Top 5 Best Camera Phones in 2025

Since I’m constantly taking pictures and comparing the best smartphone cameras, I’m probably carrying the best camera phone right now. My iPhone 16 Pro, and Galaxy S25 Ultra are all tucked away, charged, and prepared for anything.

This is due to the fact that using the camera, taking pictures, and blindly comparing them side by side is the only method to determine which camera phone is the best. Since specs only reveal a small part of the camera’s story, I don’t rely on them. You have megapixels, huh? I’m not impressed. I take literally thousands of pictures annually to see what each of these camera phones does well because I want to see the results.

In addition to the images, the Camera app itself is crucial. It must be simple to use and have enough settings so that I can modify the camera and take the desired picture in any circumstance. Although I also enjoy having good editing tools in the Gallery or Photos app, having a fantastic camera app that is as enjoyable and simple to use as a real camera is more important.

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Last update on 2025-04-16 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best Camera Phones in 2025

1.Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Last update on 2025-04-16 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

With their exceptional cameras, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max produce the most striking photos I’ve ever seen from an iPhone. Instead of appearing as computer-processed images or frozen video frames, my photographs appear genuine and natural at every zoom level.

The iPhone 16 Pro (and Pro Max) is the greatest camera phone for photo enthusiasts because it captures ordinary moments so well. The iPhone is more accurate, and with the right editing software, iPhone photos touch up beautifully, so they might not have the same pop and vibrancy as those on a Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Of course, the video is exciting as well. The video produced by the iPhone 16 Pro is genuinely cinematic. Ultra-high definition slow motion is stunning in the new 4K/120fps mode. The outcomes are simply amazing.

Apple added the Camera Control button to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Unfortunately, Camera Control’s early promise seems to have been squandered because it primarily functions as an entry point to the failing Apple Intelligence and lacks a useful shutter button. Additionally, I’ve noticed that the Camera app crashes or doesn’t open very frequently anymore, though that might only be an issue with my demo device.

It will be difficult to separate the new iPhone 16 Pro from the iPhone 15 Pro from last year at first glance, but all you need to do is hold the new phone or, like I did, place the two phones side by side to see the differences.

Of course, there aren’t any aesthetic ones. Another Titanium grade 5 phone, this one has softly curved corners and flat edges. With the exception of the new Camera Control button, which will be discussed in more detail soon, the camera array appears to be unaltered, as does the location of the buttons and ports. But compared to the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPhone 16 Pro is noticeably wider and taller. This pocket-sized phone is a small step toward phablet territory, but it’s not much.

The iPhone 15 Pro is 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25 mm and weighs 187g, while the iPhone 16 Pro is 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25 mm and weighs 199g. At 12g versus 6g, the weight gain between the Pro phones is slightly greater than that between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Because the iPhone 16 Pro has a 12MP 5x zoom (it was 3x), along with a tetraprism lens, it is physically larger than the iPhone 15 Pro, which accounts for the additional weight. Additionally, the larger battery makes it slightly heavier.

That may all be worth it for the larger screen, better camera, and longer battery life, but I wonder how those with smaller hands will feel about the evolution.

As I noted, there’s nothing remarkable about most of the button, speaker, and microphone configuration, which is unchanged from the iPhone 15 Pro and also matches the larger iPhone 16 Pro Max.

On the bottom edge are the Thunderbolt 4-capable USB-C power and data ports, speaker grilles, and microphones. The rest of the speaker system lives at the very top of the display, and together the speakers provide rich, clear, spatial audio.

The most significant modification is the new Camera Control button, which replaced the antenna cutouts on the iPhone 15 Pro in roughly the same location.

Although the Camera Control… control can be pressed like a button to quickly launch the Camera app, Apple does not refer to it as a button. Pressing one button will wake up your phone if it’s asleep, and pressing another will reveal the camera. The shutter will open with a third press.But a camera control is much more than just a shutter button. Under a sapphire surface, there is a stack of technology that includes touch and pressure sensors. After some getting used to it, I can now access other camera features like different lenses, exposure, aperture, and other controls by double-pressing just enough to activate the Taptic Engine.

At first, I was concerned that it might be too simple to press the button by accident, but it is so recessed that this is nearly impossible.Apple makes undeniably beautiful products, and the iPhone 16 Pro is no exception, Like the 16 Pro Max, it’s made of grade 5 titanium over a graphite-covered aluminum substructure. In addition to good looks, the phone is dust and water-resistant. The IP68 rating means it can survive 30 minutes in 1.5 meters of water – I ran my test unit under a sprinkler and it handled it just fine.

2.Xiaomi 14 Ultra

Last update on 2025-04-16 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

With some of the greatest materials available on any flagship phone right now, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is exquisitely crafted and designed. A large circular notch that extends out of the back dominates the case. Four incredible Leica cameras and a flash are housed inside, all of which are shielded by strengthened glass.

Unquestionably, the phone looks fantastic, but I have a few issues with it. I was afraid of breaking it, to start. Every time you put the Xiaomi 14 Ultra down, you run the risk of scratching the glass due to the 7 or 8mm protrusion. You don’t want to worry about this, particularly since the phone’s cameras are its primary selling feature.

My second issue is that the phone’s top half is noticeably heavier than its bottom due to the camera notch. With the exception of the fact that it is nearly impossible to hold the phone in one hand and type with the same hand, this would not be an issue. The phone simply fell out of the top of my hand each time I tried. Not very good. Although I understand Xiaomi’s desire to minimize the overall weight, this problem could have been mitigated with a little more weight toward the bottom.

The design is really amazing overall, despite the troublesome notch. It is beautifully designed and aesthetically pleasing. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is constructed from next-generation Xiaomi nano-tech vegan leather, Xiaomi Shield Glass, and a brand-new 6M42 high-strength aluminum frame.

It sounds amazing, and I promise it is. The phone did not budge when I attempted to bend it. The selection of materials improves durability in addition to keeping everything safe. The strength is equivalent to twice as much rigidity as the Xiaomi 13 Pro.

The device’s back is covered in nano-tech vegan leather, a novel material created by Xiaomi. Its overall durability is increased by its resistance to dirt and wear. It was completely free of any visible marks at the conclusion of my tests, which took about a month. Now, I believe you would quickly scratch it with your fingernail, but that’s the benefit of having a textured surface like this.

The phone’s right side houses the power button and volume rocker, both of which are ideally situated for convenient access. A nice touch that makes it easier for users to recognize the power button without looking is its textured finish.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra boasts a gorgeous 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED, which absolutely looks the part. The display is almost edge to edge, with pixels running right up to the point when the glass starts to curve off towards the aluminum edges. This is achieved by stacking multiple layers and thereby introducing the required flexibility at the edges. It works really well, and it blends seamlessly into the frame.

With a pixel resolution of 3200 x 1440 and 522 PPI, the display has a 20:9 aspect ratio. Compared to the Xiaomi 14’s 2670 x 1200 resolution, this is noticeably larger. For a phone that is marketed as “Ultra,” I would really like to see the resolution increased to 4K.

Power consumption and light efficiency are greatly increased by adding an LTPO panel with a variable refresh rate. Refresh rates of 1 to 120 Hz are possible with this technology. For gamers who require the fastest refresh rates, the top end is ideal. Regardless of the purpose of the phone, it produces buttery smooth graphics and performs incredibly well.

3.Google Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL

Last update on 2025-04-16 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are high-end smartphones with unquestionably the best Pixel cameras to date. With better color accuracy, low-light performance, and zoomed-in detail, the Pixel 9 Pro beat my iPhone 15 Pro Max in my tests.

The fact that the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL both come with the same fantastic camera features, such as the 5X telephoto zoom lens, is one of the best things about the Pixel 9 Pro. The battery and screen size are the only variations. Thus, the Pixel 9 Pro is my choice for a companion AI camera that is portable.

With a staggering 42MP resolution, the Pixel 9 Pro even improves the selfie camera. Friends of iPhone users have frequently commented on Google’s new high-end design, and this is an excellent all-around camera phone.

Go to Google Photos on the Pixel 9 Pro after taking your photos to access some incredible editing features. You can reimagine backgrounds with completely new elements thanks to artificial intelligence. If you’re bored, you can also simply sharpen hazy photos.

I turn a beautiful phone over in my hand as soon as I get it. I hold it sideways and repeatedly flip the phone to feel for any sharp edges or grooves where my skin might catch. The smoothest, most elegant phone I’ve used in years is the Pixel 9 Pro. Compared to my iPhone 15 Pro, it feels more comfortable to hold.

With excellent color choices that complement the matte glass and polished metal, the Pixel 9 Pro matches Samsung’s attention to material details, even though it lacks the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s distinctive shimmering depth.

The most exciting detail about the Pixel 9 Pro is that it’s… small? Is a 6.3-inch display really a small phone? It is when you have small pockets or smaller hands, and have been craving a high-end phone for years. If you wanted to buy a small phone before the Pixel 9 Pro, you couldn’t get the best phone available. The Pixel 9 Pro changes that trend. It’s a relief, and hopefully a trendsetter.

To be more specific, the iPhone 15 Pro is nearly identical to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, with the exception of the lack of a zoom lens camera and 3-axis image stabilization. The massive Galaxy S24 Ultra outperforms the smaller Galaxy S24, which lacks the Ultra’s camera capabilities, not to mention the S Pen.

The Pixel 9 Pro is identical to the Pixel 9 Pro XL; the only difference is that it lacks the XL. The screen is smaller, as is the battery, and that is it. Everything else remains the same, including the camera, performance, and features. This is the way things should be.

Google claims the Pixel 9 Pro is twice as durable as last year’s Pixel 8 Pro, but I did not put that claim to the test. I kept the phone in its matching silicone case to preserve its beauty. It has a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and is dust and water resistant up to IP68 standards. Still, I didn’t want any dings or scratches because it’s just too beautiful.

4.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Last update on 2025-04-16 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra may be your favorite camera phone, and it can capture shots that even my mirrorless camera cannot match. It focuses closer than the iPhone 16 Pro and has far more camera modes, resulting in a more versatile camera overall. While iPhone images require some editing, Galaxy S25 Ultra photos are vibrant with color and dazzling dynamic range, ready to be shared.

The only problem is that you want the world to look the same in your photos as it does in real life. The Galaxy S25 Ultra can be extremely inconsistent. A photo may appear one way on a wide lens, but when you zoom in, the camera gives you a completely different color palette.

I took the Galaxy S25 Ultra to an orchid show, and my photos captured flowers in more vibrant colors than I’d ever seen in person. On the one hand, it made the show appear even more surreal, and my photos elicited a strong reaction from friends; on the other hand, they did not accurately depict the orchids I saw.

Sometimes that is exactly what you want. The Samsung Camera app includes a food mode that makes everything you cook look delicious. The more accurate iPhone often makes food appear lifeless, whereas the Galaxy allows you to share your culinary adventures with drama and style.

That’s why this is my favorite camera phone for influencers and folks who take photos to share. The Galaxy S25 Ultra adds drama and vibrance to your photos, without sacrificing quality. If you’re a stickler for accuracy, go for the iPhone, but if you want to impress, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the camera phone for you.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra ditches the Galaxy Note-like design entirely, replacing it with one that reflects the Galaxy S aesthetic found throughout the S25 line, though it is not an exact replica of those phones. Yes, it has a flat titanium band that wraps around the body, but the corners are slightly squarer than on the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus.

With dimensions of 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm, this phone is marginally taller than the S24 Ultra, but it is also thinner and narrower. At 218 grams as opposed to the S24 Ultra’s 232 grams, it is also significantly lighter. When I held the phone in my hand, I could feel the difference—yes, it is lighter than the 227-gram Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.

With dimensions of 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm, this phone is marginally taller than the S24 Ultra, but it is also thinner and narrower. At 218 grams as opposed to the S24 Ultra’s 232 grams, it is also significantly lighter. When I held the phone in my hand, I could feel the difference—yes, it is lighter than the 227-gram Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Samsung deserves praise for creating a lighter phone that manages to fit the S Pen and a 5,000mAh battery.Despite the significant chassis alteration, there aren’t a lot of other design changes. The volume rocker and power/sleep/Gemini button are in the same relative positions, while Samsung has shifted the antenna cutout from that side to the top of the opposite edge.

The base speaker (the other half of the loud and clear stereo speaker system is in a well-hidden channel at the top of the screen), the S Pen slot, a SIM slot, and the same USB-C charging and data port are all located on the bottom. This final slot is significant because the S25 Ultra supports both standard SIM and eSIM, as well as Dual-SIM, whereas Apple’s iPhone line in the US only supports eSIM.

5.Apple iPhone 16

Last update on 2025-04-16 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The cheapest model in Apple’s 2024 iPhone lineup is the iPhone 16. This year, the company has made a few changes to all of its phones, and the standard iPhone 16 now has features and performance that are more comparable to the Pro models. In addition to a generational leap in processor and memory to power Apple Intelligence, it shares the same Action Button and Camera Control, for instance. It’s a near-total package that includes high-quality hardware, contemporary radios, quick charging, and a long battery life.

The vanilla iPhone continues its slow evolution year after year. Although the iPhone 16 retains a lot of the iPhone 15’s design, it still advances significantly because of a few features that Apple has included in all iPhone 16 models.

The smallest and lightest iPhone is the 16 model, which weighs 6.0 ounces and measures 5.81 by 2.82 by 0.31 inches (HWD). With the exception of the display, the 16 Plus weighs 7.03 ounces and measures 6.33 by 3.06 by 0.31 inches. With dimensions of 5.89 by 2.81 by 0.32 inches and weighing 7.03 ounces, the 16 Pro is marginally bigger than the 16.

Aluminum frames and Apple’s Ceramic Shield on the front and back are features of the iPhone 16 (and 16 Plus). According to Apple, its glass is twice as durable as Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, which is used in the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Google Pixel 9. Matte finishes on the glass panels and frame provide a slight grip boost. Because of its IP68 rating, which protects it from dust and water, the phone can survive up to 30 minutes submerged in water up to five feet deep. Still, it’s best to put a case on the phone unless you’re positive you won’t drop it. There are five colors available for the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus: Teal, Pink, Black, Ultramarine, or White. We tested the Ultramarine model, which is an attractive shade of blue that sometimes almost looks purple.

Two new buttons are the iPhone 16’s most obvious external additions. The Action Button, which debuted on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max last year, is first seen on the iPhone 16. In place of the ringer switch, the Action Button is a tiny key located directly above the two volume buttons. The Action Button can be set up to record a voice memo, turn on the flashlight, silence your phone, or initiate your preferred shortcut. Despite its somewhat diminutive size, the button is incredibly helpful. Second, the Camera Control key is the same for the iPhone 16 as it is for the Pro models. You can quickly open the camera to take a picture or record a video with the Camera Control.

The other controls have not changed. The down-firing speaker and USB-C port are on the bottom, while the power button is on the right edge. While the Pro models have USB ports that support up to 10Gbps, the USB port can only transfer data at 480Mbps. Since the phone uses eSIM instead of a SIM card tray, only US models have one.

The camera module of the iPhone 16 has been rearranged by Apple. The two cameras have been angled and offset for the last few years. The iPhone 16’s cameras are stacked vertically in the upper-left corner this year by Apple. The phone still wobbles when placed on a flat, hard surface, but it looks neater this way.

What should I look for when buying a camera phone?

Picking the perfect camera phone starts with knowing what you like to shoot. If you’re snapping action shots of your kids’ games or capturing wildlife in their natural habitat, a good zoom is a must-have. But if your Gallery is mostly filled with portraits and group pics with friends, a solid all-around camera will do the trick. If video is more important than photos, or if you plan on mostly sharing shots of sumptuous desserts, you’ll want a camera phone that excels at those tasks.

Which phone has the best camera?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro (and iPhone 16 Pro Max) is the best camera phone for the majority of photo types because it produces images that appear to be taken by a real photographer without any obvious digital tricks or touch-ups.

If you need specialized photos, such as astrophotography or pictures of delectable food, or landscapes with the greenest grass and clear blue skies, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the best camera phone.

Consider the OnePlus 12, which creates more artistic portraits and photographs with a softer, more neutral appearance, if you’re a fan of Leica.

How to choose the best camera phone?

Should you choose a phone based on its camera? Absolutely. After messaging, the camera is likely the feature you’ll use the most on your smartphone. You don’t need the most expensive and expansive camera options, so think about what types of photos you’re most interested in.

I recommend that you look at the camera samples in this article and read our reviews; we try to provide a selection of the best images the camera produced during our brief review period, and we do not rely on studio testing. We also compare the cameras to all other phones you may be considering, so you can be confident that our advice is current and takes into account the competition.