We're at a point now where the best camera phones often deliver better results than the "proper camera" that's in your kit bag! These pocket-sized powerhouses give us the power to take fantastic images and video in almost any shooting situation, and don't require us to fiddle around with lenses or settings.
On a technical level, too, the best camera phones pack more pixels than all but the most expensive medium format cameras, and boast 8K video capabilities that traditional cameras haven't yet caught up with. Just look at the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, which comes out guns-blazing with a 108MP image sensor, 8K video and a 100x digital zoom.
In fact, 108MP is becoming the new norm for flagship phones, with the likes of the Motorola Edge+ following suit. Even so, phones can't quite beat the best DSLRs or best mirrorless cameras for all-out image quality, it's getting close – with the raw horsepower of the Honor 9X Pro and the super-fast 20fps burst shooting of the Sony Xperia 1 Mk II set to change the game.
There's also the size factor. Even the best compact cameras still create a bulge in your pocket, folding phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and Motorola Razr take compactness to new levels – though the Huawei Mate Xs might be the best all-round foldable phone for photographers. Throw in the 5G revolution, led by the likes of the Realme X50 Pro 5G, and photographers' entire workflow for taking, editing and uploading images is evolving.
Things are moving incredibly quickly in the smartphone sphere, so this list is in a constant state of flux. The next big thing is 5G, with the likes of the Realme X50 Pro 5G leading the charge, so check out the best 5G phone for photography if you're lucky enough to live somewhere with the infrastructure. For the rest of us, here are the best camera phones right now…
The best camera phone in 2020
1. Apple iPhone 11 Pro
It's not just the triple-camera array, it's the image quality and usability
Release date: September 2019 | Rear cameras: 12MP 13mm f/2.4, 12MP 26mm f/1.8, 12MP 52mm f/2 | Front camera: 12MP, f/2.2 TrueDepth camera | OIS: Yes | Weight: 188 g | Dimensions: 144 x 71.4 x 8.1 mm | Storage: 64/256/512GB
The iPhone 11 Pro's triple-camera array is hardly cutting edge by today's standards, and it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of its all-singing and all-dancing rivals. But, as with all iPhones, it just plain works – and it works brilliantly, in any situation. The colors, tones and exposures are consistent across all three cameras, but it's Apples restrained approach to image processing that really sets the iPhone 11 Pro apart from the competition. Where flagship phones from the likes of Huawei and Samsung tend to produce shots with aggressive HDR, sharpening, and noise reduction, the iPhone's images look more true-to-life and never show signs of being over-processed. The new ultra-wide camera is just brilliant for travel photography, landmarks and spectacular interiors, and while it can't quite match the edge to edge image quality of the other lenses, it still produces sharp, distortion-free ultra-wide images that widen your horizons in every possible way. We like the regular iPhone 11 Pro best – the iPhone 11 Pro Max has the same cameras but it's just a bit big, while the regular iPhone 11 is cheaper but doesn't have the 52mm telephoto lens.
Read more: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max review
2. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
A tech spec behemoth with 108MP, 100x zoom and 8K video
Release date: March 2020 | Rear cameras: 108MP (primary f/1.8, 26mm, OIS), 12MP (ultra wide angle f/2.2, 13mm), 48MP (telephoto f/3.5, 103mm), ToF depth-sensing camera | Front camera: 40MP (f/2.2, 26mm) | OIS: Yes | Weight: 222 g | Dimensions: 166.9 x 76 x 8.8mm | Storage: 128 / 256 / 512 GB
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G is not just the most capable camera phone in the Galaxy family, it is arguably the most impressive camera phone ever. Its 108MP camera proves to be more than a numbers play. And while the 100x zoom may not deliver at the extreme end, it's more than capable of giving you great-looking telephoto images. This, however, is a phone with foibles – namely the inconsistent image processing and battery life – but these will surely be fixed with firmware. The 8K is more limited you might hope, the 120Hz mode is best avoided for most, and the cost is restrictively high for many. However, the hardware is a league above that of the Galaxy S20 and S20 Plus. And judged on its picture performance, when everything clicks, it is almost certainly the best Android camera phone ever – and the best 5G camera phone, to boot.
In full: Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra review
3. Huawei P40 Pro
5G, 50MP imaging and 50x zoom – but Google issues hold it back
Release date: April 2020 | Rear cameras: 50MP (primary f/1.9, OIS), 40MP (18mm ultra wide angle, f/1.8), 12MP (125mm telephoto, f/3.4, OIS) ToF depth-sensing camera | Front camera: 32MP | OIS: Yes | Weight: 209 g | Dimensions: 158.2 x 72.6 x 8.95 mm | Storage: 256 GB
The Huawei P40 Pro is a beauty – just look at it! Huawei’s hardware has always been top quality, and its latest flagship is no different. The camera is everything you would expect from a Huawei handset, delivering stacks of soft-focus depth to pictures, balanced against plenty of detail. Like other phones with a ridiculous zoom, it's better on paper than in practice – you probably won't use the 50x digital zoom more than a few times, though the 5x optical zoom is genuinely useful. The 50MP High-Res images don't pop as much as software-assisted lower-res shots, but all cameras produce very impressive results. The video is among the best we've ever used on a phone, and will be a boon for content creators. Ultimately, the lack of Google leaves this handset with a severe handicap for most people, but if you're happy to pay the premium then the P40 Pro's camera is about as good as it gets.
The P40 Pro replaces the 2018 flagship, the Huawei P30 Pro. This is still an excellent camera phone, though, and can be found new or on contract for significantly less than the P30 Pro if you shop around.
In full: Huawei P40 Pro review
4. Samsung Galaxy S10 5G
A great camera selection and decent image quality, futureproofed with 5G
Release date: April 2019 | Rear cameras: 12MP (Wide Angle Lens, f/1.5, OIS), 16MP (Ultra Wide Angle Lens, f/2.2), 12MP (Telephoto, f/2.4, OIS), ToF depth-sensing camera | Front camera: 10MP, ToF depth-sensing camera | OIS: Yes | Weight: 198 g | Dimensions: 162.6 x 77.1 x 7.9mm | Storage: 256/512 GB
Galaxy S-series phones have traditionally been right up there for camera quality, and the S10 5G is no exception. Its quad rear features the desirable wide/ultrawide/telephoto/time of flight combo, and all four cameras perform superbly. Don't be put off by the main camera sensor being 'only' 12MP – the 40MP and 48MP sensors in rival phones almost always record at 10MP and 12MP respectively in their default shooting modes. Although Samsung may trail the likes of Huawei for sheer camera hardware innovation, the Galaxy S10 nails the basics with terrific image quality and flawless Auto mode performance. We also like Samsung's commitment to quality 4K video, adding new Digital Video Stabilization, along with HDR10+ support for ultra-high contrast video that looks great on a compatible TV.
In full: Samsung Galaxy S10 5G review
5. Xiaomi Mi Note 10
The camera phone with the record breaking pixel count
Release date: December 2019 | Rear cameras: Wide: 108MP (f/1.7) Telephoto: 12MP (f/2.0) + 5MP (f/2.0) Ultra-wide: 20MP (f/2.2) Macro: 2MP (f/2.4) | Front camera: 32MP | Weight: 208g | Dimensions: 157.8 x 74.2 x 9.7 mm | Battery size: 5260mAh | Storage: 128GB
Xiaomi's penta-camera Mi Note 10 is a phone with a 108MP sensor, Made by Samsung and expected to feature in the Galaxy S20 Ultra, it's is a world-first, toppling resolution records and packing more pixels than virtually any DSLR or mirrorless cameras – let alone any smartphone. Just like the 48MP cameras in our list, the Mi Note 10 uses quad-pixel technology, or ‘pixel binning’ to grab standard shots. This technique combines four pixels into one, so a 48MP sensor would create a 12MP image, and the 108MP sensor on the Mi Note 10 produces a 27MP image. When the light is right, however, you can ramp up the resolution and capture full 108MP images for jaw droppingly detailed shots – nothing else comes close to the Mi Note 10 in this respect. The main camera nails it, and in good light, beats out the competition in many respects, albeit with a characteristically cool shot. The reason this megapixel-tastic phone isn’t higher on our list is because the additional cameras can be inconsistent. While we love the fact it packs an optical 2x zoom, 5x zoom and an ultra-wide angle, as well as a dedicated macro camera, if quality if your focus, shoot with the main 108MP module most of the time.
In full: Xiaomi Mi Note 10 review
6. Google Pixel 4 XL
A good Android camera phone, but expensive given the limited camera hardware
Release date: October 2019 | Rear cameras: 12.2MP (28mm-equiv. wide angle lens, f/1.7, PDAF, OIS), 16MP (45mm equiv. telephoto, f/2.4, PDAF, OIS) | Front camera: 8 MP, f/2, 22mm (wide), ToF 3D Camera | Weight: 193 g | Dimensions: 160.4 x 75.1 x 8.2 mm | Storage: 64/128 GB
The Pixel 3 was starting to look dated with its single rear-facing camera, but now Google has got with the times and added a telephoto camera for around 2x of optical 'zoom'. However, it’s the Pixel 4’s new Astro mode that’s its biggest selling point. This holds the shutter open for in excess of four minutes to grab incomparable detail from night skies, providing that the phone is held perfectly still. In normal automatic mode, the Pixel 4 XL captures punchy images with plenty of detail. Compared to the iPhone 11 Pro, the Pixel exposes scenes a little darker, thereby creating a more realistic image most of the time. When the lights go down, the phone generates more image noise than many rivals, but this is a product of Google’s more restrained noise reduction processing.
The Google Pixel 4 XL is the better of the two Pixel 4 phones, especially if you’re a power user or heavy picture-taker, thanks to its sharper screen and bigger, longer-lasting battery. Even so, the two-camera setup is still a lacklustre effort compared to the multi-camera arrays offered by the majority of its flagship rivals. You'll need to be an image quality purist to choose the Pixel 4 over an iPhone 11 Pro or Galaxy S10 5G.
In full: Google Pixel 4 XL review
7. iPhone XS
The best iPhone for photography up until the 11, but still worth a look
Release date: October 2018 | Rear camera: Dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto cameras | Front camera: 7MP | OIS: Yes | Rear camera aperture: f/1.8 + f/2.4 | Weight: 174g | Dimensions: 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm | Storage: 64/256GB
We don’t necessarily think the extra money spent on an iPhone XS gives a better camera experience, but it does offer you the best iPhone for photography so far – well at least it did until the new iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max arrived. The X was a marked change for the company and while the iPhone XS doesn't look any different, it still offers a full screen 5.8-inch device that looks futuristic when you hold it in your hand, its camera software has been greatly enhanced. The camera is a powerful dual 12MP shooter with one sporting f/1.8 and the other f/2.4 that both pack optical image stabilization to offer some impressive shots. We found the colors to be natural, and the fact one is a telephoto sensor helps for shooting detail at a further distance than most other phones on the market. There's a new sensor, too, with 1.4µm pixels and thanks to the new chipset it is now double the speed of its predecessor and has two new features: Smart HDR and Depth Control.
8. Oppo Reno 10x Zoom
Release date: June 2019 | Rear camera: 48MP (Wide Angle Lens, f/1.6, OIS), 8MP (Ultra Wide Angle Lens, f/2.2), 13MP (Telephoto, f/3.0, OIS) | Front camera: 16MP | OIS: Yes | Weight: 206 g | Dimensions: 162.6 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm | Storage: 256GB
The Oppo Reno 10X Zoom is the second smartphone in our list to feature a periscope camera, which enables a roughly 5x optical zoom. That means it gets you even closer to the action than the excellent Huawei P30 Pro. Going beyond the zoom, it's an excellent stills camera phone across the board, also featuring a primary 48MP wide-angle camera, as well as an ultrawide snapper, so delivers plenty of versatility. With its 6.4-inch immersive all-screen AMOLED display, Snapdragon 855 internals and ample 4000mAh battery, it is also a flagship from a specs point of view, and a dream to use, for the most part. The main drawbacks of the phone are limitations when it comes to video recording - it doesn't engage the wide or the telephoto cameras for video, only doing so for stills. Additionally, the sheer size of the phone may weigh some down a bit too much. Get past those though, and you may well have found your new favorite smartphone.
Expected to arrive imminently, the Oppo Find X2 could introduce the manufacturer's eagerly awaited under-display camera…
• In full Oppo Reno 10x Zoom review
9. Sony Xperia 1
A videographer’s dream
Release date: Apr 2019 | Rear camera: 12pm (f/1.6) + 12pm (f/2.4) + 12MP (f/2.4) | Front camera: 8MP | Rear camera aperture: f/1.5 + f/2.4 | Dimensions: 167 x 72 x 8.2 mm | Storage: 128GB
The Sony Xperia 1 is the only choice for video pros and cinema buffs who want to get manual with their smartphone videography. It’s able to shoot footage at up to 21:9 for cinema style capture, offers full manual control and features a beautifully flat colour profile, perfect for post-processing in Premiere Pro or Davinci Resolve. Thankfully, almost everything else about this phone is excellent too, with a striking 21:9, 4K HDR screen, a clean UI and a snappy chipset ensuring plenty of power under the hood. It isn’t perfect, the 3330mAh battery could be bigger and there’s no wireless charging, but if you can deal with those niggles and want the ultimate cinema experience - both from a content creation and consumption point of view, the Xperia 1 is it - read our full Xperia 1 review for more.
10. Google Pixel 3A
Computational photography on a budget
Release date: Apr 2019 | Rear camera: 12pm (f/1.8) | Front camera: 8MP | OIS: Yes | Weight: 147g | Dimensions: 151.3 x 70.1 x 8.2 mm | Storage: 64 or 128GB
Google’s Pixel 3A is the first midrange phone from Google that features a flagship quality camera, making that coveted Pixel imaging experience that bit more accessible. With its lone 12MP sensor coupled with an f/1.8 aperture lens, it shouldn’t be anywhere near this top ten list from a specs point of view. Thanks to Google’s stellar software wizardry though, the Pixel 3A is able to take quality pictures, shot after shot. The 3A also features Night Sight, for long exposure night shooting that can turn night into day. This means when it comes to low light shooting, this midranger stacks up to smartphones like the P30 Pro and iPhone XS, which cost around double the price of the Pixel. While the 3A won’t be a gaming champ or power user’s dream phone, it’s still a great choice for anyone who wants a quality camera phone without breaking the bank.
In full: Google Pixel 3A review
11. Xiaomi Mi9
The affordable flagship
Release date: Apr 2019 | Rear camera: 48MP (f1.8) + 12MP (f/2.2) + 16MP (f/2.2) | Front camera: 20MP | OIS: No | Weight: 173g | Dimensions: 157.5 x 74.7 x 7.6 mm | Storage: : 64/128GB
For the price, the Xiaomi Mi 9 is excellent. It grabs great shots in good light with respectable dynamic range and color reproduction. With its triple camera setup, the Mi 9 features one wide, one ultra-wide and one telephoto camera, covering a lot of prime lens bases. Thanks to smart software, the phone’s camera also defocuses backgrounds nicely in portrait mode - a feature commonly associated with much pricier iPhone XS. In low light, it’s clear, this camera isn’t the best out there. The lack of OIS resulting in shorter shutter speeds, and there’s also pretty aggressive noise reduction too. Having said that, the electric image stabilization kicks in nicely when capturing video, the phone shoots it at up to 4K 60fps, features flagship internals and great design, making it the most affordable flagship smartphone in our top ten list.
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