I’ve tested all the best camera phones of 2025: These are my top picks

Looking for the absolute best phone camera for your budget? These are the ones I highly recommend.

May 29, 2025 - 21:30

I’ve tested all the best camera phones of 2025: These are my top picks

Every smartphone claims to have the best camera money can buy, but which ones actually make the cut? To help you decide, I’ve sifted my way through dozens of the best and most affordable camera phones, grading them on essential photography metrics like exposure, HDR capabilities, portrait quality, zoom capabilities, and video capture options. Whether you’re shooting friends and family or documenting a trip abroad, these are the smartphones I think you should buy.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: The best camera phone overall

When it comes to snapping photos of friends and family, you seldom get a second chance to reframe the moment, so reliability and point-and-shoot simplicity are key. As such, it is no surprise that the Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL (the camera hardware is exactly the same) take our top spot. Whether you’re snapping wriggling toddlers or capturing the stage from the nosebleeds, I have extensively tested the Pixel 9 Pro XL and have always come away with great-looking pictures.