The best camera phones to buy in 2023

Sypalo.com

In today's world, smartphone cameras have become a crucial aspect of our daily lives. With people capturing more and more moments on their phones, camera quality has become an essential factor when buying a new smartphone. As we move into 2023, there is an exciting range of new camera phones available on the market, each promising to deliver exceptional picture quality and a range of advanced features. In this post, we'll take a closer look at six of the best camera phones to buy in 2023, including the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max, Google Pixel 7 Pro, Xiaomi 13 Pro, Huawei P60 Pro, Vivo X90 Pro+, Oppo Find X6 Pro and Honor Magic5 Pro. We'll explore the key features, pros, and cons of each phone's camera, helping you decide which one is the best fit for your needs and preferences.

The camera quality in smartphones has become an increasingly important feature in recent years. With the rise of social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, people are capturing and sharing more photos and videos than ever before. As a result, the camera has become a primary factor when choosing a new smartphone, with consumers seeking high-quality lenses, larger sensors, and advanced features.

Each of these phones boasts a range of advanced camera features, from larger sensors and high megapixel counts to improved low-light performance and advanced autofocus. Additionally, many of these phones come with advanced computational photography features, such as night mode and enhanced HDR capabilities, which use machine learning algorithms to improve the quality of photos.

It`s worth noting that while camera quality is an essential aspect of smartphones, it is not the only factor that should be considered when making a purchase. Other factors such as battery life, display quality, processing power, and overall design should also be taken into account. However, for those who prioritize photography and videography, theese camera phones we will cover in this post are among the best options available in 2023.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Platform

OS: iOS 16
CPU: Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm)

Memory

6/128, 6/256, 6/512, 6/1024

Size

6.7", 240 g (8.47 oz)
160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9 mm
6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in

Battery

4323 mAh
Buy now on Amazon

Main camera

48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm
12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), 1/3.5"
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm

Video modes

4K@24/25/30/60fps
1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps

Selfie camera

12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6"

Video modes

4K@24/25/30/60fps
1080p@25/30/60/120fps

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is a premium smartphone with an impressive camera system. The primary camera has a 48-megapixel sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a 24-mm wide lens, as well as a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with an f/2.8 aperture and a 77-mm focal length. A 13mm ultrawide lens with a 12 MP sensor is also included. The front-facing camera has a 12 MP sensor, an f/1.9 aperture, and a lens that is 23mm wide.

One of the standout features of the iPhone 14 Pro Max`s camera system is its best-in-class overall video quality. With the ability to shoot 4K video at up to 60fps, as well as support for Dolby Vision HDR and ProRes video, the iPhone is an excellent choice for anyone looking to shoot high-quality video on their smartphone. The camera`s software-based features, such as cinematic mode and live text, further enhance the user`s ability to capture professional-grade video.

In terms of video modes, the iPhone 14 Pro Max can shoot 1080p video at up to 240fps to already mentioned 4K/60fps. The camera also features a range of software-based photography features, such as Night mode, Portrait mode, and Deep Fusion technology for enhanced detail and texture in photos.

Compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a significantly higher megapixel count, which may result in even more detailed photos. However, the iPhone`s camera system has been known for its excellent color accuracy and dynamic range, which can be particularly useful in outdoor photography. Additionally, the iPhone 14 Pro Max`s camera system is known for its video capabilities, with the ability to shoot Dolby Vision HDR footage and ProRes video at up to 4K resolution.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Platform

OS: Android 13
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)

Memory

8/256, 12/256, 12/512, 12/1024

Size

6.8", 234 g (8.25 oz)
163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm
6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in

Battery

5000 mAh
Buy now on Amazon

Main camera

200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm
10 MP, f/4.9, 230mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm
10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm

Video modes

8K@24/30fps
4K@30/60fps
1080p@30/60/240fps
720p@960fps

Selfie camera

12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide)

Video modes

4K@30/60fps
1080p@30fps

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a powerful Android smartphone with an advanced camera system. The main camera features an impressive 200 MP sensor with an f/1.7 aperture and a 24mm wide lens. Additionally, there is a periscope telephoto lens with a 10 MP sensor and f/4.9 aperture, allowing for up to 230mm zoom, as well as a 70mm telephoto lens and a 13mm ultrawide lens. The selfie camera features a 12 MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and a 26mm wide lens.

One of the key features of the Galaxy S23 Ultra`s camera system is its improved low-light performance. The larger sensor and wider aperture allow for more light to enter the camera, resulting in brighter and more detailed photos in low-light conditions. The advanced autofocus system uses a combination of laser autofocus, phase detection autofocus, and contrast autofocus to ensure sharp and accurate focus in a variety of lighting conditions.

In terms of video modes, the Galaxy S23 Ultra can shoot 8K video at 30fps, 4K at 60fps, 1080p at 240fps and 720p slow-mo at 960fps. The camera also features a range of software-based photography features, such as night mode, portrait mode, and enhanced HDR capabilities.

One of the main pros of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra`s camera system is its high megapixel count, which allows for extremely detailed photos. The advanced autofocus system and improved low-light performance are also major strengths of this camera. However, some users may find the camera module`s design bulky and unattractive, and the high price point may be a significant drawback for some.

Google Pixel 7 Pro

Google Pixel 7 Pro

Platform

OS: Android 13
CPU: Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)

Memory

8/128, 8/256, 12/128, 12/256, 12/512

Size

6.7", 212 g (7.48 oz)
162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm
6.41 x 3.02 x 0.35 in

Battery

5000 mAh
Buy now on Amazon

Main camera

50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm
48 MP, f/3.5, 120mm (tele), 1/2.55", 0.7µm
12 MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), 1/2.9", 1.4µm

Video modes

4K@30/60fps
1080p@30/60/120/240fps

Selfie camera

10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm

Video modes

4K@30/60fps
1080p@30/60fps

The Google Pixel 7 Pro boasts an impressive camera system, with a main camera that features a 50-megapixel sensor and a wide f/1.9 aperture lens. This camera is equipped with advanced autofocus technology, allowing it to quickly and accurately lock onto subjects even in challenging shooting conditions. The Pixel 7 Pro`s main camera also has improved low-light performance, thanks to its larger pixel size of 1.2µm. Additionally, the phone`s telephoto lens has a 48-megapixel sensor, allowing for high-quality zoom shots.

The Pixel 7 Pro can record video in 4K at 30 or 60 frames per second, as well as 1080p at 30/60/120/240fps. The phone`s video capabilities are complemented by advanced autofocus technology, which ensures that video footage is always sharp and in focus. The ultrawide selfie camera on the phone has a 10.8-megapixel sensor and can record in 4K at 30 or 60 frames per second.

Despite its impressive camera features, the Pixel 7 Pro does have some drawbacks. One of these is its lack of 8K video recording capabilities, which is a feature that some competing flagship phones offer. Additionally, the phone`s storage subsystem uses the older UFS 3.0 standard, whereas newer phones like the iPhone 14 Pro Max and Samsung S23 Ultra feature the faster UFS 4.0 storage subsystem. These limitations may not be a dealbreaker for everyone, but they are worth keeping in mind for those who place a high priority on the latest camera and storage technology.

Overall, the Google Pixel 7 Pro`s camera system is a strong contender in the premium smartphone market. Its advanced autofocus technology, improved low-light performance, and high-quality zoom capabilities make it a great choice for photography enthusiasts, while its 4K video recording capabilities and advanced selfie camera make it a great option for video content creators. Despite a few minor drawbacks, the Pixel 7 Pro is a top choice for those looking for a phone with a powerful camera system.

Xiaomi 13 Ultra

Xiaomi 13 Ultra

Platform

OS: Android 13
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)

Memory

12/256, 16/512, 16/1024

Size

6.73", 227 g (8.01 oz)
163.2 x 74.6 x 9.1 mm
6.43 x 2.94 x 0.36 in

Battery

5000 mAh
Buy now on AliExpress

Main camera

50 MP, f/1.9 or f/4.0, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm
50 MP, f/3.0, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.51"
50 MP, f/1.8, 75mm (telephoto), 1/2.51"
50 MP, f/1.8, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/2.51"

Video modes

8K@24fps
4K@24/30/60fps
1080p@30/60/120/240/480/960/1920fps

Selfie camera

32 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 0.7µm

Video modes

1080p@30fps

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is the latest high-end smartphone from Xiaomi, offering top-of-the-line features and specifications that make it an excellent choice for users who demand the best.

The phone`s quad-camera setup is one of its most notable features, with four 50 MP cameras, including a wide camera, a telephoto camera, a periscope telephoto camera, and an ultrawide camera. The camera setup is capable of recording 8K videos at 24 fps, and the device also features a 32 MP front-facing camera that can record 1080p videos at 30 fps.

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and offers up to 16 GB of RAM, providing exceptional performance for even the most demanding users. The device also boasts up to 1024 GB of storage space, which is more than most competitors in the market. Furthermore, it is the first model to support USB 3.2 and DisplayPort, whereas previous models were limited to USB 2.0.

The device`s large 6.73-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels offers a great viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. Moreover, it has a powerful 5000 mAh battery that can last an entire day with moderate use.

Overall, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is an excellent device that offers a powerful processor, impressive camera setup, and a large, high-resolution display, making it an ideal choice for users who demand the best in terms of features and performance.

Huawei P60 Pro

Huawei Mate 50 Pro

Platform

OS: HarmonyOS 3.1 (China), EMUI (Europe)
CPU: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm)

Memory

8/256, 8/512

Size

6.67", 200 g (7.05 oz)
161 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm
6.34 x 2.93 x 0.33 in

Battery

4815 mAh
Buy now on AliExpress

Main camera

48 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 25mm (wide)
48 MP, f/2.1, 90mm (telephoto)
13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)

Video modes

4K@30/60fps
1080p@30/60/120/240/480fps
720p@960fps

Selfie camera

13 MP, f/2.4 (ultrawide)

Video modes

4K@30fps
1080p@30fps

The Huawei P60 Pro is a high-end smartphone that offers users a powerful platform and a range of impressive features. Running on the latest Android 13 operating system, the device is powered by a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G CPU, which provides smooth and efficient performance. The phone offers up to 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage, making it an ideal choice for users who need plenty of memory for storing photos, videos, and other files.

One of the most notable features of the Huawei P60 Pro is its camera system, which includes a 48MP main camera with an aperture range of f/1.4 to f/4.0, a 48MP periscope telephoto camera with f/2.1 aperture and a 13MP f/2.2 ultrawide camera. With this triple-camera setup, users can capture stunning landscape and portrait shots, as well as zoom in to distant objects with the telephoto lens. The camera also features optical image stabilization and phase detection autofocus, which help to produce sharp and detailed images.

One potential drawback of the Huawei P60 Pro is its lack of support for 5G connectivity. The phone uses a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G CPU, which is not as powerful as the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 5G CPUs found in many of the latest smartphones. However, this may not be a major issue for users who do not have access to 5G networks or do not require high-speed connectivity.

In conclusion, the Huawei P60 Pro is a powerful and feature-rich smartphone that offers users a range of impressive camera capabilities and video modes. While it may not support 5G connectivity, it offers plenty of storage and memory options, as well as smooth and efficient performance. Overall, it is a solid choice for users who want a high-end smartphone with excellent camera capabilities.

Vivo X90 Pro+

Vivo X90 Pro+

Platform

OS: Android 13
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)

Memory

12/256, 12/512

Size

6.78", 221 g (7.80 oz)
164.4 x 75.3 x 9.7 mm
6.47 x 2.96 x 0.38 in

Battery

4700 mAh
Buy now on AliExpress

Main camera

50.3 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm
64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm
50 MP, f/1.6, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.4", 0.7µm
48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm

Video modes

8K@30fps
4K@30/60fps
1080p@30/60fps

Selfie camera

32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm

Video modes

4K@30fps
1080p@30fps

The Vivo X90 Pro+ is a powerful Android 13 smartphone that boasts an impressive 4-camera setup with high megapixel counts, allowing for zooming and cropping without sacrificing image quality. Even the base models offer a whopping 12GB of RAM, making it a great choice for users who demand top-notch performance.

One of the standout features of this phone is its camera setup, which includes a 50.3 MP wide-angle lens, a 64 MP periscope telephoto lens, a 50 MP telephoto lens, and a 48 MP ultrawide lens. This combination allows for a wide range of creative possibilities, from capturing expansive landscapes to zooming in on distant objects with impressive detail. The selfie camera is also a respectable 32 MP, making it a great choice for selfie enthusiasts.

Despite the impressive camera specs, the Vivo X90 Pro+ has received less-than-stellar scores on DXOmark`s camera rating system when compared to some of its competitors. This may be disappointing for users who place a high priority on camera quality, but it`s worth noting that DXOmark`s rating system is just one metric to consider, and real-world performance may vary.

Overall, the Vivo X90 Pro+ is a top-of-the-line smartphone that offers impressive features and performance. While the camera may not be the best in its class according to some benchmarks, it`s still an excellent choice for users who demand high-quality images and videos from their smartphone. If you`re in the market for a high-end Android device with an excellent camera setup, the Vivo X90 Pro+ is definitely worth considering.

Oppo Find X6 Pro

Oppo Find X6 Pro

Platform

OS: Android 13
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)

Memory

12/256, 16/256, 16/512

Size

6.82", 218 g (7.62 oz)
164.8 x 76.2 x 9.5 mm
6.49 x 3.0 x 0.37 in

Battery

5000 mAh
Buy now on AliExpress

Main camera

50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm
50 MP, f/2.6, 65mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.56", 1.0µm
50 MP, f/2.2, 15mm (ultrawide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm

Video modes

4K@30/60fps
1080p@30/60/240fps

Selfie camera

32 MP, f/2.4, 21mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm

Video modes

1080p@30fps

The Oppo Find X6 Pro is a top-of-the-line smartphone that comes with impressive features. It runs on Android 13 and is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) processor, which ensures smooth and fast performance. The device comes with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage, making it a great choice for users who need a lot of storage space.

One of the key features of the Oppo Find X6 Pro is its triple-camera system. It features a 50MP main camera with an aperture of f/1.8, a 50MP periscope telephoto camera with an aperture of f/2.6, and a 50MP ultrawide camera with an aperture of f/2.2. The camera setup allows users to capture stunning photos with great detail and clarity, whether it be landscapes, portraits or zoomed-in shots.

One potential downside of the Oppo Find X6 Pro is its weight, which comes in at 218g (7.62 oz). This makes it slightly heavier than some other smartphones on the market, which may not be ideal for users who prefer a lighter device. Additionally, the device does not support 8K video recording, which may be a drawback for users who are looking to capture ultra-high-definition videos on their smartphone.

Overall, the Oppo Find X6 Pro is a great choice for users who are looking for a high-end smartphone with top-of-the-line features. Its impressive camera system, long-lasting battery life, and fast charging capabilities make it a great option for those who prioritize these features in a smartphone.

Honor Magic5 Pro

Honor Magic5 Pro

Platform

OS: Android 13
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)

Memory

8/256, 12/256, 12/512, 16/512

Size

6.81", 219 g (7.72 oz)
162.9 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm
6.41 x 3.02 x 0.35 in

Battery

5100 mAh
Buy now on HiHonor

Main camera

50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), 1/1.12" 1.4µm
50 MP, f/3.0, 90mm (periscope telephoto)
50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.5"

Video modes

4K@30/60fps
1080p@30/60fps

Selfie camera

12 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide), 1.22µm

Video modes

1080p@30/60fps
4K@30fps

The Honor Magic5 Pro is the top-of-the-line smartphone from Honor, a Huawei sub-brand. It comes with impressive specs that make it stand out among the competition. Despite being the last on the list, as of April 2023, it currently holds the top spot on the DXOMark ranking, a popular benchmark for camera performance.

The Honor Magic5 Pro shares most of its specs with the Honor Magic5 Ultimate, with one difference being that the Pro version is available globally, while the Ultimate version is sold only in China. The Honor brand is not affected by US sanctions, and the device comes with Android 13 out of the box, unlike Huawei devices that run on HarmonyOS and lack Google Play services.

The device features a large 6.81-inch screen and a massive 5100mAh battery, which should last for a full day on a single charge. The camera setup is impressive, with a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens, and a 50-megapixel ultrawide sensor. The front camera is a 12-megapixel ultrawide shooter.

Under the hood, the Honor Magic5 Pro is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 5G platform, making it fast and efficient. It is available in various memory configurations, including 8/256, 12/256, 12/512, and 16/512.

Overall, the Honor Magic5 Pro is a powerful smartphone with top-of-the-line specs and an excellent camera setup. Its global availability and compatibility with Google Play services make it a solid choice for anyone looking for a premium Android smartphone.