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—no matter your budget!
What to Look For in an Android Camera Phone in 2021
If you’re looking for a 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.
Samsung’s a notable participant in the hardware field. Some of its most recent flagship phones have 108MP sensors and periscope telephoto lenses, adding a wide variety of shooting options to its camera app’s arsenal that competitors simply don’t have.
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.
Warning: Due to the continuing chip shortages, Google is stopping production on the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G. These phones may still be available for sale, but they’re effectively discontinued and will not be restocked. Check back soon for our update when the new Pixel 6 line is released!
Best Android Camera Phone Overall: Google Pixel 5
Pros
- ✓ Fantastic, reliable cameras
- ✓ Good specs
- ✓ Long battery life
Cons
- ✗ Cameras aren’t as versatile as competitors
- ✗ Storage is limited to 128GB
Our pick for an all-around terrific camera on an Android device is the Google Pixel 5. Over the years, Google has done nothing short of delivering killer cameras on its phones, and the Pixel 5 is no exception.
What makes the Pixel line so unique is its ability to use software that continuously improves to create great-looking photos. The Pixel 5 has the best version of this software we’ve seen so far, despite using the same 12.2MP main camera as the years-old Pixel 3.
Virtually every photo you take will come out looking great. From sunrise to sunset, your pictures will be well-balanced, have great color reproduction, and feature a contrasted look that’s very pleasing to the eye. What’s more, the 16MP wide-angle camera adds versatility to the mix and lets you capture wide landscapes thanks to its 107-degree lens, while the 12MP takes sharp and crisp selfies.
Video quality is also good. There’s support for up to 4K at 60 frames per second, and you get a bunch of new stabilization tools like Cinematic Pan to keep everything smooth. Portrait mode shots and nighttime photography also look great on this device.
Of course, considering there are only three different cameras on the Pixel 5, you don’t get as versatile an experience as you do with other, pricier phones. That being said, Google’s post-processing magic makes up for it considering just how good it is.
You also get a good list of specs with the Pixel 5, including a 6-inch 90Hz display, a Snapdragon 765G processor, 8GB of RAM, and a long-lasting 4,080mAh battery. Storage is limited to 128GB, however, so if you take lots of photos and videos, you’ll want to invest in cloud storage like Google One.
Google Pixel 5
The Pixel line is great for taking photos, so the Pixel 5 is no exception. A combination of hardware and software make every picture and video look great.
$699.00 
Best Budget Android Camera Phone: Google Pixel 4a 5G
Pros
- ✓ Identical cameras to Pixel 5, for less
- ✓ Good battery life
- ✓ Nice, clean software
Cons
- ✗ Display is locked at 60Hz
- ✗ Battery life isn’t anything special
- ✗ A bit boring design-wise
For our budget selection, we’re going with the Pixel 4a 5G. Why? Because it has the same camera setup as the Pixel 5, for less money.
That’s right, folks. You get the same 12.2MP main shooter, 16MP ultra-wide, and 12MP selfie camera with all the same software prowess. You also get 4K video support, video stabilization tools, and software-based 2x zoom.
What’s the catch? You have to be okay with less-impressive specs. The screen, while bigger at 6.2 inches, is locked at 60Hz is it won’t feel as smooth. You also get 6GB of RAM instead of the 8GB on the Pixel 5, a smaller 3,885mAh battery that doesn’t last as long, and a less-premium design.
That being said, the device is a full $200 less than the Pixel 5. For the budget price, you get a good smartphone with a terrific camera. It’s a perfect option for anyone looking to save a few extra dollars on their next phone without compromising camera quality.
Google Pixel 4a 5G
The Pixel 4a 5G has the same terrific cameras and software as the Pixel 5, but at a better price. The compromise comes from the phone’s other features, so if a good picture is all you care about, this is a great choice.
Best Premium Android Camera Phone: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Pros
- ✓ Extremely versatile cameras
- ✓ All the camera features you can think of
- ✓ Flagship specs
Cons
- ✗ Wide-angle camera isn’t as good as main camera
- ✗ Post-processing for photos can be over saturated
Maybe you’re the type of person who wants everything they can get in a smartphone camera. Maybe you want intense zoom capabilities, high megapixel counts, 8K video recording, and all the software tricks you could dream of. For these folks, we recommend the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
This phone has four (count ’em, four) different cameras on the back. There’s a primary 108MP sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a set of twin 10MP telephoto lenses. The main shooter captures brilliant photos in virtually any lighting condition, while the ultra-wide can capture breathtaking landscapes.
But it’s the telephoto lenses that really stand out. Using a periscope-style construction, the S21 Ultra’s telephoto cameras are capable of up to 10x lossless zoom. Then, it utilizes Samsung’s Super Resolution Zoom to achieve up to 100x zoom, giving you an incredibly tight shot on whatever subject you’re trying to capture.
And, of course, the S21 Ultra has all the fixings in tow. You’ll find 8K video recording with improved stabilization, studio-quality selfies thanks to the 40MP selfie camera, portrait mode, AI scene detection, and more.
The two areas users will find most fault with are the ultra-wide camera and Samsung’s color choices. The ultra-wide lens’s resolution and light intake aren’t as great as the main camera, since you have fewer megapixels to work with and a smaller aperture. Meanwhile, the way Samsung styles its photos won’t please those who dislike extra saturation.
That being said, if you can live with these two quirks, you’ll be happy with the sheer versatility and prowess of the S21 Ultra camera system. Plus, you’ll get a great smartphone with a big 6.8-inch Dynamiced AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 888 processor, up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, a 5,000mah battery, and an in-display fingerprint reader.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
With the Galaxy S21 Ultra, you get all the cameras, all the software, and all the features for a great picture. You do have to pay all the money too, though!
$996.27
Best Android Camera Phone in Low Light: Google Pixel 5
Pros
- ✓ Night Sight is simply stunning
- ✓ Astrophotography mode is breath-taking
- ✓ Portrait mode at night is great
Cons
- ✗ Limited to just three different cameras
- ✗ Flash isn’t anything special
When it comes to picking a phone that performs best at night, we have to give the reigns back to the Google Pixel 5. The reason? Night Sight.
Google’s Night Sight feature on the latest Pixel line is perhaps the most impressive setting to ever ship on a smartphone. Once you enable it and stand still for a moment, you can capture some truly breathtaking images at night of practically anything. The system relies on a long exposure and lots of post-processing magic to yank out shots you’d never expect to come from a smartphone.
The company also has a feature coupled with Night Sight called Astrophotography. This feature specifically looks for a starry sky to highlight the miniature lights above and create photos that leave you speechless. Other phones aren’t capable of this kind of photography, thanks to how well Google’s software works.
The only real downside here is that you’re limited to the somewhat lacking array of camera sensors on the Pixel 5. There’s no extra telephoto lens or periscope zoom here, so you’ll have to be okay with a dual setup on the back and a standard selfie shooter upfront. The LED flash is also nothing special, so don’t expect it to improve what Night Sight is already capable of.
At the end of the day, Google’s Night Sight and Astrophotography are why the Pixel 5 should be the phone you think of if you’ll be taking lots of photos at nighttime. It’s simply that good.
Google Pixel 5
With Night Sight and Astrophotography mode, the Pixel 5 is fantastic if you plan on taking a lot of pictures at night or in otherwise low light.
$699.00
Best Android Camera Phone for Selfies: Asus Zenfone 8 Flip
Pros
- ✓ 180-degree flip cameras for awesome selfies and video
- ✓ Flagship specs
- ✓ Large screen and battery
Cons
- ✗ No wireless charging
- ✗ Poor software support
- ✗ No CDMA (Verizon) support
This one’s an odd one for sure, but if you’re looking to take the very best-looking selfies, you have to check out the Asus Zenfone 8 Flip.
The reason this device is on our list is due to the hardware that gives it its name—the rear camera set physically flips 180 degrees so it faces you when you want to take a selfie. That means you can use the main 64MP sensor, the 112-degree 12MP ultra-wide lens, and the 8MP telephoto camera to capture some great selfies. You’ll also get much higher quality images since the sensors are intended for primary photography, not just the occasional selfie for Instagram or Snapchat.
Plus, your selfie video will be much better. Asus equipped the cameras with 8K video capture at 30 frames per second, plus advanced stabilization, so your vlogs will be extra sharp.
Asus also includes flagship-level specs in the Zenfone 8 Flip so you don’t have to sacrifice performance. There’s a Snapdragon 888, 8GB of RAM, 128 or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, and a 5,000mAh battery. You also get a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED 90Hz display, stereo speakers, fast charging, and an in-display fingerprint reader.
Downsides to the Zenfone 8 Flip include a lack of wireless charging and CDMA carrier support, meaning those on Verizon won’t be able to use the device. Software support is also historically spotty from Asus, so you might be stuck on Android 11 for a while.
Beyond that, if all you want is the best Android device for taking selfies, you shouldn’t skip the Flip.
Asus Zenfone 8 Flip
Don’t you wish you could use your phone’s back cameras for selfies? The Asus Zenfone 8 Flip allows you to do just that, and you get great selfies as a result.
Best Android Video Phone: Sony Xperia 1 III
Pros
- ✓ Extensive video controls with Cinema Pro app
- ✓ Granular audio controls
- ✓ High-end specs w/ a 4K screen
Cons
- ✗ Auto-mode for video isn’t very impressive
- ✗ Not great for average videographers
Those who are serious about capturing video on their phones will love the Sony Xperia 1 III. It’s one of the most premium phones you can get with a list of impressive specs like a 4K OLED screen, Snapdragon 888, 12GB of RAM, and loud stereo speakers. However, it’s the camera department that really stands out thanks to the added capabilities of Sony’s software.
Included on the Xperia 1 III is a wave of professional controls that let you adjust virtually every aspect of the video you want to capture. From ISO to white balance to color grading, you’ll find all the controls a pro could ever want to create the memories and achieve the production level you want. You also get Sony’s Cinema Pro camera app for even deeper control over your video, along with advanced audio controls to nail the sound capture perfectly.
On top of all this, the Xperia 1 III comes with a standard 12MP f/1.7 lens, an ultra-wide 12MP f/2.2 lens, and a periscope-style 12MP f/2.3 telephoto. This hardware, combined with Sony’s innovative camera controls, means you can create some really stunning videos. You can capture everything in up to 4K at 120 frames per second, as well as in a cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio.
The biggest downside to the Xperia 1 III is its lack of consumer-friendly features. There are many controls and features here that will appeal to a more experienced market, not those who just want to point and shoot video. Don’t expect the auto-mode for videos to impress you or a simple snap of the shutter button to capture your next masterpiece without any editing.
Priced at $1,299, the Xperia 1 III is by no means cheap, but if you’re serious about capturing video with your phone, Sony’s latest offering is certainly worth consideration.
Sony Xperia 1 III
Sony’s flagship phone is has the hardware and software to make some truly breathtaking video. There’s a bit of a learning curve to it all, though!