Remember the days when you had to carry your camera on a strap around your neck? It seems like 100 years ago, doesn’t it?
These days, photography ideas strike at any time, making it essential to have a high-quality camera right on your phone. After all, capturing the perfect shot is now just a pocket away.
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But with so many options available, finding the best camera phones can be tough.
Thankfully, we’ve got you covered.
So if you’re ready, let’s jump right in and find you a great camera phone for 2025.
10+ Best Camera Phones in 2025
- Google Pixel 6 Pro — The best camera phone overall in 2025 (Editor’s Choice)
- Nokia 5.3 — The best budget camera phone
- Google Pixel 5a 5G — The best value camera phone
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra — The best versatile camera phone
- iPhone 13 Pro / Pro Max — The best Apple camera phone
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra — The best all-in-one camera phone
- Apple iPhone 12 Pro — The best affordable Apple camera phone
- Samsung Galaxy Z — Best camera phone with advanced functionalities
- OnePlus 9 Pro — The best premium-build camera phone
- Google Pixel 7 Pro — The best camera phones for stunning visuals
- Apple iPhone SE 2022 — The best light smart camera phone
- Realme GT2 Pro — The best affordable camera phone with Qualcomm processor
- OnePlus 10 Pro — The best camera phone for 8k videos
Are these camera phones out of your budget? Check out our feature on the best budget camera phones.
What is the best camera phone overall in 2025?
The number of phones out there these days is mind-boggling. With all of the different options and features, they can come with, choosing the best one can be a struggle. However, we love making things easier, and to us, the best camera phone in 2025 is the Pixel 6 Pro from Google.
Interested in some of our other top choices? Check out our comparison table below.
Table could not be displayed.How to choose the right camera phone?
As we stated before, smartphones can come with a wide variety of features that can make it hard to decide which one is right for you. Luckily, we’ve built a handy guide on how you can choose the right one for your needs.
Autofocus
No one likes blurry photos. Autofocus helps your phone’s camera focus on your subject to provide you with beautiful and clear pictures every time. These days, it may seem obvious that the camera on a smartphone will come with autofocus but some don’t, make sure you check first.
Dual LED or Xenon flash
Out at night? Want to get a photo of you and your friends? You’re going to need a camera that has a good flash to help you capture your image. There are generally three main types of flashes that camera phones come with – Xenon, Dual LED, and Single LED. Let’s take a brief look at each option.
Xenon
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Xenon flashes are the brightest overall, and have the best quality images in low light situations, resulting in less blurry photos. The downside is that a Xenon flash can add more money to the cost of the phone and can add extra strain to the battery.
Dual LED
While a dual-LED flash is twice as bright as a standard LED flash, it can’t measure up to Xenon flashes for moving images, causing them to look blurry. The trade-off is that a dual LED is a cheaper option, great for video, and produces good low-light pictures.
Single LED
While we would never recommend this to anyone who may be serious about taking quality photos with their phone, some phones still come with this option. It is a cheap option but the results are far from what someone might hope for.
Image stabilization options
If there is a top 10 list of the things you need your camera phone to have, number two would easily be image stabilization. As essential as autofocus, image stabilization is another tool to help keep your favorite photos from looking blurry.
While it can’t prevent blurry photos completely, it can help reduce the amount of blur and help you take quality pictures every time. Make sure your camera phone comes with this important feature.
Megapixels
Megapixels have become the diva of camera phones. While they are important, people tend to put too much focus on them. From the outset, you would think that 8 megapixels would be better than 3 megapixels and you’d be right, except in one way.
If the quality of the 8-megapixel camera is poor, you’re better off with a good quality 3-megapixel camera phone. You should look for 5 megapixels as a baseline for good-quality pictures.
While the number of megapixels has become much larger, the overall quality of the camera phone will determine how well the pictures you take will appear.
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Description: The Pixel 6 Pro is our top pick for a versatile Android experience, featuring a powerful Google Tensor processor, advanced camera capabilities, fast charging, enhanced security, and a modern user interface. |
Description: This used iPhone 13 Pro Max is in excellent cosmetic condition, with a battery capacity exceeding 80% of a new one. While the accessories might not be original, they're compatible and work well. The product may come in a generic box, and you can request a replacement or refund within 90 days if you're not satisfied. |
Description: The Galaxy S22 Ultra offers incredible 8K video recording and exceptional low-light photography with Night Mode, along with a stunning 108MP resolution display and adaptive color contrast. |
The Pixel 6 Pro is our top pick for a versatile Android experience, featuring a powerful Google Tensor processor, advanced camera capabilities, fast charging, enhanced security, and a modern user interface.
This used iPhone 13 Pro Max is in excellent cosmetic condition, with a battery capacity exceeding 80% of a new one. While the accessories might not be original, they're compatible and work well. The product may come in a generic box, and you can request a replacement or refund within 90 days if you're not satisfied.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra offers incredible 8K video recording and exceptional low-light photography with Night Mode, along with a stunning 108MP resolution display and adaptive color contrast.
10+ Best Camera Phones in 2025
1. Google Pixel 6 Pro (Editor’s Choice)
The best camera phone overall in 2025
It’s worth mentioning just how much we adore the fact that Google has been releasing phones that have delivered excellent photographic results on each of them. With the Pixel 6 Pro, they have again raised the bar. With huge upgrades to both the hardware and software when compared to the Pixel 5, the Pixel 6 Pro puts it in the rearview.
We can say that where the Pixel 6 Pro truly shines is in its performance. The powerful Google Tensor processor, the first processor designed by Google and made exclusively for the Pixel, propels the device to an entirely new level of responsiveness and speed.
It’s like having a mini supercomputer in your pocket, making multitasking a breeze and ensuring that everything from app launches to gaming sessions is buttery smooth.
Now, let’s talk about the camera system, a feature that has left us in awe. The advanced camera setup boasts wide and ultrawide lenses that work in harmony to capture the world around you in stunning detail.
The 4x optical zoom takes you closer to your subjects without any loss in quality, and the main sensor? It’s a light-gathering that captures an astounding 150% more light. This means your low-light shots are now more vibrant and sharp than ever before.
Pixel’s innovative tools like the Magic Eraser, Motion Mode, and Portrait Mode add a professional touch to your photos, making sure they’re sharp, accurate, and perfectly focused.
We can’t get enough of the Face Unblur feature; it’s like magic for your portraits. With a simple tap, you can deblur a face and turn a good shot into a stunning masterpiece.
Although it’s important to note that the storage isn’t expandable, the Pixel 6 Pro’s overall performance and camera prowess make it an exceptional choice for capturing and cherishing life’s moments.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Useful software tools | ➖ Storage isn’t expandable |
| ➕ Best-in-class camera hardware | ➖ Battery life could be better |
2. Nokia 5.3
The best budget camera phone
Our experience with the Nokia 5.3 has been exceptional, solidifying its place among the best camera phones on the market. This smartphone goes big with its epic-sized 6.55-inch HD+ display, providing an immersive canvas for the incredible quad rear camera system that truly stands out.
What truly sets the Nokia 5.3’s camera apart is its versatility. The quad camera system is a powerhouse with its 13 MP main lens, delivering clear and detailed shots that you’d expect from a top-tier camera phone.
The ultra-wide 5 MP lens with a 118-degree field of view ensures that nothing is left out of your frame, making it perfect for capturing expansive landscapes and group photos.
When you need to focus on the tiniest details, the 2 MP macro lens lets you explore a world of intricacies that often go unnoticed. Creating stunning bokeh effects to blur backgrounds and highlight subjects beautifully is effortless.
With the stunning photos you’ll capture using the Nokia 5.3’s exceptional camera, you’ll have the perfect content to share on social media.
But it’s not just about the camera; the Nokia 5.3 ensures that you can stay in the game for longer. Thanks to the dynamic Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor, silky smooth graphics enhance your gaming and browsing experiences.
The AI-assisted Adaptive Battery is a game-changer, intelligently saving energy for the apps you use the most and extending your usage without constantly searching for a power outlet.
The Nokia 5.3 goes beyond just being a smartphone; it’s a smart companion powered by AI. The collaboration between the Nokia 5.3 and Google Assistant, driven by AI-powered machine learning, adapts to you with every interaction. And with the dedicated Google Assistant button, asking questions and updating your schedule become seamless.
Loaded with Android 10 (and ready for Android 11), the Nokia 5.3 also addresses your storage needs with 64 GB internal storage and MicroSD card support up to 512 GB, ensuring ample space for all your memories.
Seamlessly connecting with WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0, it offers both convenience and versatility. Plus, it comes with a charger and Micro USB cable, so you’re all set to dive into a world of creativity and connectivity.
While the Nokia 5.3’s display is expansive, we find that the screen brightness could be improved for better outdoor visibility.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Great battery life | ➖ Camera could be better |
| ➕ Large screen | ➖ Screen could be brighter |
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3. Google Pixel 5a 5G
The best value camera phone
What we find enjoyable about the Pixel 5a 5G’s camera experience has been exceptional. Alongside its impressive main camera, this phone steps up its game with a secondary 16MP ultrawide lens, offering a versatile perspective that adds a new dimension to our shots.
One significant advantage of the Pixel 5a’s camera system is its prowess in low-light photography. The Night Sight feature excels at turning poorly lit surroundings into captivating artworks, exposing hidden beauty even in the darkest corners.
But it doesn’t stop there – the inclusion of Astrophotography is a delightful surprise, allowing us to capture the mesmerizing night sky in all its glory.
While the Pixel 5a 5G may only be available in the US and Japan, if you’re fortunate enough to get your hands on one, you’re in for a treat.
Its camera capabilities, especially in challenging lighting conditions, position it among the best camera phones on the market.
So whether you’re capturing vibrant daytime scenes or exploring the mysteries of the night sky, the Pixel 5a is ready to deliver immense value to your photography journey.
One aspect to consider is the phone’s rather dull design, which might not stand out among more visually distinctive options. However, it’s important to note that this aspect doesn’t impact the exceptional camera performance and overall functionality it offers.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Excellent performance | ➖ Dull design |
| ➕ IP67 water and dust resistance | ➖ Display isn’t high-refresh |
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4. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The best versatile camera phone
With a seemingly ever-growing array of lenses, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra builds on the immense success of the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Upgrades include two 10MP telephoto lenses, a 12MP ultrawide, and of course, the 108MP main wide camera.
With the four-rear camera and the great front camera that captures in high-res, the S22 Ultra tops the list when it comes to versatility. It’s not just the amazing lenses that do their thing, the software that Samsung has loaded in helps out immensely to improve optical image stabilization, digital image stabilization, and image processing. Throw in an S Pen stylus and you’re got a great camera phone.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Great S Pen stylus | ➖ Crazy expensive |
| ➕ Beautiful screen | ➖ Design can be slick to hold |
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5. iPhone 13 Pro / Pro Max
The best Apple camera phone
Every year, Apple comes out with a brand new edition of the iPhone and the iPhone 13 Pro / Pro Max is the newest despite their expensive price, they are stunning camera phones. Each version sports a 12MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 12MP telephoto with a 3x optical zoom. While they both come with the same cameras, the iPhone 13 Pro Max has a slightly larger screen.
Built with Apple’s smart AI optimization along with their Deep Fusion tech, you can edit and adjust your photos to make each one look exactly the way you want. With new features such as Photographic Styles and Cinematic mode, as well as an improved Portrait mode, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro / Pro Max are incredible camera phones, if you can afford them.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Incredible processing power | ➖ Expensive |
| ➕ New macro photo mode | ➖ Not many changes from the prior series |
6. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The best all-in-one camera phone
While it’s not the newest option on our list, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is no slouch. While it has the same camera hardware as Samsung’s newest release, the S21 Ultra is missing some of the upgrades Samsung provided to their newest phone. This doesn’t mean that the S21 Ultra is inferior in any way.
While it does have issues such as battery drain and autofocus, the S21 Ultra is still an incredible phone that you can get at a cheaper price being a year old. To us, the major downside is that while it supports the S Pen stylus, unlike the S22 Ultra, it doesn’t come with one.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Wacom pen tech | ➖ Maybe too big for smaller hands |
| ➕ Incredible camera zoom | ➖ Not budget-friendly |
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7. Apple iPhone 12 Pro
The best affordable Apple camera phone
Screen size: 6.1-inch / 6.7-inch | Resolution: 1170×2532 / 1284×2778 | CPU: A14 Bionic | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB | Rear camera: 12MP (wide, f/1.6) + 12MP (telephoto, 2x optical zoom, f/2.0) + 12MP (ultra-wide, 120-degree, f/2.4) | Front camera: 12MP (wide, f/2.2)
Featuring the same 12MP main, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses with a 2.5x optical zoom as Apple’s newest iPhone, the iPhone 12 Pro isn’t something you should dismiss, especially if you’re looking for one of the best camera phones without the extreme price point.
Packed with a larger sensor than others to help capture great low-light images, and the LiDAR scanner helps improve the built-in Night Mode portraits by improving low-light depth sensing. In the iPhone Pro 12, Apple has also added HDR3, allowing you to combine multiple exposures for the best image possible. While all the attention is on Apple’s newest iPhone, you can still get one of their best releases, the iPhone 12 Pro, at a much better price.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Powerful camera | ➖ Affordable, but still expensive |
| ➕ Great-looking color options | ➖ Battery life could be better |
Latest Price on Amazon:
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8. Samsung Galaxy Z
Best camera phone with advanced functionalities
Rear cameras: 108MP f/1.8, 10MP f/2.4, 10MP f/4.9, 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide | Front camera: 40MP | OIS: Yes | Weight: 228 g | Dimensions: 163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm
For advanced functionalities, you can get the Samsung Galaxy Z. With a flex mode, you can work or use the phone hands-free. With the phone, you can easily continue your multitasking due to the multi-view window.
With a better version of Samsung cameras, this phone will allow you to capture images and videos with detailed quality. It provides manual modes and expert raw features, so the phone has a decent battery life that you can use for long hours. Even though it doesn’t come with an s-pen, it supports it by providing a feel of paper and pen.
Along with these mentioned features, the Samsung Galaxy Z is durable with an impressively robust design.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Expert Raw compatible | ➖ The phone doesn’t include a stylus |
| ➕ Provides S-pen support | |
| ➕ Water-resistant |
Latest Price on Amazon:
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9. OnePlus 9 Pro
The best premium-build camera phone
Another camera phone featuring a Sony sensor, the OnePlus 9 Pro features a 48 MP main camera that, with its newest iteration, has been tuned to provide even better photo results than the last OnePlus release. Equipped with a special sensor, the 9 Pro can capture super-high frame rate 4K footage at a stunning 120 fps, something many professional-grade cameras aren’t capable of.
The tech inside the phone isn’t lacking either. With a Snapdragon 888 CPU and 8GB of RAM, plus a beautiful Dynamic AMOLED screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate. Charging is impressive too, with the 9 Pro powering up in 30 minutes. Overall, the OnePlus 9 Pro is an excellent camera phone that deserves much more attention than it currently receives.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Crisp photos | ➖ Good battery life |
| ➕ High-quality cameras | ➖ Zoom could be better |
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10. Google Pixel 7 Pro
Best camera phone for stunning visuals
Rear cameras: 50MP (f/1.85) main, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 48MP (f/3.5) telephoto with 5x optical zoom | Front camera: 10.8MP (f/2.2) | OIS: Yes | Weight: 7.5 ounces (212g) | Dimensions: 6.4 x 3 x 0.3 inches
As the latest version of Google phones, the camera is a good choice for people who are expecting great performance without considering the price. With a screen size of 6.7-inch Display, the camera is responsible for stunning visuals.
The phone will give you maximized and responsive performance by providing 120 Hz. Another highlighting feature of the phone is that you can use it continuously with a battery life of 24 hours. With a battery saver mode, it will allow you to use it for 72 hours. It offers an upgraded ultrawide lens, so the phone can capture the images in detail.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Compatible to wireless charging | ➖ Expensive |
| ➕ Water resistant |
Latest Price on Amazon:
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11. Apple iPhone SE 2022
The best light smartphone
Screen size: 4.7 inches | Resolution: 750 x 1334 pixels | CPU: Hexa-core (2×3.22 GHz Avalanche + 4×1.82 GHz Blizzard) | RAM: 4 GB | Storage: 64 GB/128GB/256GB | Rear camera: 12 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF, OIS | Front camera: 7 MP, f/2.2
The Apple iPhone SE 2022 is the most affordable iPhone under the premium price territory. It is an old-fashioned phone but has 5G network capability.
The greatest selling point of this camera phone is that it is a slim and light smartphone from Android.
The greatest disadvantage of the Apple iPhone SE is its small screen. While other phones have screens as big as six inches, this mobile with a screen size of 4.7 inches. This can be a damaging limitation when you want to play games, watch movies and go through the content on web pages.
The iPhone SE 2022 comes with the same A15 Bionic chip that is inside the i13 but does not hamper its performance. You may play good action games on this phone as the graphics from the games appears wonderfully.
The new iPhone SE 2022 can last up to 10 hours on a single battery charging. The image quality of the camera is also excellent despite its restriction to a single rear camera.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Value for the money | ➖ Screen size |
| ➕ Powerful bionic chip | ➖ Old look |
| ➕ 5G compatible | ➖ Single camera |
| ➕ Improved battery life | |
| ➕ Excellent build quality |
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12. Realme GT 2 Pro
The best affordable phone with a Qualcomm processor
Screen size: 6.7 inches | Resolution: 1440 x 3216 pixels | CPU: octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor | RAM: 8 GB | Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB | Rear camera: 50 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 150˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76″, 0.64µm | Front camera: 32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74″, 0.8µm
The Realme GT 2 Pro is one of the most expensive phones available on the market, but it is also one of the most affordable models that comes with the Qualcomm processor. This is a promising mobile phone with great features such as a 2K display, fast charging, a good set of cameras, and also provides you with excellent gaming performance.
One of the biggest advantages of the Realme GT 2 Pro is its display. It has a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a 2k (3216×1440) resolution with a 10-bit color depth. It also provides you with a maximum brightness of up to 1400 nits. The refresh rate of the camera phone varies between 1Hz to 120 Hz based on your activity. The Realme GT 2 Pro uses the Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for scratch protection.
The Realme GT 2 Pro is not a heavy phone to carry around. It is not too thick and the weight of the phone is balanced, making the phone relatively light and easy to carry around. The fingerprint sensor is closer to the display for ease of use, and the display gets bright enough to use under bright sunlight.
The Realme GT 2 Pro camera comes with a mixture of quality and quirks. For example, there is no telephoto camera. Instead, you have a microscope camera with magnifying quality. The ultra-wide camera captures a more expansive angle of view than any other phone on the market. The main camera is a Sony IMX 766 OIS module that combines the 50MP resolution with a 23.6mm focal length.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Superb camera | ➖ No wireless charger |
| ➕ Excellent screen | |
| ➕ Great battery life | |
| ➕ Fast charging |
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13. OnePlus 10 Pro
Best camera phone for 8k videos
Rear camera: Main camera 48MP (f/1.8), telephoto 8MP (f/2.4) | Ultra-wide 50MP (f/2.2), depth 2MP (f/2.4) | Front camera: 32MP | OIS: Yes | Weight: 201g | Dimensions: 163 x 73.9 x 8.6mm
Providing a display of a 6.7” QHD+ screen, the phone is the best pick for users who shoot 8k videos. It gives a great user experience, so the phone can adjust the refresh rate from 1Hz up to 120Hz. Offering a 150º Ultra-Wide Camera, you can easily capture expansive views.
The camera has 50 MP ultra-wide sensor shots, making it more suitable for high-quality results. The One Plus Pro is not only great at capturing images but also gives a great gaming experience through the hyperboost gaming engine.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Impressive screen | ➖ Lacks great autofocus |
| ➕ Fast flagship power | ➖ No 150-degree video |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are camera megapixels the only factor determining photo quality?
Multiple factors collectively influence the overall photo quality of a camera phone. While higher megapixels can contribute to better image detail, it's crucial to consider a holistic view of the camera system. Other factors like sensor size, pixel size, lens quality, and software processing also influence photo quality.
How does low-light performance vary among different camera phones?
Low-light performance depends on aperture size, sensor quality, and image processing capabilities. Phones with larger sensors and dedicated low-light modes tend to perform better in dim conditions.
Can camera phones replace standalone digital cameras for professional photography?
While camera phones have made significant advancements, standalone cameras still offer superior image quality, lens options, and manual controls for professionals. Additionally, the availability of interchangeable lenses provides professionals with greater creative freedom to achieve specific artistic effects and perspectives.
10+ Best Camera Phones in 2025
Camera phones can be great at capturing all of those great moments that you have with family and friends. Choosing the best camera phone to not only capture those moments but also fuel your creativity can be a challenging process. Hopefully, we’ve presented you with plenty of options so that every photo looks spectacular.
As you explore the options for your perfect camera phone, keep in mind that the best choice is the one that aligns with your preferences and photography goals.
So, which camera phone stands out to you? Our stance is impartial; we genuinely believe that the best camera phone is the one that captures your world just the way you want it, frame by frame. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
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