Best Camera Phones That You Can Buy Right Now
Smartphone photography has crecido inmensamente(grown immensely) in recent years, with innovations allowing you to capture professional-grade images without needing a separate camera.
As of 2025, mobile phones are pushing boundaries even further, and I think we have reached the age of mobile phone maturity. It’s getting difficult to distinguish between photos from a professional camera and a mobile phone which is great for mobile phone photographers like myself.
With that said, I have created this list of the best options and features to look for when selecting a phone for your photography needs.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
Though it might be difficult to get your hands on this beast if you live in the US, the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra stands out as a powerhouse for mobile photography.
It features a 50MP main sensor with a variable aperture ranging from f/1.6 to f/4.0, allowing you to adjust the depth of field and control lighting for different conditions. Whether you’re capturing portraits with a natural background blur or shooting in low-light environments, this phone adapts impressively.
The 40MP ultra-wide lens helps capture expansive landscapes, while the 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom ensures you can get detalles nítidos(sharp details) even when photographing distant subjects. Its AI-assisted image processing further enhances clarity and reduces noise, making it a top choice for versatile photography.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
The Google Pixel series has consistently delivered excellent results in mobile photography, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL takes it a step further. It features a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide lens, and a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom.
What sets the Pixel 9 Pro XL apart is its AI-powered tools, including the Magic Editor and Reimagine features, which let you adjust image elements effortlessly. These AI-powered tools sometimes use the internet to edit photos using cloud-based services. So, make sure you have a fast internet like the one from Xfinity to avoid any hiccups while you edit and post your stunning photos on Instagram.
Xfinity offers affordable plans, a huge network of free WiFi hotspots, and above all, tailored customer service for Spanish speakers like myself at número de Xfinity.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung continues to push mobile camera technology with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. This device has a massive 200MP main sensor, capable of capturing intricate details with exceptional sharpness.
The 50MP superzoom lens and 10MP periscope telephoto lens allow for up to 10x optical zoom, making it ideal for wildlife and event photography where distance matters.
Samsung’s Pro Mode provides granular control over settings like ISO, shutter speed, and white balance, giving you the flexibility to shoot like a professional.
The phone also features Astro Mode for capturing stunning night sky shots and Expert RAW support, allowing you to shoot uncompressed images for more advanced post-processing.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple continues to dominate the photography space with its 48MP primary sensor combined with a 48MP ultra-wide and a 12MP telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom. The iPhone 16 Pro Max excels in natural color reproduction, preserving accurate skin tones and balanced highlights without over-saturation.
Apple’s Photonic Engine enhances low-light performance, while ProRAW and ProRes video recording make it a preferred choice for content creators seeking both photo and video excellence. Its Cinematic Mode provides professional depth-of-field effects for video, adding to its versatility.
OPPO Find X8 Pro
The OPPO Find X8 Pro, developed in collaboration with Hasselblad, is designed for fanáticos de la fotografía(photography purists). It features a quad-camera system, each with a 50MP sensor, ensuring consistent image quality across wide, ultra-wide, telephoto, and macro shots.
The standout feature is its AI Telescope Zoom, which enhances long-distance shots with minimal loss of detail. The Find X8 Pro also offers impressive portrait modes and HDR capabilities, capturing stunning skin textures and vibrant backgrounds. Its low-light performance is boosted by AI Night Vision technology, making it an ideal choice for evening photography.
Key Features to Consider in a Camera Phone
When choosing a phone for photography, it’s important to understand the especificaciones clave(key specifications) that influence image quality:
Sensor Size and Resolution: Larger sensors capture more light, improving clarity and detail. A higher resolution helps when cropping or printing large photos.
Aperture Range: A wide aperture (like f/1.6) allows more light into the lens, which is helpful for low-light photography and creating a natural background blur (bokeh).
Zoom Capabilities: Optical zoom maintains image sharpness, while digital zoom can often result in pixelation. Phones with periscope zoom lenses, like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, deliver exceptional results.
AI and Computational Photography: AI assists with tasks like adjusting lighting, reducing noise, and enhancing skin tones, making it easier to capture great shots even with minimal expertise.
Video Features: High-resolution video recording (e.g., 8K), frame rate options, and stabilization are crucial for content creators who shoot both photos and videos.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Which smartphone is best for low-light photography in 2025?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultraand Google Pixel 9 Pro XLexcel in low-light conditions. Both devices use advanced AI processing and larger sensors to reduce noise and capture more detail in dim environments. - Do higher megapixels always mean better photo quality?
Not necessarily. While higher megapixels can improve detail, factors like sensor size, lens quality, and image processingplay a more critical role in overall photo quality. For example, the iPhone 16 Pro Maxproduces exceptional photos despite a 48MP sensor due to its optimized software. - What’s the difference between optical and digital zoom?
Optical zoomuses physical lens movement to magnify the image without quality loss, while digital zoomenlarges the image electronically, often leading to reduced sharpness. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra with a 10x optical zoom are ideal for capturing distant subjects.
