Smartphones have effectively replaced point-and-shoot cameras, and many outperform them. These portable computers have become our primary cameras, and there are a lot of consumers out there who prioritize photo quality when picking a new smartphone. That’s why we made a list of the very best camera phones currently available.

The best camera phones are all stunning performers, but different factors put them on this list. Some are better in some ways but fall flat in others. Today we are here to find out which best suits your needs.

What makes a good camera experience?

Before we get into the actual list, there are a few things to consider when looking for a great smartphone camera experience. We’ve got a complete guide if you need a comprehensive rundown, but here are a few topics you should consider.

Here: What to look for in a great camera phone

How many cameras do you need?

It’s not uncommon to see three or four rear cameras on phones. Some of the more popular extra cameras today include ultrawide lenses (giving you a broader perspective), telephoto cameras for zooming, periscope cameras for longer-range zoom, macro cameras for close-up snaps, depth sensors for portrait mode and depth effects, and monochrome sensors for proper black-and-white shots.

You generally want main, telephoto/periscope, and ultrawide cameras for the most versatile experience, as we see on the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, for example. This gives you the most consistent image quality across a variety of ranges. We’ve also seen some phones like the OnePlus 9 ditch the telephoto/periscope cameras, sometimes in favor of depth sensors and/or macro cameras.

This practice gets worse as you go down in price, with devices like the OnePlus Nord N200 having three rear cameras, but two of them are macro and depth shooters, which may be less valuable to many. In this case, a phone like a Pixel 6 would be a better option as it only has two rear cameras, but both are practical (main and ultrawide). In other words, more isn’t always better when it comes to cameras.

Megapixels don’t tell the whole story

Having more megapixels doesn’t automatically equate to better image quality when it comes to smartphone cameras. You shouldn’t assume that a 108MP camera is better because it has a higher megapixel count. In fact, some of the best Android smartphone cameras are equipped with 12MP sensors or thereabouts.

This is because the sensor and pixel size are generally more important than the megapixel count. Larger pixels and sensors usually result in better low-light image capture, less noise in general, and better dynamic range. That’s not to say that there aren’t upsides to more megapixels, though.

Explained: Why camera sensor size is more important than more megapixels

The main benefit of more megapixels is that you can get much more detail, so you can print or display the image much larger without sacrificing quality. Not to mention some of these higher MP cameras take advantage of pixel binning, which could improve overall image quality. Another benefit is that 8K recording requires 33MP+ cameras (much like 4K recording requires ~8.3MP cameras), so 48MP+ cameras comfortably support this video quality option.

Nevertheless, sensor size, pixel size, and megapixels are essentially a trifecta for smartphone photography, and they all depend on each other. You can have plenty of megapixels on a small sensor, but then you won’t have large pixels. One can also have large pixels on a small sensor, which would mean losing out on megapixels. Alternatively, you can also have large pixels on a large sensor with loads of megapixels, but then you’ve got a huge camera bump. So balancing these three factors is an essential task for phone makers.

Software is important too

Another crucial element is software. A poll of Android Authority readers found that almost two-thirds of respondents felt that camera software was more important than hardware.

Smartphone makers differ in their image processing software, even when the same camera hardware is used. For example, Samsung and Oppo tend to deliver images with saturated colors, while LG and Sony opt for more realistic hues.

Camera apps from various brands also tend to differ in terms of features. Samsung offers a neat Single Take feature, Huawei offers reflection removal functionality, and Sony offers a comprehensive Pro camera app. Which is better comes down to personal preference in many cases.

The best camera phones

Editor’s note: We’ll regularly update this list of the best camera phones as new Android devices launch.

The Google Pixel lineup spent years among the best camera experiences you could get, even when it didn’t pack the latest lenses or the sharpest specs. Now, Google has brought its most significant upgrade since the Pixel 4 series with the brand-new camera bar on the Pixel 6. It’s impossible to ignore the new camera housing, and it brings Google back among the best camera phones you can buy.

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro feature a new 50MP primary shooter paired with a 12MP ultrawide lens and laser autofocus. However, the premium Pixel 6 Pro adds a third option to the mix with a 48MP telephoto lens. It’s capable of up to 4x optical zoom for better long-range shots. On the front, you’ll find an 8MP selfie shooter for the Pixel 6 and an 11.1MP option on the Pro.

Also: The best Google products

Of course, Google’s real prowess comes in its image processing capabilities. The Pixel 6 models launched with a suite of brand-new tools, including the Magic Eraser, which lets you clean up unwanted distractions in the background. You can also tap into Night Mode and Astrophotography options for your next stargazing adventure.

The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are very similar under the hood, with Google’s new Tensor chip powering the pair. You get a Titan M2 security chip and Google’s fastest wired charging to date. However, you’ll have to go Pro for a 5,003mAh battery — the Pixel 6 tops out at 4,600mAh.

Google Pixel 6 Pro specs:

The Samsung Galaxy S22 lineup offers it all: performance, a fantastic design, and some of the best camera phones the industry has to offer. We can’t expect less from Samsung’s flagship series.

Both the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus feature identical camera systems. They have a 50MP primary camera, a 12 MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto shooter. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra adds a 10MP periscope camera and upgrades the primary sensor to 108MP. So the Ultra is the best of the three, although the S22 and S22 Plus are still great camera phones.

Also read: These are the best Android phones you can buy

Otherwise, you’ll get nothing short of stunning specs. Depending on your market, they all come with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 processor. RAM ranges between 8GB and 12GB. The screens are gorgeous, offering AMOLED panels and a 120Hz refresh rate, all at different sizes.

Samsung Galaxy S22 specs:

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus specs:

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra specs:

The OnePlus 10 Pro was initially only launched in China, but it has since reached the global market and has become one of the best camera phones. It was the first flagship to come from the full merge between OnePlus and Oppo, and the mix seems to have created a great outcome.

Here: OnePlus 10 Pro buying guide

The OnePlus 10 Pro has an outstanding design and powerful performance. Additionally, you’ll enjoy a large 6.7-inch QHD+ screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. The battery is pretty large at 5,000mAh, and it can charge really fast. This smartphone supports 80W charging globally, and 65W speeds in North America. Additionally, you can charge wirelessly at blistering 50W speeds.

In terms of camera performance, we like the primary camera, but weren’t too convinced by the secondary sensors. Regardless, we love what OnePlus has done in collaboration with Hasselblad. Hasselblad’s color enhancements make images more true-to-life. You can read all about it in our full OnePlus 10 Pro review.

With all that in mind, the OnePlus 10 Pro isn’t as great of a camera phone as the Galaxy S22 or the Pixel 6, but it’s still a great option for OnePlus fans.

The Sony Xperia 1 III has been on our list of the best camera phones for a while, and now it’s time for its successor to take its place. The Sony Xperia 1 IV is designed with photographers in mind, sporting three rear cameras along with a 3D iToF sensor.

The cameras support Sony’s superb eye-tracking and object detection auto-focus capabilities, complete with 20fps burst mode for action shots. Autofocusing is among the best in the business. It beats out some mirrorless cameras and ensures that (virtually) every snap is crystal clear. The handset also sports a new variable focal length zoom that moves seamlessly through 85 to 125mm — the equivalent of 3.5x and 5.2x zoom — without digital zoom.  

Our take: Sony Xperia 1 IV review

It’s not all about photos, though, and Sony excels in the video department. Each of the rear three cameras can shoot 4K video at up to a whopping 120fps. Quality is excellent, and stabilization is smooth.

The phone is not just about the camera, though. It also comes with flagship specs including best-in-class speakers. The biggest downside is that it’s very, very expensive.

Love it or hate it, there’s no denying Apple makes some of the best camera phones you can buy. The iPhone 13 series is no exception. The company has four phones to show off: the iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

On paper, it looks like the iPhone 13 devices have the same cameras as their direct predecessors. While specs seem the same, that doesn’t mean there are no upgrades to be found. The ultrawide camera on the Pro and Pro Max has been upgraded from an ƒ/2.4 aperture to ƒ/1.8, giving it better shooting in low light. All four phones offer a great camera experience, although the Pro models offer more versatility due to the fact they have an extra lens at the back.

More: Apple iPhone 13 vs. older iPhones

Apple has added support for Cinematic Mode on the software side, bringing bokeh effects to video. There’s also Night Mode support for all lenses, which was only a treat the main lens got in the iPhone 12 series.

The Pixel 6 series listed above may offer one of the best smartphone experiences in the industry, but not everyone needs a higher-end device. Going with something simpler like the Google Pixel 6a will save you a good amount of cash while keeping your experience great for casual usage.

Next: The best budget camera phones

Not only that, but the Pixel 6a still has a great camera system — one of the best ones in its class. You don’t need fancy hardware to take great images with a Pixel 6a. Google’s advancements in computational photography can take pictures to the next level. The phone comes with a main 12.2MP main camera and a 12MP ultrawide shooter. The system is worthy of the Pixel name, as the color recreation is accurate and Google’s natural bokeh is impressive as well.

Although this is a mid-range phone, it’s powered by the same chipset you’ll find in the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. The handset also features an in-display fingerprint scanner, 18W charging, stereo speakers, and an IP67 rating.

Also, keep in mind that having a great camera smartphone is only half the battle. Getting familiarized with photography fundamentals and training your skills will go a long way. Check out our guides to further polish your photo skills. Here are the most important photography terms, as well as some essential tips you should practice.