The Best Camera Smartphones of 2024

Brands are constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation in technology for smartphones. Camera technology is constantly improving, reaching new heights every year. The Vivo X100 Ultra, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Vivo X200 Pro, and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max are great examples of device that raise the bar for mobile photography thanks to cutting edge hardware and innovative features, so let’s see what makes them the best camera smartphones of 2024.

1. Vivo X100 Ultra

The Vivo X100 Ultra took smartphone photography to the next level with its camera system. It features a Zeiss branded triple camera setup. This comprises a 50MP Sony LYT900 main camera, which is a one inch sensor that has a 23mm focal length. The one inch sensor ensures that you get a better photography experience in low light environments. This is paired with a 50MP ultra wide angle lens with a 116 degree FOV and 14mm focal length.

The last sensor is easily one of its highlights, being a 200MP HP9 periscope telephoto shooter, which offers a focal length of 85mm. Thanks to its professional mode, you get access to five focal length selections (24, 28, 35, 50, 85mm) and an adjustable aperture from f/0.95 to f/16. Pairing it with a V3 imaging chipset, the Vivo X100 Ultra is easily one of the best camera smartphones on the market right now. For selfies and video calls, you get another 50MP shooter.

2. Vivo X200 Pro

While we are nearly at the end of 2024, Vivo unveiled its next generation of flagship smartphones. As of right now, the Vivo X200 Pro is its latest premium smartphone, bringing next gen camera technology. You miss out on the one inch sensor this time around, but you still get a 50MP Sony LYT818 primary camera, along with a 50MP ultra wide angle lens, and a 200MP Zeiss APO telephoto sensor.

At the moment, the periscope telephoto shooter is among the best camera in the market for zoomed shots. It even comes with a new Vivo V3+ imaging chip for a better photography experience. This allows for 4K HDR Cinematic Portrait video and 10-bit Log video recording at 60fps. On the front, you get a 32MP shooter for selfies and video calls.

3. Xiaomi 14 Ultra

Continuing the one inch sensor trend from 2024, we have the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. The Chinese brand didn’t just pack a quad cameras on the back and call it a day, each image sensor plays its role. It has a 50MP Sony LYT900 one-inch primary sensor with a variable aperture range of f/1.63 to f/4.0 that enables bokeh and starburst effects, along with sharper details depending on the scene. Even the main sensor can offer up to 2x optical zoom.

The ultrawide-angle lens has a 50 MP resolution and 122 degree FOV. But for a better zoomed shot, users get a 50MP telephoto and another 50MP periscope telephoto lens. Both of these have floating technology that lets you shift the focus range from 10 cm to infinity. So you can get up to 70x zoom capabilities. Just like the X200 Pro, there is a 32MP selfie camera.

4. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Apple’s iPhones is known for its camera and the iPhone 16 Pro Max does not disappoint. While flagships from Google, vivo, and others have raised the quality of still shots, the latest iPhones are still one of the best smartphones for video recording. The main sensor is a 48MP dual pixel primary camera, which is paired with a 12MP periscope telephoto shooter for 5x optical zoom.

The third sensor is a 48MP ultra wide angle lens while the last sensor is a 3D ToF LiDAR scanner that helps map depth. On the front, the Apple’s top end flagship phone packs a 12MP selfie camera along with a SL 3D sensor, which helps with its Face ID biometric sensor.