If you are looking for a phone that can take stunning photos and videos, you have come to the right place. Camera phones have improved a lot in recent years, thanks to better sensors, lenses, software, and AI. Some of them can even rival the quality of dedicated cameras, especially in low light and zoom scenarios.
But which camera phone should you buy? There are many factors to consider, such as the number and type of cameras, the resolution and aperture, the autofocus and stabilization, the video modes and features, and of course, the price.
To help you decide, we have tested and ranked the best camera phones available in 2023. We have evaluated their performance in various situations, such as daylight, night, portrait, landscape, macro, selfie, and more. We have also considered their overall design, display, battery life, and user experience.
Here are our top picks for the best camera phones in 2023, from the most affordable to the most premium.
5. Google Pixel 5
The Google Pixel 5 is a solid choice for anyone who wants a phone that can take great photos and videos without any hassle or fuss. It has a sleek design, a smooth 90Hz OLED display, a long-lasting battery, and a fast and reliable software. It has only two rear cameras: a 12.2MP main camera and a 16MP ultra-wide camera. But thanks to Google’s computational photography, it can produce sharp, detailed, and well-exposed images in almost any situation. It also excels in low-light photography with its Night Sight mode and has a Cinematic Pan mode for video recording.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent low-light performance | No telephoto camera |
| Consistent and reliable image quality | Limited video options |
| Smooth and fast user experience | No microSD slot |
4. OnePlus 9 Pro
The OnePlus 9 Pro is a great camera phone that offers a lot of value for your money. It has a stunning design, a gorgeous 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a powerful Snapdragon 888 processor with 8GB or 12GB of RAM, a fast-charging battery with wireless and reverse wireless capabilities, and a smooth and customizable OxygenOS software. It has four rear cameras: a 48MP main camera with OIS and a custom Sony sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide camera with a freeform lens that reduces distortion, an 8MP telephoto camera with OIS and 3.3x optical zoom, and a 2MP monochrome camera that enhances black-and-white photos. It delivers impressive photos and videos across all cameras with natural colors and wide dynamic range. It also supports various video modes and features such as HDR10+, timelapse, hyperlapse, slow motion, nightscape video, portrait video, and pro video.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Impressive main and ultra-wide cameras | Mediocre zoom performance |
| Various video modes and features | No night mode for selfies |
| Fast and smooth user experience | Expensive for a OnePlus phone |
3. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the ultimate camera phone for zoom enthusiasts. It has a massive 6.8-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, a powerful Exynos 2100 processor with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, a huge 5000mAh battery with wireless and reverse wireless charging, and a sleek and durable design with Gorilla Glass Victus and IP68 water and dust resistance. It has four rear cameras: a 108MP main camera with OIS and a laser autofocus sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide camera with a 120-degree field of view,
a 10MP telephoto camera with OIS and 10x optical zoom, and another 10MP telephoto camera with OIS and 3x optical zoom. It also has a 40MP selfie camera with autofocus and 4K video recording. It offers amazing zoom performance across all levels, up to 100x digital zoom with its Space Zoom feature. It also excels in other aspects of photography and videography, such as detail, dynamic range, color, exposure, autofocus, stabilization, and more. It supports various modes and features to enhance your creativity, such as Single Take, Director’s View, Portrait, Night, Pro, and more.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Amazing zoom performance | Very expensive |
| High-resolution main and selfie cameras | Heavy and bulky |
| Various modes and features | No microSD slot |
2. Sony Xperia 1 IV
The Sony Xperia 1 IV is the best camera phone for video enthusiasts. It has a sleek design, a stunning 4K display, a powerful processor, a long-lasting battery, and a water-resistant design. It has three rear cameras: a 12MP main camera with a large sensor, a 12MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide camera with macro capabilities. It also has a ToF sensor that measures depth and distance. It delivers excellent photos and videos across all cameras with superb detail, dynamic range, color, exposure, autofocus, stabilization, and more. It also supports various video modes and features such as HDR10+, Dolby Vision, timelapse, slow motion, Cinema Pro, and more. It is very expensive, lacks some features that other flagships offer, and has some issues with the main camera.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent video performance | Very expensive |
| Stunning 4K display | No optical zoom beyond 3x |
| Professional-inspired camera system | No night mode for selfies |
1. Huawei P50 Pro
The Huawei P50 Pro is the best camera phone in 2023, period. It has a stunning display, a powerful processor, a long-lasting battery, and a sleek and elegant design. It has five rear cameras: a 50MP main camera with a huge sensor, a 64MP telephoto camera with 3.5x optical zoom, a 40MP ultra-wide camera with macro capabilities, a 12MP periscope camera with 10x optical zoom, and a ToF sensor that measures depth and distance. It also has a 32MP selfie camera. It delivers stunning photos and videos across all cameras with superb detail, dynamic range, color, exposure, autofocus, stabilization, and more. It also supports various video modes and features such as HDR10+, Dolby Vision, timelapse, slow motion, dual-view, portrait video, pro video, and more. It is very expensive, lacks Google services and apps due to the US ban, and has some issues with the main camera.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stunning main and telephoto cameras | Very expensive |
| Best ultra-wide and periscope cameras | No Google services or apps |
| Various modes and features | Some issues with main camera |
CONCLUSION
We hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful and informative. Camera phones are one of the most important and popular features of smartphones in 2023. They can help you capture and share your memories, express your creativity, and communicate with others. Whether you want a phone that can take great photos and videos without any hassle, a phone that offers a lot of value for your money, a phone that can zoom in on anything without losing quality, or a phone that can take the best photos and videos possible on any phone, we have a recommendation for you.
