Best Camera Phones
5 min · Updated July 2026
If you care about photo and video quality, choosing the right phone is more important than ever. In 2026, the best camera phones combine large sensors, versatile lenses, and smart processing. We have tested and ranked the top options from our catalog to help you decide. Whether you want a dedicated telephoto lens, great low light performance, or reliable video stabilization, this guide covers the best picks for different budgets.
Our picks
Apple
iPhone 17 Pro
$999New
Apple
iPhone 17 Pro
New
$999
Refurb
$849
Used
$749
The best camera phone overall. The triple 48MP cameras with 8x optical zoom deliver stunning detail and versatility. Excellent video with ProRes and great low light performance. The 120Hz LTPO display is a bonus. Only drawback is the aluminum body that may scratch easily, but camera quality is unmatched.
- 48MP wide + 48MP ultrawide + 48MP telephoto (8x optical zoom)
- A19 Pro chip
- 6.3 inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED 120Hz
- LiDAR scanner for AR and low light autofocus
Pros
- +Excellent camera system with 8x optical zoom
- +Bright and smooth 120Hz display
Cons
- −Aluminum body scratches easily
Apple
iPhone 16 Pro
$899New
Apple
iPhone 16 Pro
New
$899
Refurb
$749
Used
$649
A top tier camera phone with a versatile triple camera system including 5x optical zoom and a 48MP ultrawide. The A18 Pro chip enables advanced computational photography. Great for both photos and video. Slightly older than the 17 Pro but still excellent and often available at a discount.
- 48MP wide + 12MP telephoto (5x) + 48MP ultrawide
- A18 Pro chip
- 6.3 inch Super Retina XDR OLED 120Hz
- LiDAR scanner
Pros
- +Outstanding A18 Pro performance
- +Excellent camera system with 5x optical zoom
Cons
- −High starting price
Samsung
Galaxy S25
$699New
Samsung
Galaxy S25
New
$699
Refurb
$549
Used
$479
The best Android camera phone for most people. The 50MP main sensor with 3x optical zoom and excellent processing delivers sharp, vibrant photos. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip ensures fast performance. Good for both photography and video. Compact size makes it easy to carry.
- 50MP wide + 10MP telephoto (3x) + 12MP ultrawide
- Snapdragon 8 Elite For Galaxy
- 6.2 inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X 120Hz
- 8K video recording
Pros
- +Excellent performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite
- +Bright and smooth 120Hz AMOLED display
Cons
- −25W charging is slow for the price
Samsung
Galaxy S24 FE
$499New
Samsung
Galaxy S24 FE
New
$499
Refurb
$399
Used
$349
A great value camera phone with flagship features. The 50MP main camera and 3x telephoto lens produce excellent results. The Exynos 2400e chip handles processing well. You get Galaxy AI features for photo editing. A solid choice if you want good cameras without spending over $500.
- 50MP wide + 8MP telephoto (3x) + 12MP ultrawide
- Exynos 2400e
- 6.7 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120Hz
- Galaxy AI features
Pros
- +Excellent software support with 7 years of updates
- +Bright and smooth 120Hz display
Cons
- −Only 25W charging
Apple
iPhone 15
$599New
Apple
iPhone 15
New
$599
Refurb
$479
Used
$399
The best budget friendly camera phone from Apple. The 48MP main camera captures detailed photos, and the A16 Bionic chip provides smooth performance. It lacks a telephoto lens and 120Hz display, but for the price, the camera quality is very good. Ideal for those who want a reliable iPhone camera on a budget.
- 48MP wide + 12MP ultrawide
- A16 Bionic chip
- 6.1 inch Super Retina XDR OLED 60Hz
- Photonic Engine for improved low light
Pros
- +Excellent 48MP main camera with 2x optical zoom
- +USB-C for universal charging
Cons
- −60Hz refresh rate feels dated
Buying advice
When shopping for a camera phone in 2026, focus on the camera system rather than megapixel count alone. Look for optical zoom lenses (3x or more) for versatility, large sensor sizes for better low light, and reliable image processing. For video, check for stabilization and frame rate options. Software support matters too: phones with longer update commitments keep your camera features current. If you shoot a lot of video, consider models with dedicated video modes or ProRes support. For casual photography, a good main camera and ultrawide are enough. Do not ignore the front camera if you take selfies or vlog.
Frequently asked questions
Which phone has the best zoom camera?+
The iPhone 17 Pro offers the best optical zoom with its 48MP telephoto lens providing 8x optical zoom. The iPhone 16 Pro has 5x optical zoom, and the Galaxy S25 and S24 FE have 3x optical zoom. For most users, 3x is sufficient, but if you need extreme zoom, the iPhone 17 Pro is the clear winner.
Are Samsung or Apple phones better for photography?+
Both are excellent, but they have different strengths. Apple iPhones (especially the Pro models) offer more natural color science and superior video recording. Samsung Galaxy phones tend to have more vibrant colors and versatile zoom options. In 2026, the iPhone 17 Pro leads in hardware, but Samsung's processing is very competitive. Choose based on your preference for color and ecosystem.
Do I need a telephoto lens for good photos?+
Not necessarily. A good main camera with a high resolution sensor can crop in digitally with decent results. However, a dedicated telephoto lens (3x or more) gives you better quality at zoomed in distances and enables portrait shots with natural background blur. If you often photograph distant subjects or want professional looking portraits, a telephoto lens is worth it.
What about video recording? Which phone is best?+
For video, iPhones are generally considered the best due to their consistent color, excellent stabilization, and support for ProRes and Log recording. The iPhone 17 Pro and 16 Pro are top choices. Samsung Galaxy phones also offer good video with 8K recording, but stabilization and dynamic range are slightly behind Apple. If video is your priority, go with an iPhone Pro model.
Is the Galaxy S24 FE a good camera phone for the price?+
Yes, the Galaxy S24 FE offers a very good camera system for under $500. It has a 50MP main sensor, a 3x telephoto lens, and ultrawide. The image quality is close to flagship level, and you get Galaxy AI features for editing. It is a great choice if you want a capable camera without spending over $500.
Related deals
Brand
Best Refurbished Samsung Phones
Find the best refurbished Samsung phones for every budget. We rank Galaxy models from our catalog to help you save money without sacrificing quality.
View list
Brand
Best Refurbished iPhones
Find the best value in refurbished iPhones. We rank top picks from Apple's lineup to help you save money without sacrificing quality.
View list
Budget
Best Phones Under $500
Find the best phones under $500 in 2026. Our top picks include the Samsung Galaxy A56, Galaxy S22, and Galaxy A55. Compare specs, cameras, and battery life to find your perfect budget phone.
View listNever miss a great deal
Weekly picks, price drops, and new guides. No spam.