Everyone wants their smartphone to take great photos. Camera quality, however, can vary hugely from model to model. A lot of the time it depends more on then software for cameras than technical specifications, making it especially challenging to identify which camera will let you capture the best quality photos. That’s why we put together this list of the best camera phones you can get in 2020.
1. iPhone 11 Pro
iPhones are known for their high-quality cameras, and the 11 Pro is no exception. The phone’s triple-camera setup is one of the most powerful on the market, boosted by artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
The result is a smartphone with cameras that both professionals and amateurs will find powerful. New software features – like Apple’s Night Mode, which makes the model one of the best available for low-light photography – are enough to push the camera into easily one of the best of 2020.
The price, however, remains high at $999, and other concerns may put off potential buyers, such as the low amount of onboard storage for images.
2. Samsung Galaxy Note10+
The leading Android competitor to the iPhone is no slouch either.
Like the iPhone 11 Pro, the Galaxy Note10+, which is priced at nearly $1,100, offers three different lenses, including a wide-angle and telephoto lens powered by a 12MP sensor.
The phone does, however, tend to brighten shadows so that resulting images are a little flatter and less punchy than they could be. Of course, this is just a minor complaint, as otherwise this Galaxy packs a powerful phone camera.
3. Huawei P30 Pro
The P30 Pro, the successor to the P20, features an impressive triple-camera-sensor setup with a 5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom and a 4200 mAh battery – more than one-and-a-half times the battery life of the iPhone Pro X. The primary 40MP sensor features a wide f/1.6 aperture and 27mm focal length, providing better low-light photos and the option for wide-angle shots.
The phone’s camera software is also top-notch, with an advanced portrait mode and AI features. The P30 includes one of the best night modes on the market and is great at preserving detail and color in images with low-light settings.
However, due to the ongoing blacklisting of Huawei in the U.S., there is no American or EU version of the model available. It is possible to buy an international version of the P30 Pro no matter where you are, but it’ll only work with GSM carriers.
4. Google Pixel 4
The latest model from Google’s flagship smartphone line, the Pixel 4, does struggle a bit when it comes to basic smartphone capabilities: the battery runs out quickly, the screen is small and storage is limited. Like previous Pixels, however, the Pixel 4 does deliver a camera that’s surprisingly powerful.
From a numbers standpoint, the Pixel 4’s camera looks like the rest of the competition – a 12.2MP sensor and f1.7 aperture on the main lens. However, the camera software on board and its excellent automatic mode make it a pretty incredible point-and-shoot camera that can consistently create well-balanced photos.
Those looking for a more technically impressive camera may be disappointed, but if you want a camera that does a lot of the work for you, the Pixel 4 can be a great choice. Priced at $799, it’s also a cheaper alternative to Apple’s and Samsung’s recent offerings.
5. OnePlus 7T Pro
The OnePlus 7T Pro includes the most powerful of any camera on this list, if you go by the specs alone. The 7T Pro features three different lenses: a primary 48MP sensor with a wide f/1.6 lens, an 8MP camera with a 3x zoom for long-distance shots and a 16MP ultra wide-angle camera that offers a 117-degree field of view.
The phone’s weaker onboard camera software, however, may make it less suitable for people who just want a point-and-click camera. For example, despite offering specs that should make it better for low-light photography than many of the cameras on this list, the 7T Pro can struggle in low-light scenarios. Through, with a price just under $670, it’s one of the more affordable higher-end options available.
6. Google Pixel 3a
The hardware on the Pixel 3a is a little outdated, but its onboard, AI-assisted camera software remains top-notch. If you want a budget phone option at $399 that still delivers high-quality photographs, even if you don’t have a lot of technical know-how, the Pixel 3a can be a great choice.
7. Moto G7 Power
The Moto G7 Power won’t take the best photos in the world, but it will deliver a camera setup whose quality may surprise you, given the phone’s modest $249.99 price point.
Like other smartphones with cheaper camera setups, the G7 Power can struggle with low-light photography and may overcorrect the lighting on some photos. However, for the price, the G7’s camera quality will be hard to beat.
Best Smartphone Cameras
The latest smartphone cameras are some of the most advanced ever developed, meaning you have options when it comes to buying a phone with a high-quality camera.
While the best phone cameras of 2020 will be on flagship devices from major brands, like the iPhone 11 Pro, Google Pixel 4 and Samsung Galaxy Note10+, a few other budget options can deliver quality cameras for much lower price points.
Image credit: iPhone 11 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Note+, Huawei P30, OnePlus 7T Pro, Google Pixel 3a, Moto G7 Power
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