There was once a time when you had to carry a camera as well as your mobile if you wanted to take a decent photo. Thankfully, those dark days are behind us. While they don’t quite rival the top DSLR cameras, phone cameras have come a long way in the past few years. So now you can just whip out your smartphone and snap away to your heart’s content.

Nearly all mobile phones have a camera nowadays, but not all camera phones are created equal. If you want to take great shots every time, you’ll want to know which phone has the best camera. That’s where we come in, our guide to the best camera phones is here to help.

Let’s start with the hardware. When looking at the best phone cameras for photography, it’s all about the megapixels, right? Well, not exactly. A higher pixel count doesn’t directly translate into better photos, arguably more important is the size of the aperture. A wider aperture will let in more light for more detailed pictures. And sensor size and pixel size - the bigger, the better for both - are important for sharper photos, especially in low light. If you’re looking for the best camera phones for professional-level photography, choose one that allows you to manually adjust settings, like the aperture, ISO, and shutter speed.

The phone camera’s hardware is only part of the story though. The best smartphone cameras use computational techniques and AI-driven software to help you take incredible shots. Each phone brand has its own onboard software for processing images, so photos taken on an iPhone will have a different aesthetic to photos taken on a Samsung or Google Pixel phone.

Best budget camera phones

The expensive flagship models from the big brands tend to dominate all the best camera phone lists, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a cheap phone with a good camera. You may need to make some compromises - do you really need a telephoto lens? - or go for an older model, but there are still plenty of best budget and best mid-range camera phone options.

While it may not be the cheapest budget camera phone, the Google Pixel 6a is probably the best mid-range phone for photography. It doesn’t quite compete with the top-of-the-line models in terms of advanced hardware, but Google’s computational photography is exceptional. Also vying for the best mid-range camera phone is the iPhone SE. Don’t be quick to dismiss it because it only has one rear camera, remember this is Apple and that camera is one of the best you can get on a budget.

For the best cheap camera phones, lesser-known brands such as Xiaomi, OPPO, and Honor are a good bet. You may not have heard of them but they’re growing in popularity due to their great tech at affordable prices.

And if you want to take decent snaps but struggle with technology? Check out our range of easy-to-use mobile phones for the best cheap camera phones for the technophobes amongst us.

Best mobile phones

Everyone's different, and that means their version of the best mobile phone is different. Luckily, we have a huge range of top mobile phones to choose from, so there should be something to suit - you just need to decide what's important to you.

Take operating systems, many people have a preference: iOS or Android. As iOS is only used in iPhones, it's pretty easy to compare the different models. But for those who want the best Android mobile phone, it's a little more complicated. Most mobile phone brands use the Android operating system, so there are far more options to consider when choosing the best Android phone for you.

If taking photos is important to you, you'll be interested in a good camera phone. Nowadays, the best smartphone cameras can rival digital cameras. Look out for features such as sensor size and number of megapixels (the larger the better for both), and wide-angle and telephoto lenses.

Gamers looking for a new phone should consider some of the top smartphones on the market. With fast processors, good battery life, and large, high-resolution screens with high refresh rates, they're among the best mobile phones for gaming.

Not everyone is interested in all the bells and whistles though. The best smartphone for seniors may be something a bit simpler, with bold, easy-to-use navigation. And if a smartphone is a step too far, a basic mobile phone may be the best option.

Best Samsung camera phone

Samsung phones are known for having great cameras across the board but which Samsung phone has the best camera? It’s probably unsurprising to learn that its latest flagship model - the Galaxy S23 Ultra - wins the best Samsung phone camera crown. With four rear cameras - an incredible 200MP wide-angle lens, ultra-wide lens, and two telephoto lenses - and improved night mode, the S23 Ultra offers so much versatility for your photography.

As you’d expect, the S23 Ultra comes with a super-high price tag, but the beauty with Samsung is that there are great options across all price points. The Samsung A54 has to be one of the best mid-range phones for photography on the market. And if you’re on a tight budget? The best Samsung camera phone for you could be the A14 or A23.

Best Android camera phone

If you’re an Android fan, Samsung and Google Pixel phones are obvious choices, both brands have a well-deserved reputation for producing the best Android phone cameras. But if you’re looking for some different options, there’s loads to choose from. A list of the best Android phones for photography should certainly include the OPPO Find X5 Pro, Honor Magic 4 Pro, and Motorola Edge 30 Ultra.

Best Samsung camera phone

Samsung phones are known for having great cameras across the board but which Samsung phone has the best camera? It’s probably unsurprising to learn that its latest flagship model - the Galaxy S23 Ultra - wins the best Samsung phone camera crown. With four rear cameras - an incredible 200MP wide-angle lens, ultra-wide lens, and two telephoto lenses - and improved night mode, the S23 Ultra offers so much versatility for your photography.

As you’d expect, the S23 Ultra comes with a super-high price tag, but the beauty with Samsung is that there are great options across all price points. The Samsung A54 has to be one of the best mid-range phones for photography on the market. And if you’re on a tight budget? The best Samsung camera phone for you could be the A14 or A23.

Best selfie camera

Some front phone cameras just don’t quite cut it. And if taking selfies is your thing, it might be the most important camera on your phone, so make sure you choose one of the best phones for selfies. Unsurprisingly, the latest models from Apple, Samsung, and Google Pixel are topping all the best selfie camera phone lists, but there are also more affordable options from the likes of Xiaomi and OPPO.

When choosing the best front camera phone for you, consider the size of the phone screen, as well as the selfie camera spec. A bigger screen will make it easier to see when composing your shots. But of course, if the phone is too big, you might struggle to hold it in one hand.

Best zoom camera

The best camera phones for macro photography have a telephoto lens for optical zoom. Generally considered better than digital zoom, which uses software to magnify, optical zoom uses a lens to get in close instead. Mobile phones with a zoom lens will use a combination of optical and digital zoom to give you the most flexibility.

Most newly-released premium phones have a telephoto lens and some - including the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra - have two. With its up to 100x digital zoom, and 3x and 10x telephoto lenses for optical zoom, the S23 Ultra is often considered the best zoom camera phone.

Phone camera comparison

With so much to think about, you might be wondering how to choose what phone has the best camera for you. Budget will be a big decider, as will a preference for either iPhone or Android. Remember, the way each model processes images is different, so a great way to compare phone cameras is to look at example pictures side by side and see what you prefer. You might be drawn to the portrait mode on one phone or like the way another handles colour.

Different phones are better for different types of photography, so have a think about how you’ll be using the camera. If you often shoot at night you’ll need the best camera phone for low-light photography. The best camera phone for landscape or travel photography will benefit from an ultra-wide lens, whereas you probably want great zoom capabilities to capture wildlife. Whether you’re into portrait, sports, or food photography, the best camera phone for you is out there.

And once you’ve chosen the best camera phone for you, browse our best deals on SIM-free mobile phones.