Top 10 Best Phones For Taking Pictures

In 2024, smartphone cameras have become incredibly powerful, allowing users to capture stunning photos that rival professional DSLR cameras. When considering a phone for photography, key factors include sensor quality, image processing software, low-light performance, and dynamic range. Whether you're a professional photographer or an enthusiast, here's a list of the top 10 best phones for taking pictures this year.

1. iPhone 15 Pro Max

Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max takes the crown as one of the best smartphones for photography in 2024. The 48MP main sensor paired with Apple’s computational photography technology produces excellent images in all conditions, from bright daylight to low-light environments. It also features ProRAW for high-quality, uncompressed images, giving users more control in post-processing.

• Key Features:
  • 48MP primary sensor with Photonic Engine
  • Night mode, Smart HDR 4, Deep Fusion
  • ProRAW and ProRes support for advanced editing
  • Excellent color accuracy and dynamic range
• Pros: Superior computational photography, vibrant colors, versatile ProRAW mode.
• Cons: Expensive.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a powerhouse for photographers who want the best in both automatic and manual modes for post-processing.

2. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers one of the most advanced camera systems in 2024, featuring a jaw-dropping 200MP sensor. With its high resolution, it excels in capturing detail, especially in outdoor and daylight conditions. Samsung’s AI-driven image processing ensures vibrant colors and high contrast, making it perfect for landscape and portrait photography.

• Key Features:
  • 200MP primary sensor with advanced AI processing
  • 10x optical zoom, 100x Space Zoom
  • Excellent low-light performance with Nightography mode
• Pros: Incredible detail, versatile zoom, great low-light performance.
• Cons: AI can sometimes over-process images.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is ideal for users who need flexibility in their shots, from ultra-wide landscapes to close-up details, thanks to its powerful zoom and large sensor.

3. Google Pixel 8 Pro

The Pixel 8 Pro is known for its software-driven photography and incredible AI processing. Google’s computational photography excels in delivering consistently sharp, well-exposed images, especially in difficult lighting conditions. The phone's Magic Eraser tool and Real Tone technology ensure that photos look clean and natural.

• Key Features:
  • 50MP main sensor
  • Real Tone for true-to-life skin tones
  • Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur
  • Night Sight for excellent low-light photography
• Pros: Best AI-powered photography, excellent skin tone representation, Night Sight.
• Cons: Lacks advanced manual controls.

For users who want to take high-quality pictures effortlessly, the Pixel 8 Pro’s software-based image enhancements make it one of the best choices.

4. Sony Xperia 1 V

Sony's Xperia 1 V is a camera-first smartphone, designed for photography enthusiasts and professionals. It offers pro-level manual controls, making it perfect for users who want complete control over their shots. Its 12MP Exmor RS sensor delivers stunning image quality, especially in outdoor and well-lit settings.

• Key Features:
  • 12MP Exmor RS sensor
  • Real-time eye autofocus for humans and animals
  • 4K HDR recording and Cinema Pro mode
  • Pro-level manual settings
• Pros: Great for professional use, real-time autofocus, excellent color reproduction.
• Cons: Expensive and complex for casual users.

The Sony Xperia 1 V is best suited for users who want DSLR-like control in a smartphone form factor, with excellent results in outdoor and bright lighting conditions.

5. OnePlus 11

OnePlus 11 brings impressive photography features at a competitive price point, thanks to its partnership with Hasselblad. The 50MP main sensor delivers sharp, colorful images, while the UltraShot HDR ensures that your photos have balanced exposure in high-contrast scenes.

• Key Features:
  • 50MP main sensor tuned by Hasselblad
  • UltraShot HDR for vibrant, balanced photos
  • Excellent night mode performance
• Pros: Hasselblad color tuning, strong HDR, affordable for its features.
• Cons: Lacks the zoom capabilities of more expensive flagships.

For those looking for a great balance of price and performance, the OnePlus 11 delivers high-quality photos with vibrant color and contrast.

6. Xiaomi 13 Pro

Xiaomi has continued to push the boundaries of mobile photography with the Xiaomi 13 Pro. Equipped with Leica optics and a 50MP sensor, this phone produces detailed images with accurate color reproduction. Its telephoto lens allows for detailed zoom shots, while the Ultra Night mode excels in low-light conditions.

• Key Features:
  • 50MP Leica-tuned primary sensor
  • Telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom
  • Ultra Night mode for low-light photography
• Pros: Leica optics, excellent zoom capabilities, great low-light performance.
• Cons: Software can sometimes be over-processed.

The Xiaomi 13 Pro is perfect for users looking for a phone with professional-grade optics and great performance in low-light and zoom photography.

7. Vivo X90 Pro+

Vivo’s X90 Pro+ offers impressive camera hardware and a gimbal-like stabilization system, making it perfect for both photography and videography. Its 50MP main camera is tuned by Zeiss and offers stunning detail and vibrant color reproduction. Vivo’s AI-powered night mode is one of the best in the market, ensuring that your low-light photos are always sharp and bright.

• Key Features:
  • 50MP Zeiss-tuned camera system
  • Gimbal-level optical image stabilization (OIS)
  • Excellent AI-powered night mode
• Pros: Great stabilization, excellent low-light performance, vibrant colors.
• Cons: Limited availability in some regions.

The Vivo X90 Pro+ is ideal for users looking for excellent handheld photography with strong stabilization and low-light capabilities.

8. Huawei P60 Pro

Despite limited access to Google services, the Huawei P60 Pro continues to be a photography powerhouse. Its 50MP sensor captures incredible detail, and the advanced AI algorithms enhance both daytime and nighttime photography. The phone’s periscope zoom lens provides excellent zoom performance, making it one of the best phones for distant subject photography.

• Key Features:
  • 50MP primary sensor with AI-powered processing
  • Periscope lens with 10x optical zoom
  • Excellent Night Mode for low-light photography
• Pros: Great zoom capabilities, detailed images, strong AI enhancements.
• Cons: Lack of Google services.

For users focused purely on photography, the Huawei P60 Pro remains a top contender, especially for zoom and low-light performance.

9. Oppo Find X6 Pro

The Oppo Find X6 Pro is another strong contender for photography enthusiasts. With its 50MP sensor and advanced AI-driven image processing, the phone excels in both daylight and low-light environments. The camera setup, co-engineered with Hasselblad, ensures natural colors and balanced exposure in every shot.

• Key Features:
  • 50MP Hasselblad-tuned camera system
  • Ultra Night mode for low-light performance
  • AI-based HDR enhancements
• Pros: Hasselblad tuning, strong HDR performance, great low-light capability.
• Cons: Lacks some manual control features.

Oppo Find X6 Pro offers an excellent camera experience for those who want professional-quality shots with minimal effort.

10. Realme GT 2 Pro

The Realme GT 2 Pro may not have the brand recognition of its competitors, but it delivers outstanding photography performance, especially considering its price. Its 50MP camera with Sony’s IMX766 sensor captures highly detailed images, and the AI-powered enhancements ensure that colors and lighting are always well-balanced.

• Key Features:
  • 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor
  • Ultra Nightscape mode for low-light photography
  • AI-based HDR and image optimization
• Pros: Affordable, strong low-light performance, good dynamic range.
• Cons: Lacks advanced manual control options.

For budget-conscious users looking for solid photography features, the Realme GT 2 Pro offers excellent value with strong performance in both daylight and low-light conditions.

Conclusion

In 2024, smartphones like the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra lead the pack with their advanced camera systems, offering incredible detail, color accuracy, and performance across a variety of lighting conditions. For users who prioritize software enhancements, the Google Pixel 8 Pro provides a strong AI-driven experience. Meanwhile, the OnePlus 11 and Realme GT 2 Pro offer fantastic value for budget-conscious users who still want top-tier camera performance.