into detailed, vibrant photographs. This comprehensive guide explores the top 7 smartphones that dominate low-light photography based on extensive testing and real-world performance.

7. Xiaomi 15 Ultra - Best for Creative Control

Xiaomi excels in detail capture and background bokeh, especially when using large apertures and low ISO, with good color reproduction across its range. The Leica partnership brings authentic photographic character to smartphone imagery.

• Key Low-Light Features:

  • Leica Authentic and Vibrant modes for different aesthetic preferences

  • Large 1-inch main sensor for superior light gathering

  • Professional photography app with extensive manual controls

  • Advanced image processing with multiple shooting modes

  • 8K video recording with cinematic quality

• Real-World Performance: The 15 Ultra provides photographers with the most creative control, allowing for traditional photography techniques adapted to smartphone form factor.

• Best For: Photography purists who appreciate Leica's color science and want maximum creative control.

• Camera Setup: 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x periscope (Leica partnership)

6. OPPO Find X8 Pro - Most Balanced Camera System

Oppo delivers a balanced and well-rounded performance in photography, maintaining good balance of detail and color especially in street and city architecture shots. The quad-camera system provides unmatched versatility for different shooting scenarios.

• Key Low-Light Features:

  • Quad 50MP camera system for consistent quality across all lenses

  • 6x periscope telephoto for detailed distant night subjects

  • AI scene recognition optimizes settings automatically

  • ColorOS photography features with professional editing tools

  • Hasselblad color calibration on select models

• Real-World Performance: The Find X8 Pro maintains color consistency across all four cameras, making it ideal for users who frequently switch between different focal lengths during night photography sessions.

• Best For: Users who want consistent performance across all camera focal lengths with professional-grade features.

• Camera Setup: 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 6x periscope

5. Vivo X200 Pro - Best for Creative Photography

Vivo X200 offers better low-light performance, stronger telephoto zoom and more consistent color reproduction in telephoto shots. Vivo provides excellent balance of detail and color when dealing with high-contrast scenes, especially in street and city architecture shots.

• Key Low-Light Features:

  • 200MP periscope telephoto with exceptional zoom capabilities

  • Zeiss optical partnership for professional color science

  • Gimbal stabilization reduces blur in handheld night shots

  • Pro photography modes with extensive manual controls

  • 4K 120fps video for smooth low-light recording

• Real-World Performance: The X200 Pro excels in maintaining detail across all focal lengths while providing natural color reproduction. Its telephoto system particularly shines for distant night subjects.

• Best For: Professional photographers and content creators who need versatile zoom capabilities and precise manual controls.

• Camera Setup: 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 200MP periscope telephoto (Zeiss partnership)

4. OnePlus 13 - Best Performance and Value Balance

The OnePlus 13 delivers sharper main camera images, better contrast, and no skin smoothening in portraits, with an overall more fluid user experience. The Hasselblad partnership ensures color accuracy and professional-grade image processing.

• Key Low-Light Features:

  • Sony LYT-808 sensor with advanced light sensitivity

  • Hasselblad color tuning for natural, professional colors

  • OxygenOS 15 with AI-enhanced photography features

  • 8K video recording with excellent stabilization

  • Fast charging ensures your phone is always ready for night shoots

• Real-World Performance: OnePlus smartphones boost exposure in low-light conditions effectively, handling lens flare intensity better than many competitors while maintaining good sharpness and color accuracy.

• Best For: Tech enthusiasts who want flagship camera performance without the premium price tag.

• Camera Setup: 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP 3x telephoto (Hasselblad partnership)

3. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL - Most Intelligent Night Mode

The Pixel 9 Pro XL is equipped with Google's industry-renowned image processing capabilities, ensuring great-looking pictures no matter the lighting conditions. Google Pixel smartphones excel at astrophotography with their dedicated astrophotography mode that takes multiple 16-second images and processes them.

• Key Low-Light Features:

  • Advanced computational photography with Tensor G4 chip

  • Dedicated astrophotography mode for stunning star photography

  • Magic Eraser and Best Take work effectively in low light

  • Live Translate camera feature functions in dim conditions

  • Automatic night mode detection activates seamlessly

• Real-World Performance: The Pixel 9 Pro captured the best foreground detail while creating the most convincing bokeh fall-off in challenging lighting, with the most true-to-life color processing.

• Best For: Users who want intelligent, hands-off photography with exceptional computational features and astrophotography capabilities.

• Camera Setup: 50MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP 5x telephoto

2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra - Best for Detail and Zoom

The Galaxy S25 Ultra beats the iPhone in overall camera performance, with its main camera delivering superior exposure and better dynamic range. Samsung's night mode produces better detail and brighter exposure for those who prefer that aesthetic.

• Key Low-Light Features:

  • 200MP main sensor captures incredible detail in challenging conditions

  • Dual telephoto system (3x and 10x) for versatile night zoom shots

  • Advanced night mode with AI enhancement

  • Pro mode allows manual control over ISO, shutter speed, and focus

  • 8K video recording at 30fps even in moderate low light

• Real-World Performance: The Galaxy S25 Ultra's main 200MP camera captures more detail, including more stars in astrophotography, though images may require more processing for optimal results. The device particularly shines in urban night photography where detail retention is crucial.

• Best For: Photography enthusiasts who want maximum detail and manual control options for creative night photography.

• Camera Setup: 200MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x periscope

1. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max - Best Overall Low-Light Performer

The iPhone 16 Pro Max consistently delivers superior low-light performance with its advanced image processing pipeline and improved zoom capabilities that keep it ahead of the competition. The iPhone does a better job with sky color and clarity in night photography, producing cleaner images compared to competitors.

• Key Low-Light Features:

  • 48MP main sensor with f/1.78 aperture for maximum light gathering

  • Advanced Night mode that automatically activates in low light

  • Sensor-shift optical image stabilization reduces blur from hand movement

  • Deep Fusion technology for incredible detail in medium to low light

  • Cinematic mode works effectively in challenging lighting

• Real-World Performance: At night, the iPhone 16 Pro Max handles mixed lighting scenarios exceptionally well, with excellent video recording capabilities that surpass most Android rivals. The device excels at maintaining natural colors while lifting shadows without over-brightening highlights.

• Best For: Users who prioritize consistent, natural-looking results and superior video recording in low light.

• Camera Setup: 48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 12MP 5x telephoto