Top 5 Best Camera Phones of 2024

Today’s point-and-shoot camera is the best camera phone, and it must be dependable and adaptable. You want a camera that takes good pictures in all conditions because your phone is the camera you’ll always carry with you. The best camera phones available today combine cutting-edge sensors and lenses with computer hardware for image processing and machine learning for editing.

Every camera on this list is worth taking into account, and the ideal camera phone for you may not be the same as someone else’s. I would choose the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want the best all-around camera, but if you primarily take pictures of food, the Galaxy S24 Ultra does a better job of capturing the beauty of meals.

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Last update on 2024-12-22 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best Camera Phones of 2024

1.Apple iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max

Last update on 2024-12-22 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Apple’s most audacious attempt to dominate the smartphone camera market is represented by the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Apple has added a new button called Camera Control in place of adding more lenses and sensors. With the eventual addition of a two-stage shutter for a more consistent focus, it’s a step toward a real camera experience. It only has zoom control and other features at the moment.

The iPhone 16 Pro is unique for this reason alone, but it also takes the best pictures I’ve ever seen from an iPhone. Instead of appearing as computer-processed images or frozen video frames, my photographs appeared genuine and natural at every zoom level. This iPhone is the greatest camera phone for photo enthusiasts because it captures ordinary moments so well.

Naturally video is also thrilling. The iPhone 16 Pro produces truly cinematic footage. The new 4K / 120fps mode delivers stunning slow-motion in ultra-high definition. The results are simply breathtaking.Apple has chosen a minimalist approach that emphasizes outstanding quality, even though I would love to see more specialized shooting modes for subjects like food or pets. You will want to print and frame the pictures because they are so beautiful. Without a doubt, this is the best camera phone available and Apple’s best camera phone to date.

One of the greatest iPhones ever produced is the 16 Pro. If the 16 Pro Max is too large for you, the 16 Pro is the best new iPhone for you and should be at the top of our list of “Best phones.” The screen is still beautiful but a little bigger. It takes stunning pictures and has more power than the majority of people will require in a smartphone. The full photo and video operation is enhanced by upgraded cameras, new image manipulation tools, and the new Camera Control button. Apple Intelligence is an intriguing addition that’s quite useful in some situations but unrealized in others. It’s a solid glimpse of what’s to come. Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro will be a big leap if you’re still using, for instance, an iPhone 12 Pro, but it’s not necessarily worth trading in your iPhone 15 Pro.

For those who feel that a 6.9-inch screen is excessive, Apple’s 6.3-inch smartphone is the iPhone 16 Pro. In other words, the iPhone 16 Po is similar to the iPhone 16 Pro Max except that it is lighter and smaller. There are not many significant differences between the two phones, with the exception of the storage options, which start at a smaller (and less useful) 128GB. I think you could learn everything there is to know about the iPhone 16 Pro by reading my review of the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The iPhone 16 Pro is not a radical departure from the iPhone 15 Pro, just like that larger phone. Except for the new Camera Control and the much-needed 5x optical zoom upgrade (the 15 Pro only had 3x).’button’, the design is unchanged. This is not a bad thing. Apple has settled on a core iPhone aesthetic, and seems uninterested in changing it. Mostly now it just polishes the edges, changes up materials, and sometimes shuffles the orientation of the camera array (that didn’t happen here but go take a look at the iPhone 16).

Power, a Camera Control button that makes this the most conventional camera-like iPhone ever, and the addition of Apple Intelligence through iOS 18 are the changes. All of these improvements will alter your iPhone experience, though it’s difficult to determine which ones call for an update from an iPhone 15 Pro.

Although there hasn’t been much of a change in appearance, you may have noticed that the black bezel surrounding the screen has become slightly thinner. This is how Apple manages to increase the size of a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR screen to 6.3 inches without significantly increasing the phone’s size.

2.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Last update on 2024-12-22 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra has been my preferred camera phone for the majority of the year since I know my photos will be displayed on my Facebook or Instagram feed. Although I wouldn’t print these images for the family photo album, they are striking and vibrant.

The tastiest food photos are consistently produced by Samsung phones. The Galaxy S24 Ultra might be a better option than the iPhone if you enjoy sharing your culinary creations. In addition, the Ultra is the only phone I’ve found that makes it simple to take moon photos that rival those from a DSLR. Your friends who have iPhones might call it shenanigans because of the amazing results.

Maximum control is possible with the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s Pro controls for both photos and video. There’s also an Expert Raw app that integrates with the camera, and that’s where you’ll find astrophotography and even more advanced camera options.

I hope Samsung adopts a more organic aesthetic. Blurred backgrounds don’t look dreamy; they can be distracting, and some details can seem overly sharp. Nevertheless, the Galaxy S24 Ultra continues to be my reliable partner when I need a camera to record something that everyone must see.

Not that there aren’t any differences between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy S23 Ultra; rather, the changes are negligible. Although the microphones have moved and the speaker grills have changed, the new phone largely looks like the old one. Unfortunately, the Samsung Ultra phone lacks visual appeal despite exuding a certain sophistication.

A more thorough examination yields fruitful results. There are multiple coats of metallic paint on the rear glass, which gives the phone an eerie depth, especially in the ghostly, natural grey titanium finish. The violet finish is my favorite, with a great contrast against the polished metal.

Samsung pays great attention to detail when it comes to color, materials and finish. Each color has a subtly hued frame that complements the new Gorilla Glass Armor back. The titanium black is all black, while other color options edge into warmer frame tones.Titanium is used on the frame this year by Samsung, just like Apple, but it doesn’t make as much of a difference as it does on my iPhone 15 Pro Max. The Pro Max was able to lose roughly half an ounce of weight this year compared to last. The Galaxy Ultra? At most, it is one gram lighter.

You should definitely pick up an Ultra and pop the pen if you haven’t already. Were you aware that the S Pen clicks? It has no justification. The S Pen has a very satisfying clicky top, but it could also just pop out, spring-loaded. Yes, the S Pen has a Bluetooth camera remote button and is a motion-sensing stylus, but Samsung hasn’t overlooked the clicky.

3.Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL

Last update on 2024-12-22 / 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.

Go to Google Photos on the Pixel 9 Pro after taking your photos to access some incredible editing features. AI is the term for the game, letting you Reimagine backgrounds with entirely new elements. Or you can just sharpen blurry images, if you’re feeling boring.

Even the selfie camera gets a boost on the Pixel 9 Pro, with a whopping 42MP resolution. This is a fantastic all-around camera phone, and iPhone-friends have often remarked on Google’s new premium design.What does it mean that the Google Pixel 9 Pro is the first flagship AI phone? It implies that AI is present everywhere and isn’t limited to enabling cool editing features in Photos or creating new messages in WhatsApp. It is the core of the Pixel 9 Pro and its recurrent theme. How does daily use of the first AI flagship phone feel? It’s similar to having Disney World right next door.

First, let’s talk about the Pixel 9 Pro’s design, which is as well-thought-out and elegant as a pricey theme park. Not a single detail is missed. I believe this is the first phone I’ve seen with a SIM card lid that curves to fit the phone’s corner. With its flawlessly polished edges and premium materials, the Pixel 9 Pro feels better and more refined in my hand than any other phone I own – better than the iPhone 15 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Let’s ride some rides now. When the Pixel 9 Pro performs well, it’s incredibly exciting. Using what it sees in a photo, the new multi-modal Google Gemini AI can provide answers to queries. You can brainstorm and generate ideas with Gemini Live’s conversational assistant in the most organic way you’ve ever used a computer. Real or imagined, the new AI photography features produce captivating, imaginative, and almost perfect images.

It’s all a bit much at times. There is a new AI feature requesting assistance everywhere you look. Gemini will ask if it can assist when you open Google Keep to create a shopping list. Gemini will ask if it can summarize your email for you when you open Gmail to read it. Create a phone call and Gemini will ask if it can take notes.Once you’ve purchased a ticket to the Google Pixel 9 Pro’s magic AI kingdom, there’s no escaping it. In fact, it’s only going to get bigger.

I don’t want this review to seem negative, because just like a big theme park the Google Pixel 9 Pro is incredibly well-designed, with thoughtful touches throughout, while remaining simple enough that a child or a harried parent could navigate through its menus.

4.iPhone 15

Last update on 2024-12-22 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Whether you use the primary cameras or the selfie camera, the iPhone 15 produces amazing images and, perhaps more importantly for teenagers, amazing video. You can quickly share photos with friends and make eye-catching contact posters thanks to all the best iOS sharing features. Additionally, the iPhone 15 is a powerful device that can run any game you put it through.

One notable feature is the ability to record in up to 4K at 60 frames per second. Young influencers will adore Cinematic mode, which allows you to select the focus subject to track and gives videos a shallow depth-of-field effect. You can even edit and refocus later if you decide to change your mind!

Photos in low light are good, and the front-facing 12MP sensor makes a superb selfie camera. Best of all, Apple provides top-notch support and five years of OS updates. Buy this phone for your ninth-grader, and it’ll last them through high school graduation (maybe buy a case). Plus, Apple’s holding back some of the more aggressive AI features found on the iPhone 15 Pro. Maybe that’s a good thing for teenagers.

Although the iPhone 15 boasts the best chipset (the A16 Bionic) and 48MP image sensor from the previous year, Apple has finally dropped the troubled notch in favor of the same Dynamic Island found in all other iPhone 15 models as well as the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max from the previous year.

With a brightness of 2,000 nits, that new, more contemporary screen is also comparable to the best iPhone, the new iPhone 15 Pro Max (and Pro). With newly contoured edges for a more ergonomic feel and the now-required USB-C port (albeit one that does not support USB 3.0 10Gbps speeds, thanks to European regulators), the design practically matches the best of the iPhone 15 lineup.

Even the iPhone 15 has a feature that allows it to take into account all of its own: color-infused back glass that’s now brushed rather than shiny. It looks great and feels even better, making this iPhone 15 just a little less slippery than its predecessor.

5.Google Pixel 8a

Last update on 2024-12-22 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

If history is any indication, the Google Pixel 8a is a fantastic value, and in recent years, there have been some amazing phone sales that further reduced the price. As long as you don’t zoom in too closely, the amazing pictures taken by this inexpensive phone rival those from the much more expensive Pixels.

In contrast to the Pixel 8 Pro, the 64MP primary sensor uses pixel binning to create 16MP photos with brilliant colors and superb lighting. Zooming in may cause some detail loss, but the Pixel 8a is a great device for sending quick photos or sharing content online.

As long as the old photos are uploaded to Google Photos, you can use the Pixel 8a to improve them. This is a really cool trick.With Google Photos, you get access to the amazing Magic Editor, which lets you change backgrounds or move objects around. Plus, there’s the Magic Audio Eraser in the video recorder for silencing annoying background noises.

These photography tools are a major selling point for the best Pixel phones, and you get the same great AI editing on the Pixel 8a that you’ll find on Google’s most expensive phones. Google also promises seven years of Android OS updates, so you can hang onto this camera phone for ages.

The greatest low-cost choice for Android fans, and particularly Google devotees, is the Pixel 8a. If you’ve been dying to test out all of Google’s latest Android and Gemini AI features, the Pixel 8a is the most affordable way to get started in this virtual world. It also makes a strong case against the more expensive Pixel 8. A phone this inexpensive can have marginally better specs, but it lacks Google’s cutting-edge software and the seven years of promised software updates.

The Pixel 8a with Google’s premium AI and large language model, Gemini Advanced, performs on par with my Pixel 8 Pro. The same awesome AI wallpaper feature that I adore is available to me. Even my Gmail has Gemini built in.app on this phone, so Google’s AI can compose an email right in the proper text box.

The Pixel 8a fulfills your desire for a more adorable, curved Pixel 8 model. Although it has the same appearance as all other Pixel phones since the Pixel 6, that is part of the brand’s identity. Compared to the camera bump on most other phones, I actually like the camera bar’s symmetry.

The Pixel 8a boasts rounded corners and a variety of eye-catching color choices, such as my review sample’s brighter-than-expected Aloe green, which is a welcome change from the Pixel 8’s more muted Mint green.

How we test camera phones

To find out which camera phones are the best overall and which one should be at the top of this list, I’ve taken thousands of pictures. Every time I purchase a new camera phone, I put it to the test in the real world against all of the best models that have come before it. To find out which one gives me the best pictures, I test them under the same circumstances.

I test cameras in a variety of lighting conditions, including bright outdoor light and dim indoor light. I conduct tests both in studio lighting and in mixed lighting settings. I experiment with the macro shooting for close-up shots, portrait photography, and zoom capabilities.

I test cameras by simultaneously using several camera phones and comparing the pictures.side-by-side. For each review, I compare the cameras to other phones in the same price range, as well as to other phones from which interested buyers may be switching.

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.