The Best Smartphones with Impressive Cameras, No Matter Your Budget
Top-tier smartphones boasting exceptional cameras.
Ever thought top-tier camera quality means breaking the bank? Think again! Today, even budget-friendly smartphones boast cameras that can give high-end devices a run for their money. Stiftung Warentest, a renowned consumer testing organization, has brands scrambling to outdo one another in the camera department. Let's dive into the best smartphone cameras across different price ranges!
High-End Marvels
Currently, four devices share the first spot for their camera performance, each scoring an impressive 1.3. Two of these are the latest Apple handsets: the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The former costs around 1070 euros, while the latter sets you back 1322 euros. Despite their high price tags, their rear cameras deliver excellent results across the board with only the front camera receiving a "good" rating from testers. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, costing 1130 euros and 1099 euros, respectively, share the same ratings as the Apple duo.
Google's latest premium smartphones, the Pixel 9 Pro (833 euros) and Pixel 9 Pro XL (963 euros), and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (977 euros) trail slightly behind with a score of 1.4. All models mentioned above offer outstanding rear camera performance and "good" front cameras.
Mid-Range Masterpieces Under 500 Euros
Looking to save some dough? Don't worry! You can still get a great smartphone camera within a 500 euro budget. Three devices are worth considering: the Google Pixel 8a (430 euros), the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (449 euros), and the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE (490 euros). These phones impress with a camera score of 1.9, enabling you to capture stunning photos without breaking the bank.
As for other mid-range models, the Samsung Galaxy A56 and the Xiaomi 14T follow closely with a camera score of 2.1. The Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro (480 euros) finishes up third in this category, with its cameras scoring a respectable 2.2.
Budget-Friendly Wonder
Even in the entry-level range up to 300 euros, there are several devices with camera quality to envy. Among them are the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion (255 euros) and the Motorola Edge 50 Neo (300 euros), with camera scores of 2.3. While not at the top of the camera game, they still deliver good camera performance for an entry-level price. Other budget devices, such as the Motorola Edge 40 Neo (254 euros), the Samsung Galaxy A35 (286 euros), the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 (225 euros), and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro (270 euros), fall behind slightly with camera scores of 2.5.
According to the experts at Stiftung Warentest, there's a whole world of excellent camera phones at your fingertips, no matter your budget!
The community is advised to consult the research and development efforts of various smartphone manufacturers, such as Apple, Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, and Motorola, in their quest for an exceptional camera phone. As technology advances, even budget-friendly gadgets like the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion and 50 Neo can offer decent camera performance, proving that top-tier camera quality is no longer exclusive to high-end smartphones.
