The Best Camera Phones of 2025: Top Picks for Photography Enthusiasts

This year has been remarkable for camera phones, continuing the trend we have seen in recent years. Some manufacturers made significant advancements in camera technology, while others focused on refining their existing products. Consequently, nearly all brands have introduced commendable camera offerings.

Notably, Vivo has emerged as a leader in this segment. The company launched the China-exclusive vivo X200 Ultra in early 2025, followed by the global release of the X300 and X300 Pro towards the year's end. While the X300 Pro doesn't introduce groundbreaking changes to the camera hardware, it remains one of the most sought-after cameraphones due to its robust camera setup and an enhanced selfie camera, ensuring a comprehensive photographic experience this year.

Oppo's contributions are equally impressive. The Find X8 Ultra has emerged as the company's top shooter, while the Find X9 Pro offers a slightly moderated version of the next-gen flagship series recently unveiled. For consumers seeking a premium camera experience from Oppo outside China, the Find X9 Pro is recommended, featuring significant upgrades over its predecessor, the Find X8 Pro, including improved main, telephoto, and selfie cameras equipped with larger and superior sensors.

Xiaomi has also made waves with the global release of its 15 Ultra model, distinguishing itself with versatility. Unlike Vivo and Oppo, the 15 Ultra features two telephoto cameras and boasts a leading 1-inch sensor and a 200MP telephoto lens, both of which rank among the best in the industry.

While we await the next-generation Honor Magic8 Pro, set to debut next year, this year's Magic7 Pro takes a spot on our list. It showcases Honor's best camera system, featuring the renowned 200MP Samsung sensor alongside a 3x telephoto lens for outstanding still images.

The underdog this year, the nubia Z80 Ultra, features an intriguing camera setup focused on portrait photography, thanks to its main sensor's equivalent focal length of 35mm, making it ideal for such shots. The rest of its camera hardware is also commendable.

Another contender we appreciate is the Realme GT 8 Pro. Historically, Realme's flagship devices emphasized performance, design, and display over camera capabilities. However, the GT 8 Pro appears to challenge this trend with significant improvements in its ultrawide unit and a robust telephoto camera that aligns with the 200MP trend.

Huawei's Pura 80 Ultra earns its place on our list with its innovative telephoto system, which features an impressively large zoom sensor accompanied by two lenses—one offering 3.7x optical zoom and another reaching 9.4x. Additionally, it incorporates a top-tier 1-inch sensor and an ultrawide camera to complement the remarkable telephoto functionality.

Lastly, the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, alongside Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra, and the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL represent more traditional options, particularly in regions where Chinese brands have limited presence. These devices may not dazzle with innovative camera technology but remain reliable, providing excellent photos and videos.

Notably, the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max are among the best smartphones for video features, providing unparalleled video quality.

Looking ahead to 2026, we hope to see Samsung and Apple intensifying their efforts while Chinese smartphone manufacturers continue to innovate and drive the market forward.