In recent years, smartphones have effectively replaced point-and-shoot cameras, and many have even outperformed them. For many of us, these portable computers have even become our main camera, making photo quality a priority when picking a new smartphone.
Are you looking to get a new phone? In this post we put together a list of the very best camera phones out there. These are all stunning performers, but there are different factors that put them on this list. Some are better in some ways, but not in others. Let's just go through the list and find out which one is the right one for you!
Google Pixel and Pixel XL
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Google's Pixel and Pixel XL are here, and they truly are some amazing smartphones.
Under the hood, they sport some killer specs. Both devices have an AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 821 processor, 4 GB of RAM, plenty of on-board storage and long-lasting batteries. The overall design of these phones may not be the most unique, but they do feel like premium phones through and through.
The Pixel and Pixel XL also have some of the best cameras in existence. Unsurprisingly, these devices really shine in daylight. Images are very sharp and full of detail, which is especially true when shooting in HDR+ mode. Plus, the Google Camera app on these phones is super fast, and it's especially easy to access it with a quick double-tap of the power button. The app doesn't have any manual controls, but that doesn't stop these cameras from really shining.
The cameras also continue to deliver in low-light scenarios, although there are a few downsides when shooting in minimal lighting conditions. For starters, the lack of OIS stands out here, though the cameras do offer electronic image stabilization to help keep images clear.
To learn more about the Pixel and Pixel XL's cameras, head here.
There are a few things about these phones that will turn some people away, though. For starters, they only sport an IP53 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning they're not nearly as waterproof as the Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge. There are ways around that, but none that will make the devices truly waterproof. Plus, if you buy the Verizon model, you'll have to deal with a small amount of bloatware (though you will be able to uninstall it), you won't be able to unlock the bootloader, and Verizon will be handling all Pixel and Pixel XL software updates (though the company swears it won't delay them).
If you're in the market for a new flagship Android phone and don't mind spending over $650, you should buy the Pixel or Pixel XL… these are two of the best Android phones out there.
Specs
Google Pixel
- 5.0-inch AMOLED display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 441 ppi
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor
- 4 GB of RAM
- 32/128 GB of on-board storage, no microSD expansion
- 12.3 MP rear camera, 8 MP front camera
- Non-removable 2,770 mAh battery
- Android 7.1 Nougat
- 143.8 x 69.5 x 8.6 mm, 143 g
Google Pixel XL
- 5.5-inch AMOLED display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 534 ppi
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor
- 4 GB of RAM
- 32/128 GB of on-board storage, no microSD expansion
- 12.3 MP rear camera, 8 MP front camera
- Non-removable 3,450 mAh battery
- Android 7.1 Nougat
- 154.7 x 75.7 x 8.6 mm, 168 g
Read more
- Google Pixel XL review: A Pixel's perspective
- Google Pixel review: a technical deep dive
- Google Pixel and Pixel XL hands-on
- Google Pixel XL vs Nexus 6P first look
- Google Pixel and Pixel XL vs the competition
- Google Pixel and Pixel XL specs, price, release date and everything else you should know
LG G6
Throughout 2016, the LG G5 struggled to take on the Galaxy S7, HTC 10 and all the other flagships released that year. It's not a bad phone, per se, it just lacks the level of polish we normally expect from top-tier smartphones nowadays. The phone would have been more widely accepted if it nailed the modular implementation, but unfortunately the whole module-swapping process was wonky and the three "Friends" that launched with the G5 weren't all that appealing. With the G6, LG has gone back to the basics.
Certainly the most standout feature on the G6 is its 5.7-inch Quad HD LCD display, with its interesting aspect ratio of 18:9 and rounded corners. It also comes with a Snapdragon 821 processor, 4 GB of RAM, plenty of on-board storage, and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. It's worth noting that not all LG G6s are created equal. For example, the G6 that's coming to the U.S. is the only variant that supports wireless charging, while the Hi-Fi Quad DAC is exclusive to South Korea and certain markets in Asia. What's more, the G6 with 64 GB of storage is only available in a handful of markets.
The LG G6 also comes with a really impressive 13 MP dual camera setup on the back. The two sensors around back might share the same resolution count, but they're behind two very different lenses. The standard angle is an f/1.8 aperture lens with optical image stabilization and 71-degree field of view while the wide-angle is an f/2.4 lens with 125-degree field of view, which is lacking in both OIS and autofocus. That's not the only change from last year, with LG also opting to drop the color spectrum sensor as well as swapping out laser autofocus for phase detection autofocus, which works just as well, if not better.
The camera app is mostly the same as previous years but thanks to the 18:9 screen, you have the addition of one of our favorite LG G6 features – the camera carousel. Essentially, this provides a preview on the side of the regular viewfinder that lets you see literally every photo you've taken, versus just the one you'd normally see hidden in the corner on other smartphones. The camera carousel is one of the best uses of the wider screen and shows just how useful 18:9 can be.
As fun as the wide-angle lens is, it's not great in low light which is to be expected from the narrower aperture and lack of OIS compared to the main sensor. In low light conditions, we recommend using the regular angle which can take some equally fantastic shots and produces a much sharper, more colourful and much cleaner image over the wide-angle lens. We personally feel that there's still a lot to be desired from the low-light performance on the G6. To learn more about the LG G6's camera, head here.
This isn't a phone that introduces a bunch of gimmicky features that you'll never use. It's simply a solid, well-built smartphone that nails the main areas users care most about.
Specs
- 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with 2880 x 1440 resolution, 564 ppi
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor
- 4 GB of RAM
- 32/64 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 256 GB
- Dual 13 MP rear cameras, 5 MP front camera
- Non-removable 3,300 mAh battery
- Android 7.0 Nougat
- 148.9 x 71.9 x 7.9 mm, 163 g
Read more
- LG G6 review: it flies… like a G6
- LG G6 specs, price, release date and everything else you should know
- LG G6 pricing and availability: what we know so far
- LG G6 vs Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs Huawei P10 Plus
- LG G6: exploring the new camera
- PSA: Not all LG G6s are created equal
Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge
See more Galaxy S7 photos | See more Galaxy S7 Edge photos
As we mentioned in our Galaxy Note 7 entry, Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge have some of the best Android smartphone cameras out there. They feature 12MP dual-pixel rear camera sensors with an f/1.7 aperture, optical image stabilization, phase detection autofocus and an LED flash. The end result is a camera with noticeably faster autofocus over competing flagship smartphones, especially in low light.
To read more about these two devices' cameras, see our full reviews here and here.
Now let's talk about the other things the S7 and S7 Edge do well. These devices have now made their way to the masses, and they fix many of the problems the S6 line introduced last year. While they don't offer removable batteries, Samsung included expandable storage on both handsets in case the 32 GB of on-board storage isn't enough. Samsung mostly stuck to the same design this time around, though they did shrink down the camera bumps on the back and made the devices a little thicker to make room for larger batteries.
In terms of specs, these are top-of-the-line smartphones. They come with Quad HD Super AMOLED displays, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processors, 4 GB of RAM and run the latest version of Android. Instead of featuring the same screen sizes this time around though, Samsung kept the S7 at a smaller 5.1 inches, while the S7 Edge has been bumped up to a larger 5.5-inch panel.
Seriously, these are some incredible smartphones. They are a little pricey, but all in all, we think the high asking price is worth it.
Specs
Samsung Galaxy S7
- 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 577 ppi
- Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
- 4 GB of RAM
- 32 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 200 GB
- 12 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
- Non-removable 3,000 mAh battery
- Android 7.0 Nougat
- 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9 mm, 152 g
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
- 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 534 ppi
- Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
- 4 GB of RAM
- 32 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 200 GB
- 12 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
- Non-removable 3,600 mAh battery
- Android 7.0 Nougat
- 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm, 157 g
Read more
- Samsung Galaxy S7 review
- Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge review
- Samsung Galaxy S7 unboxing and first 48 hours
- Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge unboxing and first 48 hours
- Samsung Galaxy S7 camera: feature focus
- Best Galaxy S7 cases
- Best Galaxy S7 Edge cases
- HTC 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 / Edge vs LG G5
Huawei Mate 9
Huawei has done a great job at making its way to the mainstream over the past few years – first with the Huawei P9, and now with the Mate 9.
With a big 5.9-inch display, powerful Kirin 960 processor, dual-SIM capabilities, and an impressive camera setup, the Mate 9 may be one of the best big phones of the year. While its display is 'only' 1080p and its software is a bit odd sometimes, we still think the high price tag is worth it.
Plus, the Mate 9 has an exceptional camera. Huawei's partnership with Leica continues with the Mate 9 sporting a new and improved second generation dual camera setup. Much like the one in the Huawei P9, the camera is centred around a Leica-branded dual camera, with a 12 MP RGB sensor supplemented by a 20 MP monochrome sensor. Both sensors are behind lenses with f/2.2 aperture and the RGB sensor also sports Optical Image Stabilization for additional stability in photos and videos.
Image quality from the Mate 9's dual camera array has been impressive. In daylight, you get images that are crisp, full of detail with colors that are more realistic (and less saturated) than those captured by the Galaxy S7 Edge or Pixel XL.
Huawei's camera app means Pro mode is just a tap away and offers settings to adjust the exposure, ISO and focal point to take stunning photos. The camera app is rather straight forward to use, with options for flash, wide aperture and filters found in the viewfinder.
One of the biggest improvements in the Mate 9 camera is in low light performance, with the Mate 9 now capable of taking low light pictures that are on par with the Galaxy S7 Edge. However, while low light shots are vastly improved, the Mate 9 does struggle with slight movement in low-light, with OIS proving less effective than in other flagship devices. Overall, the camera on the Mate 9 certainly doesn't disappoint and it seems to be on par with other Android flagships. It's not perfect – no phone is after all – but the Mate 9 takes gorgeous photos that you'll be proud to share. Of course, there's still a lot you should know about the Mate 9's camera. For more info, head here.
If you're after a smartphone that offers exceptional battery life and incredible performance, the standard Mate 9 delivers in spades. If money is no object and you want a smartphone that is unattainable to most customers, the Porsche Design Mate 9 might be worth your while.
Specs
- 5.9-inch IPS LCD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 373 ppi
- Octa-core Hisilicon Kirin 960 processor
- 4 GB of RAM
- 64 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 256 GB
- Dual 20 and 12 MP rear cameras, 8 MP front camera
- Non-removable 4,000 mAh battery
- Android 7.0 Nougat
- 156.9 x 78.9 x 7.9 mm, 190 g
Read more
- Huawei Mate 9 & Porsche Design Mate 9 review
- Best Huawei Mate 9 cases
- Porsche Design Huawei Mate 9 hands-on: the dream machine
- Huawei Mate 9 vs the competition
- Huawei Mate 9 officially announced
- The Porsche Design Huawei Mate 9 is an incredibly expensive Note 7 lookalike
LG V20
The V20 is basically the phone for power users. It has a a big Quad HD display, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 processor, plenty of RAM and on-board storage, and a removable 3,200 mAh battery. Of course, the unique Second Screen makes a return this year, along with the addition of Quad DAC, military standard durability, and it's already running Android 7.0 Nougat.
The V20 also sports a dual camera setup on the back, with a 16 MP main sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and OIS coupled with an 8 MP wide-angle sensor with an f/2.4 aperture. It may not sound like much, but the wide-angle lens on the V20 really stands out here, and works perfectly in a variety of situations. Not only can you fit more into the frame at one time, but the wide-angle sensor helps make photos appear much more dynamic.
LG's camera app is packed with features, especially when it comes to manual controls for photos and video. You have granular control over every aspect, including white balance, ISO, exposure, shutter speed, and focus, just as you would on a DSLR. One of the most useful additions to the camera is that it now has built-in focus peaking which makes it a lot easier to tell if your subject is in focus, and if you are a content creator, you will know exactly how useful focus peaking can be.
There are plenty of other details that you'll want to check out in our full review, so head to this link to learn more about the V20's camera.
If top-of-the-line specs and an impressive feature set is what you're looking for, you can't go wrong with the V20.
Specs
- 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 513 ppi
- Secondary display: 2.1-inch IPS LCD display with 160 x 1040 resolution, 513 ppi
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
- 4 GB of RAM
- 32/64 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 256 GB
- Dual 16 and 8 MP rear cameras, 5 MP front camera
- Removable 3,200 mAh battery
- Android 7.0 Nougat
- 159.7 x 78.1 x 7.6 mm, 174 g
Read more
- LG V20 review
- LG V20 tips and tricks
- LG V20 drop test
- LG V20 Feature Focus: software
- LG V20 specs, price, release date and everything else you should know
- LG V20 vs LG V10
- LG V20, G5, Note 7, S7 Edge: display showdown
- LG V20 vs Galaxy Note 7: camera comparison
OnePlus 3T
We weren't expecting OnePlus to release another new flagship in 2016, but it happened. If you were a fan of the OnePlus 3, you'll certainly love the OnePlus 3T.
With its powerful Snapdragon 821 processor backed by 6 GB of RAM, the 3T absolutely flies through web browsing, gaming and most other everyday tasks. It also has a bigger battery this time around (3,400 mAh to be exact), which is more than enough to get you through a full day of use on a single charge. In addition, the 3T sports a dual-SIM card slot, plenty of on-board storage, and a fast front-facing fingerprint sensor on the front.
The OnePlus 3T also has one of the best smartphone cameras around. It sports a 16 MP rear-facing sensor that excels in most lighting conditions. Photos are crisp and well detailed, and we really like the color reproduction the photos have to offer. You get nice, natural looking colors, and the images are sharp enough, but without looking oversharpened and artificial. If you do want some extra sharpening, the HQ mode is available, which adds a fairly noticeable amount of sharpening to the photos. However, the images looked fine in most situations, though we rarely had to use this feature.
The default camera app is pretty similar to the Google Camera, with many of the same modes to be found here, including Timelapse, Slow motion, and Panorama. The only exception is that manual controls are available if you are looking to dial in the setting yourself, but it is otherwise a very nicely laid out and easy to use camera application.
For more information on the OnePlus 3T's camera, head here.
Basically the OnePlus 3T is a better OnePlus 3, and we're certainly not complaining. You can buy it from OnePlus' website in Gunmetal, Soft Gold and Midnight Black color options.
Specs
- 5.5-inch Optic AMOLED display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 401 ppi
- 2.35 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 821
- 6 GB of RAM
- 64/128 GB of on-board storage, no microSD card expansion
- 16 MP rear camera, 16 MP front camera
- Non-removable 3,400 mAh battery
- Android 7.1.1 Nougat
- 152.7 x 74.7 x 7.35 mm, 158 g
Read more
- OnePlus 3T review
- OnePlus 3T announced: Snapdragon 821, 3,400mAh battery, 16MP rear and front cameras
- OnePlus 3T: pricing and availability
There you have it – our picks of the best Android camera phones you can buy right now. Missed anything? Tell us in the comments!
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