Table of Contents Your phone is the camera you always have …

Table of Contents
Your phone is the camera you always have in your pocket, but not all phone cameras are equal. Some provide optical zoom, others take clear shots in low light, and a few have an edge on color rendition. PCMag has been writing about and reviewing phones for over three decades, so we're experts on mobile photography. We put every phone we review through a rigorous series of camera evaluations to determine the best performers on the market. The best camera phones available include entries from Apple, Google, and Samsung, like the iPhone 16, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and the Pixel 9 Pro. All our recommendations are worthy, so be sure to read our linked in-depth reviews. And don't forget to scroll to the end so you can get the big picture with our buying guide.
Our Top Tested Picks
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Google Pixel 8a
Google Pixel 9
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S24
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Best for Optical Zoom
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Speedy performance
- Beautiful screen
- Terrific cameras
- Useful AI features
- Comes with S Pen stylus
- Long support commitment
- Big
- Expensive
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a huge number of cameras (five!) and they all do different things. You can take advantage of 5x optical zoom and 100x hybrid zoom, as well as capture standard and sprawling views from the device's capable 200MP main and 12MP ultra-wide lenses. Let's not forget Samsung's new Galaxy AI powers, which let you perform edits such as enlarging subjects or filling in the background.
The S24 Ultra is an incredibly powerful imaging device considering that it's still a mobile phone. The combination of high-end hardware and AI-assisted features means you have a capable and fun camera phone in your pocket all the time.
Best iPhone for Most People
Apple iPhone 16
- Most affordable iPhone 16 model
- High-quality hardware
- Swift performance
- Sharp camera quality
- Good battery life
- Supports Apple Intelligence
- 60Hz display
The iPhone 16 has an excellent all-around camera on board. The dedicated Action Button and Camera Control are great physical controls. The main camera makes clear shots and the ultra-wide lets you step back and capture everything. Other highlights include a fast USB-C port, a powerful A18 processor, a sturdy aluminum frame, and Apple Intelligence tools for editing after the fact.
This is the best camera and video camera system in a small package that’s available for a reasonable price.
Best Affordable Phone
Google Pixel 8a
- Excellent cameras
- Powerful performance
- Useful AI features
- Long battery life
- Seven-year software support
- Older protective glass on the front
- Relatively slow charging
Google's Pixel 8a is an ideal affordable phone thanks to its Tensor G3 processor, top-notch camera system, and built-in Google AI. Its bold design and variety of color options (Aloe, Bay, Obsidian, or Porcelain) help it stand out. Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and an IP67 rating ensure the device withstands everyday perils.
If you like Google's version of Android and want a good camera at a reasonable price, the Pixel 8a is the best option. It's highly capable and an excellent value.
Best Android Phone for Most People
Google Pixel 9
- Excellent cameras
- Useful and fun AI features
- Good performance
- Competitively priced
- Limited storage
- Doesn't include Gemini Live subscription
The $799 Google Pixel 9 has a duo of dynamic cameras that are just as adept as those in the pricier 9 Pro's trio. You can get incredible results from the ultra-wide and standard cameras, as well as take advantage of AI-boosted editing features such as Magic Eraser. In terms of video, you can record at up to 4K60 with either the front or rear cameras.
This phone is for people who want the best possible imaging capabilities in a reasonably sized and priced device. Its excellent performance makes it suitable for most every other task, too.
Best iPhone Camera Overall
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Leading video features
- Outstanding battery life
- Large, bright screen
- Strong connectivity
- Exceedingly large
- Pricey
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the most powerful iPhone you can get, with the best screen, the biggest battery, and the most capable camera and video camera. The dedicated Action Button and Camera Control are great physical controls. The 5x optical zoom camera makes a huge difference in what you can capture, allowin…