Overview:
Best Camera Phones for Photography in 2025: Capture Stunning Shots
It is going to make all the difference when it comes to photography, whether you’re a professional photographer or just some casual shutterbug on the road. The best camera phones for photography in 2025 will give you the most fantastic pictures and outstanding video quality with loads of advanced features to help you take complete control. So, let’s talk about the best camera phones of 2025, promising to take your photography skills to the next level.
Pro Tip: While the Xiaomi 13 Pro excels in photography, pairing it with the best noise-canceling earbuds can enhance your overall experience, especially during travel or workouts. Check out our detailed guide on the best noise-canceling earbuds for workouts or exercise to find the perfect audio companion.
Best Camera Phones for Photography 2025
- 1. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
- 2. Google Pixel 8 Pro
- 3. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- 4. Xiaomi 13 Pro
- 5. OnePlus 12
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Best For: Those who want the most seamless iOS experience with cinematic video, ultra-smooth zoom, and pro-grade photography.
Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max refines mobile photography to perfection, making it the go-to device for professional and casual photographers alike. The improved periscope zoom lens offers 6x optical zoom, ensuring detailed close-ups without any distortion. Its 48MP primary sensor captures images with unmatched clarity, while Apple’s Deep Fusion technology enhances textures and details like never before.
For videographers, Cinematic Mode 2.0 brings next-level depth-of-field effects, creating Hollywood-style videos effortlessly. The Dolby Vision HDR recording ensures stunning color accuracy, making it the best choice for content creators who want pro-level video quality right from their phone.
Apple’s Photonic Engine improves low-light photography, delivering brighter and sharper images even in challenging lighting conditions. Whether you’re shooting portraits, landscapes, or night shots, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a powerhouse in mobile photography.
Camera Setup:
- 48MP primary camera (Apple’s best image processing)
- 12MP ultra-wide camera (for expansive shots)
- 12MP periscope telephoto lens (6x optical zoom)
Google Pixel 9 Pro
Best For: Those who love AI-powered photography, best-in-class night photography, and natural color tones.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro continues Google’s legacy of dominating computational photography. Powered by Google’s AI-based image processing, this phone ensures every shot looks professional, even if you’re not a pro photographer. The primary sensor captures realistic colors, making it ideal for those who prefer true-to-life images instead of over-saturated ones.
Night photography is where the Pixel 9 Pro truly shines. With its AI Night Sight, you can capture crystal-clear, noise-free photos in near-total darkness, making it the best phone for low-light photography. The Super Res Zoom allows for sharp 5x zoom shots, making it great for detailed close-ups without losing quality.
For video enthusiasts, the Pixel 9 Pro introduces AI-powered motion tracking, ensuring smooth, professional-grade videos. If you love effortless photography with stunning results, Google Pixel 9 Pro is the way to go.
Camera Setup:
- 50MP primary camera (AI-enhanced computational photography)
- 48MP ultra-wide camera (for immersive landscape shots)
- 48MP telephoto lens (5x optical zoom with Super Res Zoom)
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Best For: Those who want professional-level zoom, ultra-high resolution shots, and AI-enhanced photography.
Samsung has once again set the bar high with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, making it the ultimate smartphone for photographers and videographers. The 200MP primary sensor ensures you capture every detail with unmatched clarity, while Samsung’s advanced AI processing enhances colors and textures in real time. Whether it’s daylight or extreme low-light conditions, this phone excels in every scenario.
What truly sets the S25 Ultra apart is its periscope zoom lens, which offers an impressive 10x optical zoom and 100x Space Zoom, allowing you to take sharp photos of distant subjects without compromising quality. It’s perfect for wildlife photography, concerts, or even astrophotography. The Super Night Mode ensures brighter, noise-free shots even in pitch-dark conditions.
For videographers, 8K recording with AI stabilization makes this phone a powerhouse, providing cinema-grade footage without the need for extra equipment. If you’re a content creator or a photography enthusiast, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a game-changer.
Camera Setup:
- 200MP primary camera (AI-enhanced ultra-high resolution)
- 12MP ultra-wide camera (123-degree field of view)
- 50MP periscope telephoto lens (10x optical zoom, 100x Space Zoom)
Xiaomi 13 Pro
Best For: Low-light and night photography
The Xiaomi 13 Pro is distinguished by its Leica-powered camera system. With a 1-inch main sensor, it captures images of the highest quality with rich colors and fine sharpness. Whether capturing minute details in daylight or taking pictures in near-dark conditions, the phone delivers consistent outstanding results.
One of the great things is its portrait photography, which is equal to dedicated cameras. The telephoto lens and Leica’s depth mapping work in perfect synergy to create creamy bokeh effects that make your subject pop out. The ultra-wide lens adds versatility, from sweeping landscapes to macro shots.
Xiaomi 13 Pro is something like the best for video freaks, as it is provided with 8K recording, Dolby Vision, and fantastic stabilization. If you want to create any sort of cinematic videos or some casual vlogs, then this phone is here for that.
Camera Setup:
- 50 MP main sensor (1-inch Sony IMX989) 50
- MP ultra-wide sensor
- 50 MP telephoto sensor (3.2x optical zoom)
OnePlus 12
Best For: Hasselblad tuning, dynamic range, and vibrant colors.
OnePlus 12 sports the best camera hardware and legendary color tuning by Hasselblad, so its images come out with just incredible color accuracy and very natural skin tones. The main sensor is 50 MP, ultra-wide 48 MP, and the telephoto lens 64 MP, which lets photographers take a wide range of scenes, from wide-angle landscapes to detailed portraits. And low-light performance has been improved, making the OnePlus 12 an all-around great shooter for shooting under different conditions.
The software improvements in the device, such as better HDR and dynamic range, make it a great choice for any photographer who likes shooting high-contrast scenes without losing details. OnePlus 12’s camera is perfect for photographers who appreciate both the art of mobile photography and the reliability of high-quality hardware.
Camera Setup:
- 50 MP primary camera
- 48 MP ultra-wide
- 64 MP telephoto (3x optical zoom)
Conclusion:
The best camera phone for photography is determined by your personal preferences and what matters most to you. Whether you care about zoom capabilities, color accuracy, or low-light performance, there’s a phone on this list that will get the job done. For the premium all-rounder with top-tier video recording, you have the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and for natural color rendering and night photography, the Pixel 8 Pro. The Galaxy S24 Ultra has an incredible range of zooming possibilities, while the Xiaomi 14 Pro boasts a partnership from Leica. OnePlus 12 delivers amazing color and dynamic range. No matter what you choose, though, each of these smartphones brings the best camera to shoot your best shot each time.
