Gone are the days when phones were just for calls, texts, and substituting time with games on the train. Today’s best smartphones have transformed into powerful, all-in-one content creation tools, putting pro-level cameras right in your pocket.
Whether you’re snapping photos of your food, filming a vlog for YouTube, creating reels for Instagram or TikTok, or just capturing memories with friends and family, your phone is now your main camera, and a very capable one at that.
Top-tier handsets like the Apple iPhone 16 Pro and Google Pixel 9 Pro now feature advanced camera technology such as smart image processing, super-fast chips, and pro-grade sensors. These aren’t just for taking pretty pictures; they’re designed to help anyone, from casual users to aspiring influencers, shoot high-quality photos and videos with minimal effort.
And yes, while that old saying “the best camera is the one you have on you” still rings true, the quality you get these days depends on which phone you have in your hand.
letsridendrive puts together a definitive list of the top five camera phones right now, whether you’re a selfie lover, TikTok creator, or someone who just wants to capture amazing shots without fuss.
Below, you’ll find a full review of each phone, along with answers to common questions. But if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at the best picks…
1. Best overall camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro
The iPhone 16 Pro is one of the easiest phones to use for photography, with a new camera button on the side. It takes sharp, natural-looking photos and amazing videos—up to 4K at 120 frames per second. Its Night Mode is especially good for low-light shots.
It’s also a well-made phone with a strong but light titanium body, a bright 6.3-inch display, and super-fast performance thanks to Apple’s A18 Pro chip. While its AI features aren’t as smart as Google’s, the iPhone 16 Pro is still a fantastic camera phone all around.
- Main camera setup: 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 12MP 5x zoom
- Front camera: 12MP
- Storage: 128GB to 1TB
- Colours: Black, White, Natural, or Desert Titanium
2. Best Value Camera Phone: OnePlus 13
The OnePlus 13 is cheaper than most flagships but still gives you three powerful 50MP cameras: a main, an ultrawide, and a 3x zoom lens. The photos have a vibrant, eye-catching style thanks to a partnership with Swedish camera brand Hasselblad.
It also has top-tier performance, a big 6.82-inch screen, and excellent battery life—its 6,000mAh battery lasts long and charges super fast with 100W wired charging. The design is sleek, with options like a leather-style back and a physical alert switch.
- Main camera setup: 50MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP 3x zoom
- Front camera: 32MP
- Storage: 256GB or 512GB
- Colours: Black Eclipse, Arctic Dawn, Midnight Ocean
3. Best for Selfies and AI Tools: Google Pixel 9 Pro
The Pixel 9 Pro is the best Android match for the iPhone. It’s fast, compact, and takes fantastic photos without needing to adjust any settings. Its 42MP front camera is the best for selfies, and it uses Google’s amazing AI editing tools to fix or tweak photos easily.
It’s also a well-built phone with a 6.3-inch display, smooth performance, and clean Android software. Google promises seven years of updates, which is great if you keep your phones for a long time.
- Main camera setup: 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 5x zoom
- Front camera: 42MP
- Storage: 128GB to 512GB
- Colours: Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, Obsidian
4. Best for Landscape Photography: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
If you take a lot of landscape or wide shots, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the top choice. It’s 50MP ultrawide lens takes crisp, bright, and natural-looking photos, better than most phones.
Samsung’s photos are vibrant, and its 100x zoom lets you capture far-off details. The phone has a huge 6.9-inch screen, top performance, and even includes a built-in S Pen stylus for writing or drawing.
- Main camera setup: 200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x + 50MP 5x zoom
- Front camera: 12MP
- Storage: 256GB to 1TB
- Colours: Silverblue, Grey, Black, White Silver, Jadegreen, Pinkgold, Jetblack
5. Best Budget Camera Phone: Google Pixel 9a
If you’re on a budget, the Pixel 9a gives you excellent photos at half the price of a flagship phone. It has a 48MP main camera that produces similar-quality shots as the more expensive Pixel 9 Pro, using the same smart image processing.
It’s not as strong in low light, and the other cameras (13MP ultrawide and selfie) aren’t as powerful, but they’re still great for everyday photos. The phone runs fast, lasts all day, and gets seven years of updates, just like the pricier Pixel models.
- Main camera setup: 48MP main, 13MP ultrawide
- Front camera: 13MP
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB
- Colours: Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, Peony
Whether you want the best video, awesome selfies, wide landscapes, or just a solid phone that takes great pictures without breaking the bank, there’s something for everyone here. Just pick what suits your budget and style best.
