Looking to up your photo game? A new, camera-focused smartphone will do wonders for your social media pictures. These are the best Android camera phones that will make sunsets sparkle, food look irresistible, and nighttime landscapes dazzle.

What to Look For in an Android Camera Phone in 2024

If you’re looking for an Android smartphone with a great camera, there are a lot of factors to consider when making the purchase. Many companies try to distract customers with gimmicky features and specs that look good on paper, but they don’t tell the full story.

Take megapixels, for example. While they can increase the resolution of your photos, unless features like post-processing and color reproduction are good, you’ll wonder what went wrong with the unimpressive image or video you just captured.

Companies like Google have taken the software route with their cameras. The search giant’s smartphone line relies on advanced algorithms to produce flagship-quality photographs, and Pixel phones are well-known for their high-quality pictures.

On the other hand, the actual camera hardware is also important. You can have the best smartphone camera software on the market, but if the sensor isn’t capable enough, you’ll hit the ceiling in terms of versatility and quality sooner than you might expect.

With so many different ways to implement a smartphone camera, it’s our job to break them all down and highlight the best ones. Below, we’ve listed a handful of phones that excel in their respective categories and offer the best balance of hardware and software.

Best Android Camera Phone Overall: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

At first glance, you may not see too many camera upgrades on the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, compared to the Google Pixel 8 Pro, but there are enough to justify its position as our top overall pick.

The 9 Pro XL has a triple camera system consisting of a 50MP main, a 48MP telephoto, and a 48MP ultrawide. For those primarily concerned with the main and telephoto lenses, the Google Pixel 8 Pro delivers comparable performance. However, the ultrawide lens now has a wider f/1.7 aperture and delivers better low-light images. The 42MP selfie camera is also a big upgrade in terms of pixel count, and it has a wider field of view. Image processing has been improved, too, resulting in consistent high-quality images. In good light, pictures are crisp and color-accurate every time.

In fact, all the lenses deliver quality shots in challenging light, too. Images are generally crisp and sharp when shooting with the primary camera after dark. The telephoto lens provides good exposures with balanced brightness and contrast, while color rendering is precise. Shadow detail may be a little on the indistinct side when utilizing the digital zoom, but it delivers some surprisingly good results, even with magnification as high as 30x.

All this makes the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL a superb point-and-shoot camera for all sorts of smartphone photographers. However, there are advanced controls for more experienced shutterbugs. The interface is simple to navigate, and dialing in adjustments is quick and painless.

The software also boasts some new AI functions, such as Add Me, a feature that lets you add yourself to any photo afterward, while Zoom Enhance will add detail to areas where it appears soft. Additionally, Google has optimized the social media apps on the phone to make your snaps consistently eye-catching.

Video capabilities remain solid on the Pixel 9 Pro XL. 4K video is sharp, and you have 24, 30, and 60fps options. Full HD is the go-to for slow-motion shots with frame rates of up to 240fps. The addition of 8K video is a notable new feature not available on the Pixel 8 Pro.

Other practical considerations for the smartphone photographer include the ultra-bright display that you can easily see in strong sunlight, a durable build with an IP68 rating for all-weather shooting, and storage options of up to 1TB to hold all those images and high-res videos.

If you’re deciding between the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro, it may be a harder decision. The Pixel 9 Pro XL just edges it thanks to a larger display and higher battery capacity. These subtle differences may be worth the extra cost for some. If not, the Google Pixel 9 Pro has pretty much the same outstanding camera setup and will save you a few bucks.

Best Android Camera Phone Overall

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL offers subtle yet significant camera upgrades, including improved low-light performance, advanced features, and enhanced video capabilities, making it a top choice for smartphone photographers.

See at Google Store$1099 at AmazonSee at Best Buy

Best Budget Android Camera Phone: Google Pixel 7 Pro

Whenever a new generation of smartphones comes out, budget seekers can score previous-generation flagships at great prices. In the case of the Google Pixel 8 Pro, it hasn’t quite come down to the budget range as of yet. However, the 7 Series offers some superb value on smartphone cameras that were top of the range just a year or two ago.

The Google Pixel 7 Pro is the best of the series, and while you’ll have to forgo the more advanced features the 9 Series boasts, it’s difficult to complain at this price. Like the 9 Pro, the main camera also has a 50MP resolution. It captures excellent detail in good light and is backed up by a 48MP telephoto with a 5x optical zoom and a 12MP ultrawide. The latter features an auto macro mode for detailed close-ups, meaning this lens set covers a range of photography styles comparable to more premium phones.

Shooting in tricky light is made all the easier with the Pixel 7 Pro. Night Sight mode allows for exposures of up to six seconds, which can gobble up enough available light to deliver superb nighttime images. Of course, exposures this long will need a mobile tripod, such as this one from Peak Design. Still, the OIS performs well for general handheld shots after dark and keeps your images sharp and detailed. It may not have the enhanced low-light features of the 9 Series, but the results here are still impressive.

Budget seekers can rest assured that the Pixel 7 Pro has the processing power to handle most photography needs. Furthermore, it has a suitable battery life, long enough to make it a good travel camera, and a robust design with an IP68 rating that protects against dust and water. However, the maximum internal storage option is 512GB compared to the 9 Series’ 1TB, and there is no memory card slot. It is still sufficient for most users, and getting this maximum capacity storage is still in the budget-price range.

If you’re determined to get an 8 Series Pixel phone on a budget, the Google Pixel 8a is also a decent choice for smartphone photography. While it does omit the telephoto lens, the primary camera has a 64MP resolution. However, it has a smaller, lower-resolution display and less battery capacity.

Best Budget Android Camera Phone

Google Pixel 7 Pro

$419 $899 Save $480

Even though it lacks some of the more advanced features of the newer 9-Series models, the Google Pixel 7 Pro offers excellent value for budget-conscious buyers. It delivers high-quality camera performance and a robust design at a more affordable price.

$419 at AmazonSee at bestbuy

Best Premium Android Camera Phone: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Unlike an iPhone, it’s difficult to determine which Android phone is undeniably the best camera phone on the market. While it faces stiff competition from Google’s Pixel series, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is in contention for the title of best of the best, thanks in no small part to the quality of its cameras.

Looking at the camera lenses, the S24 Ultra features four on the back, starting with the main 200MP, f/1.7 aperture lens, with a 1/1.3-inch sensor OIS. This is complemented by the 50MP f/3.4 telephoto and 10MP f/2.4 telephoto lenses, both of which feature OIS, and a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide lens. You also get a 12MP f/2.2 front-facing camera for a total of five different cameras.

The lenses and sensors are important, but the camera software is just as important. Samsung has mastered this for years, and the night photography features are proof. The S24 Ultra also features AI camera features, letting you easily erase objects from an image or completely replace the sky.

Of course, it’s not all about the cameras here. The 6.8-inch dynamic AMOLED screen is also fantastic, with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 3088 x 1440 pixels making for a pixel density of 501ppi. This features HDR support, and is protected by scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass.

The S24 Ultra is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SM8650-AB chipset and Adreno 750 GPU. You get 12GB RAM and either 256GB or 512GB storage. This is all powered by a 5,000mAh battery that supports 45W wired charging or 15W wireless charging.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is available in Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, or Titanium Yellow color varieties.

Best Premium Android Camera Phone

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

The new Galaxy S24 Ultra is Samsung’s high-end flagship phone. It features a titanium frame, a flat display with Gorilla Glass armor, and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC powering new Galaxy AI features. 

See at Amazon$1300 at Samsung$1300 at Best Buy

Best Android Camera Phone for Low Light: Google Pixel 9 Pro

While the Pixel 9 Pro XL just shaded it in terms of our overall top choice, the reality is both the Google Pixel 9 Pro and the XL have similar cameras in terms of performance. The XL justified its inclusion as our top pick due to its larger display and battery capacity. In terms of low-light performance, both are impressive.

Not only that, the Pixel 9 Series phones are excellent at the other end of the brightness scale, too. When sunlight is strong, the Pixel 9 Pro camera lenses minimize unwanted artifacts, such as lens flare, which affects image quality. The ultra-bright display is also a bonus in harsh sunlight because it lets you see the screen vividly, no matter how much the intense rays affect your vision.

The 50MP primary camera has an f/1.7 aperture, which allows more light to hit the sensor. This is crucial for shooting in challenging light because it enables the camera to capture more detail and reduce noise. It also features excellent optical image stabilization (OIS) to steady your handheld low-light shots and reduce blur. Additionally, the camera system includes Multi-zone Laser autofocus and Ultra-HDR to enhance focus accuracy and dynamic range for better image quality in challenging light.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro also features the same 48MP ultrawide and telephoto lenses as the XL model. It also supports 8K recording for videographers, making it exceptionally well-detailed, even in low-light scenarios. If you’re a fan of panoramic shots, you’ll likely enjoy the new Nighttime Panorama Mode. This mode is handy for taking detailed cityscapes of light and color long after the sun has gone down. Furthermore, the phone’s advanced photo editing tools can enhance any blurred, low-light images.

Best Android Camera Phone for Low Light

Google Pixel 9 Pro

The Google Pixel 9 Pro offers impressive camera performance with excellent low-light capabilities and advanced features like 8K video recording and photo editing tools for enhanced image quality.

See at Google Store$999 at AmazonSee at Best Buy

Best Android Selfie Phone: Samsung Galaxy S24

As the portrait modes on many flagship phones will show, a great photo is as much about software processing as it is about the actual lens and camera sensor. While Google Pixel phones are known for great photo processing, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is still the phone to beat when it comes to selfies.

It may not have the impressive five lenses of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but the S24 still impresses in the camera department. The rear features a 50MP f/1.8 main wide lens and 10 MP f/2.4 telephoto lens, both of which feature OIS, plus a 12 MP f/2.2 ultrawide lens. The front-facing selfie camera uses a 12 MP f/2.2 lens, backed by Samsung’s powerful processing.

For viewing photos, the S24 features a 6.2-inch dynamic AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. The 1080 x 2340 display isn’t as sharp as the S24 Ultra, but with a pixel density of around 416ppi, it’s still plenty sharp.

The phone gets its processing power from the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SM8650-AB chipset and Adreno 750 as the S24 Ultra. This, combined with the 8GB RAM, powers the software processing that help make the photos this phone can take so impressive. All of this is powered by a 4,000mAh battery, making for excellent battery life.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 is available with 128GB or 256GB storage, and comes in Amber Yellow, Cobalt Violet, Marble Gray, and Onyx Black color varieties.

Best Android Selfie Phone

Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 may be the smallest in the line, but it has big-time processing power and a fantastic camera, perfect for selfies, group shots, and more.

See at Amazon

Best Android Video Phone: Sony Xperia 1 V

The Xperia 1 V on a stylized background.

It may not be as well-known as other smartphones, but the Xperia 1 V is an impressive device. Along with a sleek design, you’ll find a list of premium features, including the ability to record 4K video.

Filming in 4K is just the start, as the Xperia 1 V also benefits from great low-light footage capture, enhanced AI for improved image quality, and cinematic color expression with its S-Cinetone technology. Other useful features include built-in livestreaming, Videography Pro for tons of customization options, and a gorgeous OLED display that makes it easy to see what you’re filming.

Aside from its filming chops, Sony packed the Xperia 1 V with tons of other great hardware. Inside, you’ll find a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile processor for blazing-fast interactions, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for a durable display, and support for 5G networks.

All these features don’t come cheap, with the smartphone clocking in at a staggering $1,400. That makes it more expensive than popular models from Google and Samsung. But it deserves a closer look if you’re after a high-quality suite of cameras that are great at recording video.

Best Android Video Phone

Sony Xperia 1 V

$998 $1400 Save $402

The Sony Xperia 1 V isn’t the most popular smartphone on the block, but it offers a remarkable camera that can capture 4K footage. It also benefits from a suite of customization options to help you pull off the perfect shot.

$998 at AmazonSee at Best BuySee at Sony

FAQ

How do you back up an Android phone?

You can use the Google One app to back up your Android. If you need help, check out our in-depth guide on how to back up and restore Android.

How do you get pictures off your Android phone?

You can connect your Android phone to your PC to move pictures to a new device. Alternatively, you can email them to yourself and access the files from another device.

Can an Android phone replace a standalone camera?

An Android phone can replace a budget camera, but no smartphone can come close to the skills of a DSLR.

How can I find my lost Android phone?

There are several ways to find a lost Android phone, including using the “Find My Phone” feature. For more details, check out our guide on how to find your lost Android phone.