The 8 Best Smartphone Cameras of 2023

Nowadays it is essential to have one of the best camera smartphones. For many of us, the smartphone is the only camera we own, and it’s certainly the one that’s closest to hand. If you want captivating snaps that reliably capture memories or record quality videos to post on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube or other social media, having a phone with the best camera is crucial.

The best camera smartphones blend state-of-the-art optics and sensors with software algorithms that rely on math and science to extract the best possible light, color and detail from each scenario. Therefore, it’s not just a question of how many lenses are on the back of the smartphone. In fact, some phone manufacturers are using artificial intelligence to improve photo post-processing.

niood lists the 8 Best Smartphone Cameras of 2023:

1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

If you’re looking for the smartphone with the best camera ever, look no further

If you’re looking for a phone with the best camera, then the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra might be exactly what you’re looking for. This camera phone has four rear cameras, including a 108MP f/1.8 main camera, a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera and two 10MP telephoto cameras – one with f/2.4 aperture and 3x optical zoom and one with aperture f/4.9 and a huge 10x optical zoom.

It should be noted that the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is quite large, offering a 6.8-inch screen that users with smaller hands may struggle to manage. The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display has a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming, HDR10+ support, 1500 nits of peak brightness, and a resolution of 1440 x 3200.

2. Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Innovative photography features make the iPhone 13 Pro a real powerhouse to be reckoned with

The iPhone 13 Pro is one of the best camera phones currently available, featuring an impressive triple camera system, including an f/2.4 ultra-wide camera, an f/1.6 wide camera, and an f/2 telephoto camera. Meanwhile, the TrueDepth front camera also has a 12MP sensor. There are many new features on the iPhone Pro, such as a LiDAR scanner – which results in faster focusing in low-light situations.

The iPhone 13 Pro is also capable of using Apple’s new ProRAW file format, whereby users can combine the great computational photo effects that Apple is known for with the power of RAW files. With the addition of 5G and the Ceramic Shield display, which resists drops 4 times better than a regular display, you can’t go wrong with the new iPhone 13 Pro!

3. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G

A behemoth of technical specifications with 108 Megapixels, 100x zoom and 8K video

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G may not be the latest model, but it is still among the best camera smartphones, which is why we have included it in this list. Its 108MP camera proves to be more than a numbers game. And while the 100x zoom may not be able to deliver images with perfect quality, it is more than capable of producing impressive images.

8K is more limited than one might hope, we believe the 120Hz mode is best avoided in most cases, and the cost is decidedly high for many. However, the hardware is a level above that of the Galaxy S20 and S20 Plus. And judging by its photographic performance, when everything works, it is almost certainly the best Android camera phone ever – and the best 5G camera phone, too..

4. Apple iPhone 12

It doesn’t have a telephoto camera, but the iPhone 12 is still a great buy

The iPhone 12 may not have the same wow effect as the iPhone 12 Pro, but it certainly isn’t bad when it comes to its photographic capabilities, with a 12MP wide angle and 12MP ultra wide angle. While the iPhone 12 doesn’t have a dedicated telephoto lens, you can get up to 5x digital zoom. All iPhone 12 models are now capable of recording HDR video with Dolby Vision, although on the iPhone 12 this is only up to 30fps compared to 60fps on the iPhone 12 Pro.

The iPhone 12’s front-facing camera is capable of both Night Mode and Deep Fusion, which weren’t available on the base iPhone 11’s selfie camera. The iPhone 12 is also capable of using Time-lapse night mode. One of the most interesting updates for the iPhone 12 family is the new Ceramic Shield display, which resists drops 4 times better.

5. Google Pixel 5

A solid camera phone with a point and shoot camera and great battery life

If you’re looking for a point-and-shoot camera phone that won’t give you any problems, then the Google Pixel 5 could be the phone for you. While the Google Pixel 5 doesn’t come with the latest technology, what it lacks in innovation it makes up for in reliability and usability.

The dual rear camera unit of the Google Pixel 5 has a 12.2MP 27mm f/1.7 camera and a 16MP ultra wide f/2.2 camera, but it’s the software that really elevates this camera to excellence. Meanwhile, the Snapdragon 765G chipset works well with the Android 11 operating system for a lag-free camera phone experience. The Google Pixel 5 also has some interesting flagship features to offer, such as a display with a 90Hz refresh rate, water resistance, and wireless charging.

6. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

This phone offers a high-end processor and a lens with excellent zoom

If you are looking for one of the best smartphones with the best camera that also has a quality telephoto lens, then the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra might be right up your alley. Equipped with a triple rear camera, the Note 20 Ultra has a 108MP f/1.8 main camera, a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle camera and – the icing on the cake – a 12MP f/3 camera with 5x optical zoom and 50x digital zoom.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is available in three colors, including Mystic Bronze, Mystic White or Mystic Black. Although the Note 20 Ultra is a bit expensive, the price is gradually going down.

7. Samsung Galaxy S10 5G

A future-proof phone: great cameras, great image quality and 5G

Galaxy S series phones are usually highly praised for their camera quality, and the S10 5G is no exception. While it doesn’t have the features of the Ultra variant, it’s still a fantastic device. Its rear camera quartet features the desirable wide-angle/ultra-wide/telephoto/time-of-flight combination, and all four cameras perform superbly. Don’t be put off by the fact that the main camera sensor is ‘only’ 12MP – the 40MP and 48MP sensors in rival phones almost always record at 10MP and 12MP respectively in their default shooting modes.

While Samsung may lag behind Huawei in camera hardware innovation, the Galaxy S10 ticks all the boxes with outstanding image quality and flawless performance in auto mode. We also like Samsung’s commitment to 4K video quality, which adds new digital video stabilization, along with HDR10+ support for ultra-high-contrast video that looks great on a compatible TV.

8. Huawei P40 Pro

5G, 50 MP camera and 50x zoom, but the absence of Google services limits it

The Huawei P40 Pro is a beauty – just look at it! Huawei’s hardware has always been of a high quality, and its latest flagship model is no different. The camera is everything you’d expect from a Huawei phone, giving a ton of depth to images, balanced out with tons of detail.

Like other phones with incredible zoom, it’s better on paper than in practice – you probably won’t use the 50x digital zoom more often than not, although the 5x optical zoom is really useful. High-resolution 50MP images aren’t all that much nicer than low-resolution shots processed by software, but all cameras produce truly impressive results. The video is some of the best we’ve ever used on a phone, and will be a boon to content creators. Ultimately, the lack of Google services leaves this phone at a serious handicap for most people, but if you’re happy to pay a little more, the P40 Pro’s camera is as good as it gets.