The Best Camera Smartphones

Those who are not put off by the lack of Google services will find a premium smartphone with a strong camera in the P50 Pro.

Apart from the strong camera qualities of the P50 Pro, the effects of the trade embargo are now more noticeable than in the predecessor. In terms of display brightness, the Chinese manufacturer falls further behind the flagship competition. Furthermore, important features, such as 5G support, are missing.

The Huawei P50 Pro is available from Huawei Global in various countries.

The Google Pixel 6 Pro combines pure Android with a really good triple camera.

With wireless charging in both directions, stereo speakers, IP68 certification against dust and water, fast WiFI6, and a modern 5G mobile network, the Pixel 6 Pro offers a very complete package. However, a few compromises have to be made compared with the more expensive competition. You can read more about those here.

The Pixel 6 Pro can be purchased directly from Google, but is also available from usual retail channels such as Amazon.

The Xiaomi impresses with a great camera system, especially the bokeh in the pictures makes the 12S Ultra special due to the large image sensor. 

Apart from the cameras, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra offers a strong overall package consisting of a bright and high-resolution OLED panel, long runtimes and a high-quality look. However, the high-end smartphone from the Chinese manufacturer has one drawback - it is only available as an import for German-speaking countries.

Xiaomi devices are not officially sold in North America.

With the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple is now breaking new ground in the field of photography. Android users will certainly find pixel binning to be old hat, but Apple uses this method for the first time along with the new 48 MP sensor of the main camera. Pixel binning is supposed to provide better pictures in less light, but also more details in the pictures, according to experience. Unfortunately, Apple only leaves a limited choice to the user in terms of image size and almost always outputs a 12 MP photo. 

The picture quality is pleasing in daylight in the test and is characterized by a balanced picture composition with fine details and natural-looking colors. In general, the iPhone 14 Pro also achieves good results in low-light scenarios. The basis for zooming is a triple optical magnification, and the ultra-wide-angle sensor still only delivers 12 MP.

From a technical point of view, Apple actually does almost everything right; only small weaknesses can be criticized.

Apple has made a real step in its own evolution with the iPhone 14 Pro. The form factor remains the same, but the Apple flagship gets a new and very powerful chipset, improved cameras and the latest iOS version compared with the predecessor.

All configurations of the iPhone 14 Pro are available directly from Apple.

In terms of cameras, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra hasn't changed that much compared to its predecessor. Changes to the camera setup are rather based on adjustments to the image algorithms as well as the more comprehensive possibilities offered by the new image processor of the installed Exynos 2200. On the positive side, Samsung has equipped all lenses with dual-pixel autofocus and an additional laser AF. The core of the quad-camera is still an in-house 108 MP sensor, which is probably an optimized ISOCELL HM3. The image quality is really good in daylight, but details are partly swallowed by the radical sharpening. 

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra offers very good cameras with few weaknesses.

Besides a convincing camera quality, the Galaxy S22 Ultra scores with one of the brightest and most accurate displays found in a smartphone, a powerful S Pen, state-of-the-art communication technology and really good battery runtimes. On top, there is a long update supply of four or five years. 

We do not only like the extravagant folding concept in everyday use, but also the overall camera package of the Huawei Mate Xs 2 - especially for a foldable.

Those looking for a really good ultra-wide-angle might find their suitable companion in the Find X5 Pro. 

The rear-facing camera setup of the Find X5 Pro has the same sensors as last year, but now more glass lens elements are used and the image stabilization is composed of a 3-axis sensor shift as well as a 2-axis OIS. The 50 MP main camera with Sony's IMX766 takes really good pictures and especially the stabilization convinced us.  

We can find Oppo Find X5 Pro at all well-known retailers. Amazon offers it at around $1,100.

Vivo puts together a strong camera package with the German company Zeiss. The cooperation not only includes the Zeiss lenses, but now also software algorithms for the lenses since the X80 Pro.

The Vivo X80 Pro is one of the best Android smartphones available in the review period not only because of the strong cameras. The Vivo flagship convinces with an accurate LTPO AMOLED screen and an almost complete configuration. 

On the European mainland, the Vivo X80 Pro appears to be widely available via popular online retailers. Outside the European mainland, availability becomes sporadic.

Like its predecessor, the Apple iPhone 14 relies on a rear dual camera with 12 MP, which now includes the same main camera as in the iPhone 13 Pro. The 12 MP sensor, stabilized via sensor shift, takes excellent photos with natural colors and lots of details. Due to the faster optics, the iPhone 14 performs better in night shots than the iPhone 13. The ultra-wide-angle camera has not changed compared to the predecessor and has to make do without optical image stabilization as before.

Samsung's Galaxy S22+ is a successful upper-class smartphone paired with a very bright AMOLED panel.

Samsung also puts together a very good overall package with the Galaxy S22+ apart from the cameras. In our review, it convinces with its great build quality, a very good feel and strong performance as well as the great AMOLED screen.

The device can be purchased directly through Samsung. Amazon US also lists the Galaxy S22+ (Snapdragon, Phantom black color) for $739.