Best camera phone?
Discussion
It's getting on for "that time" again when thoughts go towards a replacement for my Samsung S22 Ultra. I've been having these thoughts over the last year as the S22 seems to be glitching in hot weather (slow to focus, 'phone too hot' messages)
The phone is used mainly as a kindle (so I don'twant to go to a smaller screen) and then as a camera (the S22 has a 10x optical zoom). I know the best option is to buy a kindle paperwhite and a decent lens for my camera - but as a single product I've always got on me....
The current thinking is:
- S26 Ultra
- iPhone 17 pro-max
- Oppo X9 pro
Weirdly, at first glance, it seems like the S26 might be the cheapest for me (trade-in etc) but I was just hoping that someone out there has been looking for similar and can give some different views...
The phone is used mainly as a kindle (so I don'twant to go to a smaller screen) and then as a camera (the S22 has a 10x optical zoom). I know the best option is to buy a kindle paperwhite and a decent lens for my camera - but as a single product I've always got on me....
The current thinking is:
- S26 Ultra
- iPhone 17 pro-max
- Oppo X9 pro
Weirdly, at first glance, it seems like the S26 might be the cheapest for me (trade-in etc) but I was just hoping that someone out there has been looking for similar and can give some different views...
littleredrooster said:
My daughter has a Pixel 10 and it has a significantly better camera than my iPhone 13pro, especially the telephoto lens which is astonishing.
She is, however, a professional tog so my judgement may be clouded!
Hardly a shocker though is it that a current generation phone (from a flagship range) is better than a phone from 5yrs ago She is, however, a professional tog so my judgement may be clouded!
I am running an Oppo X9 Ultra at the moment, after a Vivo X200 Ultra last year.
X9 Ultra and X300 Ultra are as good as it gets for camera phones, I went with the X9U due to its larger battery and better OS. Got it from Mobyshop so I could get the 1TB version with the 16 gigs of RAM as unfortunately Europe only get the 512/12 variant.
I was a serial Samsung buyer from the Note 2 days up until the S24 Ultra but gave up on them after they stagnated and haven't looked back.
X9 Ultra and X300 Ultra are as good as it gets for camera phones, I went with the X9U due to its larger battery and better OS. Got it from Mobyshop so I could get the 1TB version with the 16 gigs of RAM as unfortunately Europe only get the 512/12 variant.
I was a serial Samsung buyer from the Note 2 days up until the S24 Ultra but gave up on them after they stagnated and haven't looked back.
drdino said:
I am running an Oppo X9 Ultra at the moment, after a Vivo X200 Ultra last year.
X9 Ultra and X300 Ultra are as good as it gets for camera phones, I went with the X9U due to its larger battery and better OS. Got it from Mobyshop so I could get the 1TB version with the 16 gigs of RAM as unfortunately Europe only get the 512/12 variant.
I was a serial Samsung buyer from the Note 2 days up until the S24 Ultra but gave up on them after they stagnated and haven't looked back.
now these are the two that I am leaning towards - I will admit that I do have concerns (being an old fart) about the lack of a physical shop where I can poke about and try stuff out (not to mention it's easier to return in case of 'issues'). The thing about the X9 Ultra is that:X9 Ultra and X300 Ultra are as good as it gets for camera phones, I went with the X9U due to its larger battery and better OS. Got it from Mobyshop so I could get the 1TB version with the 16 gigs of RAM as unfortunately Europe only get the 512/12 variant.
I was a serial Samsung buyer from the Note 2 days up until the S24 Ultra but gave up on them after they stagnated and haven't looked back.
- it is rather pricey (
)- I have read that there are overheating issues thanks to the ultra-rapid charging
- battery life-span is reputedly not as good as Sammy or Apple (one review was hinting 12/18 months in a worst-case scenario
)- software is a little dated (not really too much of an issue given my usage)
DodgyGeezer said:
now these are the two that I am leaning towards - I will admit that I do have concerns (being an old fart) about the lack of a physical shop where I can poke about and try stuff out (not to mention it's easier to return in case of 'issues'). The thing about the X9 Ultra is that:
- it is rather pricey ( )
- I have read that there are overheating issues thanks to the ultra-rapid charging
- battery life-span is reputedly not as good as Sammy or Apple (one review was hinting 12/18 months in a worst-case scenario )
- software is a little dated (not really too much of an issue given my usage)
Expensive indeed, especially as the trade in deals are rubbish. But you are getting genuinely top of the shelf hardware.- it is rather pricey (
)- I have read that there are overheating issues thanks to the ultra-rapid charging
- battery life-span is reputedly not as good as Sammy or Apple (one review was hinting 12/18 months in a worst-case scenario
)- software is a little dated (not really too much of an issue given my usage)
No overheating on either the X200u or the X9u, I'd even go so far as to say it heats up less than the Samsungs I had.
Battery life I assume you mean health? I sold the X200u with around 300 cycles and state of health was at 98%.
Software, I haven't missed anything from OneUI. ColorOS (Oppo) is up there in my opinion with OneUI, OriginOS (Vivo) is a bit worse in day-to-day stuff.
Do Curry's not have the X9U and the X9Pro on display?
I have a Leica Leitzphone, essentially a Xiaomi 17 Ultra.
It certainly tips the balance towards being as much camera as it is phone but honestly it does everything so well.
Yes it's got a huge camera bump but you soon learn to deal with it. The rotating camera ring is brilliant for zooming in or other functions.
The camera itself is v impressive. Full 1" sensor, 200mp, multiple modes etc etc.
It comes packaged with a great case, screen protector, 90w charger (how novel), lens protector etc.
Then you can take it up a notch and get the official camera kit which allows you to use a proper grip with camera buttons, zoom etc....also doubles up as small power bank to juice you up.
On the phone side it's running the latest android, one of the latest CPU's, huge ram and storage. It'll fast charge both wired and wireless.....there not much to not like imho.
It's true what they say, the best camera is the one you have on you!
https://leica-camera.com/en-GB/mobile/leitzphone-p...
Some snaps I've taken on the phone.
It certainly tips the balance towards being as much camera as it is phone but honestly it does everything so well.
Yes it's got a huge camera bump but you soon learn to deal with it. The rotating camera ring is brilliant for zooming in or other functions.
The camera itself is v impressive. Full 1" sensor, 200mp, multiple modes etc etc.
It comes packaged with a great case, screen protector, 90w charger (how novel), lens protector etc.
Then you can take it up a notch and get the official camera kit which allows you to use a proper grip with camera buttons, zoom etc....also doubles up as small power bank to juice you up.
On the phone side it's running the latest android, one of the latest CPU's, huge ram and storage. It'll fast charge both wired and wireless.....there not much to not like imho.
It's true what they say, the best camera is the one you have on you!
https://leica-camera.com/en-GB/mobile/leitzphone-p...
Some snaps I've taken on the phone.
I would echo those suggesting wait till September. I stayed with the iPhone 16 Pro and skipped the 17, but the 18 is rumoured to be a worthwhile advance on the camera front. The real reason I generally upgrade my phone is for enhanced photographic capabilities ; I don't really benefit from all of the fancy new features otherwise.
There's a couple of elements of what makes a great phone camera.
From a hardware perspective, you pretty much couldn't ask for a worse form factor! However, manufacturers have really done some witchcraft on that front (and yeah, Leica are unsurprisingly the f
king daddies, just like they have been for decades with every other form of optics).
Then there's the software/processing - and that's where even more witchcraft happens.
Personally, I really like the Samsung 'system/balance' between hardware and software. My Fold 7 is the 'go to' for mates who want pics when we're out and about. "Sway, can you just take the pics and send them over?" is fairly normal.
I also have an insane level of distrust of Chinese owned business - so Oppo isn't an option for me, although I recognise they do have some insane specs especially on the hardware side.
Lastly - we fking abuse phone cameras, then are surprised when picture quality suffers. Remember the days of buying a SLR camera, then treating the lens like the most delicate newborn baby? Yeah, now we just shove an exposed lens (protector or not, doesn't matter) into our jeans pockets with whatever else is in there... I swap out the spigen lens protectors on mine every two months...
From a hardware perspective, you pretty much couldn't ask for a worse form factor! However, manufacturers have really done some witchcraft on that front (and yeah, Leica are unsurprisingly the f
king daddies, just like they have been for decades with every other form of optics).Then there's the software/processing - and that's where even more witchcraft happens.
Personally, I really like the Samsung 'system/balance' between hardware and software. My Fold 7 is the 'go to' for mates who want pics when we're out and about. "Sway, can you just take the pics and send them over?" is fairly normal.
I also have an insane level of distrust of Chinese owned business - so Oppo isn't an option for me, although I recognise they do have some insane specs especially on the hardware side.
Lastly - we f
king abuse phone cameras, then are surprised when picture quality suffers. Remember the days of buying a SLR camera, then treating the lens like the most delicate newborn baby? Yeah, now we just shove an exposed lens (protector or not, doesn't matter) into our jeans pockets with whatever else is in there... I swap out the spigen lens protectors on mine every two months... I have recently gone from an S23 Ultra to and S26 Ultra and am very, very happy
This is from someone who considered buying a BFO camera before a holiday of a lifetime last month and Im really happy with the pics I took with the phone
Ive had a number of SLR/DSLRs over the years and despite taking superb pics the portability and spontaneity they lack keeps me coming back to phones
FWIW I had a Oneplus a few years ago with a big brand on the camera - pics were decent but everything else on the phone especially Bluetooth/NFC range was not as reliable as my other phones over the years
Cheers
great info guys, thanks (not sure my wallet would agree!!). At the moment I'm edging towards the Xiaomi 17U or Leica Leitzphone with the Oppo X9u as a possibility. After I'd picked myself up WRT the pricing (£1700, FOR. A. PHONE!!?!?!?!? ) it strikes me that the aesthetics of the 3 Chinese cameras are a lovely extra to have. I can always trade in my old S22u at CEX (roughly £200 and there are some deals from Xiaomi at the moment...)
I'll keep you posted
) it strikes me that the aesthetics of the 3 Chinese cameras are a lovely extra to have. I can always trade in my old S22u at CEX (roughly £200 and there are some deals from Xiaomi at the moment...)I'll keep you posted
If the camera is your absolute main priority then you are limited to Chinese phones, Oppo X9 Ultra and Vivo X300 Ultra as previously mentioned are the current market leaders.
On paper the 1 inch main sensor is still the best in low light situations, I have an Oppo X6 Pro and the main sensor can take incredible photos for a phone. The above will have better sensors when it comes to the zoom, ultrawide etc.
It cost me less than £600 imported from Hong Kong. For now I will only look at Chinese phones until Samsung, Apple and Google can compete with the camera hardware.
On paper the 1 inch main sensor is still the best in low light situations, I have an Oppo X6 Pro and the main sensor can take incredible photos for a phone. The above will have better sensors when it comes to the zoom, ultrawide etc.
It cost me less than £600 imported from Hong Kong. For now I will only look at Chinese phones until Samsung, Apple and Google can compete with the camera hardware.
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