One of the biggest reasons to buy a high-end phone is for the camera. Whether through computational processing or as many lenses as possible, phones are taking good enough photos these days that most people don’t even consider a dedicated camera. Luckily, there are plenty of options for people who want effortless point-and-shoot style photography and those who want to go more in-depth or have different needs beyond the camera. Whether you choose the Google Pixel 7 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, you’ll be getting a stellar camera for every situation.
These are the best Android camera phones
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Best for parents
Google’s latest phone has a lot of cool new features that make it stand out a bit more against its rivals. The Pixel 7 Pro takes amazing shots in any situation, and it is great at taking photos of objects in motion — making it a good choice for parents.
Best for zoomers
Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra features the most powerful camera (opens in new tab) on the market, including the famous 100x Space Zoom feature. In addition to that, Samsung included its amazing 108mp sensor on board for the main camera, packed in a crisp ultra-wide-angle camera, and updated the software with even better automated features than before. Its only shortcoming is with moving pets or kids where Samsung still struggles a bit.
Best for photo enthusiasts
OnePlus continues to settle into its partnership with world-famous camera company Hasselblad, adding more unique features with this year’s phone than ever before. Deep HDR color photos, unique filters, and solid software make this a superb performer in every situation (and at a surprisingly good price).
Best camera on a budget
Google has done it once again with the Pixel 6a. The phone has amazing cameras that are on par with the likes of the Pixel 6 Pro, and it has the same internal hardware as well. If you’re looking to maximize value and get a great camera, you will not find a better deal than the Pixel 6a.
Feature laden
It’s hard not to notice the Vivo X70 Pro+ when you’re talking about a phone laden with photography features. A bevy of modes open the doors to a whole lot of experimentation. The software offers many options, whether it’s the unique take on portrait shots or the surprisingly useful long exposure modes. Of course, if you’re looking for 5G stateside, you won’t get it, but great photos are a snap away if you’re an international user.
Best international
If Xiaomi did a great job with the Xiaomi 12 series this year, and the 12 Pro is a fabulous choice if you want high-resolution sensors that take brilliant photos in challenging scenarios. The device isn’t available in North America, but international buyers have a lot to like here.
Perfect for video
All of the phones on this list can take very good video, but if you want to make sure your home movies look as good as they can be, the Xperia 1 III comes out ahead as the go-to pick. Offering three cameras and a time-of-flight sensor, this phone has incredibly fast focus speeds, records in 4K HDR, and offers full manual video controls you won’t find anywhere else. It takes some time to master, but the potential is unreal once you get a feel for it.
If we’re making some Android camera suggestions
The Google Pixel 7 Pro comes out on top because of its consistent performance in every condition, including when pets or kids won’t stop moving. It’s hard to top it, or any other Pixel phone really, as one of the best Android phones around based on its fantastic ability to capture beautiful photos in every situation without any tweaking, guessing with settings, or edits after capture.
But you’d be remiss to not consider Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra, which provides the best quality zoom at almost any level, including some seriously ludicrous quality even beyond 30x zoom. It’s also a consistently excellent low-light performer and takes the best video of any Android phone available in most countries.
