Smartphone cameras leapt forward again this year, further blurring the lines between phones and a pro camera. The advancement in editing capabilities and image quality have created all-in-one machines of the future. The seamless compatibility creates a user-friendly experience that any beginner can master with a couple of tries. If you’re looking for the best camera phone in 2025, these ten super-phones deliver the sharpest photos, cleanest low-light shots and slickest video you can get right now without spending thousands on professional cameras. Let’s see who made the list!
Samsung’s biggest Galaxy keeps its crown by combining a 200 MP main sensor with dual telephoto lenses and a new 50 MP ultrawide. Daylight images look incredibly detailed while night shots pop thanks to improved pixel-binning. Ten-times optical zoom still beats most rivals, and the S Pen doubles as a remote shutter for group photos.
Apple focuses on colour accuracy and unbeatable video. A 48 MP main sensor bins to 24 MP for everyday shots, while a 12 MP 5× tetraprism telephoto on the Max model keeps portraits crisp. Cinematic Mode now records 4K 60 HDR, and ProRes files can go straight to an external SSD.
If you want a point-shoot-wow experience, Pixel still rules. A 50 MP main plus twin 48 MP ultrawide & 5× periscope lenses feed Google’s latest Tensor G4 chip for AI image sorcery.
Co-engineered with Leica, the 14 Ultra is practically a pocket DSLR. All four rear cameras are 50 MP, and the primary sensor is a huge 1-inch type with a stepless variable aperture from f/1.6 to f/4.
Honor’s secret weapon is a massive 180 MP periscope that delivers tack-sharp 2.5× to 5× shots without digital loss. Paired with 50 MP wide and ultra-wide sensors, it’s a zoom lover’s dream.
OnePlus goes triple-50 MP this year and leans on Hasselblad colour science for punch and realism. A clever dual-exposure pipeline fuses short and long frames so moving kids or pets stay sharp.
Oppo doubles down on versatility with two telephotos (3× and 6×) plus a stabilised 50 MP main shooter. The result: clean images from 0.6× wide through 15× hybrid without ugly jumps.
vivo ports the highly praised X100 Ultra tele-macro lens to global markets. A 50 MP periscope can focus at 15 cm for stunning close-ups yet also zoom crisply to 10×.
Built for creators, the Xperia keeps a 21:9 4K OLED and pro camera apps. Sony’s true optical zoom (3.5–5×) lets you smoothly frame like a real lens.
Still stellar a year on, the S24 Ultra offers the last true 10× optical zoom in Samsung’s lineup, making it a bargain for wildlife or concert shooters who need serious reach.
Whether you want unbeatable zoom, effortless point-and-shoot AI magic, cinema-grade video or manual pro controls, 2025 offers a best camera phone for every style of shooter. Samsung’s S25 Ultra and Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max set the all-round gold standard, while Google and Xiaomi push computational and hardware boundaries in their own ways. Whichever model you choose from this list, rest easy: you’re carrying one of the most powerful cameras ever squeezed into a pocket-sized device, ready to capture memories in stunning detail all year long.
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra edges ahead thanks to its 200 MP sensor, dual telephotos and versatile S Pen features, but the iPhone 16 Pro Max is neck-and-neck for video.
Large-format high-megapixel sensors, multi-lens zoom versatility, advanced AI processing for night shots, and strong video stabilisation are the key pillars.
Yes—true optical zoom (like 5× or 10× periscope lenses) preserves detail and dynamic range that digital crops cannot match.
A one-inch sensor such as Xiaomi’s 14 Ultra offers superior low-light and depth-of-field control, but smart AI on smaller sensors (Pixel 9 Pro) can rival it for everyday snaps.
For most travellers and content creators, absolutely. Only specialised tasks like extreme telephoto wildlife or ultra-high dynamic-range studio work still demand dedicated cameras.
Disclosure: This list is intended as an informational resource and is based on independent research and publicly available information. It does not imply that these businesses are the absolute best in their category. Learn more here.
This article may contain commission-based affiliate links. Learn more on our Privacy Policy page.
Stay informed with the best tips, trends, and news — straight to your inbox.
By submitting I agree to Brand Vision Privacy Policy and T&C.