How many times have we said that the camera is the component that most concerns the average user when purchasing a smartphone? But the quality of a mobile phone When it comes to capturing photos, there's much more to a smartphone than just the number of megapixels it has, and the quality of a smartphone camera can usually only be analyzed by professionals. That's what DxOMark has done, and these are the 10 phones with the best cameras on the market.
How does DxOMark analyze?
And you might think, "Is there an objective way to determine the quality of a camera?" Well, actually, there's always a degree of subjectivity. What's considered the best dessert in the world when it comes to pastries might not appeal to everyone, for example. And something similar happens with mobile cameras. A photograph captured by a specific phone That technically offers better quality might be less appealing to you than one that supposedly offers lower quality. But if we put aside these subjective issues, it's possible to analyze whether one photograph was more faithful to the color of reality than another, no matter how much you prefer the photograph with more saturated colors. DxOMark was already a benchmark when it came to analyzing professional-level cameras, and that's why seems to be the most reliable independent source When evaluating mobile phone cameras, which are the 10 phones with the best cameras?
1.- Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge
They're considered one and the same because, in reality, both versions of the smartphone feature the same camera components. DxOMark considers them the best smartphone for taking photos and gives them a score of 86. It is better to capture photographs than to record video, although what stands out most is its autofocus engine, the exposure levels and contrast of the photographs, and its ability to capture textures. In short, it's difficult to talk about a phone that is considered to have the best camera on the market. There's not much more to say. It's simply the best (see Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge).
2.- Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Who would have told Samsung that the Galaxy Note 4 would one day become the second-best phone on the market when it came to capturing photos? In fact, the fact that it's now second means that before the launch of the Galaxy S6, it was first. We say it's surprising because at the time the Galaxy Note was launched and more large-screen phones began to be released, it seemed that these were for users who wanted to take advantage of the large screen, and that the camera was becoming less important. That changed, and thanks to this the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 remains in second place with a score of 83 points.
3.- iPhone 6 Plus
We want to pause here to make an important point. The iPhone 6 Plus is the third-best on the market. And that means two things. One is that it's worse than the Samsung Galaxy S6, and that always pleases Android fans a lot. And two, the megapixel issue isn't relevant. The iPhone 6 Plus has an 8-megapixel camera., but its quality is superior to those with over 20 megapixels. Hopefully, this makes it clear that the megapixel myth no longer holds any grounds these days, given that many manufacturers can make high-resolution sensors, but they fail to optimize them in the same way. Its score is 82 points, which puts it slightly below the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, although a bit far from the Galaxy S6, but not too far.
4. iPhone 6
Apple's two smartphones are not the same. Although DxOMark gives them the same score of 82 points, the latter does not have optical image stabilization, which will be noticeable both in videos and when taking photos if we don't have a steady hand. Even so, this confirms the great dominance of Samsung and Apple in the world of smartphones. First Samsung, and then Apple, are the two big ones, even when we talk about cameras. (See iPhone 6 vs Galaxy Alpha comparison).
5.- Samsung Galaxy S5
Here we begin to find some surprising smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S5. Its price today is close to 400 euros, and yes, its technical specifications may no longer be the best on the market, since it was launched some time ago. But even so, this Samsung Galaxy S5 has a better camera than the smartphones launched shortly after. The high-quality components, but above all, Samsung's extensive camera optimization and subsequent firmware updates that added improvements, make it one of the cheapest phones in this group of 10 phones with the best cameras on the market.
6.- Sony Xperia Z3
It was clear that a Sony smartphone would be among the top 10 phones. And it's funny, because almost every smartphone on this list features a sensor made by the Japanese company, which specializes in this field. Of course, they have the phone with the highest resolution sensor, as the Sony Xperia Z3 has a 20,7-megapixel sensor. Despite this, its optimization isn't as good, although those specialists who know how to take advantage of this camera can achieve amazing photographs thanks to that great resolution. Its score is 79.
7.- Sony Xperia Z2
But of course, for us who know the Android market, there's one detail we can't overlook. If we think back, we'll remember that the Sony Xperia Z3 had almost the same features as the Sony Xperia Z2, at least as far as the camera is concerned. And yes, that's completely true, to the point that the Sony Xperia Z2 receives the same score and has the same camera resolution. most economical option than the Sony Xperia Z3, without a doubt.
8. Nexus 6
Fans of the pure Google interface and the latest updates saw the Nexus 6 as the perfect smartphone. They didn't mind that the price was double that of the Nexus 5, because they saw that the quality had improved. And also when it comes to the camera, one of the shortcomings of the previous Nexus 4 and Nexus 5. This Nexus 6 remains the eighth place On this list, just one point behind the Sony Xperia, with a score of 78.
9. Nokia 808
It's the oldest smartphone on this list. It didn't have Android or Windows, but rather Nokia's own operating system. However, its 41 megapixel camera This still allows it to be on this list of the 10 best camera phones on the market. You probably won't want the smartphone anymore because of its outdated software, but it's still a really interesting detail.
10.- Sony Xperia Z1
If you're looking for an affordable smartphone, due to the lower price, but with great features, the Sony Xperia Z1 is one of the best options. Not counting the previous one, this is the oldest among today's phones. Released at the end of last year, the Sony Xperia Z1 is a phone that has been updated to Android 5.0 Lollipop, and has one of the best cameras on the market. Without a doubt, a great option.
Source: DxOMark.
Our current selection of the best camera phones, at a glance
- Honor Magic7 Pro, with a complete and fun camera system.
- Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, with excellent camera versatility.
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, with a balanced screen and a revamped camera app.
- iPhone 16 Pro, very consistent and powerful camera for video.
- OPPO FIND X8 PRO, solid and constant camera, without surprises.
- Vivo X200 Pro, a very capable system day and night.
- Xiaomi 15Ultra, collaboration with Leica and spectacular results.
Mobile phones with the best cameras (quick analysis)
Honor Magic7 Pro
Honor continues to release phones with spectacular quality in many areas. The Magic 7 Pro has been a surprise with its photography: rear module with main sensor, ultra-wide angle and periscopic telephoto lens, plus AI to optimize white balance, exposure, and color. It stands out for its long telephoto lens and pleasing portraits without over-processing.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Google phones shine with their software. This model combines 50 MP main sensor and two 48 MP secondary sensors (wide and telephoto) with less aggressive processing than previous generations. Night Sight, HDR+, and creative AI features deliver natural-looking images, and your video benefits from advanced stabilization and realistic skin tones.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
It preserves the philosophy of the Ultra saga: high-resolution main sensor (200 MP), 3x and 5x telephoto lenses with OIS, and a bright ultra-wide angle. The camera app has been revamped to be faster and clearer, and the ProVisual AI It offers improvements in night vision, editing, and stabilization. For those looking for zoom versatility, it's one of the most complete.
iPhone 16 Pro
The photographic section does not change radically, but it refines the important points: 48 MP main and ultra wide angle, plus a tetraprism telephoto lens with long optical zoom. The main sensor processes data faster, focusing is reliable, and ProRAW/Log capture facilitates professional workflows. In video, its consistency and stable colorimetry continue to set the pace.
OPPO FIND X8 PRO
Round proposal with fast interface and sensors brands like Sony and Samsung. It features a 50MP main and ultra-wide-angle lens, plus dual telephoto lenses (3x and 6x) with excellent sharpness. It handles well day and night, and offers portrait modes. Hasselblad achieves a pleasant separation of planes, with natural bokeh and careful tones.
Vivo X200 Pro
The reason for this model's existence is its camera. With a versatile configuration (50 MP main and ultra-wide angle plus a high-resolution telephoto lens) and a comprehensive app, it performs very well in all situations. The processing By day it provides detail and contrast, and at night it controls noise and white balance well.
Xiaomi 15Ultra
The collaboration with Leica is evident in the colorimetry and aesthetic styles (Authentic/Vibrant). It features a 1″ main mount and multiple telephoto lenses (3x and ~4-4.3x), with a very high resolution periscope for clean cuts. Add Ultra Night and UltraHDR modes, ultra-high frame rates, and AI-powered editing tools—a Swiss Army knife for creators.
Apple's most ambitious Pro range
Within the Apple ecosystem, the latest generation Pro models reinforce the idea of ​​mobile as a professional audiovisual tool. With three 48 MP cameras (main with sensor-shift OIS, ultra-wide and telephoto tetraprism), offer multiple focal length equivalents in your pocket. In video, they support ProRes/ProRes RAW, Advanced Log, High Rate 4K Recording and Dual Capture.
Improvements to the photography engine (Photonic/Deep Fusion) and the Smart HDR5 They allow for consistency between high-contrast scenes, and the stabilized 3D focus at long telephoto makes detailed portraits and sports shots possible even when zoomed in. If video is your priority, they're still a great buy.
Other phones with good cameras that are worth checking out
- Notes redmi 14 Pro: It surprises with its main sensor and AI optimization (Xiaomi Imaging Engine), ideal in terms of quality/price within the mid-range.
- Xiaomi 14t pro: fruit of the alliance with Leica, it boasts great dynamic range and color depth, with very effective Ultra Night/UltraHDR modes.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7: excels at selfies thanks to Flex mode and using the main camera for self-portraits; the motor ProVisual improves every shot.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Triple camera with a very high-resolution sensor and AI for real-time framing, stabilization, and editing.
- Oppo reno 13 pro: general equilibrium, with main Sony IMX890 and a sharp telephoto lens; excellent front-facing portrait camera.
- Honor Magic V5 5G: Ultra-thin foldable with Falcon system (50+50+64 MP) and usable optical zoom; a good option if you want multitasking and a large screen.
- Honor 200 5G, Google Pixel 9 Pro, Huawei Mate 50 Pro and even iPhone 16 Pro Max: Each one shines in specific areas (portrait, night, periscope telephoto or video), and all maintain a high standard.
Frequently asked questions about the best mobile camera
How many cameras should a mobile phone have to take quality photos?
The number of cameras does not determine quality by itself. What is crucial is the sensor quality, optics, stabilization, and computational processing. Some phones with two cameras are better than others with four.
What is the best camera phone right now?
There is no single winner for all uses. Among the most recommended by specialized tests are Xiaomi 15Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro y Google Pixel 9 Pro XL for its balance between photo, zoom and video. If you prioritize long zoom and versatility, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra it's a safe bet.
What is the best mobile camera for video?
If video is your priority, family iPhone Pro It offers color consistency, focus, and stabilization, plus Pro formats geared toward professional workflows. Samsung and OPPO have further cut the gap with 4K/8K, HDR, and advanced stabilization.
What to look for when choosing a phone with a good camera
- Sensor size: The larger the lens, the better the light management, the greater the dynamic range, and the lower the noise. 1/1,3″ or 1″ sensors make a difference at night.
- Megapixels: They're not everything. A large 48-50 MP sensor with good binning typically performs better than a poorly optimized 200 MP sensor.
- Opening: Low f/ values ​​(f/1.6-f/1.9) let in more light. variable aperture helps control bokeh and sharpness.
- Stabilization: OIS and its combination with EIS are key to shake-free photos and smooth video.
- Zoom: The optics retain detail. The 3x-5x periscopes are ideal for portraits and distant subjects.
- AI and processingAI engines fine-tune balance, texture, and skin tone. The best ones prevent overexposure and oversharpening.
- Institutional: 4K/60 as a solid standard; 8K is useful in certain cases. Note 10 bit HDR, Log and audio profiles.
- Extras: RAW, Pro mode, color styles (e.g. Leica/Hasselblad), macro and advanced night modes give more creative leeway.
Where to buy the best camera phones
In addition to the manufacturers' official stores, it's a good idea to compare with major distributors and operators. Prices fluctuate frequently Due to specific promotions, stock changes, and launches. If your priority is the camera, adjust your budget and prioritize the model that best suits your photography/video style: portrait (2x-3x telephoto), sports/urban lifestyle (focus and burst, long telephoto), or travel (ultra-wide angle, battery life, and stabilization).
Mobile photography has matured to the point where compete with dedicated cameras in many situations. If you are looking for the best cameraKeep three ideas in mind: sensor size and stabilization are critical, processing makes a huge difference, and the versatility of the system (main, ultra-wide, short telephoto, and long telephoto) determines how many scenes you cover with quality. With this guide and DxOMark's historical rankings as a reference, it will be easier for you to choose the smartphone that lets you capture exactly what you have in mind.
