One area that differentiates the best smartphones today, whether it be Apple, Google, Samsung, etc., is camera performance. The strongest phones with the best cameras are optimized for photography, videos, telephoto subjects, ultra-wide landscapes, selfies, and more. It's not just hardware either, as some with basic hardware have advanced software algorithms and AI to provide optimal imaging experiences.

Camera capability is closely related to the price of a phone in most instances. However, we also see affordable and mid-range phones with cameras capable of capturing good quality images and videos, especially since most people only share captured content on social media platforms and via electronic messaging.

Must read:

• The best vlogging cameras
  
• The best cameras
• The best DSLR camera
• The best webcams
• The best cameras for beginners
• The best security cameras
  
• The best camera accessories

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

Best camera phone

Image:Getty

Display: 6.7-inch OLED (2,778 x 1,284-pixel resolution) at 458 ppi  CPU:Apple A15 Bionic chip  RAM: TBDInternal Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB  Rear cameras: 12MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide (120-degree field of view), 12MP telephoto (6x optical zoom)  Front camera: 12MP  Weight:240g  Dust/water resistance: IP68

Apple's biggest and most feature-rich iPhone is a mouthful, the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Apple listened to customers and while the phone looks just about the same as last year's 12 Pro Max it is a tad thicker with a larger capacity battery and longer battery life.

Read our full review:Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

The display now supports a refresh rate up to 120 Hz, while the optical zoom on the telephoto camera is improved to 6x. Macro photography and cinematic video modes are new features in the camera system that are sure to please photographers and videographers alike.

Apple continues to actively improve iOS 15 while also offering 1TB of internal storage so you can capture content to your heart's delight.

Pros:

•    Lovely display 
•    Flawless performance
•    Long battery life
•    Superb cameras

Cons:

•    Expensive
•    Big and heavy

View now at Amazon

Google Pixel 6 Pro

Best for consistent point-and-shoot

Image: CNET

Display: 6.7 inches (3,120 x 1,440-pixel resolution) OLED  CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888  RAM: 12GB  Internal Storage: 128/256/512GB  Rear cameras: 50MP rear f/1.85 wide, 48MP telephoto with 4x optical, and 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide (114-degree field-of-view)  Front camera: 11.1MP f/2.2  Weight: 210g

Google's newest Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6 launched in October and brought with them the promise of amazing photography. Google has long done well with its cameras due to software algorithms and enhancements, but this year also adds in hardware components with upgraded cameras and a Google Tensor processor.
Read our full review:Google Pixel 6 Pro

The phone is focused on the camera experience, and the potential is there for this to be the best camera phone on the market, but we'll have to see as devices get into the hands of reviewers. Unlike past Pixel phones that always had something disappointing, Google may have finally released a flagship worthy of that title.

Android 12 powers the phone, and you can rest assured of updates for years. The new OS is focused on matching your colors and styles while also working to optimized the experience for your needs.

Pros:

•    New camera experiences and advanced software enhancements.
•    High-quality hardware features
•    Affordable price for a flagship.

Cons:

•    Limited availability.

View now at Amazon

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Best camera phone with a stylus

Image: Getty

Display: 6.8 inches (3,088 x 1,440-pixel resolution) 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED  CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1  RAM: 12GB LPDDR5  Internal Storage:128GB-1TB storage  Rear cameras: 12MP rear f/4.9 telephoto with 10x optical, 10MP f/2.4 with 2x optical, 108MP f/2.2 wide-angle camera, and 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera (120-degree field-of-view)  Front camera: 40MP f/2.2 under display camera  Weight: 229gDust/water resistance: IP68

Samsung's first flagship phone of 2022 was released as the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G. While the S21 Ultra from 2021 supported the S Pen, there was no way to store, carry, or charge up the S Pen. With the S22 Ultra, Samsung has fully embraced it as the Note successor with an S Pen silo, flat and square design elements, and all of the latest and greatest specifications in a smartphone.

See the full review: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

The Galaxy S22 phones were the first to launch widely with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1processor inside. While the same resolution cameras are found in this year's S22 Ultra, Samsung improved the camera's capabilities, especially in terms of low-light shooting. With two telephoto cameras, Samsung stands out from Apple and Google with fantastic zoom capability.

Pros:

• An amazing quad rear camera system
• Gorilla Glass Victus Plus
• Fully integrated S Pen support
  
• Fantastic 5G and RF performance
• High capacity battery

Cons:

• Some duplicate Samsung apps

View now at Samsung View now at Verizon Wireless more buying choices

OnePlus 10 Pro

Best phone for landscape photography

June Wan/ZDNet

Display: 6.7 inches (3,216 x 1,440-pixel resolution) 120Hz AMOLED  CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1  RAM:8GB/12GB LPDDR5  Internal Storage: 128GB/256GB  Rear cameras:48MP wide-angle, 50MP ultra-wide angle (150?), 8MP telephoto (3.3x optical zoom, OIS)  Front camera: 32MP f/2.2 camera  Weight:200.5g

OnePlus used to be the "flagship killer" brand but has since evolved into higher-priced flagships directly challenging the likes of Samsung and Apple. Compared to Samsung, OnePlus offers an experience that is free from ads and bloatware while also now providing some interesting features such as reverse wireless charging and adaptive 120Hz displays.

See the full review: OnePlus 10 Pro

We've hit year two of the brand's partnership with Swedish camera-maker Hasselblad and the latest update comes in the form of the 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens. With it, you can capture as wide as 150-degrees of imagery, which makes the OnePlus 10 Pro a stellar pick for landscape photography. The far-range camera also lends itself to excellent macro shots and what OnePlus calls "XPan mode". Paying homage to Hasselblad, XPan photos fill a 65:24 aspect ratio, creating a wide and cinematic impression.

Pros:

• Various use-cases with the ultra-wide lens.
  
• Capable cameras that produce natural-looking images.
  
• Undercuts Apple and Samsung flagships in pricing.
  

Cons:

• Hasselblad influence is still limited to software.
• Selfie camera does not record in 4K.
  

View now at Amazon View now at Best Buy more buying choices

Sony Xperia Pro-I

Best for professionals

Image: Sony

Display: 6.5 inches (3,840 x 1,644-pixel resolution) OLED  CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888  RAM: 12GB  Internal Storage: 512GB  Rear cameras: 12MP f/2.4 standard,  12MP dual-aperture, and 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide (124-degree field-of-view)  Front camera: 8MP f/2.0  Weight: 211g

Most people use the automatic settings of their smartphone camera, but for those who want to take things to the next level, there is the Sony Xperia Pro-I is the one for them. The phone was developed with help from Sony's Alpha camera engineers, and even after several weeks of use, the phone was too much for me to handle.

See the full review: Sony Xperia Pro-I

While many smartphones have basic software to control your cameras, Sony provides software that gives users full control over every function in the triple camera array. Unlike every other Android phone I have used, there is no application on the phone called Camera. Instead, Sony provides Photo Pro, Cinema Pro, and Video Pro apps. There is also an Imaging Edge app that supports connections to dedicated cameras.

Sony has several features that have been brought forward from phones of the past, including a microSD card, camera shutter button, 3.5mm audio port, and a notification light. These are all useful for professional photographers.

Pros:

• Advanced, expert-level camera apps
• Solid battery life
• Excellent build quality
• Familiar Sony Alpha camera experience
• Lovely high-resolution display

Cons:

• Very expensive
• Limited zoom capability
• Sensitive shutter button

View now at Best Buy View now at Amazon View now at B&H Photo-Video more buying choices

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G

Best foldable camera phone

(Image: Getty)

Main display: 7.6 inches (2,208 x 1,768-pixel resolution) Dynamic 120Hz AMOLED Cover display: 6.2 inches (720 x 1680-pixel resolution) AMOLED  CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888  RAM: 12GB LPDDR5  Internal Storage: 256GB/512GB, UFS 3.1  Rear cameras: 12MP rear f/2.4 telephoto, 12MP f/1.8 wide-angle, and 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide cameras (123-degree field-of-view)  Front cameras:4MP under display sensor on the main display and 10MP camera on the cover display  Weight: 271g

The 2020 Galaxy Z Fold 2 set the bar for foldable devices that also serve as mini tablets. At first glance, the Z Fold 3 may appear to be just a minor update to the Z Fold 2, but at a starting price of $200 less, Samsung provides S Pen support and IPX8 water resistance. These were two features many have asked for, and Samsung delivered once again.

Read our full review: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

In addition to a couple of new features, the cover display resolution and refresh rate were updated so you get a high-resolution display with 120 Hz support constructed of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The main display has improved panels and a screen protector that provides an 80% increase in its durability. The three main cameras are basically the same, but the new under-display camera is a step forward in mobile technology.

Pros:

• An innovative engineering marvel
• Armor Aluminum material for a lighter and sleeker phone
• High IPX8 water resistance
• S Pen support
• Improved software optimized for foldables

Cons:

• Still expensive, but$200 less than last year
• S Pen purchase separately

View now at Walmart View now at Amazon more buying choices

Oppo Find X5 Pro

Best camera for night photography

Image: Oppo

Display:6.7-inch (3,216 x 1,440-pixel resolution ) OLEDCPU:Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Internal Storage:256GB/512GBRear cameras: 50MP f/1.7 wide, 50MP f/2.2 ultrawide (110-degree field of view), and 13MP f/2.4 2x optical telephotoFront camera: 32MP  Weight:195g

In addition to all of the great smartphone features on the Find X5 Pro, the rear triple-camera system is interesting since it opens up a new area for creativity while also offering more color support than native Android code. Oppo worked hard to provide a compelling camera experience through hardware and software.

Read more: This is Oppo's new Find X5 Pro flagship

Like its BBK Electronic stablemate OnePlus, Oppo this year has partnered with Hasselblad to improve its mobile imaging software. The fruits of the labor comes in the form of night photography and video. Thanks to Hasselblad's color-tuning and Oppo's in-house imaging Neural Processing Unit, MariSilicon X, the Find X5 Pro can capture exceptionally sharp and vivid footage in the night sky.

Typically when you record videos in the dark, the content can appear grainy and devoid of any color accuracy. What Oppo is doing here remedies those issues and more, creating the first 4K Ultra Night Video mode on an Android smartphone.

Pros:

•    High-quality rear triple-camera system.
•    Dependable photo and video shooter at night.
  
•    Five-axis OIS system helps with stabilizing footage.
  

Cons:

•    Poor zoom functionality (omits macro lens of the Find X3 Pro)
•    Not readily available in the US.

View now at Amazon

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

Best phone for selfies

(Image: Getty)

Display: 6.4 inches (2400 x 1080-pixel resolution) 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED  CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888  RAM: 6-8GB LPDDR5  Internal Storage: 128-256GB storage  Rear cameras: 8MP rear f/2.4 telephoto, 12MP f/1.8 wide-angle camera, and 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera (123-degree field-of-view)  Front camera: 32MP f/2.2 camera  Weight: 177g  Dust/water resistance: IP68

While the Galaxy S22 series provide compelling options, they are flagship phones priced in the$800 and higher range. In order to offer customers another alternative, Samsung released the. Galaxy S21 FE (Fan Edition) phone. The S21 FE is available in four unique colors to suit your style.

Priced at$699.99, you may think Samsung compromised a lot to offer a powerful 5G phone. However, we see a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with 120Hz dynamic refresh rate, high-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, large capacity 4500mAh battery, 6 or 8GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB storage with a microSD card slot, IP68 dust/water resistance, three rear cameras (one with 3X optical and 30x super-resolution zoom), and a high resolution 32MP front camera.

Read our full review: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

Where are the compromises? Exactly, there really aren't any, and yet the$700 price is where we see phones in the upper mid-range with less capable specs appear. The S21 FE challenges Google's new Pixel 6 and other phones.

Pros:

• Outstanding cellular reception
• Reasonable price
• 120 Hz high-refresh-rate display
  
• Capable cameras

Cons:

• Pixel 6 is a compelling challenger
• Plastic back panel

View now at Samsung View now at Verizon Wireless more buying choices

Cat S62 Pro

Best phone for thermal imaging

(Image: Cat Phones)

Display:5.7-inch OLED (2,160 x 1,080-pixel resolution)  CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 660  RAM: 6GB  Internal Storage: 128GB  Rear cameras: 12MP wide and FLIR Lepton 3.5 infrared thermal imaging camera  Front camera:8MP  Weight: 248g  Dust/water resistance: IP68/69

The Bullitt Group has released a few Cat-branded phones in the past that are built for fieldwork. While the phones have mid-range specifications, they are extremely capable and have unique features that make them valuable to professionals.

This is the third generation phone with an integrated FLIR thermal camera, and that is clearly a focus for this rugged smartphone. There is a 4x increase in the number of thermal pixels over the last FLIR model, which allows users to vary the intensity of MSX. Users can monitor a custom temperature range between -4