The Best Smartphones for Photography in 2024
Almost everyone wields a camera these days because they already have one by default on their smartphones. But not just any phone will capture the best results, and that’s why some stand out for particular reasons.
Updated 11/26/2024 by Ted Kritsonis: Multiple new smartphones have been added to this guide. The ‘Best Pro Mode for Smartphone Photography,’ ‘Smartphone with the Best Bang for Your Buck,’ and ‘Best Smartphone for Versatility’ sections have been updated. A new section has also been added, ‘Best Foldable Smartphone.’
Mobile photography is now one of the major battlegrounds for vendors trying to one-up each other. Thankfully, it’s not entirely about numbers, despite megapixel counts hitting new highs, it’s a lot about how effective software can be to do more with the available pixels. That can also depend on how you look at what the software gives you, especially relative to the varying modes phones now regularly offer.
We’re talking about an ever-evolving situation, where new phones may supplant old ones, while others trade places based on how new updates affected performance and output. Whether it’s pro mode features, software that does amazing things, or getting more for every dollar you spend, this roundup is a good place to start. We at PetaPixel will be updating it regularly to reflect a changing and shifting market to give you the insight you need to shoot what you want.
What We’re Looking For
There are plenty of smartphones with what you could consider to be “good” cameras, but the “great” ones are fewer in number, and it often shows. When we look at what would put a smartphone camera on this list, we always look for the best results, particularly when talking about a specific type of photo. That may not necessarily mean the phone is the best in every other facet, but if it’s noted here, there are reasons for it.
That’s why we also broke things down into categories that differentiate between the strengths of certain devices. One phone may be better at shooting portraits, whereas the other has a Pro mode cutting above the rest. Computational software is so integral, and yet, not everyone does it well.
At a Glance
The Best Smartphone Overall: iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max
Main sensor: 48MP (24mm, 28mm, and 35mm equivalent)
Other rear cameras: 12MP 5x zoom telephoto (120mm equivalent), 48MP ultra wide-angle (macro and 13mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 12MP
Video recording resolution: 4K/60p, 4K/120
Price: Starting at $999 for the iPhone 16 Pro and $1,199 for the 16 Pro Max
In recent years, the iPhone has significantly advanced in video performance and vastly improved its photographic capabilities, narrowing the gap in overall performance. While Google excels in photography when evaluated on its own, Apple’s seamless fusion of superior video, outstanding photography, and strong overall functionality makes the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max our top picks for the best all-around smartphones available today.
“The Pro models get an identical suite of cameras, whether you choose the Pro or Pro Max model, with some notable improvements over the iPhone 15 Pro series. First is a new main camera that features the same 48-megapixel resolution and f/1.78 aperture but is roughly twice as fast when it comes to readout speeds. ” Chris Niccolls explains.
Read PetaPixel’s Review of the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max
In our video review “The iPhone 16 Pro Review for Photographers” above, Chris notes, “We are definitely getting a faster shutter response. And it seems definitely more geared to when I actually touch the shutter button. And so I find that this new faster shutter delay just really gets the timing down. For a photographer it feels like a real camera So that’s a really nice benefit on the iPhone 16 Pro”.
Should you be weighing other options, Chris recommends the Google Pixel 9 Pro. “It has significant upgrades to its camera modules and AI-based technology. Samsung’s S24 Ultra didn’t do much on the camera hardware front this year, so it’s less of a compelling alternative.”
The Smartphone That Takes the Best Photos Overall: Google Pixel 9 Pro
Main sensor: 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto
Front-facing camera: 22MP
Video recording resolution: 4K/60p
Price: Starting at $999
The Pixel 9 Pro excels in photography, capitalizing on its advanced photo-taking features to impressive results. Although its sensors/lens combinations gather more light compared to those from the iPhone, the difference in pure image quality is not as pronounced as it once was. Nevertheless, it distinguishes itself with a superior telephoto lens, integrated manual controls, and innovative AI capabilities.
The enhanced cameras and more luminous lenses mark a significant upgrade, establishing the 9 Pro as Google’s most advanced photo and video device to date. However, the innovation extends beyond hardware; the introduction of AI tools and the Magic Editor enriches the experience further. These features are particularly beneficial for users who lack the time or expertise in Photoshop, making sophisticated editing more accessible to everyone.
Read PetaPixel’s Review of the Pixel 9 Pro
The iPhone depends on third-party applications for advanced camera controls, whereas Google provides manual control directly within its default app. For exceptional results straight from the camera, coupled with impressive RAW performance, the latest Google Pixel 9 Pro remains the leader.
As for alternatives, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is very good. It’s one of the most versatile phone cameras available as the last major Pro camera that still includes an optical 3x camera. It also offers compelling AI-based editing capabilities.
The Best Smartphone for Portraits: iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max
Main sensor: 48MP (24mm, 28mm, and 35mm equivalent)
Other rear cameras: 12MP 5x zoom telephoto (120mm equivalent), 48MP ultra wide-angle (macro and 13mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 12MP
Video recording resolution: 4K/60p, 4K/120
Price: Starting at $999 for the iPhone 16 Pro and $1,199 for the 16 Pro Max
The launch of the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max necessitates the creation of an entirely new category here in late 2024. The improved portrait mode features advanced skin tone refinement, making people — arguably the most critical subjects — appear stunning in a natural-looking way. This level of quality is unparalleled, marking the finest performance we’ve observed from a smartphone camera without the need for third-party processing or additional tools.
Read PetaPixel Review of the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max
“Apple has made some important efforts to maintain accurate skin tones and the ultra-wide camera is improved to some degree,” PetaPixel‘s Chris Niccols says. “I appreciate that these picture styles can be applied in live-view mode and can always be changed to a different style later. This may provide the ease of use and convenience to convince more people to try them out and ultimately get more use out of them. I also like the new touchscreen interface for accessing them and the ability to customize them fully for tone and opacity.”
Best Pro Mode for Smartphone Photography: Xiaomi 14 Ultra
Main sensor: 50MP or 12.5MP (with pixel binning) 23mm equivalent
Other rear cameras: 50MP 3.2x zoom telephoto (75mm equivalent), 50MP telephoto periscope (120mm equivalent), 50MP ultra wide-angle (12mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 32MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 8K
Price: Starting at $1,600
Xiaomi’s partnership with Leica continues to show what’s possible, both in the hardware with a Type 1 sensor, and on the software side with Leica’s influence helping photos stand out. The combination is simply outstanding, making for arguably the best overall mobile camera in the business. All the better that you get a fair bit of control through the Pro mode — and by extension, the 50MP mode. Not only can you shoot in RAW or JPEG at full resolution, you have a variety of manual controls not only impacting exposure, but also tonality.
Read PetaPixel’s review of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra
That’s on top of the ability to shoot with the standard Leica Authentic and Vibrant modes, plus the handful of Leica color and black and white filters. Old film emulations (not Leica’s) are also available, only adding to the creative potential to take thoughtful photos rather than typical snapshots. Xiaomi lets you apply these either before or after you’ve snapped a photos, and since RAW and full-res images are great, particularly in low-light, you’ll find plenty to work with when editing in post.
All of that applies to the other rear lenses as well, letting you shoot at 50-megapixels with both telephoto lenses, as well as the ultra-wide with the same granular controls. You can also shoot in RAW using either of them at full resolution, effectively making the 50MP mode part of a system rather than a one-and-done feature.
It’s worth wading through the settings within Pro to see what’s available beyond just selecting 50MP or RAW for the sheer depth of features and tools you can use.
Smartphone with the Best Bang for the Buck: Google Pixel 8a
Main sensor: 64MP (26mm equivalent)
Other rear cameras: 13MP ultra wide-angle (14mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 13MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 4K
Price: Starting at $499
It’s hard not to like a phone that costs much less than your average flagship or mid-ranger, yet still produces results belying the price. It has the same camera hardware as the previous Pixel 7a, helping you capture better images than just about any phone in its range. Google’s software computation works the same way, and while it can’t match the results you can get with the Pixel 9 series, it still manages to impress more often than not. That Google updates the software on a regular basis only adds to the value proposition here.
Read PetaPixel’s review of the Google Pixel 8a
You lose out on a telephoto lens, so you’re limited to an ultra-wide with a 120-degree field of view apart from the primary wide camera. The best you can manage is a 2x crop using Google’s Super Res Zoom. Still no optical or electronic image stabilization, though you have good modes to work with, including the ability to shoot in RAW. For those on a budget, it’s going to be one of the best phone cameras less money can buy.
Best Smartphone for Versatility: Vivo X100 Pro
Main sensor: 50MP (23mm equivalent)
50MP telephoto (100mm equivalent), 12MP ultra wide-angle (15mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 32MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 8K
Price: Starting at $1,000
Vivo throws everything it can into its camera app, especially when “Pro” is in the phone’s name. In this case, the X100 Pro is not only incredibly versatile with all the modes, features, settings, and customization available, it extends that versatility throughout the camera array. This is perhaps the best phone on the market in dealing with dynamic range with exposed light or reflections. The various modes also extend to neat choices like architectural mode and long exposure.
Read PetaPixel’s review of the Vivo X100 Pro
The telephoto lens is easily the best on any phone, producing excellent shots in its long 100mm range. The six Zeiss bokeh effects can make things interesting for portraits, though you also have the option to use the crop factor in the main lens. Vivo remains one of the few brands that lets you take a photo in portrait mode and then decide where you want the focal point and f-stop to be afterward. You can even save multiple images based on what you want in focus, and even focus stack them in post later.
Zeiss’ presence on the software side is clearer with the option to use Natural Color on several shooting modes. You still can’t shoot in RAW at full resolution, but you can capture JPEGs at the full 50-megapixels, letting you crop in to offset the deeper zoom afforded by the telephoto lens.
Best Foldable Smartphone: OnePlus Open
Main sensor: 48MP (24mm equivalent)
64MP telephoto (70mm equivalent), 48MP ultra wide-angle (14mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 20MP
Video recording resolution: Up to 8K
Price: Starting at $1,200
Manufacturers who make foldable smartphones don’t really do it to show off mobile photography capabilities, but there’s no denying how a folding screen can radically change how to take photos from varying perspectives. The OnePlus Open was new to the mix when it launched, yet showed up all previous models by delivering an excellent combination of design and functionality. Whether it’s multitasking, battery life, or the lightweight body, this phone is easy to appreciate.
Read PetaPixel’s review of the OnePlus Open
So is the camera, which is closer to flagship levels than the other main foldables coming from the likes of Samsung and Google. The Chinese brands certainly step it up another notch, only they can’t beat what the Open costs. All of the rear cameras complement each other well, offering a good level of consistency throughout. Even better, the camera app integrates better with other apps, particularly in split-screen situations. There are fewer limitations here than those imposed on other foldables, and the multitasking setup, with drag-and-drop and floating windows, is second to none right now.
So, while the Open may lack the AI features Samsung and Google present with their foldables, OnePlus keeps it simpler here in ways that work. The device has only gotten better since it launched. All of which bodes well for the inevitable sequel to this phone, but for now, the Open sets an example others should heed.
Best Smartphone for Video: iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max
Main sensor: 48MP (24mm, 28mm, and 35mm equivalent)
Other rear cameras: 12MP 5x zoom telephoto (120mm equivalent), 48MP ultra wide-angle (macro and 13mm equivalent)
Front-facing camera: 12MP
Video recording resolution: 4K/60p, 4K/120
Price: Starting at $999 for the iPhone 16 Pro and $1,199 for the 16 Pro Max
As mentioned above, the iPhone is still the king when it comes to video recording.
“On the video front, the headline addition is the ability to record up to 4K 120p with a very high-quality look thanks to ProRes Log. You can also retime the 120p footage down to 1/5 speed for a 24-frame-per-second timeline right on the phone and it will show it to you in real-time as it is rendering. Speed ramping can be done very simply within the same interface allowing for some dramatic looking slow motion shots,” Chris Niccolls explains.
Read PetaPixel Review of the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max
When it comes to recording audio for video, the iPhone 16 Pro is equipped with four integrated microphones, allowing the ability to capture spatial audio. This advanced feature enables the device to detect sounds from both the front and back of the camera, providing the creative freedom to mix them as desired. Additionally, the camera can transmit separate sound channels to an audio output compatible with spatial audio, delivering a surround sound experience
The iPhone 15 blew us away with some of the best log recording video a smartphone can deliver. The video performance is still the best out there, but the previously mentioned 4K/120P and spatial audio only puts Apple even further ahead of the competition.
In short, it’s the best suite of options for video you can get in a smartphone.
