Best Camera Phones You Need To Watch For in 2026

The best camera phones of 2026 are poised to push smartphone photography to unprecedented heights. Every major manufacturer – Apple, Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, and more – is gearing up to release top camera phones in 2026 with cutting-edge sensors, lenses, and AI-powered image processing. In this comprehensive guide, we focus on officially confirmed or credibly announced devices (no mere rumors) that are expected to be among the best smartphones for photography 2026. From ultra-premium flagships with periscope zoom lenses to foldables with innovative camera systems, these are the standout photography-centric smartphones to watch next year.

Apple iPhone 18 Series

Apple’s iPhone 18 family should arrive in September 2026. The Pro models are expected to debut a variable-aperture main lens and a new stacked image sensor for cleaner low-light shots. Continued advances in Apple’s computational photography and potential integration of a foldable model make the iPhone 18 range a likely contender for best camera phone 2026 honors.

Release Date: September 2026
Price: To be announced
Official Link: To be announced

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Launching at a January 2026 Galaxy Unpacked event, the Galaxy S26 Ultra should feature a refined 200 MP main sensor with a wider aperture and an upgraded 5 × telephoto camera for brighter night zooms. Samsung’s Pro Visual Engine AI is also tipped to boost real-time image quality, keeping the S26 Ultra at the top of the best camera phones 2026 list.

Release Date: January 2026
Price: To be announced
Official Link: To be announced

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 & Z Flip 8

Samsung’s 2026 foldables will arrive mid-year. The Fold 8 is expected to retain its 200 MP primary camera while refining secondary lenses, and the Flip 8 should gain a larger cover display for easier high-quality selfies. Both will leverage Samsung’s latest AI algorithms for enhanced low-light and flex-mode shooting.

Release Date: July–August 2026
Price: To be announced
Official Link: To be announced

Google Pixel 11 Series

Google’s Pixel 11 lineup, due October 2026, will harness the Tensor G6 chip to power new AI camera tricks, including an Ultra Low Light video mode and up to 100 × Ultra Res Zoom via a redesigned periscope lens. Expect hallmark Pixel color science, industry-leading HDR, and the cleanest point-and-shoot experience of any phone in 2026.

Release Date: October 2026
Price: To be announced
Official Link: To be announced

OnePlus 15 (Flagship)

OnePlus’s next flagship launches globally in January 2026. A triple 50 MP camera array with a long-range periscope lens and Hasselblad-inspired color tuning should finally put OnePlus in true flagship-camera territory. Fast AI image processing via the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 rounds out this promising shooter.

Release Date: January 2026
Price: To be announced
Official Link: To be announced

Xiaomi 16 Ultra

Xiaomi’s 16 Ultra arrives globally in early 2026 with a Leica-branded 1-inch main sensor and a continuous-zoom periscope capable of lossless transitions from roughly 3 × to 10 ×. Expect Leica color modes, 8K stabilized video, and night photography that rivals dedicated cameras.

Release Date: Q1 2026 (global)
Price: To be announced
Official Link: To be announced

Oppo Find X9 Ultra

Scheduled for the first half of 2026, Oppo’s Find X9 Ultra should offer a quad-camera system highlighted by dual periscope lenses and a 200 MP primary sensor. Hasselblad color science, an optional external lens kit, and Oppo’s MariSilicon imaging NPU aim to deliver professional-grade results.

Release Date: H1 2026
Price: To be announced
Official Link: To be announced

Vivo X300 Series

Vivo’s X300 range, expected mid-2026, will marry Zeiss optics with a new 200 MP main sensor that supports in-sensor 35 mm and 50 mm zoom. Enhanced gimbal stabilization and dedicated portrait modes should make the X300 Pro or Ultra a low-light champion.

Release Date: 2026 (exact month TBA)
Price: To be announced
Official Link: To be announced

Huawei Pura 90 Series

Huawei’s Pura 90 flagships launch in spring 2026, headlined by the XMAGE imaging platform, a potential variable-aperture main lens, and advanced periscope zoom. Flat-screen design and an in-house Kirin chip round out Huawei’s photography focus.

Release Date: H1 2026
Price: To be announced
Official Link: To be announced

Sony Xperia 1 VIII

Sony’s Xperia 1 VIII debuts in mid-2026, maintaining its 4K HDR OLED screen and adding an improved variable telephoto lens developed with the Alpha camera team. Full manual controls, a physical shutter button, and Eye-AF tracking make this the phone of choice for pro shooters.

Release Date: Spring–Summer 2026
Price: To be announced
Official Link: To be announced

Motorola Edge 70 Ultra

Motorola returns to the high-end arena in late 2026 with a 144 Hz pOLED display and a large-sensor primary camera expected to hit 100 MP or more. Clean Android software, rapid TurboPower charging, and improved Night Vision modes aim to make the Edge 70 Ultra a dark-horse photography favorite.

Release Date: Q3–Q4 2026
Price: To be announced
Official Link: To be announced

Note: All information above is based on official schedules or credible confirmations. Unannounced details remain marked as “Not yet announced.” This article will be updated as brands release more specifications, pricing, and official links.

What to Expect Next

With breakthroughs ranging from 1-inch sensors and continuous-zoom periscopes to AI-enhanced night video and professional manual controls, best camera phones 2026 will blur the line between smartphones and dedicated cameras. As each launch draws closer and final specs arrive, this guide will update to keep you informed and ensure it remains the definitive resource for top camera phones releasing in 2026 and the best smartphones for photography 2026. Bookmark this page to stay ahead of every announcement and upgrade with confidence.