Capture Life’s Moments: Top 10 Best Camera Phones to buy (December 2024)

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Top Camera Phones for Stunning Photos and Videos

In today’s world, smartphones are no longer just a tool for making calls or sending text messages. They have evolved to become an essential part of our lives, with powerful cameras that allow us to capture stunning photos and videos on the go. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right smartphone with the best camera features. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best camera phones to buy, so you can capture every moment in high quality.

From the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra to the Google Pixel 5a, we’ve got you covered with the latest and greatest smartphone cameras on the market. So, whether you’re a photography enthusiast or just want to take better pictures with your phone, keep reading to find the perfect camera phone for you.

Why camera quality is important in smartphones

The camera quality in smartphones has become increasingly important over the years as people rely on their phones to capture memories, document important events, and share their experiences on social media. With advancements in technology, smartphone cameras have become powerful tools that allow users to capture high-quality images and videos with ease.

In addition to personal use, the camera quality in smartphones has also become a crucial feature for businesses and professionals. Many businesses use smartphones to capture product images, create marketing content, and even conduct virtual meetings. High-quality images and videos are also important for social media influencers and content creators who rely on their smartphone cameras to produce professional-looking content for their followers. With the demand for high-quality images and videos on the rise, smartphone manufacturers are constantly improving the camera technology in their devices to meet the needs of consumers.

As a result, camera quality has become a key factor in the purchasing decision for many smartphone users. A smartphone with a good camera can be a valuable asset for capturing important moments and creating high-quality content, making it an important feature to consider when choosing a new device.

Features

  • 5G connectivity
  • IP68 water and dust resistance
  • Wireless charging
  • Reverse wireless charging
  • S Pen support
  • Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor
  • Face recognition
  • Camera phone low light performance

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the latest flagship smartphone from Samsung. It boasts a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels and a high refresh rate of 120Hz. The phone is powered by the Exynos 2100/Snapdragon 888 processor and comes with 12GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. The phone features a quad-camera setup on the back, including a 108-megapixel primary sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, a 10-megapixel periscope lens with 10x optical zoom, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. On the front, there’s a 40-megapixel selfie camera. The phone runs on Android 11 with Samsung’s One UI 3.1 skin on top.

Read more about it here.

Pros

  • Excellent camera quality, especially in low light conditions
  • Large and high-quality display
  • Powerful performance with fast processing speed and 5G connectivity
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Plenty of storage options
  • S Pen support

Cons

  • Expensive price point
  • No microSD card slot for expandable storage
  • No headphone jack
  • Some users may find the phone too large and heavy

💰 Price range

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra starts at $1,199 for the 12GB RAM and 128GB storage version, and goes up to $1,399 for the 16GB RAM and 512GB storage version.

👤🌟 User reviews and ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has received positive reviews from users and tech critics alike, with many praising its camera quality, display, and performance. On Amazon, the phone has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, with users praising its fast processing speed and long battery life, but some users have criticized the phone’s high price point and lack of expandable storage. On Best Buy, the phone has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, with users praising its camera quality and S Pen support, but some users have criticized the phone’s weight and size.


Features

  • 5G connectivity
  • IP68 water and dust resistance
  • Face ID
  • LiDAR scanner for improved AR experiences
  • ProRAW and ProRes video recording
  • Night mode portraits
  • Camera phone with high image quality

The iPhone 13 Pro Max is the latest flagship smartphone from Apple. It features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels and a high refresh rate of 120Hz. The phone is powered by the A15 Bionic chip and comes with 6GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage. The phone features a triple-camera setup on the back, including a 12-megapixel primary sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. On the front, there’s a 12-megapixel TrueDepth selfie camera. The phone runs on iOS 15.

Read more about it here.

Pros

  • Excellent camera quality with advanced features like ProRAW and ProRes video recording
  • Large and high-quality display with a high refresh rate
  • Powerful performance with fast processing speed
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Plenty of storage options
  • 5G connectivity

Cons

  • Expensive price point
  • No headphone jack
  • No expandable storage option
  • No major design changes from the previous generation

💰 Price range

The iPhone 13 Pro Max starts at $1,099 for the 128GB storage version and goes up to $1,599 for the 1TB storage version.

👤🌟 User reviews and ratings

The iPhone 13 Pro Max has received positive reviews from users and tech critics alike, with many praising its camera quality, performance, and battery life. On Apple’s website, the phone has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, with users praising its camera features and high-quality display, but some users have criticized the phone’s high price point. On Best Buy, the phone has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, with users praising its fast processing speed and camera quality, but some users have criticized the phone’s size and weight.


Features

  • 5G connectivity
  • Google Assistant
  • In-screen fingerprint scanner
  • Magic Eraser and Motion Mode camera features
  • Perfect Flagship Camera Phone

The Google Pixel 6 Pro is the latest flagship smartphone from Google. It features a 6.7-inch OLED display with a resolution of 3120 x 1440 pixels and a high refresh rate of 120Hz. The phone is powered by the Google Tensor chip and comes with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. The phone features a triple-camera setup on the back, including a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 48-megapixel telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom. On the front, there’s a 11-megapixel selfie camera. The phone runs on Android 12.

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Read more about it here.

Pros

  • Excellent camera quality with advanced features like Magic Eraser and Motion Mode
  • Large and high-quality display with a high refresh rate
  • Powerful performance with fast processing speed
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Plenty of storage options
  • 5G connectivity

Cons

  • No expandable storage option
  • No headphone jack
  • No water and dust resistance rating

💰 Price range

The Google Pixel 6 Pro starts at $899 for the 128GB storage version and goes up to $999 for the 512GB storage version.

👤🌟 User reviews and ratings

The Google Pixel 6 Pro has received positive reviews from users and tech critics alike, with many praising its camera quality, performance, and software features. On Google’s website, the phone has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, with users praising its camera features and battery life, but some users have criticized the lack of water and dust resistance rating. On Best Buy, the phone has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, with users praising its camera quality and overall performance, but some users have criticized the lack of expandable storage option.


Features

  • 5G connectivity
  • In-screen fingerprint scanner
  • Fast charging and wireless charging capabilities
  • IP68 water and dust resistance rating
  • Dual speakers with Hi-Res Audio support
  • Camera phone sensor

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra is a high-end smartphone from Xiaomi. It features a 6.81-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels and a high refresh rate of 120Hz. The phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset and comes with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. The phone features a triple-camera setup on the back, including a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 48-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 48-megapixel periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. On the front, there’s a 20-megapixel selfie camera. The phone runs on Android 11 with MIUI 12.5 on top.

Read more about it here.

Pros

  • Excellent camera quality with advanced features like 5x optical zoom and 8K video recording
  • Large and high-quality display with a high refresh rate
  • Powerful performance with fast processing speed
  • Long-lasting battery life with fast charging and wireless charging capabilities
  • IP68 water and dust resistance rating
  • 5G connectivity

Cons

  • No headphone jack
  • No expandable storage option
  • Limited availability in some regions

💰 Price range

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra starts at around $999 for the 256GB storage version and goes up to $1,099 for the 512GB storage version.

👤🌟 User reviews and ratings

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra has received positive reviews from users and tech critics alike, with many praising its camera quality, performance, and display. On Xiaomi’s website, the phone has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, with users praising its camera features, battery life, and overall performance, but some users have criticized the lack of expandable storage option. On other websites like Amazon and Best Buy, the phone has also received positive reviews, with users praising its camera quality and battery life, but some users have criticized the limited availability in some regions.


Features

  • 5G connectivity
  • In-screen fingerprint scanner
  • Fast charging and wireless charging capabilities
  • IP68 water and dust resistance rating
  • Dual speakers with Dolby Atmos support
  • High-end camera smartphone

The OnePlus 9 Pro is a high-end smartphone from OnePlus. It features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 3216 x 1440 pixels and a high refresh rate of 120Hz. The phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset and comes with 8GB or 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. The phone features a quad-camera setup on the back, including a 48-megapixel primary sensor, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens, an 8-megapixel telephoto lens with 3.3x optical zoom, and a monochrome sensor. On the front, there’s a 16-megapixel selfie camera. The phone runs on Android 11 with OxygenOS 11 on top.

Read more about it here.

Pros

  • Excellent camera quality with advanced features like 3.3x optical zoom and Hasselblad tuning
  • Large and high-quality display with a high refresh rate and HDR support
  • Fast and smooth performance with powerful hardware and software optimization
  • Long-lasting battery life with fast charging and wireless charging capabilities
  • 5G connectivity
  • Sleek and modern design with IP68 water and dust resistance rating

Cons

  • No expandable storage option
  • No headphone jack
  • Expensive price point

💰 Price range

The OnePlus 9 Pro starts at around $969 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage version and goes up to $1,069 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage version.

👤🌟 User reviews and ratings

The OnePlus 9 Pro has received positive reviews from users and tech critics alike, with many praising its camera quality, performance, and display. On OnePlus’s website, the phone has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, with users praising its camera features, battery life, and overall performance, but some users have criticized the expensive price point. On other websites like Amazon and Best Buy, the phone has also received positive reviews, with users praising its sleek design and fast performance, but some users have criticized the lack of expandable storage option.


Features

  • 5G connectivity
  • Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
  • Fast charging and wireless charging capabilities
  • Water and dust resistance rating (IP65/68)
  • Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support
  • Perfect Camera feature phone

The Sony Xperia 1 III is a high-end smartphone from Sony. It features a 6.5-inch OLED display with a resolution of 3840 x 1644 pixels and a high refresh rate of 120Hz. The phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset and comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The phone features a triple-camera setup on the back, including a 12-megapixel primary sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with 2.9x optical zoom. On the front, there’s an 8-megapixel selfie camera. The phone runs on Android 11 with Sony’s custom UI on top.

Read more about it here.

Cons

  • Expensive price point
  • No headphone jack
  • No expandable storage option

💰 Price range

The Sony Xperia 1 III is priced at around $1,299 in the US.

👤🌟 User reviews and ratings

The Sony Xperia 1 III has received positive reviews from users and tech critics alike, with many praising its camera quality, performance, and display. On Sony’s website, the phone has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars, with users praising its camera features, battery life, and overall performance, but some users have criticized the expensive price point. On other websites like Amazon and Best Buy, the phone has also received positive reviews, with users praising its sleek design and high-quality display, but some users have criticized the lack of headphone jack and expandable storage option.


Features

  • 5G connectivity
  • Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
  • Fast charging and wireless charging capabilities
  • Innovative foldable design
  • Water and dust resistance rating (IPX8)
  • Flex mode for unique camera and multitasking experiences

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is a foldable smartphone from Samsung. It features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a resolution of 2640 x 1080 pixels when unfolded and a secondary 1.9-inch cover display for notifications when folded. The phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset and comes with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The phone features a dual-camera setup on the back, including a 12-megapixel primary sensor and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens. On the front, there’s a 10-megapixel selfie camera. The phone runs on Android 11 with Samsung’s One UI 3.1 on top.

Read more about it here.

Pros

  • Innovative foldable design that allows for a compact and portable phone when folded and a large-screen experience when unfolded
  • High-quality display with a high resolution and refresh rate and HDR10+ support
  • Fast and smooth performance with powerful hardware and software optimization
  • Good camera quality with advanced features like Flex mode and night mode
  • Long-lasting battery life with fast charging and wireless charging capabilities
  • 5G connectivity
  • Water and dust resistance rating

Cons

  • Expensive price point
  • No expandable storage option
  • Limited app compatibility in Flex mode
  • Cover display is small and limited in functionality

💰 Price range

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is priced at around $999 in the US.

👤🌟 User reviews and ratings

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 has received positive reviews from users and tech critics alike, with many praising its innovative foldable design and performance. On Samsung’s website, the phone has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, with users praising its compact size, camera features, and long battery life, but some users have criticized the limited functionality of the cover display. On other websites like Amazon and Best Buy, the phone has also received positive reviews, with users praising its durability and high-quality display, but some users have criticized the expensive price point.


Features

  • 5G connectivity
  • In-display fingerprint scanner
  • Fast charging and wireless charging capabilities
  • IR blaster for remote control
  • AI camera features like night mode and 8K video recording
  • Triple Camera

The Xiaomi Mi 11 is a high-end smartphone from Chinese electronics company Xiaomi. It features a 6.81-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset and comes with 8GB or 12GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The phone features a triple-camera setup on the back, including a 108-megapixel primary sensor, a 13-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 5-megapixel macro lens. On the front, there’s a 20-megapixel selfie camera. The phone runs on Android 11 with Xiaomi’s MIUI 12.5 on top.

Read more about it here.

Pros

  • High-quality display with a high resolution and refresh rate and HDR10+ support
  • Fast and smooth performance with powerful hardware and software optimization
  • Excellent camera quality with advanced features like night mode and 8K video recording
  • Long-lasting battery life with fast charging and wireless charging capabilities
  • 5G connectivity
  • Competitive price point compared to other high-end smartphones

Cons

  • No expandable storage option
  • No water or dust resistance rating
  • No headphone jack

💰 Price range

The Xiaomi Mi 11 is priced at around $750 for the 8GB/128GB version and around $820 for the 8GB/256GB version in the US.

👤🌟 User reviews and ratings

The Xiaomi Mi 11 has received positive reviews from users and tech critics alike, with many praising its high-quality display, camera features, and performance. On Xiaomi’s website, the phone has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, with users praising its fast charging capabilities and camera quality, but some users have criticized the lack of water and dust resistance rating. On other websites like Amazon and Best Buy, the phone has also received positive reviews, with users praising its competitive price point and performance, but some users have criticized the lack of expandable storage option.


Features

  • 5G connectivity
  • Face ID facial recognition
  • Water and dust resistance rating
  • Night mode and cinematic mode camera features
  • Fast charging and wireless charging capabilities
  • 4 GB RAM

The iPhone 13 is the latest iteration of Apple’s popular iPhone series. It features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels and a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate. The phone is powered by the A15 Bionic chip and comes with 4GB of RAM and 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of internal storage. The phone features a dual-camera setup on the back, including a 12-megapixel primary sensor and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens. On the front, there’s a 12-megapixel selfie camera. The phone runs on iOS 15.

Read more about it here.

Pros

  • High-quality display with a high resolution and ProMotion refresh rate
  • Fast and smooth performance with powerful hardware and software optimization
  • Excellent camera quality with advanced features like night mode and cinematic mode
  • Long-lasting battery life with fast charging and wireless charging capabilities
  • 5G connectivity
  • Water and dust resistance rating

Cons

  • No expandable storage option
  • No headphone jack

💰 Price range

The iPhone 13 is priced at around $799 for the 128GB version, $899 for the 256GB version, and $1,099 for the 512GB version in the US.

👤🌟 User reviews and ratings

The iPhone 13 has received positive reviews from users and tech critics alike, with many praising its high-quality display, camera features, and performance. On Apple’s website, the phone has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, with users praising its battery life and camera quality, but some users have criticized the lack of major design changes. On other websites like Amazon and Best Buy, the phone has also received positive reviews, with users praising its fast performance and camera features, but some users have criticized the high price point.


The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the latest flagship smartphone from Samsung. It boasts a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels and a high refresh rate of 120Hz. The phone is powered by the Exynos 2100/Snapdragon 888 processor and comes with 12GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. The phone features a quad-camera setup on the back, including a 108-megapixel primary sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, a 10-megapixel periscope lens with 10x optical zoom, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. On the front, there’s a 40-megapixel selfie camera. The phone runs on Android 11 with Samsung’s One UI 3.1 skin on top.

Read more about it here.

Pros

  • High-quality display with an OLED panel
  • Fast and smooth performance with powerful hardware and software optimization
  • Excellent camera quality with advanced features like Night Sight and Portrait mode
  • Long-lasting battery life with fast charging capabilities
  • 5G connectivity
  • Water and dust resistance rating

Cons

  • No expandable storage option
  • No headphone jack
  • Limited availability in certain regions

💰 Price range

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra starts at $1,199 for the 12GB RAM and 128GB storage version, and goes up to $1,399 for the 16GB RAM and 512GB storage version.0

👤🌟 User reviews and ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has received positive reviews from users and tech critics alike, with many praising its camera quality, display, and performance. On Amazon, the phone has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, with users praising its fast processing speed and long battery life, but some users have criticized the phone’s high price point and lack of expandable storage. On Best Buy, the phone has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, with users praising its camera quality and S Pen support, but some users have criticized the phone’s weight and size.


🤔 FAQ’s (Top 10 Best Affordable camera phones to buy)

  • Why is camera quality important in smartphones?

    Camera quality is important in smartphones because many people use their phones as their primary camera to capture photos and videos. A good camera on a smartphone can make a significant difference in the quality of the images and videos captured.

  • How many megapixels are enough for a smartphone camera?

    The number of megapixels isn’t the only factor in determining the quality of a smartphone camera. However, generally, anything above 12 megapixels should be sufficient for most users.

  • Can I take professional-quality photos with a smartphone camera?

    While a smartphone camera may not be able to replace a professional-grade camera, it is still possible to take high-quality and professional-looking photos with a smartphone camera, especially with the advancements in camera technology in recent years.

  • Do all high-end smartphones have good camera quality?

    While most high-end smartphones do have good camera quality, it’s important to research and compare different models and their camera specifications to ensure that you’re getting the best camera for your needs.

  • What are some factors to consider when looking for a smartphone with good camera quality?

    Some factors to consider include the number of cameras on the phone, the resolution and quality of the camera sensors, the aperture size, the availability of features like optical image stabilization and night mode, and the quality of the front-facing camera.

  • How important is software optimization for camera quality in smartphones?

    Software optimization plays a crucial role in improving camera quality in smartphones. The software algorithms can help enhance image quality, reduce noise, and improve overall camera performance, even with lower quality camera sensors.

  • What should I look for in a front-facing camera?

    When evaluating the front-facing camera, consider the resolution and quality of the sensor, the aperture size, and the availability of features like portrait mode and beauty mode.

  • Can I improve the camera quality on my smartphone?

    There are a few things you can do to improve the camera quality on your smartphone, such as cleaning the camera lens, using third-party camera apps, adjusting the camera settings, and using external lenses. However, these methods may not necessarily make a significant improvement in the quality of the camera itself.

  • Are more cameras better in a smartphone?

    Not necessarily. While having multiple cameras can offer more versatility in capturing different types of photos, it’s important to consider the quality of the camera sensors and other camera features when evaluating a smartphone’s camera performance.

  • How can I compare smartphone cameras to determine which one is the best?

    To compare smartphone cameras, look at factors such as the camera resolution, sensor size, aperture size, and availability of features like optical image stabilization and night mode. You can also look at camera samples and reviews from reputable sources to get an idea of the camera performance in different lighting conditions and situations.

👋 Conclusion

In conclusion, having a good camera on your smartphone is important for many people who use their phone as their primary camera. The quality of the camera can make a significant difference in the quality of the images and videos captured. When evaluating a smartphone’s camera quality, consider factors such as the number of cameras on the phone, the resolution and quality of the camera sensors, the aperture size, and the availability of features like optical image stabilization and night mode.

While high-end smartphones generally have good camera quality, it’s important to research and compare different models to find the best camera for your needs. Finally, software optimization plays a crucial role in improving camera quality in smartphones, so consider this factor when evaluating a phone’s camera performance.