The best camera phones in 2026

Whether you're capturing family moments, shooting stunning holiday scenery or creating content for social media, today's flagship phones can produce photos and videos that rival dedicated cameras in many situations.

With so many devices promising professional-quality photography, choosing the right one isn't always easy. 

We've rounded up the best camera phones of 2026, highlighting what each device does best, from incredible zoom and low-light performance to crisp video recording and AI-powered editing. 

No matter your budget or photography style, we'll try help you find the perfect camera phone for your needs.

What makes a great camera phone?

The best camera phones combine powerful hardware with intelligent software to deliver consistently impressive photos and videos. Here are the key features worth looking out for.

Camera sensor size - Larger sensors capture more light, helping produce sharper images, richer colours and better low-light performance.

Optical zoom - Optical zoom uses dedicated telephoto lenses to bring distant subjects closer without sacrificing image quality.

Image processing and AI - AI-powered software automatically enhances your photos by improving colour, detail, dynamic range and overall image quality.

Video recording - High-quality video features like 4K recording and optical image stabilisation make a big difference for smoother, sharper footage.

Low-light performance - Advanced night modes, larger sensors and brighter lenses help capture clearer, more detailed photos after dark.

Quick list: The best camera phones in 2026

If you're short on time, here's a quick look at our top picks. Whether you're after the best all-round camera phone, incredible zoom, professional-grade controls or a budget-friendly option, these devices stand out for their photography credentials.

The best camera phones in 2026

Best camera phone overall

Google Pixel 10 Pro 

If you're looking for the best all-round camera phone in 2026, it's hard to look beyond the Google Pixel 10 Pro. Google has once again combined excellent camera hardware with class-leading AI image processing to produce consistently outstanding photos in almost every situation. 

From bright landscapes and detailed portraits to tricky low-light scenes, the Pixel 10 Pro delivers impressive results with very little effort. Its advanced computational photography, improved stabilisation and AI-powered editing tools also make it one of the easiest phones to shoot with, whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer.

Key features

• Triple rear camera system with 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide and 48MP telephoto lenses.
• Up to 100x AI-enhanced zoom with crisp detail at longer distances.
• Industry-leading AI photography features, including Camera Coach, Auto Best Take and powerful Magic Editor tools.
• Outstanding low-light photography thanks to Google's advanced Night Sight processing.
• Excellent video recording with improved optical image stabilisation for smoother footage.

Best camera phone for zoom & lens capabilities

Oppo Find X9 Ultra

If getting closer to the action is your priority, the Oppo Find X9 Ultra is the standout choice. Developed in partnership with Hasselblad, its versatile camera system combines two high-resolution telephoto lenses with a dedicated 10x optical zoom camera, making it one of the most capable zoom phones available. 

Whether you're photographing wildlife, sporting events or distant landmarks, the Find X9 Ultra captures impressive detail throughout its zoom range while maintaining excellent image quality.

Key features

• Penta rear camera system featuring a 200MP main, 200MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 10x periscope telephoto, 50MP ultrawide and dedicated colour sensor.
• True 10x optical zoom with optical image stabilisation for sharp long-distance photography.
• Hasselblad camera tuning with professional shooting modes and natural colour reproduction.
• Supports up to 8K video recording and 4K at 120fps with Dolby Vision for professional-quality footage.
• AI-enhanced zoom processing helps preserve detail even at extreme magnification.

Best camera phone for point-and-shoot photos

Google Pixel 10 Pro

Not everyone wants to spend time tweaking settings before taking a photo, and that's exactly where the Google Pixel 10 Pro excels. 

Thanks to Google's industry-leading computational photography and AI-powered image processing, it consistently produces vibrant, detailed and true-to-life images with little more than a tap of the shutter button. 

Whether you're snapping pets, people, food or holiday scenery, the Pixel 10 Pro takes the guesswork out of photography, making it the perfect point-and-shoot camera phone.

Key features

• Camera Coach uses on-device AI to suggest framing and composition tips before you press the shutter.
• Auto Best Take intelligently combines multiple shots to ensure everyone is looking their best in group photos.
• Google's HDR processing and Night Sight automatically optimise lighting and colour, so great photos require very little effort.
• Magic Editor lets you quickly enhance or adjust your photos after you've taken them using powerful AI editing tools.

Best camera phone for photography enthusiasts

Sony Xperia 1 VIII

If you enjoy taking complete control over your photography, the Sony Xperia 1 VIII is built with enthusiasts in mind. 

Drawing on Sony's Alpha camera expertise, it offers a more traditional photography experience than most smartphones, with extensive manual controls, RAW shooting and a dedicated two-stage shutter button. 

Rather than relying solely on AI to perfect every image, the Xperia 1 VIII gives you the tools to fine-tune your shots, making it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to get creative behind the lens.

Key camera features

• Triple 48MP rear camera system with wide, ultrawide and telephoto lenses, all capable of producing highly detailed images.
• Professional manual camera controls, including shutter speed, ISO, white balance and manual focus, inspired by Sony's Alpha cameras.
• RAW image capture across all rear cameras, giving photographers greater flexibility when editing images afterwards.
• Dedicated two-stage physical camera shutter button for a more natural camera experience and precise focusing before taking a shot.
• 4K video recording at up to 120fps with advanced stabilisation, making it just as capable for aspiring videographers as it is for photographers.

Best camera phone for video

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

If you've ever watched one of Apple's TV adverts proudly declaring it was "Shot on iPhone", you'll already know why the iPhone 17 Pro takes the crown for video. 

Apple has spent years refining its video capabilities, and the latest Pro model offers some of the most advanced filmmaking features you'll find on a smartphone. 

Whether you're creating content for social media, recording family memories or even shooting professional projects, the iPhone 17 Pro delivers outstanding image quality, exceptional stabilisation and cinema-grade recording tools that have become a benchmark for mobile videography.

Key camera features

• 48MP Pro camera system with Fusion Main, Ultra Wide and Telephoto lenses, giving creators plenty of flexibility when filming.
• 4K Dolby Vision recording at up to 120fps, allowing for stunning slow-motion footage with incredible detail.
• ProRes RAW and Apple Log 2 support, making it suitable for professional editing workflows and colour grading.
• Advanced optical image stabilisation and Action mode help produce smooth, shake-free footage, even when filming handheld.
• Dual Capture lets you record using the front and rear cameras simultaneously, while four studio-quality microphones and Audio Mix deliver impressively clear sound.

Best camera phone for AI features

Google Pixel 10 Pro

You may be sick of seeing the Pixel 10 Pro at this point but once again it excels over all others, this time in the AI department.

Without sounding too repetitive due to the point-and-shoot section, Google has developed their cameras to make it easy for any user to get the perfect shot, almost entirely thanks to their best-in-class AI features that deliver practical everyday utility.

Google's AI doesn't just improve your photos as you take them - it also helps you compose better shots, remove distractions, fix group photos and make professional-looking edits in seconds. If you want a camera that does much of the hard work for you, the Pixel 10 Pro is in a league of its own.

Key features

• Magic Editor uses generative AI to move subjects, reframe images and make advanced edits with just a few taps.
• Auto Best Take combines multiple group photos to ensure everyone is looking at the camera and smiling.
• Add Me intelligently blends two photos together so the person taking the picture can appear in the final shot.
• Night Sight and AI-powered HDR automatically optimise lighting, colours and detail, delivering consistently excellent results in almost any environment.

Best camera phone for low-light photography

Honor Magic8 Pro

Taking great photos after dark is one of the toughest challenges for any smartphone, but the Honor Magic 8 Pro rises to it with ease. 

Its advanced AiMAGE camera system is designed specifically to excel in low-light conditions, combining large sensors, powerful optical image stabilisation and intelligent AI processing to reveal impressive detail without introducing excessive noise. 

Whether you're photographing city skylines, concerts or evening portraits, the Magic 8 Pro consistently produces bright, natural-looking images long after the sun goes down. 

Key features

• 50MP Ultra Night main camera and 200MP Ultra Night telephoto camera are designed to capture more light for brighter, sharper night-time photos.
• AiMAGE Ultra Night Engine uses AI to enhance exposure, preserve detail and reduce noise in challenging lighting conditions.
• CIPA 5.5-rated optical image stabilisation helps keep handheld shots steady, even when using the telephoto camera after dark.
• 3.7x optical telephoto zoom maintains impressive image quality at longer distances, making it ideal for capturing night-time events and cityscapes.
• AI Portrait Engine intelligently refines skin tones, lighting and background separation to produce natural-looking portraits in low-light environments.

Best value camera phone

Google Pixel 10a

You don't need to spend flagship money to get a fantastic smartphone camera, and the Google Pixel 10a proves exactly that. 

Bringing many of the photography features that make the Pixel 10 Pro so impressive to a much lower price point, it offers exceptional image quality, clever AI tools and a simple point-and-shoot experience that's hard to beat in the mid-range market. 

If you're looking for the best camera phone without stretching your budget, the Pixel 10a is our top recommendation.

Key camera features

• 48MP main camera with optical image stabilisation and a 13MP ultrawide camera capture detailed, vibrant photos in a wide range of conditions.
• Tensor G4 powers Google's renowned computational photography, helping the Pixel 10a produce images that rival phones costing significantly more.
• Camera Coach, Auto Best Take and Magic Editor bring many of Google's latest AI photography tools to the affordable A-series.
• Night Sight and HDR processing automatically improve lighting, colour and detail, making it easy to take great photos day or night.
• 4K video recording at up to 60fps and seven years of software updates make it a camera phone that's built to last as well as impress.