Cameras are arguably the main feature of any smartphone, whether it’s Android or iOS. Three years ago, mobile devices were mainly about performance or build quality. It was only this year when brands noticed that people take more photos and share them with the rest of the world. And so, multi-camera phones have become a thing. But when talking about the best camera quality, the story is always more than the sum of the lenses. You may or may not agree with our choices below but we don’t mind hearing your thoughts in the comment section. That said, here are the best camera phones in 2019.
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Table of Contents
Best Camera Phones for 2019
5. OPPO Reno 10x Zoom / Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Pro
OPPO Reno 10x Zoom shocked the mobile world when it introduced its highlighting 10x zoom feature. At the same time, it delivers three lenses to use (a rarity during its time of release). Furthermore, it was the only phone that can rival the 5x optical zoom of the P30 Pro while making the price a little bit less expensive. Compared to the Mi Note 10 Pro, the post-process of Reno 10x Zoom is more consistent. But when you have a 108MP lens inside a small device, you can easily look past the difference in overall photo/video quality. You can also do up to 5x optical zoom but with the added 2MP macro camera for extra versatility. That’s already on top of the ultrawide and telephoto lenses.
4. Huawei Mate 30 Pro / P30 Pro
When it comes to low-light photos, either the Mate 30 Pro or the P30 Pro will provide you the brightest output in any smartphone. This is thanks to the RYYB sensor instead of the typical RGB sensor, allowing more light to pass through. Photo quality is also top-notch, but the video quality is now on another level. Aside from the improved overall quality, the stabilization is incredibly reliable. Both offers 5x optical zoom via the periscope 8MP lens, although the Mate 30 Pro is advertised with up to 3x optical zoom, the AI-RAW algorithms allow the device to deliver better photo quality. But all in all, the difference between the two is negligible.
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3. Google Pixel 4 XL
Google may be lacking in the hardware department but the software side of the Pixel 4 XL makes up for that big time. Whether you’re taking a photo of a person or a thing, Google’s algorithms process the subject and the background and everything in-between to the best of its ability. The result — the best photo quality in a smartphone (no edits needed). Night mode is also nearly unbeatable — balancing colors, sharpness, and exposure during the harshest conditions. It may not be the best mobile camera for videos but Google has already improved that part to make it usable. And if it’s your cup of tea, astrophotography is possible with the Pixel 4 XL.
2. Samsung Galaxy Note 10+
Not a lot are fond of Samsung’s camera post-processing as skin softening always takes effect even when beautification mode is turned off. However, since the S9 and Note 9 Series, the company has done a decent job in preserving skin detail. At the same time, the quality has improved too. With the Note 10+, it has done a good job in color reproduction and sharpness level. Colors are not too saturated anymore but pack enough punch to stand out. We can also say that it’s one of the best cameras for videos, thanks to the 2nd-gen Super Steady Video feature. You can comfortably record 4K @ 60fps or go for ultra slo-mo at 720p @960fps.
1. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
Want the most versatile cameras out of a smartphone? iPhone 11 Pro Max is the answer. Apple’s combination of software processing and hardware has put them to the top in 2019. They don’t have the aggressive HDR mode of Google but their algorithms can recognize a person’s face and the background to properly expose each part. And now that an ultrawide lens has been added, you can get consistent-looking ultrawide shots in terms of color reproduction — something all Android brands have been trying to fulfill since the ultrawide lens has become a thing. But what makes the iPhone 11 Pro Max a reliable shooter is its video capability. You can record videos from the telephoto, main, and ultrawide, and even all at the same time with the use of the Filmic Pro app. Furthermore, the stabilization is nearly GoPro level. The level of consistency when it comes to sharpness, color science, and exposure handling is the strongest feature of the newest iPhone 11 phones.
