I test and review the best camera phones — these are my favorites right now

Ask anyone what’s the most important feature they look for when buying a phone, I guarantee you that a lot of them will tell you that having excellent cameras will have a big influence over the phone they wind up getting. That doesn't surprise me — the best camera phones these days offer outstanding optical quality, allow you to zoom farther, see what you can’t see in the dark, and even capture jaw dropping 4K video.

I’ve been reviewing phones for 16 years now and one skill I’ve acquired in the process is understanding the controls and functions of a camera, and how to master them to get the best results.

After testing dozens of phones throughout the year, along with my other colleagues, we’ve come to the agreement that the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the best camera phone around — mainly due to how its AI ProVisual Engine enhances its performance and versatile range.

But not everyone wants to pay $1,299 for a camera phone, even if it is the best performing one. If you're on a budget, the $499 Pixel 9a is exactly the kind of device you need, as it produces terrific photos and sports AI features that can help enhance the look of what you shoot.

There are other options — iPhone fans should turn to the iPhone 16 Pro, which shares the same outstanding camera system as the iPhone 16 Pro Max, but costs much less.

I’ve pitted many of these phones against each other in our 200 photo face-off series. What makes for a good camera phone, though? Well, I think having a robust interface filled with modes is always a good thing. Most phones have the essentials, like panorama and portrait mode to name a few, but the best camera phones add on other useful tools like manual modes, video portrait mode, and even dual capture.

Here's a summary of the best camera phones you can buy right now based on our head-to-head testing of each phone's camera capabilities. Keep scrolling to find the in-depth reviews of every camera phone featured here.

Written by

Written by

John Velasco

I'm the senior editor for mobile at Tom's Guide, where I've been working since 2023. I've been covering mobile tech for 16 years in total, starting with old school feature phones and early smartphones powered by Palm OS and Windows Mobile. I'm a New Jersey native and keep up with the latest mobile tech.

The quick list

Here's a summary of the best camera phones you can buy right now based on our head-to-head testing of each phone's camera capabilities. Keep scrolling to find the in-depth reviews of every camera phone featured here.

How to choose the best camera phone

Obviously, the best camera phone needs to have the tools, performance, and hardware to need your exact needs. That's different for everyone, but the first thing you need to ask yourself is what's your budget. It plays a role on what kind of cameras you can expect to get, like how mid-range phones have at least a dual-camera setup. Most flagships have triple camera setups, which come with dedicated telephoto cameras and often start out at $1,000.

Another thing you need to determine to find out how to choose the best camera phone is what you'll be using it for. I think the average person would be content by phones with dual cameras, which oftentimes consist of a main shooter paired with an ultrawide.

However, the best foldable phones offer a unique advantage over the average slate phone. Since they have two screens, one main and one outer display, they give you the extra ability of using their better cameras for vlogging and selfie shots. While they're just as expensive, they've come down in price — with some flip style phones costing just as much as a mid-range one.

I think it's also good to research what phones have manual modes and extra features. All camera phones have the basics, but the pro-level camera phones give creators more tools. For example, some of them let you capture photos in RAW, flat color profile with LOG recording, and there are even some phones that can shoot portrait video for that cinematic look.

Lastly, it's absolutely necessary to look at their specs. Don't be fooled by big megapixel numbers, since it's what a lot of phone makers do. Instead, you'll want to look at the sensor size, aperture of the lens, and also their field of view. For example, a faster aperture (like f/1.8 versus f/2.2) would allow a camera to gather in more light — resulting in sharper details and better low light performance. Likewise, a wider field of view for the selfie or ultrawide camera ensures you'll get more of the scene from the same vantage point.

The best camera phone overall

Image 1 of 6

If you’ve used a Galaxy S Ultra lately, you know exactly the kind of camera performance to expect from the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The camera setup is similar last year's model, with the exception of an upgraded 50MP ultrawide camera and a new AI ProVisual Engine. As a result, it pulls in more detail and offers better macrophotography performance.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra comes back with a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom paired with a 50MP telephoto with 5x zoom. It still supports a 10x zoom by shooting images at full 50MP resolution and then cropping in on an area of detail. It works well just as before, but it does pull out slightly sharper results thanks to the image processing algorithms with the new AI ProVisual Engine.

I do like the AI tools Samsung includes for photo-editing, like the ability to resize and move around the subjects of a photo with the help of generative AI. But the great thing about the S25 Ultra is that it has the most comprehensive camera software around, I'm talking stuff that pros and creators crave.

When I tried astrophotography with my Galaxy S25 Ultra, I didn't realize then that there was a hidden mode for it through the Expert RAW app. On top of that, the S25 Ultra is a video camera beast complete with tools I use like Pro Video mode that lets me controls the shutter speed and ISO — plus LOG video recording and the ability to use a wireless microphone.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review.

The best low cost camera phone

Image 1 of 6

If you want a top camera phone but don't want to pay up for a flagship, you'll love the Pixel 9a. Like previous Google A series phones, this new model delivers excellent shots while costing a little less than $500. But the Pixel 9a also happens to be a big step up from its predecessor when it comes to camera performance.

It may not seem that way on paper, as the Pixel 9a offers a 48MP main camera compared to the 64MP shooter that the Pixel 8a offered. But the aperture's wider on the new phone, so it captures more light. That meant better photos when we shot in low light while testing the phone, as you can see in our 100-photo Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 8a camera comparison. The Pixel 9a adds support for macro photos and astrophotography, too.

When I tried out the Pixel 9a cameras, I was impressed by the accurate color reproduction. I also liked the saturation and contrast produced by the 13MP front camera on Google's phone. While the iPhone 16e takes better zoom shots in my opinion, I appreciated the flexibility of the Pixel 9a's two rear camera setup and how good its overall output looked compared to what the iPhone produced. If I don't want to spend big on a camera phone, I'm reaching for the Pixel 9a.

And that's just covering the output of the Pixel 9a cameras. The phone also supports the latest AI features from Google, including tools like Add Me for adding yourself to a group shot even if you're the one tasked with the photo. Throw in a longer lasting battery that means you won't have to worry about running out of power when you take out your camera phone, and the Pixel 9a is a big step up for budget camera phones in every way.

Read our full Google Pixel 9a review.

The best iPhone camera phone

Image 1 of 6

Point to a camera on the back of the iPhone 16 Pro, and Apple has improved it. The biggest change is to the telephoto lens, which now matches the tetraprism design and 5x optical zoom added to last year's iPhone 15 Pro Max model. But the main camera on the iPhone 16 Pro is now a faster Fusion camera while the ultrawide lens gets an upgraded 48MP sensor.

Having good specs on paper is one thing, but the iPhone 16 Pro delivered great results in our hands-on testing, with brighter and more detailed action shots, colors that looked more natural in images shot by the ultrawide lens and some of the best low-light photos we've seen. Zooms look better, too, even if the Galaxy S24 Ultra continues to deliver the best close-ups of any phone I've tested.

A Camera Control button on the side of the iPhone 16 Pro makes it easy to launch the camera, snap photos and even control different modes without have to use any on-screen controls. It's a useful addition, though it will take some getting used to. When it's time to study your pictures, the iPhone 16 Pro offers a bigger 6.3-inch screen to view them on. The arrival of Apple Intelligence later this year introduces a Photo Clean Up tool that matches a similar feature on the latest Pixel phones, though we find Google's version to be a little more polished.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max duplicates the standard Pro's camera setup and its features, including improved video shooting capabilities that let you 4K 120fps slow-motion video. But the iPhone 16 Pro Max also costs $200 more than the iPhone 16 Pro. Given that the photo experiences are so similar, we think camera buffs should go for the Pro and pocket the savings, though it you prefer the bigger screen for viewing your photos, you'd get a similar experience with the Pro Max.

Read our full iPhone 16 Pro review.

The best Android camera phone

Image 1 of 6

Even with the Pixel 9a now offering a cheaper alternative for camera phone shoppers, don't overlook the Pixel 9 Pro, which adds a dedicated telephoto lens to its array of cameras. In fact, you get the same triple camera setup with the Pixel 9 Pro as the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL, but you save $100 on the cost. And considering the Pixel 9 Pro XL topped last year's Galaxy S24 Ultra with that same camera setup, we think Android users should consider Google's latest flagships if they're looking for excellent camera output.

It's the Pixel 9 Pro's 5x optical zoom and its crystal clear close-ups that really stand out. In our testing, the Pixel 9 Pro's zoom proved a lot crisper than those shot by Apple's iPhone's — not surprising as the latter can only muster a 3x zoom. When you need to push things further, the Pixel's Super Res Zoom feature can go up to 30x while minimizing the noise that can creep into a shot.

A larger ultrawide lens on the Pixel 9 Pro helps with those shots and adds a fantastic Macro Focus feature that lets you get up close to a subject for detailed shots. But the real star here is the photo-processing features that produced balanced colorful shots in our testing. You'll also appreciate AI-powered editing tools like a Reimagine feature that enhances selected areas of a shot, even if the results aren't always realistic and an Add Me tool that lets you insert yourself into group shots instead of always just taking the pictures.

Read our full Google Pixel 9 Pro review.

The best iPhone value

Image 1 of 6

Not everyone wants to spend $999 or more on a new phone, even if the camera are the best available. The $799 iPhone 16 provides a compelling alternative to the iPhone 16 Pro by still producing great shots without some of the higher-end hardware you'll find on Apple's Pro models.

For example, there's no telephoto lens on the iPhone 16. Instead, you use the 48MP main camera to crop in on a shot, effectively mimicking a 2x optical zoom. The upgraded ultrawide lens in the iPhone 16 may not feature a 48MP sensor, but the sensor is physically larger to let in more light. And you can now shoot macro shots on the iPhone 16's ultrawide lens that turned out very well in our testing. What's more, the iPhone 16 picks up the same Camera Control button Apple added to its Pro models.

As for our photo testing, the iPhone 16 produced shots that not only held their own against iPhone 16 Pro photos but also topped images from other phones in its price range. Sample iPhone 16 photos show a great deal of dynamic range, and the phone also proved to handle low-light shooting situations with ease.

The camera lenses on the back of the iPhone 16 have been rearranged, but not for aesthetic reasons — with the cameras stacked on top of each other, you can now capture spatial video on Apple's least expensive flagship.

Just as the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max share a camera setup, so does the regular iPhone 16 and the larger iPhone 16 Plus. You can save $100 by opting for the standard model, or you can get the Plus and enjoy a bigger screen and longer-lasting battery — the camera experiences will be the same.

Read our full iPhone 16 review.

Best video camera phone

Image 1 of 6

As impressive as the Galaxy S25 Ultra's cameras are, that's a pretty costly phone at $1,299. For $500 less, the Galaxy S25 delivers high-quality photos and the same Galaxy AI photo editing features found on the Ultra. Even better, it's an outstanding video camera.

For its cost, it offers a much more robust setup with its triple cameras, whereas the similarly priced iPhone 16 and Pixel 9 offer a dual-camera arrangement. As a video camera phone, however, the Galaxy S25 goes above beyond what most phones offer. I'm talking about features that pros actually care about, like a dedicated Pro Video mode that lets me tweak the focus, shutter speed, white balance, and ISO.

There's also things like tracking auto focus, which locks in the focus on a selected subject, rather than just a single point in the frame. When you shoot as much video as I do, you'll also appreciate how the Galaxy S25 can let you use a wireless microphone for better audio — complete with an audio gauge to see level, so the audio doesn't clip.

And finally, it's a powerful video camera phone because it supports 8K video recording and new Galaxy AI features such as Audio Eraser to eliminate ambient noise. This gives me even more flexibility in post to edit videos to my liking.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S25 review.

The best foldable camera phone

Image 1 of 6

Note: We should see the Galaxy Z Flip 7 replace this model on Samsung's and other stores' shelves in just a few weeks. So consider holding off if you want to buy a flip foldable with great photography!

After years of flip phones that made do with a 12MP main camera, Samsung updates the Galaxy Z Flip 6 with a 50MP sensor for the main lens. That not only means sharper pictures from this foldable phone, but the main camera can take advantage of pixel binning to approximate a 2x optical zoom. That's a clever workaround having to fit a dedicated telephoto lens into such a compact folding design, where space is at a premium.

The improved camera on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 performs well, topping the Motorola Razr Plus (2024) when we compared their camera output. Galaxy Z Flip 6 users will also appreciate the ability to use the exterior cameras to shoot selfies, with the Flip's 3.4-inch cover display acting as a view finder. Galaxy AI features — including ones that convert your images into illustrations or cartoons round out the camera features.

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 costs $100 more than its predecessors, but if you're looking for the best cameras on a foldable phone, you won't mind paying the premium price. What's special about this flip-style phone is that you can pair the rear cameras with the external screen to capture better looking vlogs and videos of yourself.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review.

Also Tested

Apple iPhone 16e (★★★★☆)

Even though the iPhone 16e features just one rear camera, it’s a big upgrade for Apple’s entry-level phone. It packs a 48MP camera, matching the specs of the main camera on the iPhone 16. I was surprised how well it held up when I put it through a photo shootout against the iPhone 16.

Read our full iPhone 16e review

View Deal

OnePlus 13 (★★★★☆)

Not only does the OnePlus 13 has a great deal of depth with its triple 50MP camera system, but I'm astounded by the marked improvement with its low light performance. It clearly ditches the stigma that have always followed past OnePlus phones.

Read our full OnePlus 13 review

View Deal

How we test camera phones

When we evaluate the best camera phones, we pick phones of comparable prices and capabilities and put them through a range of head-to-head comparisons. We pick common shooting situations — landscapes, indoor and outdoor shots, portraits and selfies in daylight and at night. We also test out each camera lens, including ultrawide angle and telephoto lenses if the phone features those.

In addition to testing the rear lenses of each phone, we also test the front camera, snapping selfies in both standard and portrait mode. We then compare the results to similar camera phones.

Photos used in our comparisons are taken with the default settings on each camera. Even if a phone offers manual controls, we don't test those, as we want to replicate the experience the typical smartphone user would have using the camera app on a device.

In each of our smartphone reviews, we also factor in any special features, such as dual lenses and what they enable, Portrait Modes, and other special modes, before we come to a conclusion.

Camera testing is the most relevant evaluation for picking the best camera phones, but our smartphone reviews include other testing, such as performance testing, battery testing and display testing. You can see the full results of those tests — outlined in our explanation of how Tom's Guide tests and reviews smartphones — when we rate the best phones overall and in our 200 photos head-to-head shoot outs.

How to pick the best camera phone

There are many factors to consider if camera quality factors heavily into your smartphone purchasing decision. A good way to start is by asking yourself what kinds of photos you see yourself taking. Not all multi-lens cameras are created equal — some have ultrawide lenses for stunning landscapes, others have telephotos for zoomed-in shallow-depth-of-field portraits, and a lot of premium devices offer both.

The newest flagships from the likes of Samsung and Huawei even have periscope-style lenses that offer varying degrees of optical zoom. The best historically offered 10x magnification, which can rival the power of DSLRs.

Something else to consider: Megapixels don’t matter as much as aperture. Cameras with a wider aperture (lower ƒ-stop numbers translate to wider lenses) let in more light, which greatly helps produce better shots in the dark. The high-megapixel sensors found in the latest devices are nice, but it's a common misconception that pixel count directly translates to better-looking photos.

Do you need a portrait mode that allows for bokeh backgrounds? That’s where the subject of the photo is in sharp focus, while an artistic blur blankets the rest of the scene. Although it started as a feature exclusive to multi-camera phones, even cheaper phones like the single-lens iPhone 16e can capture bokeh-effect portraits. Some devices even let you adjust the strength of the blur before and after you take a shot.

You also need to consider what kind of post-capture processing your phones are doing. This has been the norm for many years now, and with the rise of AI it means there are even more ways to improve and enhance your images after the shutter has been activated. However not all camera processing is equal, and it's not the kind of thing you can really compare without seeing photos side-by-side — which is why we always put phone cameras through their paces.

Front camera specs are important, too. In a world where we’re taking more selfies than ever, you shouldn’t overlook a phone’s front camera. Many front cameras, like the ones on the iPhone 16 and Pixel 9, can actually perform the same portrait mode effects that rear cameras pull off. Some phones feature two front cameras, with the second lens pulling in more background details, though that trend has fallen out of fashion recently.

Finally, don’t forget about video. Your cameras shoot more than just still images. Consider what resolution the camera captures video at, along with the frame rate. A word to the wise, though: Be wary that ratcheting up the resolution will result in clips that take up much more space on your smartphone's internal storage.

For a good rundown of what to consider when looking for the best camera phone, check out our guide on which camera specs you should pay attention to.