The greatest camera phones combine the most advanced imaging technology with pixel-perfect screens and lightning-fast internet connectivity. In reality, some smartphones can produce images that are superior to those taken with a ‘professional’ camera.
As camera phone technology advances, you may find it difficult to keep up with the most current devices. Our phone rumors(opens in new tab) hub will keep you informed about recent smartphone leaks and news. To help you pick the finest camera phone for you right now, we have compiled a selection of the most recent models with various price points.
The technology behind cell phone cameras can be summed up in a single word: convenience. Not only will the best camera phones have powerful imaging sensors (for example, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra smartphone camera has a 108MP sensor, which is higher than the majority of the best professional cameras, but they will also have incredible computational photography features that improve aspects such as sharpness, white balance, and more in a matter of milliseconds.
While the greatest camera phones may not yet be able to match the image quality of the top DSLRs(opens in new tab) or mirrorless cameras(opens in new tab), they have traditional cameras beat when it comes to size. Even the greatest compact cameras(opens in new tab) can still take up most of your pocket space (if they even fit! ), whereas the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 are remarkably compact.
Whether you’re searching for high-end smartphone cameras that will help you capture great social media content or an everyday device that can take stunning family photos, we’ve compiled a list of the finest camera phones available today…
The best camera phone in 2022
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The four-camera system on the most recent Galaxy flagship is excellent and includes wide, ultra-wide, telephoto, and super-zoom sensors. The first of these sports a 108MP sensor with an 85-degree field of view, an f/1.8 aperture, and Dual Pixel AF. The f/2.2 aperture and 120-degree field of vision are highlights of the 12MP ultra-wide camera. Additionally, there are two 10MP telephotos: one with an equivalent three-times zoom (f/2.4) and the other with a ten-times zoom (f/4.9). The selfie camera has a 40MP resolution, an f/2.2 aperture, and the ability to record 8K video at 24 frames per second.
In general, this is a big, attractive, and potent smartphone. Its 6.8-inch AMOLED screen is out of this world, with 500 pixels per inch resolution, smooth action, vibrant colors, and stunning brightness.
With the amazing S Pen stylus, you can be as productive as you were previously, only able to be with a Galaxy Note. The phone has a strong 5,000 mAh battery to keep it running for hours, and although the design and appearance are straightforward, we think they are extremely beautiful.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro 2.
A serious, portable powerhouse, the iPhone 14 Pro. Although it is hefty, its relatively small footprint and enough camera and power combination make it a desirable alternative, particularly for photographers.
Although the 14 Pro lacks a pro mode for manual photography, its 48MP RAW photographs produce amazing results. One of the best, if not the best, photo processing we’ve seen on the phone is also included in automated mode. Additionally, while the Pro’s absence of a periscope zoom is a drawback, there is less demand for a powerful zoom on smaller phones.
Therefore, even if the new iPhone 14 Pro is pricey, it is a powerful phone with an excellent camera that is powerful and lasts all day. Is it the top smartphone for the year 2022? Yes, if you’re an Apple enthusiast who prefers smaller phones. Consider purchasing the 14 Pro Max if you consider yourself a power user who needs a superior battery and the greatest viewing experience.
Google Pixel 7
The Google Pixel 7 is a highly secure pick for photographers looking for a well-balanced phone. Yes, you have to give up some manual control, but having no access to 50MP RAW photographs or the pro mode isn’t ideal. But nothing in the Pixel’s pricing range beats it as a point-and-shoot smartphone.
The big sensor works well with close-up photographs, naturally blurring the backdrop, and low-light situations, lightening things up consistently. Google’s photo processing is tasteful and still extracts tons of shadow detail. The phone won’t appeal to photography purists, but it should satisfy everyone else from a camera perspective.
Regarding the remainder of the phone, a more reliable battery performance during our week with the phone would have been perfect. However, the price is justified by the addition of wireless charging and IP68 water resistance, and after our third day with the phone, it consistently kept us alive from dawn to night.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold
Let’s start with the cameras. Compared to the Z Fold 3, they are better, and Samsung’s camera software has also improved. Therefore, the Z Fold 4’s manual modes and Expert RAW features are outstanding, even though the automatic way isn’t all that impressive, given the phone’s price. This is especially true when Flex Mode is used, which allows for incredibly stable shooting.
The phone’s other components are also of the highest quality. Although not as small as the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2, the design has a more substantial, lasting feel. Samsung’s folding phones benefit greatly from IPX8 water resistance, and the Z Fold 4’s hinge, which locks virtually anywhere along the 180o rotation, is also very impressive. Contrarily, the foldable made by the competitors (which are sold in China) spring open or closed, making it impossible for them to function with a Flex Mode-style interface.
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is an impressive smartphone and foldable when combined with S Pen support and good battery life. Although we would have preferred better camera hardware, the Z Fold 4 is still a fantastic option, given how much the photography experience has improved over the years and how helpful the huge screen is for third-party photography apps.
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 presents an intriguing case that suggests the ideal smartphone for photographers may not necessarily be the one with the best camera technology. Instead, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 could be the greatest compliment to your current camera because it can fit into your workflow and run all of your essential apps.
Sony Xperia 1 III
Regarding smartphone videography, the Sony Xperia 1 III is the sole device available for video professionals and movie fans who want to go manual. It has full manual control, can capture video up to 21:9 for a cinematic look, and has a gorgeous flat color profile that makes it ideal for post-production in Premiere Pro or Da Vinci Resolve (opens in a new tab). Fortunately, practically everything else about this phone is superb, including the eye-catching 21:9, 4K HDR screen, the simple UI, and the quick CPU that ensures plenty of power inside.
Fans of Sony cameras will enjoy all the Alpha components included in the Xperia camera UI. The Xperia 1 III offers the pinnacle of cinematic experiences from both content development and consumption perspective.
OnePlus 10 Pro
The OnePlus 10 Pro is a terrific gaming phone that also offers remarkable value for money. It has a good-looking chassis, a brilliant screen, and tons of power. There are a few quirks that hold the 10 Pro back, such as color inconsistency between the rear-facing cameras and the ultrawide snapper’s lack of autofocus, despite the 48MP primary camera’s impressive capabilities in some areas (photos are processed with pizazz and look rich, detail is fair, and the ultra-wide field of view is stellar).
The fact that Google’s Pixel 6 Pro (above) is an all-around better camera phone and can be purchased for comparable price limits the attractiveness of the OnePlus 10 Pro. Because of this, even though we can confidently suggest the OnePlus 10 Pro—it is, after all, a fantastic phone—it cannot move farther up this list.
iPhone 14
You can take and share beautiful pictures and videos with the iPhone 14, especially if you’re shooting handheld action videos.
The iPhone 14 is a fantastic piece of equipment from a photography standpoint, especially if you want to point, shoot, and share gorgeous photos on social media without performing much post-processing. The more accomplished photographer, however, will regret being able to capture their images in RAW (.dng) format so that they can relish enhancing the appearance of their pictures in a digital darkroom like Adobe Camera Raw.
Images on the iPhone 14’s Super Retina XDR display appear fantastic. Still, if you want to find and remove noise artifacts or, more efficiently, edit a portrait, you might need to examine them on a larger monitor. In this case, you may want to spend an additional £100 for the iPhone 14 Plus, which has the same camera specifications but a larger 6.7″ display (and it provides an extra 6 hours of video playback). Since they will notice a greater improvement in performance and features than those upgrading from an iPhone 13, those looking to replace an iPhone 12 or older should find the iPhone 14 more alluring.
Serious filmmakers may also desire the option to shoot in HDR Dolby Vision, which will point them toward the iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max. The iPhone 14’s new Action mode creates astonishingly smooth handheld footage, eliminating the need to stabilize it in a non-linear editing program. Many photographers will fork over the extra cash for an iPhone Pro model due to the iPhone 14’s absence of a Telephoto camera and Macro mode.
Google Pixel 7 Pro
The zoom and ultra-wide cameras on the Pixel 7 Pro have been upgraded, and Tensor G2 power has also been added.
After a few hours, we find the Pixel 7 Pro to have a pretty attractive design. The design, screen, and camera configuration all meet our standards, and even the price seems reasonable, given what you receive.
Is this the finest photography phone of 2022(opens in new tab)? Or will Google’s lively, aesthetically pleasing flagship smartphone thrive despite its meager gaming grunt? It’s still too early to say but come back soon to read the complete review.
Google Pixel 6 Pro
The new Google flagship phone has a lot to live up to. The Pixel 4 fell short for us because of rehashed camera technology and overheating internals, while the Pixel 5 was fantastic but unquestionably wasn’t a top-end smartphone. Google achieves its goal with the Pixel 6 Pro.
The main (26mm wide-angle) camera sports a 50MP 1/1.31 sensor with 1.2-micron pixels, omnidirectional phase detection, laser autofocus, and OIS. Its triple rear-facing camera system has undergone a complete hardware overhaul. A 12MP 17mm ultrawide camera module is also available for a wider perspective.
The new periscope zoom camera on the Pixel 6 Pro is undoubtedly its most remarkable feature. The telephoto module uses a 48MP sensor and a 104mm lens with an f/3.5 aperture to provide a 4x zoom. The sensor itself is only 1/2 inch in size. However, because of Google’s software expertise combined with OIS, it’s still a fantastic addition to the phone and significantly increases the value of the 6 Pro compared to the normal Pixel 6.
While Google’s Tensor chipset heats up during initial setup and hard gaming, day to day, we found Google’s top-tier flagship to have amazing performance and photography – a clear victory for Google.
Galaxy S21 Ultra from Samsung
The S21 Ultra was one of our top camera phones before the release of the most recent Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, and it is still a beautifully smart gadget with a lot to offer. Four rear cameras are available on this phone, including a 108MP f/1.8 main camera, a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera, and two 10MP telephoto cameras, one with an f/2.4 aperture and a 3x optical zoom and the other with an f/4.9 aperture and a massive 10x optical zoom. A great 6.8-inch screen is also included. The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display has a 1500-nit peak brightness, HDR10+ support, a 120Hz refresh rate for fluid navigation and gaming, and a 1440 x 3200 resolution.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
Even though the iPhone 13 Pro’s camera upgrades may not be as significant as those of the iPhone 12 Pro, it still comes with some useful additions. A valuable new macro option has been added, and the ultra-wide camera’s low-light performance has been improved. While the Cinematic video mode is a fascinating feature and nice to have if you’re an aspiring movie-maker, new picture styles are worth exploring.
Regarding the iPhone 13 Pro’s camera hardware, Apple chose a triple-lens setup that includes a regular, ultra-wide, and telephoto lens. The 26mm (equivalent) normal lens and the 13mm (0.5x) ultra-wide lens have the same focal lengths, while the telephoto lens has been increased to a 3x (78mm) offering, as opposed to the iPhone 12 Pro’s 2x lens.
iPhone 13 Pro is, without a doubt, the best iPhone for photographers (exactly what we’d expect), and it produces incredible image and video quality. Still, it’s not for those who are particularly budget conscious, especially if you already own a 12 Pro, which is nearly as good.
iPhone 13 Pro Max
With the same cameras and technology as the iPhone 13 Pro but a larger screen, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the largest and greatest of Apple’s current generation of iPhones (6.7 inches versus 6.1 inches). Additionally, the Pro Max offers a significantly longer battery life of up to 28 hours of movie playback than the smaller ’13 Pro’s, up to 22 hours. To have “the best of everything,” it could be tempting to choose the Pro Max model over the standard.
Why not go one step further and purchase the larger screen when the standard Pro is already expensive enough? Other people could only find it too huge to use comfortably daily. Whether you capture still images or videos, there is no denying that the iPhone 13 Pro Max is an amazing camera phone. On the other hand, the normal iPhone 13 Pro offers the same photographic capability in a more comfortable (and less expensive!) chassis, which is why it is ranked higher on this list.
Apple iPhone 12 Pro
With its outstanding triple camera unit, which includes an ultra-wide f/2.4 camera, a wide-angle f/1.6 camera, and a telephoto f/2 camera, the iPhone 12 Pro is one of the greatest camera phones on the market. The TrueDepth front-facing camera, meanwhile, has a 12MP sensor as well.
The iPhone 12 Pro has a lot of new capabilities, including a LiDAR scanner that will enable quicker focusing in dim lighting. The iPhone 12 Pro will also support the brand-new Apple ProRAW file format, allowing users to combine RAW files’ strength with the great computational photography effects for which Apple is renowned. You can’t go wrong with the new iPhone 12 Pro, especially with the inclusion of 5G and the new Ceramic Shield display with a 4x better drop performance!
iPhone SE
Want the latest iPhone photography skills, but have a limited budget? Then the iPhone SE from 2022 is perfect. With a Phone camera consisting of a 12MP f/1.8 aperture wide camera on the back, you get an outstanding camera configuration for a surprisingly low price. With AI-enhanced features like Portrait mode and the same Smart HDR 4 technology as the iPhone 13, the new, quick A15 Bionic chip lets everything operate smoothly and elegantly, offering you many fantastic shooting options.
Additionally, the back camera (7 MP, f/2.2) performs admirably. The iPhone SE (2022) features 5G, a longer battery life, and better durability in other areas. It has the Home button, supports Touch ID, and is rated IP67 for water and dust protection. It also supports Apple Pay. At 4.7 inches, the screen is quite small, there is no zoom or ultra-wide angle, and it isn’t as powerful as the iPhone 13 series. Overall, you are getting a great camera phone for a very reasonable price.
SAMSUNG Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra might be the perfect phone for you if you are seeking one of the top telephoto camera phones. The Note 20 Ultra boasts three cameras on its back: many camera improvements on the rear camera and the front camera with a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera, a 108MP f/1.8 main camera, and a 12MP f/3 camera with 5x optical zoom and 50x digital zoom for video recording. The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has three color options: Mystic Bronze, Mystic White, and Mystic Black.
The price of the Note 20 Ultra has decreased significantly since it initially hit the market in April 2020, even though it is still somewhat expensive.
Conclusion
Conclusion paragraph: The camera phone market is constantly evolving, and it can be hard to keep up with the latest trends. But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered! In this buyer’s guide, we’ve outlined the best test camera phones of 2022 so that you can make an informed decision about which device is right for you. We hope you found this information about smartphone camera phones helpful! Another Blog And Follow YouTube channel
