Best camera phones: Top 10 picks to unlock your photography potential

From advanced sensor technology and versatile lens setups to innovative software features and AI enhancements, these smartphones offer a plethora of tools to unleash your creativity. We’ll take you through a curated selection of the best camera smartphones on the market. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer looking for a pocket-sized powerhouse or a casual shooter wanting to upgrade your smartphone photography experience, our comprehensive review will guide you in picking the right smartphone.

1. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is Apple’s latest flagship smartphone, offering a stunning 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display and a powerful A16 Bionic chip for smooth performance. It boasts a triple-camera system with improved low-light performance and enhanced AI features. The device supports 5G connectivity for fast internet speeds and comes with iOS 17, providing a seamless user experience. With its premium design and advanced features, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is a top choice for photography enthusiasts.

Specifications of Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB

• 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display
• A17 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
• Pro camera system with 48 MP main camera
• Cinematic mode for depth control and focus

2. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a flagship smartphone that offers cutting-edge features. With a stunning 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, it delivers vibrant colours and crisp details. Powered by a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, it offers smooth performance for everyday tasks and gaming. The triple camera system is impressive, featuring a high-resolution main sensor, ultra-wide lens and periscope zoom for stunning photos and videos. The device also boasts a large battery and fast charging capabilities.

Specifications of Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G

• 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor
• Quad-camera setup with a 108MP main sensor
• 5G connectivity
• Large battery
• S Pen support

3. OnePlus Open

The OnePlus Open 5G is a feature-packed smartphone offering from OnePlus. It comes with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, a stunning AMOLED display and a professional-grade camera system. The device supports 5G connectivity, ensuring fast and reliable internet speeds. With a sleek design and premium build quality, the OnePlus Open 5G is a top choice for those looking for a high-performance smartphone.

Specifications of OnePlus Open

• 6.3-inch external display and 7.8 inches internal display
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
• Hasselblad Camera for Mobile
• 8K video recording
• Up to 16GB RAM

Also read: Best smartphones under ₹20,000: Top 10 choices

4. OnePlus 12

The OnePlus 12 is a powerhouse with a pro-level Hasselblad camera system featuring a primary 50MP Sony sensor, a 3X periscope lens and a 48MP ultra-wide lens. It boasts elite performance with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and software-assisted optimization. The 2K 120 Hz ProXDR Display with Aqua Touch offers vibrant visuals and it can be used when the phone screen is wet. Other features include OxygenOS based on Android 14, ultra-fast 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging.

Specifications of OnePlus 12

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform
• 2K 120 Hz ProXDR Display with Aqua Touch
• OxygenOS based on Android 14
• 100W wired charging, 50W wireless charging
• Up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM

5. iQOO 12

The iQOO 12 5G is a powerful smartphone with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, offering exceptional performance. It boasts a unique camera setup, featuring a 50MP + 50MP + 64MP configuration for stunning photography. The device also sports a 6.78-inch 144 Hz LTPO AMOLED display, providing an immersive viewing experience. With a 120W fast charger, IP64 rating, and Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14, it offers a premium user experience.

Specifications of iQOO 12

• 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, 144Hz LTPO
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor
• 50MP OIS Main, 50MP Ultra Wide and 64 MP periscope cameras
• 4K video recording
• 12GB RAM

6. OnePlus 11R 5G

The OnePlus 11R 5G offers a powerful performance with its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform. Its 6.7-inch 120 Hz Super Fluid AMOLED display delivers stunning visuals. The phone boasts a versatile camera setup, including a 50MP Main Camera with a Sony sensor, an 8MP Ultrawide Camera and a Macro Lens. Along with that, we see a 16MP front camera for selfies. OxygenOS based on Android 13 ensures a smooth user experience.

Specifications of OnePlus 11R 5G

• 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED display, 120Hz
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor
• 50MP Main, 8MP Ultra Wide, and macro lens
• 100W fast charging
• 12GB RAM

7. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 5G

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 5G features a 12MP Ultra Wide, 12MP Wide, and 12MP Telephoto rear camera setup, along with a 10MP Cover camera and a 4MP Under Display camera. Its innovative design and advanced camera capabilities make it a unique choice for photography enthusiasts. With 256GB of storage, it offers ample space for your high-quality images and videos.

Specifications of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 5G

• 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
• 50MP + 12MP + 10MP triple camera setup
• 10MP Cover and 4MP Under Display cameras
• Up to 12GB RAM

Also read: Best camera phones for stunning images: Top 10 picks to consider

8. Motorola Edge 20 Pro 5G

The Motorola Edge 20 Pro 5G features a 108MP Main camera, a 16MP ultra-wide camera, and an 8MP Telephoto camera. Its advanced camera capabilities make it a versatile choice for photography enthusiasts. With 128GB of storage, it offers ample space for high-resolution images and videos. The stock Android OS experience offers smooth multitasking and minimal software design. The large 5000 mAh battery comes with a fast 30 Watt charging for quick top up.

Specifications of Motorola Edge 20 Pro 5G

• 6.7-inch OLED display
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor
• 108MP Main, 16MP Ultra Wide, and 8MP Telephoto cameras
• 30W fast charging
• Up to 12GB RAM

9. Samsung Galaxy S24 5G

Experience the Samsung Galaxy S24 5G AI Smartphone featuring 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Its ergonomic design and satin finish offer a satisfying grip and feel. With a larger screen, extended battery life and enhanced processing power, the Galaxy S24 delivers an upgraded user experience. Capture stunning high-resolution photos with confidence, thanks to its powerful camera. Enjoy innovative features like Circle to Search for intuitive searching and AI-driven language translation during phone calls and messaging.

Specifications of Samsung Galaxy S24 5G

• 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display
• Exynos 2400 processor
• 50MP Main, 12MP Ultra Wide, and 64MP Telephoto cameras
• 8K video recording
• Up to 8GB RAM

10. Apple iPhone 15 128GB

The Apple iPhone 15 features a triple-camera system with advanced computational photography features. This camera uses the new Fusion tech to improve the captured shots. Its A16 Bionic chip ensures incredible performance for photography and videography. With 128GB of storage, it’s perfect for storing all your high-quality images and videos. The new and improved battery offers up to 28 hours of talk time on 5G connectivity.

Specifications of Apple iPhone 15 128GB

• 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display
• A16 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
• Pro camera system with 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto cameras
• Cinematic mode for depth control and focus
• Up to 28 hours of talk time

Comparison Table

Best value for money

The iQOO 12 Legend 5G offers the best value for money with its versatile camera capabilities, ample storage, and sleek design. It provides exceptional photography features at an attractive price point, making it a top choice for those seeking a great value.

Best overall product

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max came out to be the best overall camera smartphone on this list. It comes with a triple-camera setup including a telephoto lens for zoom shots. It comes with ample storage to store all your pictures and videos. The large battery also enables you to capture long videos in 4K quality. The Super Retina XDR display shows all your results with true-to-life colours and editing these pictures is a piece of cake for the A17 Bionic chipset.

How to find the best camera phone:

When choosing the perfect camera phone from the options listed, consider the specific camera capabilities, storage capacity, and display size that best suit your needs. Assess the pros and cons of each product to make an informed decision based on your photography preferences and usage. Whether you prioritize camera quality, storage, or design, there’s a perfect phone for you among these top picks.

FAQs

Question : What is the price range of these camera phones?

Ans : The price range of these camera phones varies from INR 50,000 to INR 1,50,000, depending on the brand, specifications, and features.

Question : Do these phones support 5G connectivity?

Ans : Yes, all the phones listed here offer 5G connectivity, ensuring high-speed internet and advanced network capabilities.

Question : Are these phones suitable for professional photography?

Ans : Absolutely, these phones are equipped with advanced camera systems and computational photography features, making them suitable for professional photography and videography.

Question : What are the latest camera advancements in these phones?

Ans : The latest advancements include higher megapixel counts, improved low-light performance, enhanced zoom capabilities, and advanced image processing algorithms.

Disclaimer: At Livemint, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Mint has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.

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Published: 20 Feb 2024, 07:01 AM IST