Best Android camera phone 2022

Best for parents

Google's pedigree for smartphone photography holds up with its latest flagship, the Pixel 6 Pro. It's got a nice, big set of camera sensors, 4x optical zoom, and tons of impressive photography modes. Even photos of hyperactive kids will come out crisp and clear (opens in new tab) with Google's AI prowess, and abilities like Magic Eraser make it easy to remove parts of the photo you don't want.

Best for zoomers

Samsung's Galaxy S22 Ultra features the most powerful camera (opens in new tab) on the market, including the famous 100x Space Zoom feature. In addition to that, Samsung included its amazing 108mp sensor on board for the main camera, packed in a crisp ultra-wide-angle camera, and updated the software with even better automated features than before. Its only shortcoming is with moving pets or kids where Samsung still struggles a bit.

Best for photo enthusiasts

OnePlus continues to settle into its partnership with world-famous camera company Hasselblad, adding more unique features with this year's phone than ever before. Deep HDR color photos, unique filters, and solid software make this a superb performer in every situation (and at a surprisingly good price).

Best camera on a budget

Buyers in the U.S. are lucky to have this phone as an option, not just because it's not widely available elsewhere, but also because it takes so much from the Pixel 5 and puts it at a lower price. The 12MP primary and 16MP ultra-wide sensors are the same as Google used in flagships before the Pixel 6, as is Google's unmatched image processing. It's a superb snapper for an even better price.

Feature laden

It's hard not to notice the Vivo X70 Pro+ when you're talking about a phone laden with photography features. A bevy of modes open the doors to a whole lot of experimentation. The software offers many options, whether it's the unique take on portrait shots or the surprisingly useful long exposure modes. Of course, if you're looking for 5G stateside, you won't get it, but great photos are a snap away if you're an international user.

Best international

If you haven't heard of Xiaomi or the Mi 11 Ultra, this is one of the most fully loaded smartphone cameras available to date. It's not just that it looks like a beast on paper, but the output also rings true to the litany of specs putting this phone on the pedestal. It has one of the best ultra-wide lenses in the industry, with low-light shooting to rival what the best has had to offer thus far. Just note you may miss out on 5G band support with U.S. carriers.

Perfect for video

All of the phones on this list can take very good video, but if you want to make sure your home movies look as good as they can be, the Xperia 1 III comes out ahead as the go-to pick. Offering three cameras and a time-of-flight sensor, this phone has incredibly fast focus speeds, records in 4K HDR, and offers full manual video controls you won't find anywhere else. It takes some time to master, but the potential is unreal once you get a feel for it.