The best camera phone of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

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We're in 2025 and many would think that just about every phone is capable enough to shoot good-quality images in bright sunlight. While it's true to an extent, you'll start noticing a difference in smartphone camera quality in tricky lighting. Depending on the lens used, the color science of the optics on the phone, and things like the size of the sensor, aperture, and lens coating, the results of a smartphone camera could vary.

Also: The best phones of 2025

What is the best camera phone right now?

We have tested dozens of phones in the past year, capturing photos and videos on each. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultraremains the most versatile camera system on the market, despite the Galaxy S25 Ultra being around the corner. It's helmed by a 200-megapixel main lens that's capable of 100x zoom. There's also a built-in S Pen that doubles as a remote clicker and a host of generative AI features to assist during the capturing and post-production processes. Of course, the best camera phone overall may not be the best option for you. For the other, more specified options, see the list below.

The best camera phones of 2025

Samsung's best smartphone of 2024 is also the best camera phone that money can buy currently. I'm giving it the tag of best smartphone camera for the versatility and color consistency across lenses. The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 200MP main lens, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto, but a new 50MP 5x telephoto. That last sensor makes the most significant difference in far-distance capturing and producing naturally blurred bokeh in portrait mode.

While I liked having 10x optical zoom, ZDNET's Jason Hiner tested the S24 Ultra in full earlier this year and found that "(The 5x telephoto) worked far better than expected, and the results were at least as good as the 10x zoom photos from previous Ultra models and in some cases, they were sharper and less noisy."

Review: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Thanks to larger sensors, the S24 Ultra delivers sharp, lively-colored, and high-contrast imagery that most users will appreciate. What cements the phone at the top spot are all the bonus features that enhance the content-capturing experience, including the built-in S Pen that doubles as a remote clicker, the Galaxy AI features to edit and refine pictures and videos, and even the new anti-glare coating on the display to help users frame shots better when outdoors.

As some Best Buy customers put it, the "best part of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the picture quality when using the new cameras," with "AI features that are game-changing."

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Display size: 6.8 inches | Storage options: Up to 1TB | Rear cameras: 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto (5x), 10MP telephoto (3x) | Front camera: 12MP | Battery: 5,000mAh

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The latest iPhone 16 Pro Max offers everything a premium flagship smartphone should, including a bigger and bolder 6.9-inch AMOLED display, a capable chipset, three cameras, and a solid battery life. The latest model is also made of titanium instead of stainless steel on the frames. It's still hefty but feels good in the hand.

The iPhone 16 Pro is the best phone for creators not only because of its video recording capabilities but also how iOS interacts with social media apps. It'll be easier, more reliable for you to edit and upload content on Instagram than say, an Android phone. If you make Instagram Reels or TikTok, this is the phone to get.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the best camera phone right now if you prioritize video recording. Perhaps it's Apple's Bionic chip working its processing magic or just how social media apps are better optimized for video files recorded on the iPhone. There's no arguing that the best iPhone right now also takes the video-recording crown. And if you want the most future-proof video feature currently available, Spatial Video recording, the iPhone 16 Pro series can get the job done. There's also a new Camera Control button but I haven't used it enough in my time with the phone to add it as a buying factor.

Review: iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 5x optical zoom camera lens -- the equivalent of a 120mm focal length on a mirrorless or DSLR camera. Apple also introduced new Photographic Styles, Audio Mix, and a bunch of other camera features that'll be loved by those of you who create content for a living. Plus, the iPhone supports a wide variety of accessories with MagSafe to make content consumption easier.

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If you want a folding phone that's on par with flagship cameras, you should opt for the OnePlus Open. The first foldable from the company might be getting old at this point, but it's unbeatable with offers and still holds strong on its own. OnePlus put its best camera system on this phone, so you aren't getting downgraded cameras like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 or Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Review: OnePlus Open

The OnePlus Open also strikes the best balance of weight-to-size ratio. When folded, the phone is almost as light as an iPhone, and when unfolded, it expands into a thin slate of visual goodness. Hand feel makes all the difference with foldable phones, and the Open is the closest thing to a normal-feeling device on the U.S. market.

The 7.8-inch screen offers some of the most intuitive multitasking features I've tested, headlined by "Open Canvas," allowing you to open up to three apps simultaneously. You can then interact with each app by tapping into each one, which results in the other one or two tucking itself to the side, ready to reappear when needed.

The OnePlus Open sports a triple rear camera setup with very good quality shots up to 6x zoom. It's the phone to buy if you want the best of productivity and photography but don't want to compromise on either. The 48MP + 48MP + 64MP camera system is reliable, even after months of launch.

OnePlus Open tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Display size: 6.3 inches and 7.8 inches | Storage options: 512GB | Rear cameras: 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto| Front camera: 32MP (outer) and 20MP (inner) | Battery: 5,000mAh

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The Google Pixel 8a is a toned-down version of the Pixel 8, which is now a year old. However, the budget Pixel phone is comparable to the new Pixel 9 series in terms of software. In terms of upgrades, the Pixel 8a features an updated design and borrows the Tensor G3 chipset from the Pixel 8 Pro. As a result, you get a slew of smart AI features throughout the user interface and camera.

The Pixel 8a sports an upgraded 120Hz refresh rate display, which is sharp and contrasty but not as bright as I'd prefer in daylight. However, it's smooth and responsive in day-to-day usage. It carries over the Titan M2 chip and a built-in VPN for added security while using public Wi-Fi networks to protect your personal data from unauthorized access.

In terms of optics, you get the same camera setup as the predecessors with a 13MP selfie camera and a 64MP main rear camera alongside a 12MP ultrawide angle sensor. These offer great camera processing, skin tones and lovely lowlight results. It's great for hobbyist shutterbugs and professional photographers alike. If you are looking for a camera phone under $500, this should be your choice.

Review: Google Pixel 8A

Google Pixel 8a specs: Processor: Google Tensor G3 with Titan M2 | Display: 6.1 inches | Storage options: 128GB/256GB | Rear cameras: 64MP Quad PD Bayer, 13MP ultrawide, 13MP front | Battery capacity: Typical 4492mAh | Price: Starting at $499

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The Vivo X100 Pro replaced my DSLR for product shots and the X200 Pro builds on that success to deliver an even better experience. Vivo's new smartphone delivers fantastic portraits, thanks to the polished camera algorithms and partnership with Zeiss. You'll notice that every single strand of hair is clearly visible when clicking portraits in 35m, 50mm, and 85mm. This is the phone to buy for portrait photography.

Apart from that, the Vivo X200 Pro features a superb Tele macro mode that can give you some surprisingly good results. The zoom is better quality than anything available in the US right now and it easily beats the Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max and Pixel 9 Pro in low-light shots. I've loved playing around with the Zeiss filters to give the photos a moody look.

The Vivo X200 Pro features an excellent display that's sharp and vivid and a great battery life, thanks to silicon carbon battery tech. It's now more comfortable to hold and the quad-curve screen gives it a more premium look than the predecessor. You should buy the Vivo X200 Pro if you want to get the best camera system available on a phone right now.

It's powered by the MdieaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset, which is comparable to the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, and sometimes beats the Qualcomm counterpart in benchmark scores. However, if you are importing one in to the USA, double-check the network band support to make sure it'll work with your SIM.

Vivo X200 Pro specs: Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9400 | Display size: 6.78 inches | Storage options: Up to 1TB | Rear cameras: 50MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 200MP periscope (3.7x) | Front camera: 32MP

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Currently, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the best camera phone available in the US, with a bevy of useful hardware and software features like a built-in S Pen, Generative Edit, and a 200MP main lens. See how it compares with ZDNET's other top picks on this list below.

Model	Price	Processor	Display	Cameras (rear)	Battery
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra	$1,299	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	6.8 inches, 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED	200MP wide, 50MP telephoto (5x), 10MP telephoto (3x), and 12MP ultrawide	5,000mAh
iPhone 16 Pro Max	$1,199	A18 Pro	6.9 inches, 120Hz AMOLED	48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 12MP telephoto (5x),	4,685mAh
OnePlus Open	$1,299	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2	7.8 inches and 6.3 inches, 120Hz AMOLED	48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, and 64MP telephoto (3x)	5,000mAh
Google Pixel 8a	$399	Google Tensor G3	6.1 inches, 120Hz gOLED	64MP main and 12MP ultrawidet	4,492mAh
Vivo X200 Pro	$799	MediaTek Dimensity 9400	6.78 inches, 120Hz OLED	50MP main, 50MP ultrawide, and 200MP telephoto (3.7x)	6,000mAh

This best camera phone for you depends largely on your focus on photo or video (or both), budget, and color preference. For the best-at-everything device, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the recommended choice. However, prioritizing video recording over photo capturing, or having a tighter budget, makes the phone less ideal than some other picks on the list. See the breakdown below.

Choose this camera phone…	If you want…
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra	The overall best with nearly no compromises. Buy this phone if you want a device that delivers on all camera fronts, including photo, video, nightography, AI editing, and more.
iPhone 16 Pro Max	For video recording specifically, the flagship iPhone is still the best out there. It's also capable of capturing spatial videos for an immersive playback experience on compatible VR headsets.
OnePlus Open	A foldable phone that features the best camera system from the company. It's the phone to get if you want the best of productivity without compromising on cameras. It's also accessibly priced, with frequent deals that bring it down to flagship slab phone prices.
Google Pixel 8a	Arguably the best sub-$500 phone on the market right now, with a camera system that rivals flagships and a rather comfortable form factor compared to the industry norm.
Vivo X200 Pro	The best camera system on a phone right now. It's a high-performance package that comes with all the capturing modes necessary for professional-looking imagery. However, it's not officially available in the US, and you'll have to go through a few loopholes when shopping for this international phone.

We chose these smartphones by testing them for weeks and months, evaluating them based on thousands of captured photos and videos of people, landscapes, and objects in various lighting conditions.

ZDNET's mobile experts also liaise with industry colleagues and analysts who have hands-on experience with the handsets, sifting through the latest releases for the best of the best. Here's the breakdown of what factors we look for.

Camera quality: From group selfies to slow-motion videos, the best camera phones are reliable and flexible enough to capture any shot you want, no matter the place or time. How well the phone portrays different skin tones, processes details from a distance, and balances colors and lighting during the nighttime, are all things we consider when evaluating the top picks. Storage size and transfer speeds: Naturally, an ample amount of storage size is also considered during the selection process, with the hope that a phone is geared with enough local space to store plenty of photos and videos.Battery life: For how reliant we've become on smartphones -- and how taxing the camera app can be on endurance -- the top picks on this list are not only able to last you from morning to night but support fast charging when it's time to top up. Price: What you won't find on this list is a device that's not worth the money, or is overcharging you for the features you're getting. You can shop all the phones listed above with confidence.

ZDNET's review team spends upwards of a year testing the ins and outs of every major phone release, evaluating the day-to-day performance, camera quality, battery life and endurance, and special features over time. Performance testing includes real-world usage scenarios like social media browsing, taking phone calls, playing games, and emailing, as well as capturing photos and video. Throughout the year, we pit the latest devices with their closest competitors, including the Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus, and iPhone.

See more on how we test phones here.

In the grand scheme, Apple is the most reliable smartphone brand, with the longest, most consistent aftersales support of all manufacturers. If we're looking at Android makers only, then Samsung would take the crown, with a promise of up to seven years of software updates for its latest phones, expansive carrier support across the US (and overseas), and one of the most reliable repair and insurance infrastructures.

It's been said that the best camera is the one you already own, but can a smartphone truly replace a DSLR? That largely depends on what you value in a camera system, whether that's portability and ease of use, the quality of your shots, or even the amount of detail you'd like to pull from the environment.

While smartphone photography has aged gracefully, especially over the past five years, it's still far-fetched to say it's leveled with DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. The biggest gap is in natural blur/depth of field and color accuracy. With the increasing reliance on computational photography and backend processing, smartphone photos are often automatically tuned to appear more colorful, vibrant, and sharp than reality.

On the other hand, the portability and form factor of smartphones make capturing smaller subjects or from different angles much easier to do. Transfering and sharing photos and videos is also much more burdenless.