It's tough to work out the best camera phone on the market - there are so many smartphones to try out, so how on earth will you be able to work out which has the best snapper on the back[Update: we're now in 2018, which means our best camera phones list has been updated with the latest movers and shakers in the mobile photography world.
]The good news for you is that TheIndianSubcontinent tests them all thoroughly, putting them through their photography paces in all manner of lighting conditions and scenarios to help you work out which phone will give the right pictures for you.Before choosing, it's worth thinking about what you want from a camera phone.
Do you want something that's great at taking outdoor snaps and aren't bothered if it's good in low light Is a great quick pic with friends more important than a really powerful sensor that takes amazing shots when you put the effort inIt's also worth thinking about battery size and screen quality - if you're going to be heading out all day and doing longer photography sessions, you'll need a battery that can keep up.And if you're mostly going to look at your photos on the phone, then a phone with OLED screen technology can really make your snaps pop - but if it's social media, or even printing out your photos, that's your plan then you've got a wider array of options.We've listed all that information below, along with some of our top test snaps so you can make the right decision when it comes to choosing your next camera phone.1.
Samsung Galaxy S9 PlusThe Galaxy S9 Plus is the best camera phone aroundRelease date: March 2018 | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP | Front camera: 8MP | OIS: Yes | Rear camera aperture: f/1.8, f/1.6, f/2.4 | Autofocus type: Phase detection | Weight: 189g | Dimensions: 158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5mm | Battery size: 3,500mAh | Storage: 64/128/256GB + microSDImpressive low-light cameraFantastic all-round packageAR Emoji is overratedIs a bit on the pricey sideRead our full review: Samsung Galaxy S9 PlusSamsung Galaxy S9 Plus photo samples2.
Huawei P20 ProA very, very close runner up to the best camera phone crownRelease date: April 2018 | Rear camera: 40MP + 20MP + 8MP | Front camera: 24MP | OIS: Yes | Rear camera aperture: f/1.8, f/1.6, f/2.4 | Autofocus type: Phase detection and laser | Weight: 180g | Dimensions: 155 x 73.9 x 7.8mm | Battery size: 4,000mAh | Storage: 128GBClever triple-camera setupGreat battery lifeNo 3.5mm jack or wireless chargingDisplay not as sharp as SamsungRead our full review: Huawei P20 ProHuawei P20 Pro photo samples3.
Google Pixel 2 / Pixel 2 XLA couple of the best camera phones you can buyRelease date: October 2017 | Rear camera: 12.2MP | Front camera: 8MP | OIS: Yes | Rear camera aperture: f/1.8 | Autofocus type: Phase detection and laser | Weight: 143g / 175g | Dimensions: 145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8mm / 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9mm | Battery size: 2,700mAh / 3,520mAh | Storage: 64/128GBTop camera performanceSlick Android experienceBezel heavy on Pixel 2Screen issues on the Pixel 2 XLThe Google Pixel 2 duo have decent sensors on the back, but amazing software processing - and both cameras are identical.That means you can take an average picture, and instantly watch it improve before your eyes as the phone stitches together multiple images.
Despite only packing a single lens, the Pixel 2 pair can both take stunning portrait shots, bringing some real definition to the mix.The camera software isn't always the best, with a tiny bit of lag in taking the picture (and waiting for the software to kick in) but the optical image stabilisation is a real boon.The larger screen and longer battery life on the Pixel 2 XL will attract those looking for a more premium smartphone, but it is rather more expensive as a result.But if you want the best pictures from a phone - we'd point you in the direction of the aptly-named pixel.Read our full reviews:Google Pixel 2 | Pixel 2 XLPixel 2 / 2 XL photo samples4.
iPhone XRelease date: October 2017 | Rear camera: Dual 12MP | Front camera: 7MP | OIS: Yes | Rear camera aperture: f/1.8 and f/2.4 | Autofocus type: Phase detection | Weight: 174g | Dimensions: 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7mm | Battery size: 2,716mAh | Storage: 64/256GBGreat designSuperb screenRim scuffs easilyVery expensiveThe iPhone X has the best camera ever seen on a device from Apple - and thats on both the front and back.The rear double sensor is capable of taking some stunning pictures in low light or bright scenes, capturing a lot of detail and erring on the side of natural colors.Combined with the OLED screen, that brings a lot of vivacity to images, with the results still looking great on social media.
The combination of two 12MP sensors, one being telephoto and both packing optical image stabilization, is a nice move, and youll find the speed of snapping desirable.The front-facing TrueDepth camera is also very capable, bringing clear selfies and also allowing you to take blurred background snaps without using a second sensor.
Its not the best camera on the market, but the iPhone X is easily the best Apples ever created and is very close to the top.Read our full review:iPhone XiPhone X photo samples5.
Samsung Galaxy S9One camera, two aperturesRelease date: March 2018 | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 8MP | OIS: Yes | Rear camera aperture: f/1.5-2.4 | Autofocus type: Phase detection | Weight: 163g | Dimensions: 147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5mm | Battery size: 3,000mAh | Storage: 64/128/256GB + microSDThe most powerful Android phoneCamera great in low-lightDesign is identical to S8Some camera snaps lack vibrancyRead our full review:Samsung Galaxy S9Samsung Galaxy S9 photo samples6.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8Very close to the best smartphone camera aroundRelease date: September 2017 | Rear camera: Dual 12MP | Front camera: 8MP | OIS: Yes | Rear camera aperture: f/1.7 and f/2.4 | Autofocus type: Phase detection | Weight: 195g | Dimensions: 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6mm | Battery size: 3,300mAh | Storage: 64/128/256GB + microSDOne of Samsung's best camerasAwesome Infinity DisplayWeak speakerBattery life held backThe Samsung Galaxy Note 8 camera is one of the very best we've tested for a number of reasons: firstly, because the dual sensors are impressive and powerful.The blurred background, the telephoto lens, the speed of snapping - these are all the things we're looking for on a top-end smartphone.The longer battery life and the improved screen mean you'll be able to keep taking photos over a longer time, and enjoy them with more vivid colors too.The thing that we love about Samsung phones is that nearly every snap you take comes out looking clear and crisp, even in low light, which is what you want from an expensive phone and the Note 8 certainly is.Samsung has put so many modes on here, but also made the automatic settings incredibly easy to use it's touch and go between this phone and the Pixel 2 for best camera phone, so either will certainly satisfy you.Read our full review:Samsung Galaxy Note 8Samsung Galaxy Note 8 photo samples7.
LG G7 ThinQRelease date: May 2018 | Rear camera: 16MP + 16MP | Front camera: 8MP | OIS: No | Rear camera aperture: f/1.6, f/1.9 | Autofocus type: Phase detection and laser | Weight: 162g | Dimensions: 153.2 x 71.9 x 7.9mm | Battery size: 3,000mAh | Storage: 128GB + microSDUnique wide-angle dual cameraLarge display gets very brightBattery capacity could be biggerFew revolutionary featuresRead our full review: LG G7 ThinQLG G7 ThinQ camera samples8.
Samsung Galaxy S8 / Galaxy S8 PlusA slightly cheaper, but brilliant, cameraphone duoRelease date: April 2017 | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 8MP | OIS: Yes | Rear camera aperture: f/1.7 | Autofocus type: Phase detection | Weight: 155g / 173g | Dimensions: 148.9 x 68.1 x 8mm / 159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1mm | Battery size: 3,000mAh / 3,500mAh | Storage: 64GBExcellent screensGreat camerasBiometric scanner poorly placedBixby is a weak linkThe Samsung Galaxy S8 pair are the two best phones on the market at the moment, helped ably by their excellent cameras.They might only be single sensors, which means portrait mode isn't easily achieved (and the reason they're not top of this list) but if you don't care about that, then we'd recommend these phones.The S8 is well-designed and fits more nicely in the hand for more comfortable photography, but the larger S8 Plus is longer-lasting and packs a more expansive screen.The sheer range of camera settings is to be applauded here - as is an easy selfie mode - but overall, it's the fact that a quick automatic snap always looks so good in our opinion.These are still great camera phones - definitely check them out.Read our full reviews:Samsung Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8 Plus reviewSamsung Galaxy S8 photo samples9.
iPhone 8 PlusMost of the power of the iPhone X camera for a cheaper priceRelease date: September 2017 | Rear camera: Dual 12MP | Front camera: 7MP | OIS: Yes | Rear camera aperture: f/1.8 and f/2.8 | Autofocus type: Phase detection | Weight: 202g | Dimensions: 158.4 x 78.1 x 7.5mm | Battery size: 2,691mAh | Storage: 64GB / 256GBWireless chargingStrong cameraDated designNo Mobile HDR on screen.The iPhone 8 Plus is only behind the iPhone X because its got a slight higher aperture on the second sensor, meaning low-light photography isnt quite as good.Apart from that, the main camera images are almost identical to those shot from the more expensive phone, and youll be pleased with the results time and again.
Portrait mode continues to improve and can bring some stunning results, and while the front-facing camera isnt TrueDepth-enabled (so you cant do blurred-background selfies) its still very good.On top of that, the iPhone 8 Plus has another big advantage over the competition: you can record 4K in crisp 60 frames per second, or super slow motion video at 240 frames per second.If you cant quite afford the iPhone X but want a great camera from an Apple phone, this is the place to look.Read our full review:iPhone 8 PlusiPhone 8 Plus photo samples10.
Huawei Mate 10 ProA fantastically versatile smartphone snapper for enthusiastsRelease date: November 2017 | Rear camera: Dual 12MP and 20MP | Front camera: 8MP | OIS: Yes (on 12MP) | Rear camera aperture: f/1.6 and f/1.6 | Autofocus type: Phase detection and laser | Weight: 178g | Dimensions: 154.2 x 74.5 x 7.9mm | Battery size: 4,000mAh | Storage: 128GBGreat enthusiast cameraClass-leading batteryNo headphone jackEMUI not for everyoneThe Huawei Mate 10 Pro is another step forward for a brand looking to really focus (sorry) on its photography performance.The interesting thing is the Mate 10 Pro has the weakest performance in standard light of all the cameras on this list - its a phone for the more professional user, as the name suggests.Getting close, or using the phone in low light, will result in some great shots - and thats a lot to do with the fact Huawei is combining monochrome and color sensors into its handset for the best mix of low-light and rich images - and the results bear out.The Aperture Mode also allows you to fit far more into the frame, so while Mate 10 Pro isnt the best snapper overall in a smartphone, it does reward those looking to put effort into their photos - and its a sensor bolted onto a really rather decent camera too, with simply sensational two-day battery life.Read our full review:Huawei Mate 10 ProHuawei Mate 10 Pro photo samples