The phones with the best cameras – with these smartphones, you’re guaranteed that brilliant next snapshot

Devices & Gadgets

16 December 2021

In recent years, smartphone cameras have made massive technological leaps and can now even compete with SLR cameras costing several thousand euros. But which smartphones currently have the best cameras? We’ll tell you in this article.

While camera junkies used to put a lot of emphasis on the number of megapixels, other factors are now the focus, such as how well the cameras can shoot photos in the dark, how good the image stabilization or the portrait mode are.

For this reason, we refrain from a best-of list, since often only small nuances in image editing or personal preferences are the deciding factors. Some prefer the slightly over-sharpened pictures of a Samsung top model, while others place a lot of value on the closest possible representation to nature like in the iPhone. Still others find these images boring and prefer the warm-soft photos of a Google Pixel. Don’t worry, we’ll help you find the smartphone with the best camera.

Camera smartphones: then and now

These are the cameras that today’s smartphones have

These phones have the best cameras

Camera smartphones: then and now

Cameras in phones existed long before the advent of smartphones. In 2008, for example, Nokia sold more phones with cameras than Kodak sold cameras, and even the cheapest phones were equipped with camera modules.

One of the first and most famous camera smartphones that really showed the photography possibilities was the Nokia Lumia 1020. When the smartphone was launched in September 2013, people were amazed: The smartphone had a whopping 41 megapixels at that time. However, buyers quickly discovered that the megapixel number of the Nokia phone alone does not mean much when the camera app takes ages to start or the pictures are noisy. Probably for this reason, the Lumia’s sales figures fell far short of expectations. Only the iPhone 7 Plus finally made multiple cameras popular again.

In the meantime, the hardware has made huge leaps in performance and can now process the flood of data from the cameras at an adequate speed. Also because consumers are willing to spend more money on smartphones, manufacturers from the Far East in particular are trying to establish camera smartphones as competitors to expensive SLR cameras. Huawei, for example, cooperates with the German camera company Leica, and Xiaomi with Samsung, which is also active in the camera industry. But what do all the cameras on the back stand for now?

Today’s smartphones have these cameras and sensors

Wide-angle lens: The all-rounder for all kinds of shots.

When you open your camera app, the first thing you see is the image of the wide-angle camera. It usually also has the best specifications and has focal lengths between 22 mm and 30 mm nowadays. Generally, the lower the number of millimeters, the larger the shooting angle. The selfie camera is also a wide-angle camera. This camera is suitable for all shots, from selfies and portraits to landscape shots.

Ultra-wide-angle lens: For wide-angle landscape shots

By now, all top models have an ultra-wide-angle camera. It comes with focal lengths of 12 to 18 mm and is particularly suitable for great landscape photos due to the high shooting angle of up to 120°. However, the high angle does not only have advantages. With poor software optimization, ultra-wide-angle photos often have a so-called fish-eye effect, where the edges are curved and distorted. However, good smartphone models manage to prevent this effect on the software side.

Telephoto lens: When distant objects should appear close up

The third camera type is the telephoto camera. With this type of camera, it is possible to zoom in closer to objects, using optical zoom instead of digital zoom. Due to the longer focal lengths of up to 85 mm, the shooting angle is smaller than with the other two camera types. Put simply, it’s like looking through a crack in a door and only seeing a small section of the room. On the other hand, it is particularly suitable for portrait photos.

Periscope lens: For even more optical zoom

Periscope cameras are very rare, but allow focal lengths of 105 mm to 130 mm. Smartphones with Periscope cameras often advertise 10x optical zoom. But the higher the optical zoom factor is supposed to be, the more the camera modules have to protrude from the casing – which is why this technology has not yet caught on. Quite simply, physics sets the limits here – and no one wants a smartphone with a huge bulge out of the casing.

Monochrome camera: for true black-and-white shots

To capture color images, you need a Bayer filter. This filter is a mosaic of countless red, green and blue filters that capture the amount of light, not the color itself. However, if this filter is missing, cameras can only shoot black and white. Some manufacturers take advantage of this and therefore install so-called monochrome cameras. These improve light capture, especially in dark scenes, and can thus produce sharp, high-contrast photos even in low light. Real black-and-white photos are also possible as a result.

Color temperature sensor: For better color reproduction and white balance.

Some smartphones like the Huawei P50 Pro have a color temperature sensor that is supposed to help with color reproduction and white balance. Smartphones with a color temperature sensor are particularly strong at reproducing skin tones.

Time of Flight sensor/3D/depth lens: For better depth of field.

Like the monochrome camera, a depth camera is not a camera in the true sense of the word, but only serves to improve the images taken by the wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle and telephoto cameras. With a depth camera, a laser scans how close or far an object is from the camera by measuring the time it takes for light to travel to the object and back again. This helps especially with portraits, where you want the background to be out of focus and people in the foreground to be sharp.

These phones have the best cameras

If you want to take the best photos with a smartphone today, you have to go for a top model. In return, you get a well-rounded complete package that also has the performance to edit the pictures on the device. The following list is therefore not a list of the best, but is supposed to show the devices that can shoot the best photos in the respective product family.

Additionally, we have mentioned cheaper alternatives. We focused on the tests from the French company DXOMARK for this list. The company puts smartphone cameras through their paces according to standardized test procedures and is therefore very recognized in the industry.

Google Pixel 6 Pro

The Google Pixel 6 Pro was released in October 2021 and, like its predecessors, can build on its strengths. As DXOMARK found out, the Pixel can rival an iPhone 13 in terms of zoom and photo quality. The Pixel 6 Pro’s strengths lie in the detailed photos in good light, the good capture of details in the shadows and the correct color reproduction. In return, it weakens in pictures with the ultra-wide camera, which does not capture quite as much as the competition; there is also occasional noise and artifacts in indoor and low-light shots.

Those who can do without the telephoto lens will find a good alternative in the regular Pixel 6. Last year’s models are also not bad smartphones in terms of camera quality.

Google Pixel 6 Pro Specifications

Camera	Specifications
Wide angle lens	• 50 Megapixel• Pixel size: 1,2 μm• Focal length: 24 mm • Aperture: f/1.85• Optical image stabilization
UltraWide angle lens	• 12,5 Megapixel• Pixel size: 1,25 μm• Focal length: 16 mm• Aperture: f/2.2
Telephoto lens	• 48 Megapixel• Pixel size: 0,8 μm• Focal length: 102,6 mm• Aperture: f/3,5• Optical image stabilization
Other camera sensors:	• Laser Detection Autofocus Sensor

iPhone 13 Pro Max

No other smartphone manufacturer has influenced the smartphone camera world like Apple with their iPhones. Sure, Apple was not the first manufacturer to install more than one camera in a smartphone – but they made it suitable for the mass market. This know-how is the reason why the cameras of the current iPhone 13 Pro Max are among the best on the market.

DXOMARK especially praises the excellent white balance and the detailed pictures with accurate color reproduction in the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Skin tones are also reproduced very well with the iPhone 13 Pro Max – thus ideal for portrait photos. Unfortunately, the smartphone produces annoying lens flares under certain conditions, which are particularly noticeable in low light and night shots. The details could also be better in zoom shots with distant lenses.

Find all our mobile subscription offers for the iPhone 13 Pro Max here.

iPhone 13 Pro Max example image camera details

An alternative to the Pro Max is the smaller Pro, which has the same camera specifications except for the smaller form factor and achieves the same score as its big brother in the DXOMARK ranking. If the iPhone 13 Pro is still too expensive for you, you will also find excellent smartphone cameras in the predecessor models. All four current iPhones also occupy the top places in the current Stiftung Warentest (12/21 issue).

iPhone 13 Pro Max Specifications

Camera	Specifications
Wide angle lens	• 12 Megapixel• Pixel size: 1,9 μm• Focal length: 26 mm • Aperture: f/1.5• Sensorunterstützte Optical image stabilization• Dual Pixel Pro Autofocus
UltraWide angle lens	• 12 Megapixel• Focal length: 13 mm• Aperture: f/1.8
Telephoto lens	• 12 MP• Focal length: 77 mm• Aperture: f/2,8• Optical image stabilization
Other camera sensors:	• 3D-Sensor (Lidar)

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

If you do not want to use Apple’s smartphones and prefer to stay in Samsung’s ecosystem, you will have to buy the current Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. However, it is the device with the weakest camera of all devices on this list. Although the photos reproduce details well and capture skin tones well, the model weakens in HDR, short for High Dynamic Range, and autofocus in low-light and high-contrast scenes. Especially shots in which the sky is visible do not look nice and give Samsung’s top model a hard time. The noisy pictures also depress the overall rating.

Find all our mobile subscription offers for the Samsung S21 Ultra here.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Example Image Clear Skin

Last year’s model S20 Ultra is slightly better in the DXOMARK ranking. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold3 5G is similarly good, but it costs CHF 1799.-. The supposedly bad ranking in the DXOMARK ranking can be explained by the fact that the smartphone was already released in January 2021. Since then, other smartphones with even better cameras have been released.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Specifications

Camera	Specifications
Wide angle lens	• 108 Megapixel• Pixel size: 0,8 μm• Focal length: 24 mm• Aperture: f/1.8• Optical image stabilization
UltraWide angle lens	• 12 Megapixel• Pixel size: 1,4 μm• Focal length: 13 mm• Aperture: f/2.2
Telephoto lens 1:	• 10 Megapixel• Pixel size: 1,22 μm• Focal length: 72 mm• Aperture: f/2.4• Optical image stabilization
Telephoto lens 2:	• 10 Megapixel• Pixel size: 1,22 μm• Focal length: 240 mm• Aperture: f/4.9• Optical image stabilization

OnePlus 9 Pro 5G

For the OnePlus 9 Pro, which is released in March 2021, OnePlus collaborates with the Swedish camera company Hasselblad for the first time. This is noticeable in some scenes. The white balance is good and especially outdoor photos are very detailed and nice to look at. According to the DXOMARK testers, the OnePlus 9 Pro does not show any weaknesses in indoor scenes, either. However, the smartphone is weak in night and dark pictures as well as backlit shots despite the monochrome camera. The autofocus occasionally fails here, and the contrast is also quite limited.

The predecessor model, which was released in April 2020, delivers comparable pictures, but you still have to make significant concessions in night pictures. In return, it is considerably cheaper than the competition with an MSRP of CHF 723.-.

OnePlus 9 Pro 5G Specifications

Camera	Specifications
Wide angle lens	• 48 Megapixel• Pixel size: 1,12 μm• Focal length: 23 mm • Aperture: f/1.8• Optical image stabilization
UltraWide angle lens	• 50 Megapixel• Pixel size: 1 μm• Focal length: 14 mm• Aperture: f/2.2
Telephoto lens	• 8 Megapixel• Pixel size: 1 μm• Focal length: 77 mm• Aperture: f/2,4• Optical image stabilization
Other camera sensors:	• 2 Megapixel Monochrome-Sensor

Huawei Mate P50 Pro

Besides the iPhones and the Pixel smartphones, Huawei devices are among the smartphones with the best camera. The current Huawei Mate P50 Pro is no exception. With its four cameras, it skillfully places itself at the top of the DXOMARK ranking. Two installed sensors are responsible for the good pictures: A monochrome camera that ensures particularly detailed pictures in low light and a sensor that ensures better white balance and color reproduction. Only the big difference between the preview image and the final photo was criticized by DXOMARK’s testers.

However, those who want to buy such a smartphone still have to be patient: The P50 series will not be released outside of China until next year. However, a comparable alternative is available in the form of Huawei’s P40 Pro+, the P40 Pro, and the Mate 40 Pro, which was released in October 2020.

Huawei Mate P50 Pro Specifications

Camera	Specifications
Wide angle lens	• 50 Megapixel (12,5 MP real)• Focal length: 23 mm • Aperture: f/1.8• Optical image stabilization
Monochrom-Objektiv	• 40 Megapixel (10 MP real)• Focal length: 26 mm• Aperture: f/1.6
UltraWide angle lens	• 13 Megapixel• Focal length: 13 mm• Aperture: f/2.2
Telephoto lens	• 64 Megapixel (16 MP real)• Focal length: 90 mm• Aperture: f/3.5• Optical image stabilization
Other camera sensors:	• Color temperature sensor

Note: Huawei combines 4 pixels into one to improve the image quality. Therefore, the real megapixel count is only a quarter of the indicated number.

Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra

As with the predecessor model, the Mi 10 Ultra, the Chinese manufacturer proved that they can play right at the top in terms of camera. The top model even beats the current iPhone and Samsung smartphones, which is even more curious when you consider that Xiaomi collaborates with Samsung for the camera technology.

According to DXOMARK, users who buy this smartphone will get a device that delivers excellent results in all categories. The only thing that could be improved are the night pictures, which are still among the best on the market. However, we will see innovations and progress in these areas as in the other smartphones.

If the price of CHF 1400.- is too high, you can also buy last year’s model.

Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra Specifications

Camera	Specifications
Wide angle lens	• 50 Megapixel• Pixel size: 1,4 μm• Focal length: 24 mm • Aperture: f/1.95• Optical image stabilization
UltraWide angle lens	• 48 Megapixel• Pixel size: 0,8 μm• 128° Linse• Aperture: f/2.2
Telephoto lens	• 48 Megapixel• Pixel size: 0,8 μm• Focal length: 120 mm• Aperture: f/4,1• Optical image stabilization
Other camera sensors:	• Color temperature sensor• Time of Flight-Sensor

Conclusion: Which phone has the best camera?

In short: It does not depend on the technical specifications, but on your preferences. After all, every smartphone produces different pictures, even though many have the same specifications. If you are looking for a smartphone with the best camera, you should not be guided by the number of megapixels or the size of the aperture, but by your own preferences.

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	Google Pixel 6 Pro	iPhone 13 Pro Max	Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra	OnePlus 9 Pro	Huawei P50 Pro	Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra

Price	CHF 999.-	CHF 1229.-	CHF 1139.-	CHF 999.-	Unknown	CHF 1399.-
Publication	October 2021	September 2021	January 2021	March 2021	Expected from 2022	March 2021
DXOMARK-Camera test result & place	• 135 Points • Place 6	• 137 Points • Place 4	• 113 Points • Place 15	• 124 Points • Place 14	• 144 Points • Place 1	• 143 Points • Place 2
Camera-Types	• Wide Angle• Ultra wide angle• Telephoto lens• Color TemperatureSensor	• Wide Angle• Ultra wide angle• Telephoto lens• 3D Sensor	• Wide Angle• Ultra wide angle• 2x Telephoto lens	• Wide Angle• Ultra wide angle• Telephoto lens• Monochrome	• Wide Angle• Ultra wide angle• Telephoto lens• Monochrome• Color TemperatureSensor	• Wide Angle• Ultra wide angle• Telephoto lens• Color TemperatureSensor• 3D Sensor
Cheap alternatives	Google Pixel 6: CHF 829.-Google Pixel 4a: CHF 429.-	iPhone 13 Pro: CHF 1129.- iPhone 13 mini: CHF 779.- iPhone 13: CHF 879.-iPhone 12 mini: CHF 719.-iPhone 12: CHF 829.-iPhone 11: CHF 549.-	Galaxy S21+: CHF 929.-Galaxy S21: CHF 779.-Galaxy S20 FE: CHF 529.-Galaxy A52s: CHF 347.-	OnePlus 9: CHF 719.-OnePlus 8 T: CHF 499.-OnePlus 8 Pro: CHF 723.-	P40 Pro: CHF 724.-P40: CHF 779.-	11 T Pro: CHF 648.-11 T: CHF 541.-Redmi Note 10 Pro: CHF 329.-

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