It's a new year for the best camera phones, and we can already see the direction this year is heading. Don't expect big zoom lenses or gigantic sensors; this year is going to be all about AI and computational photography. Don't start groaning yet, maybe this is the year all that fake photography finally gets good?
Our first major camera phone launch of 2025 was a good one: the OnePlus 13. It's a top-performing phone all around, but its cameras were a standout in my review, especially for their fast action capture capabilities. The OnePlus 13 can hold its own against the best phones on this list, but it isn't quite the best overall.
If you want the best all around camera, I'd pick the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max. You'll get a softer, more natural focus that looks like film, with colors that aren't exaggerated and leave room for improvement in post-production. If you mostly take photos of food, the Galaxy S24 Ultra does a better job making meals look delicious with little effort, and it generally makes colors pop and sizzle, so it's the best camera for folks who share their pics widely.
The next big phone to watch is the Samsung Galaxy S25 family, which should include the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Samsung has announced its Galaxy Unpacked event for January 22, and we'll be there for first impressions and eventually an in-depth review. Keep checking this list, it's going to be an exciting year for camera phones!
Quick List
The iPhone takes photos that look like photos, with sharp details edge-to-edge, and a natural grain and bokeh blur. It shoots video that is studio quality, now with amazing slow-motion in 4K resolution. Plus, the Camera Control has finally matured so it's now a useful photography tool.
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For photos that pop with color and food shots that look good enough to eat, you need the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which is incredibly versatile, especially if you want photos that stand out from the crowd. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is rumored to be launching very soon, but this phone will be a great camera phone for years to come.
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The OnePlus 13 packs stellar cameras with Hasselblad tuning, which means they emulate the best portrait lenses for amazing selfies and candid shots. But it really shines when the action starts, with cameras that can freeze droplets mid-air and catch all the action without any blurring.
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The Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL take fantastic photos, but the real magic happens when you apply Google's editing tools in Google Photos, like Reimagine to add new elements, and Magic Editor. We saw great deals on these phones for Black Friday, so always be on the lookout for a price cut on a Pixel.
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Teenagers need a good camera; those memories won't happen twice. The iPhone 15 offers great photos, all the features their friends use, plus the longevity to last five years, so let them buy the next one.
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The Pixel 8a takes photos that look almost Pro (if you don't need to look too closely), and it costs much less. Plus, you get all the great Google AI features that help make your pics stand out. There are often great discounts on this phone as well, so we'll keep an eye out for ever great bargains.
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Do megapixels matter?
Should I buy a camera phone with more megapixels?
No. Megapixels don't matter at all. What matters is the size of the sensor. A sensor is like a pie. The Galaxy S24 Ultra has 200 megapixels, but it's sensor is the same size as the iPhone 16 Pro, which only has 48 megapixels. Samsung cut the pie into 200 million pieces, but those pieces, or pixels, are tiny, and you need to eat four at a time to get as much pie as one of Apple's pixels. A bigger pie, or sensor, is what you want, and it doesn't really matter into how many pieces it's cut.
The best camera phone 2025
The best camera phone for photographers
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max camera samples
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max mark Apple's boldest attempt to conquer the smartphone camera world. Instead of cramming in more lenses and sensors, Apple has introduced a new button: Camera Control. It's a step towards a true camera experience, eventually offering a two-stage shutter for a more steady focus. Currently, it only offers zoom control and other options.
This alone would make the iPhone 16 Pro a standout, but it also captures the most impressive images I've seen from an iPhone. At every zoom level, my photos looked authentic and natural, like real photographs instead of computer-processed images or frozen video frames. This iPhone captures everyday moments beautifully, which is why it's the best camera phone for photo enthusiasts.
Of course video is also thrilling. The iPhone 16 Pro produces truly cinematic footage. The new 4K / 120fps mode delivers stunning slow-motion in ultra-high definition. The results are simply breathtaking.
While I'd love to see more specialized shooting modes for subjects like food or pets, Apple has opted for a minimalist approach that prioritizes exceptional quality. The photos are so good, you'll want to print and frame them. This is undoubtedly Apple's finest camera phone to date, and the best camera phone you can buy.
Read our full iPhone 16 Pro review
The best camera phone for influencers
Galaxy S24 Ultra camera samples
For most of the year, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has been my go-to camera phone when I know my pics are going on my Instagram or Facebook feed. These aren't pics I'd print for the family photo album, but they are eye-catching and bursting with color.
Samsung phones consistently deliver the most delectable food photos. If you love sharing your culinary creations, the Galaxy S24 Ultra might be a better choice than even the iPhone for this reason. Furthermore, the Ultra is the only phone I've found that makes it easy to capture DSLR-worthy images of the moon. The results are so impressive, your iPhone-toting friends might call shenanigans.
If you want maximum control, the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers Pro controls for both photo and video. There's also an Expert Raw app that integrates with the camera, and that's where you'll find astrophotography and even more advanced camera options.
I'd love to see Samsung embrace a more natural style. Some details can appear over-sharpened, and blurry backgrounds look distracting instead of dreamy. Even so, when I need a camera to capture something everybody needs to see, the Galaxy S24 Ultra remains my trusted companion.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review
The best action camera phone
OnePlus 13 camera samples
OnePlus has been trying to break into the top of this list for years, partnering with Hasselblad to coax a professional portrait look from its camera phones. With the OnePlus 13, it's finally achieved something truly remarkable, but not for the reason I expected.
Portrait, landscape shots, selfies - all look great when taken with the OnePlus 13 cameras. But the company has taken extra strides to capture fast motion, and the results are extraordinary.
You can use a normal burst mode with the OnePlus 13 and simply hold the shutter button, or you can tap as fast as your fingers can fly and the camera will snap multiple shots with a technique that OnePlus says captures a short and long exposure at once, then combines them.
The results are photos without any blur, no matter how fast the action is moving. You can see my surfer shots above, with visible water drops hanging in the air, even at night.
I also took plenty of photos of my kid playing football. Where the iPhone and Galaxy left him blurry or lost in graininess, the OnePlus 13 rendered him sharp, with a clear look at his jersey number. Just like I needed.
Read our full OnePlus 13 review