With smartphone cameras becoming more advanced every year, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for mobile photography. Whether you're a professional photographer or just someone who loves to snap great pictures with your phone, finding the best smartphone for photography is crucial. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the top 10 smartphones that offer exceptional camera performance in 2025.
1. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: The Photography Powerhouse
The iPhone 15 Pro Max continues to dominate the smartphone photography space, offering cutting-edge features designed for both amateur and professional photographers.
- Camera Setup: 48MP primary, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto, LiDAR Scanner.
- ProRAW and ProRes video support.
- Night Mode and Deep Fusion technology.
- LiDAR Scanner for better autofocus in low light.
Why It’s Great: The iPhone 15 Pro Max offers some of the best camera quality on the market with its 48MP primary sensor, advanced Night Mode, and ProRAW capabilities for detailed, professional-quality photos. The LiDAR Scanner helps in low-light conditions by enhancing autofocus, making it perfect for capturing stunning images at any time of day or night.
2. Google Pixel 9 Pro: AI-Powered Photography
Google's Pixel series is known for its superior AI-powered photography, and the Pixel 9 Pro continues that tradition.
- Camera Setup: 50MP primary, 12MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto.
- AI-enhanced Night Sight for low-light shots.
- Super Res Zoom for high-quality zoomed-in shots.
- Google Lens integration.
Why It’s Great: The Pixel 9 Pro uses Google’s AI to enhance every shot, providing accurate colors, sharp details, and great low-light performance. The Night Sight mode allows you to take stunning photos in the dark, and the Super Res Zoom ensures your zoomed-in shots retain excellent clarity without distortion.
3. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Ultimate Camera for Professionals
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra combines professional-grade photography with top-of-the-line hardware and software.
- Camera Setup: 200MP primary, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto (3x), 10MP telephoto (10x).
- 8K video recording and Space Zoom up to 100x.
- Super Steady Mode for stable video footage.
Why It’s Great: The 200MP primary camera of the Galaxy S23 Ultra is a game-changer, offering incredible detail and crystal-clear shots. The ability to shoot 8K videos and zoom in up to 100x makes it an ideal choice for photographers who want high-resolution images and videos. The Super Steady Mode is perfect for capturing stable, shake-free videos, even in action-packed scenes.
4. Xiaomi Mi 13 Pro: High-End Photography at an Affordable Price
The Xiaomi Mi 13 Pro offers impressive camera capabilities without the flagship price tag.
- Camera Setup: 50MP primary, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP telephoto.
- Leica optics for superior image quality.
- Night Mode for better low-light performance.
- 8K video recording.
Why It’s Great: The Mi 13 Pro features Leica optics, known for their exceptional color accuracy and sharpness. It’s great for both photo and video enthusiasts, offering 8K video and amazing low-light capabilities. If you want a phone that delivers premium photography without the hefty price, this is a great choice.
5. OnePlus 11 5G: A Balanced Choice for Photographers
The OnePlus 11 5G delivers great camera performance and is especially loved for its color accuracy and sharpness.
- Camera Setup: 50MP primary, 48MP ultra-wide, 32MP telephoto.
- Hasselblad partnership for improved color processing.
- Nightscape Mode for better low-light performance.
Why It’s Great: Thanks to its partnership with Hasselblad, the OnePlus 11 5G offers improved color processing and accurate tones, ensuring your photos look more true to life. The Nightscape Mode also helps you capture clear and vibrant shots in low-light conditions.
6. Sony Xperia 1 V: A Photographer’s Dream
The Sony Xperia 1 V is a professional-grade smartphone tailored for those who are serious about photography.
- Camera Setup: 48MP primary, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto.
- Real-time Eye Autofocus for precise shots.
- RAW support for advanced editing.
- Pro Photography Mode for manual controls.
Why It’s Great: The Sony Xperia 1 V offers pro-level manual controls, making it the perfect choice for photographers who want to take full control over their shots. Its real-time eye autofocus ensures precise focus, while the RAW support gives you the flexibility to edit your photos in post-production for the best possible results.
7. Oppo Find X6 Pro: A Flagship with Impressive Camera Quality
The Oppo Find X6 Pro stands out with its advanced camera setup and ability to capture stunning photos.
- Camera Setup: 50MP primary, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP telephoto.
- AI-enhanced photography for better results.
- Ultra Night Mode for clear low-light shots.
Why It’s Great: The Oppo Find X6 Pro features AI-enhanced photography, which helps you get the most out of every shot. Its 50MP cameras deliver sharp and vibrant images, while the Ultra Night Mode helps you capture clear low-light shots without noise.
8. Vivo X90 Pro+: The Flagship Photography Experience
The Vivo X90 Pro+ offers a well-balanced camera system perfect for everyday photographers.
- Camera Setup: 50MP primary, 48MP ultra-wide, 50MP telephoto.
- IMX989 sensor for improved image quality.
- AI Night Mode for enhanced low-light shots.
Why It’s Great: The Vivo X90 Pro+ packs a 50MP primary sensor, which uses the IMX989 to improve image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The AI Night Mode ensures clear and vibrant photos even in dark environments, making it perfect for all types of photography.
9. Huawei Mate 60 Pro: A Photography Innovator
The Huawei Mate 60 Pro continues to impress with its innovative camera tech.
- Camera Setup: 50MP primary, 13MP ultra-wide, 64MP periscope zoom.
- AI-enhanced zoom for sharp, detailed long-distance shots.
- Super Night Mode for vibrant night photos.
Why It’s Great: The Huawei Mate 60 Pro excels in zoom photography, with its 64MP periscope zoom allowing you to capture sharp details even from a distance. The AI-enhanced zoom makes sure that your long-distance shots are crystal clear. Plus, the Super Night Mode ensures your photos stay vibrant even in the darkest conditions.
10. Asus Zenfone 10: Compact Yet Powerful
The Asus Zenfone 10 offers a compact design but packs powerful camera performance in a small package.
- Camera Setup: 50MP primary, 12MP ultra-wide.
- AI-enhanced photography for detailed shots.
- Night Mode for low-light conditions.
Why It’s Great: The Asus Zenfone 10 offers impressive 50MP primary and 12MP ultra-wide cameras, making it an ideal choice for compact phone enthusiasts who don’t want to compromise on camera quality. The AI-enhanced photography and Night Mode ensure that you get great photos in all conditions.
Conclusion
Smartphones in 2025 have taken mobile photography to a whole new level, offering superior camera setups, advanced AI features, and excellent low-light performance. Whether you’re looking for the best flagship for professional-quality shots or an affordable option for everyday use, there’s something for everyone on this list.
The top 10 smartphones we've covered—iPhone 15 Pro Max, Google Pixel 9 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, and others—are sure to give you the best photography experience in 2025.
