What is the Best Phone for Video Recording in 2025?

Video recording has become a key feature of modern smartphones, turning them into powerful tools for capturing high-quality footage. 

Whether you’re recording a special occasion or your next viral social media post, phones with good video recording capabilities can make a huge difference. While it’s true that most of today’s smartphones can capture video, some cell phone camera systems are better suited for video enthusiasts than others.

In this article, we'll highlight the best phones for video recording in 2025 to help content creators, filmmakers, or anyone serious about digital videography. 

Once you’ve narrowed down the right smartphone for your video needs, be sure to use our free and unbiased Phone Deal Finder below to help you find and compare the best phone deals based on your current trade-in and other criteria.

iPhone 17 Pro

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is one of the best compact smartphones for video recording in 2025, and combines pro-level camera hardware with Apple’s latest video formats — all in a portable design.

It features a triple 48-megapixel Fusion camera system with wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses. The telephoto lens delivers up to 4-times optical-quality zoom, with a 200mm equivalent using a digital crop.

The new 18-megapixel Center Stage front camera can also help vloggers and content creators keep themselves centered using software-based stabilization while recording selfie videos. On top of that, the 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display now comes with ProMotion up to 120Hz, which means creators will have an even better view when recording.

Thanks to the new A19 Pro chip and a new vapor-chamber cooling system, the 17 Pro is even better equipped to keep up during heavy video workloads with 40 percent better sustained performance than the previous iPhone 16 Pro, according to Apple.

iPhone 17 Pro Max

The iPhone 17 Pro Max may be Apple’s most well-equipped smartphone for video recording in 2025.

It offers the same powerful camera system as the iPhone 17 Pro but offers more battery life and a larger display. Its triple 48-megapixel Fusion system covers wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto shooting, and the new telephoto lens delivering up to 4-times optical zoom and a 200mm equivalent via digital crop.

An 18-megapixel Center Stage front camera keeps you centered during vlogging and video calls, while the A19 Pro chip and vapor-chamber cooling system can sustain performance for longer periods of time.

The 17 Pro Max's 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display makes it even easier for framing and reviewing footage, and its larger battery provides up to 39 hours of video playback — the best ever in an iPhone.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL for Video Recording

We recommend the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL over the standard Pixel 10 Pro for video recording because of its larger screen size and better battery life. Outside of those advantages, both phones share the same camera specs, so if you'd like to save money, opt for the standard Pixel 10 Pro. 

We like the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL for its powerful camera system and AI-enhanced video features. 

It also has a 6.8-inch Super Actua OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. So whether you're live-streaming, editing videos, or just viewing your latest footage, the display's peak brightness of up to 3000 nits will allow you to see everything clearly, even in the brightest sunlight.‍

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for Video Recording

With a quad camera system that includes a 200MP wide lens, a new 50MP ultra-wide lens, a 50MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom, and a 10MP telephoto with 3x zoom, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a solid choice for mobile video recording.

The upgraded ultra-wide sensor improves low-light performance and doubles as a macro camera, while the periscope lens can deliver 10-times zoom and stretch to 100-times with AI-enhanced digital zoom. On the front, a 12MP camera handles selfies and vlogs with 4K/60 fps recording.

Altogether, the S25 Ultra supports video at up to 8K/30 fps, 4K/60 fps, and 1080p/240 fps, with a large 6.8-inch display that makes reviewing and editing footage easy on the eyes.

Powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and an upgraded image signal processor, it’s one of the smoothest and most capable phones for recording video on the go.

The Bottom Line

Depending on your needs, there are many great choices for the best phone for video recording in 2025.

Each of these phones offers something unique, so consider which features are most important to you — and If you’re ready to compare phone plans, Navi’s unbiased Plan Finder tool can help direct you to the best deals available today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you record high-quality video on iPhone?

To capture high-quality video on your iPhone, switch between HD or 4K and adjust frame rates to 24, 30, or 60 fps using the quick toggles in the top-right corner of the camera screen. You can also fine-tune settings by going to Settings > Camera > Record Video, where you’ll find all the resolution and frame rate options available for your model.

How can I record a good video on a phone?

To record a good phone on your photo, make sure you've got proper lighting. Good lighting is key since even some of the best phones struggle with low light due to their small sensors. Hold your phone with both hands or a tripod to keep it steady. Don’t forget to clean your lens to get the sharpest footage.

Is it better to hold a phone vertically or horizontally for phone video?

If you’re sharing on platforms like YouTube or Facebook, holding your phone horizontally is the way to go since those videos look better on larger screens. However, vertical videos feel more natural for apps like Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok because people usually watch them on their phones. In the end, it’s all about where your video will live—horizontal for wide screens, vertical for mobile feeds.