It’s hard to say this (so real camera users, beware), but we are at a point where the best camera phones often deliver better results than “proper” cameras. The era of the selfies is here—and it’s probably going to stay for a while. That’s why these pocket-sized powerhouses afford us the ability to take fantastic images and videos in any situation. And it can happen through just a simple tap; zero fiddling with the lenses.
With more options available than ever, it’s hard to choose a smartphone that delivers impeccable results and imagery. Even for full-time photographers, smartphones can act as an excellent backup; plus, it can be a lot cheaper.
So what are the features you should look for?
Of course, the best camera phones can’t compare to the best DSLRs, but they are getting closer. Honor 9X Pro sets to change the game. So specs are important when choosing your new smartphone to get close to a real camera’s level. In addition to features like availability of microSD slots, video quality, and—a big shortcoming—poor battery life, there’s also the size factor you need to take into consideration. Having a bulge in your pocket (and even the best compact cameras still “struggle” with it) is uncomfortable, but folding phones like Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and Motorola Razr take compactness to a new level. Things are moving quickly in this sphere—in fact, the next big thing is 5G.
But that’s a long way to go. How about a warm-up before we dive into more details about the best of the best?
- Best phone camera: iPhone 11 Pro
- Best Android camera phone: Samsung Galaxy S20 Pro
- Best phone camera for video: iPhone 11
- Best camera for detail: Google Pixel 4
- Best phone for ultra-wide shots: OnePlus 8 Pro
- Best Huawei camera: Huawei P40 Pro Plus
- Best budget phone camera: Google Pixel 3a
- Best big phone camera: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus
- Bonus—best for megapixel lovers: Xiaomi Mi Note 10
iPhone 11 Pro might be the best camera phone for many, with rich user experience and excellent app support, but Huawei P40 Pro Plus is still ahead of the game. Too many options to choose from? Don’t worry; this article is meant to help you come to a conclusion.
Here is a list of the best camera phones for 2020.
Huawei P40 Pro
Saying it now to get it out of the way: the P40 Pro has a great camera, but it’s not the best phone. To compensate, it’s an affordable phone you can buy for $1.000 and it offers you:
- All-round great performance from all cameras across most conditions
- 5x periscope to get closer to the action
- Great video quality at 30fps across the board
That’s not all: its phenomenal battery life can last you for hours and even days. So you don’t have to worry about the phone shutting down on you when you need it the most. Those top-class selfies are yours. But the Huawei P40 Pro is not perfect, so you better weigh in the advantages with the disadvantages well, as this model does not have Google Mobile Services support.
iPhone 11 Pro
It holds the title of the previous “best point and shoot” camera phone with its:
- Excellent night mode
- Versatile triple camera
- Consistent image quality and colors
- Portrait effects
- Slow-motion selfies
The only (and most important) downside is that it’s expensive. But if you’re an Apple fan, this won’t be a problem. In fact, your money will be well spent since this model has the best smartphone camera Apple’s ever made. It’s reliable and versatile with its three cameras calibrated for perfection.
Google Pixel 4
- Class-leading (night) photography
- Rich quality to photos
- Smart exposure control
- Smooth 90Hz display
- Effective face unlock
These are the main benefits of Google’s smartphone: capabilities that even DSLR users dream of. It is made possible by the almost 5-minute long-exposure Astrophotography mode. Capturing night skies, stars, and even galaxies is now a dream come true—if you can afford it. Like the iPhone 11, price is a huge disadvantage; and it doesn’t help that it has poor battery life and no ultra-wide camera.
Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus
Best specs of 2020, period. With its 5x optical, 100x digital ‘Space Zoom’, and an enormous 6.9-inch display, the S20’s camera is a telephoto champion. It captures a range of photos and videos simultaneously so you can snap once, decide later. They’re also 8K-ready—the highest resolution footage on the block. But if you decide to buy this model, then know that it’s very expensive: you combine the iPhone and Google Pixel and that’s how much you should pay. And, sometimes, the extras are not worth the price bump. However, it’s still a smartphone worth investing in.
The list is far from over, but here are other notable mentions: OnePlus 8 Pro, Moto G Power, and Xiaomi Mi Note 10.
There are a lot of things you should pay attention to when you select your next smartphone. The capabilities presented above are just a fraction of the research you must do before you make your choice. Hopefully, it was enough to entice you.
So, are you ready to make wonderful long-lasting pictures?
