The 3 Best Camera Phone of 2025

Looking for the best camera phone you can buy in 2025? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve tested dozens of smartphones and chosen the models that offer the best camera technology and software you can buy. Our picks include flagship models from Apple (the iPhone 17 Pro Max), Samsung (the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra) and Google (the Google Pixel 10 Pro). 

Read on as we break down these picks and tell you why they deliver the best photo-taking tools on the market.

How We Chose

Every phone on this list was chosen with the following criteria in mind: 

• Camera Quality: We’re talking about more than just megapixels. Think lens quality, aperture, software optimization, optical zoom, and number of lenses.
• Storage Capacity: A great camera needs ample storage for all those high-resolution photos and videos.
• Overall Performance: Because a phone needs to be more than just a good camera.

Let’s dive into finding the perfect camera phone for you. 

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s camera system is largely unchanged from the S24 Ultra, except for a major upgrade: a new 50MP ultrawide camera. This replaces the previous 12MP ultrawide sensor, offering better wide-angle image quality and 4x more detail in macro shots—an overdue improvement from last year’s underwhelming ultrawide camera.

The other cameras remain identical to the S24 Ultra: a 200MP main camera, a 50MP 5x telephoto, and a 10MP 3x telephoto. While the lack of upgrades here is slightly disappointing, the existing system was already impressive.

Notable enhancements include improved nighttime photography with reduced noise and more detail, plus a new Galaxy Log option for video recording, allowing greater manual editing control.

Why We Chose This Phone

The S25 Ultra is capable of taking professional-level photographs. Some key features include the upgraded Pro Mode, which lets you adjust camera settings to your liking (including ISO, shutter speed, exposure, and white balance), as well as the AI-powered Nightography tool, allowing you to take stunning photos even in low light. 

Astrophotography is specifically noted to be enhanced in the S25 Ultra, making it possible to take truly breathtaking shots of the night sky. Another impressive upgrade is the phone’s advanced Optical Image Stabilization, which automatically tunes the camera lens or sensor to compensate for unintentional movement. 

Pros

• Builds off of previous models to deliver one of the highest-quality cameras on the market
• Plenty of editing tools such as Photo AI, Spot Color, Object Eraser, and Portrait Mode
• Includes stylus

Cons 

• Hefty price tag

iPhone 17 Pro Max

The iPhone 17 Pro Max elevates smartphone photography with a next-generation quad-lens system and advanced computational imaging. Apple introduces an upgraded 48MP main sensor with improved low-light performance, a new 48MP ultrawide lens, and a 12MP periscope telephoto lens capable of up to 10x optical zoom — the longest zoom ever on an iPhone. The front camera also receives a sensor upgrade for more detailed selfies and sharper FaceTime video.

Why We Chose This Phone

Apple’s image processing continues to shine, with Smart HDR 7, Deep Fusion+ for improved texture accuracy, and Night Mode 2.0 delivering clearer shots in near-total darkness. This year’s biggest innovation is Apple’s Photon Engine Pro, which reduces noise, boosts color accuracy, and enhances clarity across all lenses.

Powered by the A19 Pro chip, the iPhone 17 Pro Max also supports real-time 3D spatial video capture and offers up to 2TB of storage — perfect for photographers and videographers shooting in ProRAW or 8K ProRes video.

Pros

• Powerful quad-lens system with industry-leading Zoom
• Exceptional low-light performance with Night Mode 2.0
• Up to 2TB storage for large RAW and video files
• A19 Pro chip ensures ultra-fast processing

Cons

• Premium price
• Larger body may be too big for some users

Google Pixel 10 Pro

The Google Pixel 10 Pro raises the bar for AI-powered photography with its upgraded 50MP main sensor, a new 48MP ultrawide lens, and a 16MP telephoto camera offering up to 7x optical zoom. Google also improves its front-facing camera with a sharper 12MP sensor and enhanced low-light performance.

Why We Chose This Phone

With Google’s G4 Tensor chip, the Pixel 10 Pro delivers some of the best computational photography in the industry. The phone shines in dynamic range, portrait effects, and AI-driven clarity. New AI features include Magic Editor 2.0, Real Tone+ for improved skin tone accuracy, and the latest Night Sight algorithm, which now captures cleaner, more vibrant nighttime shots.

The Pixel 10 Pro also supports 8K video recording, expanded RAW controls, and up to 512GB of storage — making it a powerful tool for casual users and photography enthusiasts alike.

Pros

• Excellent AI-powered 50MP main camera
• Strong telephoto zoom and improved ultrawide performance
• New Magic Editor 2.0 and Real Tone+
• Smooth performance with the G4 Tensor chip

Cons

• Lower maximum storage than some competitors
• Flat design may feel less premium to some

How to Choose the Best Camera Phone for Your Needs

Getting sticker shock at some phone prices? Our free, unbiased phone deal finder can help. Just input some info about what kind of phone you're looking for and who your current carrier is, and we'll be able to find you the best deals on phones based on your circumstances.

If you want to do a little more research on which phone cameras are best, you’ll need to take more than megapixels into consideration. Here are some additional factors to consider:

Camera Specifications

Consider the type and quality of lenses (wide, ultrawide, telephoto), aperture sizes, and special features like an optical zoom lens and night mode. These aspects determine the versatility and performance of the camera in various shooting conditions.

We recommend taking a look at some example photos in multiple modes taken with each model you’re considering, so you can get an idea of the kind of photos you’ll be able to capture. For example, if you love taking portraits of your pets, you probably care more about the focus or zoom features of a camera. If you’re a big selfie fan, then the front camera matters most. 

Image Processing Capabilities

Nowadays, a lot of photo quality comes down to how the phone’s processor renders the images. A good processor can turn a blurry shot of the moon into a stunning snap to share with friends. Advanced processors improve the speed and enhance features like image stabilization, HDR, and low-light performance.

Storage Options

High-resolution images and videos can take up significant space. Consider phones with ample internal storage. Of course, this one isn't so important now that it's possible to make use of cloud storage tools such as Google Cloud or Dropbox. 

User Experience

The ease of using the camera app and the availability of manual controls can greatly affect your photography experience. If you prefer more control over your shots, look for user-friendly interfaces with advanced settings.

Additional Features

Don’t forget to think about quality-of-life features like fast charging, long battery life, display quality, and durability, as they’ll contribute to your overall experience of using the phone.

Budget

Last but not least, determine your budget and compare it against the features and performance of various models. Sometimes, previous-generation models can offer excellent camera capabilities at a more affordable price.

By considering these factors, you can choose a camera phone that not only takes great photos but also makes your life a little better. Remember, the best camera phone is the one that helps you take the photos you want to take.

The Bottom Line

Nowadays, anyone can become an amateur photographer – with the right camera phone. From the advanced iPhone 15 Pro Max to the versatile Galaxy Z Fold5, our top ten camera phone picks showcase the best of what the smartphone market has to offer in camera technology. 

Whether you’re an aspiring photographer, a social media enthusiast, or simply someone who loves to capture life’s everyday moments, one of our top picks is sure to be the perfect fit for you.

Not sure where to start? Our free, unbiased Phone Deal Finder makes the journey to finding your ideal phone a breeze. Just input a few details about your current phone and carrier, and we'll find you the best deals on phones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which phone has the highest quality camera?

As of January 2025, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are widely regarded as having the highest quality cameras on smartphones. However, the new Samsung Galaxy S25 may give Apple a run for its money.

How many megapixels is good for a phone camera?

A 12MP to 50MP camera is typically sufficient for most smartphone users. Cameras with 12-16MP offer good quality for everyday photos, while 50MP+ sensors provide more detail and better cropping flexibility, especially for large prints or advanced editing. However, megapixels aren't the only factor—sensor size, lens quality, and software also significantly impact photo quality.

Which phone camera is best, iPhone or Samsung?

Both iPhone and Samsung offer top-tier cameras, but it depends on your priorities. Samsung excels in zoom and detail, while iPhone is a top choice for balanced, high-quality imaging across various scenarios.