14 best smartphones with a good camera

Camerophones are one of the main categories of mobile devices. Not everyone plays and not even every user listens to music on the phone. But sometimes everyone wants to take a picture of nature, a company of friends or a peacefully sleeping kitty. In some cases, a camera is required to solve workflows, such as sending documents to a client or demonstrating a layout, painting or other project to the client. If the user has his own blog and active profiles on social networks, then high-quality images are needed to fill them. And our ranking of smartphones with the best cameras will help you find a device for your individual needs.

The best inexpensive camera phones before 140–210 $

If you are counting on good, but not ideal photo quality, and you do not need powerful hardware and various functions that increase the price of a smartphone, then you can buy a mobile phone that suits your needs only for 140–210 $.

Yes, for this price, many brands offer great smartphones for taking photos. A potential hit in this segment is the recently unveiled Redmi Note 7, which is snapping up faster than hotcakes at the train station. However, he has not yet arrived at our editorial office, and we will not believe the manufacturer's statements and other people's opinions. However, there was still a place for a smartphone from Xiaomi in this category, and next to it were three smartphones from competitors.

Read also:

• The best Xiaomi smartphones with a good camera
• The best Samsung smartphones with a good camera
• Best camera phones rating 2025
• Rating of smartphones with an excellent selfie camera
• Rating of the best inexpensive smartphones

1. Meizu M6s 32GB

The first on our list is a budget smartphone with a good camera - M6s from Meizu. This unit costs only 126 $, and for this amount you will receive:

1. IPS screen with HD-resolution and aspect ratio 2: 1;
2. good main camera at 16 MP (aperture f / 2.0);
3. an infrared port that allows you to use the phone as a remote control;
4. Samsung Exynos 7872 CPU and Mali-G71 graphics accelerator;
5. 3 gigabytes of RAM and 32 GB of permanent memory.

Despite its low cost, the smartphone is housed in an aluminum casing, available in 4 color options to choose from. But the familiar touch-mechanical button under the screen, which has a built-in fingerprint scanner, is not in Meizu M6s, which is due to the elongated display. Now the fingerprint sensor is in the power button.

Advantages:

• durable metal body;
• sound quality in speaker and headphones;
• excellent communication capabilities;
• stable operation of wireless modules;
• ease of placement of the fingerprint scanner;
• support for fast charging;
• nimble hardware platform;
• excellent value for money.

Disadvantages:

• quality of protective glass;
• takes photos well, but not in video;
• The 3000 mAh battery is not enough for the selected hardware.

2. Sony Xperia XA1 Plus Dual 32GB

Attractive design, high-quality 5.5-inch Full HD display, excellent build and 23MP main camera - the Xperia XA1 Plus smartphone offers all this for just 189 $... To this is also worth adding a lightning-fast fingerprint sensor, which, traditionally for the manufacturer, is on the right side.

The XA1 Plus is not only an excellent camera phone (according to customer reviews), which pleases with excellent reliability for its price, but also one of the most affordable smartphones that has an NFC module.

The body of the camera phone is made of plastic, but its appearance and tactile feel are so good that it is quite comparable to its metal competitors.The hardware platform of the smartphone is also quite good for its price, but it does not always cope with games: the Helio P20 CPU from MediaTech, as well as the Mali-T880 graphics and 4 GB of RAM.

Advantages:

• thanks to excellent optimization, the 3430 mAh battery lasts up to one and a half days;
• you can pay for purchases via NFC;
• excellent main (23 MP) camera;
• high build quality;
• good front camera with a resolution of 8 MP;
• Sony's recognizable corporate design;
• separate slots for two SIMs and micro SD.

disadvantages:

• a fairly large weight of 190 grams;
• not suitable for demanding games.

3. Xiaomi Mi A2 4 / 64GB

The next in line is a quality camera phone from Xiaomi for just 189 $... Mi A2 is the second generation of the manufacturer's popular smartphone based on "pure" Android. The device pleases with a perfectly assembled aluminum body, available in several colors, two main camera modules, bypassing even cameras in more expensive competitors.

The hardware platform of the smartphone will also be enough for most users, because there is still no game or application that the Snapdragon 660 and Adreno 512 graphics cannot handle. The RAM and ROM in the device are 4 and 64 GB, respectively, but the latter, unfortunately, cannot be expanded. But there is an infrared port, which allows you to control home appliances.

Advantages:

• dual main camera (12 and 20 MP);
• the presence of an infrared port;
• productive "filling";
• work with 2 SIM-cards;
• availability of fast charging Quick Charge 3.0;
• attractive cost;
• pure Android 8 without add-ons.

Disadvantages:

• there is no 3.5 mm jack;
• a camera protruding from the body.

4.Samsung Galaxy A6 32GB

If you are not interested in phones from China, and Sony's solution is slightly more than necessary, then in the ranking of the best smartphones with a good camera up to 210 $ Samsung's Galaxy A6 would be an excellent choice. It runs on the Exynos processor and the Mali graphics accelerator, and has 3 gigabytes of RAM.

The smartphone screen is made using AMOLED technology, and its resolution and diagonal are equal to 1480x720 pixels and 5.6 inches, respectively (pixel density 294 ppi). A nice bonus for its price is the NFC module, which allows you to pay for purchases at the checkout with your phone. The device is powered by a 3000 mAh battery, which is quite capacious as for the selected "hardware".

Advantages:

• main camera 16 MP (f / 1.7);
• excellent front camera for selfies;
• excellent functionality;
• colorful AMOLED display;
• balanced filling;
• attractive cost;
• the presence of the NFC module;
• sound good.

Disadvantages:

• low screen resolution;
• tangible overpayment for the brand;
• there is no Always On, as on older models.

The best smartphones with a good camera 280–420 $

Don't want to spend a lot of money, but the capabilities of budget smartphones do not fully meet your needs? Then it is enough to double the costs so that the purchased smartphone can please with functionality in any conditions. Each of the four phones described below can take great pictures, handle demanding applications with ease, and showcase excellent performance in modern games. At the same time, all this is offered at a reasonable price that suits most buyers.

1.Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) 4 / 64GB

Last year, Samsung released quite a few phones within its A-series. Most of them belong to the segment from 20 to 30 thousand, so it was difficult for us to choose the only model for the TOP. After much deliberation, we decided that the most balanced of all the new products is a smartphone with a very good camera and a powerful battery, the Galaxy A7. With an average price of 22,000, the device offers:

1. Exinos 7885 processor (2 x 2.2 GHz and 6 x 1.6 GHz);
2. graphics accelerator Mali-G71;
3. 4 GB of LPDDR4 RAM;
4. 64 gigabytes of storage.

The main camera of Galaxy A7 is triple, and it includes modules for 24, 8 and 5 MP. The front panel of the smartphone is occupied by a single 24-megapixel sensor, which is suitable not only for high-quality selfies, but also for quick face unlocking.The battery of an excellent camera phone has a capacity of 3300 mAh, and this, taking into account the installed hardware, will be enough for about 15 hours of HD video playback at maximum brightness.

Advantages:

• Super AMOLED display by 6 inches;
• the current version of the operating system;
• first-class main camera;
• speed of the hardware platform;
• face unlock function;
• good autonomy.

Disadvantages:

• there is no fast charging;
• no protection from water and dust;
• the price tag is somewhat overpriced.

2. Xiaomi Mi8 6 / 64GB

Every year Xiaomi phones surprise their fans more and more. In terms of value for money, the smartphones of the Chinese company are practically unrivaled, which makes them an ideal choice for users who want to invest their own savings wisely. As for the Mi 8 we have chosen, it is one of the best solutions based on the Snapdragon 845.

Xiaomi has clearly borrowed the design of its current flagship from Apple. Such a decision can be criticized, but it can also be praised, because with minimal costs the manufacturer managed to make a very stylish smartphone. If copying doesn't bother you, then you should definitely take a closer look at this new product.

However, in addition to the powerful "filling" the smartphone also boasts an excellent AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2248x1080 pixels and a diagonal of 6.21 inches. Traditionally for modern flagships, the Xiaomi Mi 8 display contains a notch. However, the latter not only has a camera, speaker, notification LED and other sensors, as in most competitors, but also an infrared scanner needed to unlock the face.

The main camera of the smartphone contains a pair of 12 MP models, one of which is supplied by Sony (IMX363, f / 1.8, 4-axis stabilization), and the second is purchased from the Koreans from Samsung (S5K3M3, f / 2.4). The rear sensors are equipped with AI, they can take excellent pictures in portrait mode and double the image due to optics. The front camera for the Mi8 is also supplied by the South Korean Giant (Samsung S5K3T, f / 2.0, pixel size 1.8 microns). She copes with pictures perfectly, but in low light, noise can still appear in the photo.

Advantages:

• top-end hardware that can handle any task;
• reasonable cost;
• one of the best cameras;
• attractive design;
• infrared sensor;
• NFC for contactless payment;
• Always On Display function.

Disadvantages:

• too easily soiled and slippery body;
• no audio jack;
• no wireless charging.

3. Meizu 15 4 / 64GB

The Meizu 15 phone, released specifically for the 15th anniversary of the company, has incorporated the best developments of the manufacturer over the years of its existence. There is a stunning design, a first-class "filling", and components of the highest quality, and, of course, a very decent sound, head and shoulders above most competitors.

The appearance of the smartphone is as symmetrical as possible: the same frames at the top and bottom, the front camera placed in the center, as well as the dual rear one, lined up with the flash. There is also a button with a fingerprint scanner under the screen, but now it has become fully touch-sensitive. Mechanical clicks are simulated using the mEngine motor, which is very similar to the analog in Apple phones.

The manufacturer purchases modules for the main cameras from Sony. One of the sensors (IMX380) has a resolution of 12 MP, an aperture of f / 1.8 and a focal length of 25 mm, the second (IMX350) - 20 MP, f / 2.6, 39 mm. Next to them is a ring flash with 6 diodes, in the center of which is a laser autofocus. The resolution and aperture of the front module are equal to 20 MP and f / 2.0, respectively, and the ArcSoft algorithms help it to shoot.

Advantages:

• individuality and attractiveness of design;
• productive hardware platform;
• excellent rear camera and good front camera;
• sound quality in speakers and headphones;
• excellent AMOLED display from Samsung.

Disadvantages:

• no NFC.

4. Huawei Nova 3 4 / 128GB

The past year has been truly successful for Huawei. The manufacturer, one after another, released first-class smartphones that delighted fans and made a profit.The new policy of the Chinese brand has been aimed at reaching all price segments of the market, and if you want to decide which camera phone is better to buy in the category 280–420 $, then we strongly recommend taking a closer look at the Nova 3 model.

The smartphone is equipped with dual modules for both the main and front cameras. Only in the first case, one of the modules is colored (16 MP), and the second is b / w (24 MP). The front camera contains a pair of 24 and 2 MP color sensors.

The camera phone is equipped with a balanced "stuffing", a USB-C port of 2.0 standard, and a 3750 mAh battery that supports fast charging. The design of the smartphone is similar to other products of the company: an elongated body, rounded corners, a screen with a cutout and a 19: 9 ratio, a metal frame, and a gradient color. By the way, the display has a good protective film. In addition to it, the buyer will find headphones in the kit, and they please with more or less good quality.

Advantages:

• high-quality display made using LTPS technology;
• makes great photos;
• double front camera;
• good equipment;
• attractive design;
• excellent equipment;
• excellent system optimization.

Disadvantages:

• cameras have no stabilization.

The best smartphones with a good camera before 700 $

More recently for 700 $ manufacturers offered flagship devices. Today, the cost of top-end devices is two or even three times higher. But the functionality and quality of mobile phones has also improved significantly. Moreover, this is true for both flagships and more affordable smartphones. For example, in the price range up to 50,000, more advanced smartphones are offered today than the flagships released 2-3 years ago. For the same price, some companies offer some of their best smartphones, whose relevance both in hardware and cameras will remain for several years.

1.Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) 6 / 128GB

Launches the Galaxy A9 category from the South Korean brand Samsung. Looking at one of the best camera phones of this year, it immediately becomes clear that it is analogous to the A7 model described above, but with an additional main camera, an excellent hardware platform and slightly changed ergonomics. And although these differences are enough to talk about different devices, in reality we get very close models.

Without going into details, we note that the "stuffing" of the smartphone is enough for current games and modern applications, and its large 6.3-inch display is convenient to play, watch videos, surf the Internet and chat on social networks. With autonomy, too, everything is in order, for which we should thank the 3800 mAh battery. I would like to dwell on cameras and the need for four main modules at once:

1. Main (24 MP, f / 1.7)
2. Telephoto lens (10 MP, f / 2.4, 2x optical zoom)
3. Wide-angle (8 MP, f / 2.4, 120-degree view)
4. Portrait (5 MP, f / 2.2, Live Focus)

The latter is solely responsible for determining the depth of field, so it does not play a major role in the quartet. But the photos in the corresponding mode are really very good. The main 24-megapixel module copes well with shooting in low light, and the telephoto lens provides x2 image enlargement without losing quality.

All in all, the Galaxy A9 takes great pictures that casual users and mobile photographers will love. True, the need for 4 modules at once is very doubtful, because all the same can be done by 2-3 modules, and the Pixel can handle the only one. Most likely, the manufacturer made such a decision so that they would talk about it as a brand, that it was the first to release a smartphone with four main cameras.

Advantages:

• attractive body colors;
• impressive autonomy of the device;
• optimal choice of hardware platform;
• pictures taken with the main camera are very decent;
• nice price tag.

Disadvantages:

• four cameras are optional;
• the case is not protected from moisture and dust.

2. Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra Dual 32GB

The Sony brand is one of the few that does not follow popular trends, but maintains an individual style.Launched in January last year, the Xperia XA2 Ultra has neither a bang, nor even an elongated display. Its 6-inch screen has a classic FHD resolution, and the main camera in the device is only one (23-megapixel module with f / 2.0 aperture, 24 mm focal length and 84-degree viewing angle). The front panel of the device is equipped with a pair of 16 and 8 MP sensors.

The smartphone with the best camera from Sony in the category up to 50 thousand is built on the basis of the Snapdragon 630 "stone" and is supplemented with 4/32 GB of RAM / permanent memory.

If the storage available in the device is not enough for you, then in addition the device allows you to install a micro SD card up to 256 GB. It's nice that the slot for it is separated from the two SIM cards. There are no complaints about the assembly of the smartphone, enclosed in a durable aluminum case. As for the autonomy, the buyer can count on a confident day of operation of the device in mixed mode, which can provide a 3580 mAh battery.

Advantages:

• attractive and distinctive design;
• excellent hardware performance;
• quite capacious battery;
• quality, brightness and screen diagonal;
• dual front camera;
• shooting with the main sensor.

Disadvantages:

• the price is somewhat overpriced.

3.Samsung Galaxy S9 + 64GB

Next in line is one of the current flagships from Samsung. The Galaxy S9 + model is equipped with a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED display with a Quad HD resolution, an aspect ratio of 18.5: 9 and, traditionally for the line, rounded side edges. The device also has a Bixby voice assistant button, which is quite useless in Russia and the CIS countries. Alas, it is not yet possible to reassign it without additional software.

The smartphone boasts a rich package, including headphones from AGK, a Type-C to Micro USB adapter, as well as an OTG adapter required to connect external drives, peripherals and other devices.

A smartphone with a really good camera from Samsung can boast of protection against moisture, water and dust according to the IP68 standard. And this despite the fact that the standard 3.5 mm jack has not been removed from the smartphone. The hardware platform of the device may differ by region: either an Exynos CPU with a Mali GPU, or a combination of Snapdragon and Adreno. At the same time, the RAM and permanent memory in the device is always 6 and 64 GB.

Advantages:

• excellent main cameras (2 x 12 MP);
• productive hardware platform;
• attractive design in Samsung style;
• full protection of the case from water and dust;
• there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack;
• one of the best displays;
• excellent sound;
• decent autonomy (3500 mAh battery).

Disadvantages:

• useless, non-assignable Bixby button.

4. OnePlus 6 8 / 128GB

Since the presentation of its first smartphone, OnePlus has changed a lot. Phones that were once called flagship killers now cost almost as much as some top-end devices from rival manufacturers. But along with the price tag, the capabilities, quality and attractiveness of the design of smartphones from the Chinese brand have also increased. The perfect confirmation of these words is the smartphone with the best camera according to user reviews - OnePlus 6.

The best model of the brand at the end of January 2025 of the year is 6T. However, the cameras and hardware in this device are similar, and among the important advantages of the updated smartphone are a slightly enlarged display with a smaller cutout and a fingerprint scanner under the screen. At the same time, the novelty was left without a 3.5 mm jack and has risen in price by about $ 130, which, according to our editors, makes it less interesting against the background of OnePlus 6.

The phone is equipped with an excellent dual main camera with 16 and 20 MP modules. The manufacturer chose a 16-megapixel sensor as the front module. The rear modules of the device boast a portrait mode, x2 optical zoom, as well as optical stabilization when shooting video.

The hardware platform of the camera phone includes Snapdragon 845, Adreno 630, as well as 128 and 8 GB of permanent and RAM. The device is powered by a 3300 mAh battery, which supports the proprietary Dash Charge fast charging function.We also note the high-quality 6.28-inch AMOLED display, which is one of the best on the market.

Advantages:

• operating system performance;
• The "filling" will last for years to come;
• mode switch lever;
• there is a jack for ordinary headphones;
• excellent shooting on the rear camera.

Disadvantages:

• Always On mode does not work, although the screen is AMOLED;
• imperfection of unlocking the device in the face.

The best premium camera phones

You can get great pictures with inexpensive devices too. But if you want to not only take good photos, but also play all modern games without worrying that after a few years the chosen device will not cope with new projects, then you should choose a premium smartphone. Of course, great performance isn't all that top-end devices have to offer. Among their advantages are also excellent appearance, high-quality materials, unavailable for the middle and lower price segments, perfect assembly and unique features that will appear in more affordable devices only in a few years.

1. Apple iPhone Xs 64GB

If you want to choose a smartphone for photos and videos among Apple products, then one of the most interesting solutions available on the market today will be the iPhone Xs. This device is equipped with the most modern A12 Bionic processor, which bypasses even the recently released Snapdragon 855 in performance, devices based on which are just starting to go on sale. The smartphone also has two 12MP main cameras that take great photos and first-class videos with optical stabilization.

If the iPhone Xs suits you in all respects, but you would prefer a display with a larger diagonal, then take a closer look at the Max version of this device. There are not too many differences between these smartphones, because even the increase in the display diagonal to 6.5 inches did not affect the pixel density of the first-class OLED matrix (458 ppi). The hardware and cameras of both devices are similar, but the Max version received a slightly more capacious battery (3400 versus 2800 mAh).

The iPhone X's IP67 body protection has migrated to the new smartphone, making it a great vacation destination. There is also fast and wireless charging, but for each of them you will have to purchase the corresponding charger. As for the screen, it again surpassed all competitors. Its resolution is 2436x1125 pixels (463 ppi) with a diagonal of 5.8 inches and an aspect ratio of 19.5: 9. The screen has a "cutout", the fashion for which was set by Apple itself, where the best infrared face sensor, which is presented in portable technology today, is installed.

Advantages:

• large and colorful screen;
• luxurious updated cameras;
• sound in speakers and headphones;
• good level of autonomy;
• the possibility of machine learning;
• the most productive "hardware";
• Reliability of Face ID unlocking;
• impeccable build quality and materials.

Disadvantages:

• impressive cost;
• no adapter for 3.5 mm;
• complete power supply unit without fast charging.

2. Huawei P20 Pro

The review is completed by the smartphone with the best camera on the market - Huawei P20 Pro. This device is the leader in the DxOMark rating, and only the new Mate 20 Pro, which is also produced by Huawei, can compete with it. The main camera of the phone contains three sensors at once for 40, 20 and 8 MP. Optical zoom, monochrome photography or blurring the background - this smartphone can handle everything. In video recording, the P20 Pro also demonstrates its best side, while offering branded "chips".

The screen of the reviewed model is made using AMOLED technology. Display resolution and diagonal are equal to 2240x1080 and 6.1 inches, respectively. As for performance, the top-end Kirin processor is responsible for it, which is produced by the Wavey itself, as well as the Mali-G72 graphics and 6 GB of fast RAM. All this is powered by a 4000 mAh battery. A pleasant bonus for buyers will be the protection of the P20 Pro smartphone from water, splashes and dust according to the IP67 standard.

Advantages:

• built-in main camera with AI;
• attractive design and colors;
• impressive performance;
• large battery capacity;
• 128 gigabytes of storage;
• stunning display.

Disadvantages:

• rejection of the 3.5 mm jack;
• slippery body (corrected by a cover).

Which camera phone is better to buy

The review of smartphones with the best cameras discussed above will allow any user to choose an excellent device, regardless of their budget. For just 9 thousand consumers can take Meise. The counterparts from Xiaomi and Samsung will cost a little more, and the latter is even equipped with NFC. The same brands are represented in the middle price segment, but Nova 3, manufactured by Huawei, competes with them. Among the top smartphones for taking photos and videos, the iPhone Xs is best suited for iOS, and Huawei P20 Pro for Android fans.