This yr has been an eventful one for cameraphones, carrying over the pattern. Some producers made big strides in the case of cameras, whereas others determined to deal with sharpening their merchandise. However on the finish of the day, just about all producers have one thing to indicate for in the case of cameras.
Arguably, vivo ended up main the pack. The corporate launched the China-only vivo X200 Extremely in early 2025, whereas the X300 and X300 Professional arrived a few months earlier than the top of the yr, however made it to international stage. The vivo X300 Professional, did not carry that many enhancements to the digital camera {hardware}, but it surely stays one of the vital fascinating cameraphones in the marketplace. It has a potent digital camera setup, and provides an improved selfie digital camera for a extra full expertise this yr.
Oppo’s contributions to this record are simply as spectacular. We now have the Chinese language Discover X8 Extremely as the perfect shooter from the corporate, whereas the Discover X9 Professional is a toned-down model of the next-generation flagship collection that was launched not too long ago. So in case you are on the lookout for a correct flagship digital camera expertise from Oppo and you’re outdoors of China, the Discover X9 Professional is your greatest wager. To not point out it provides a considerable improve over its predecessor, the Discover X8 Professional, and upgrades the principle, telephoto and selfie cameras with greater and higher sensors.
Xiaomi had the 15 Extremely and in contrast to vivo and Oppo made it international (we’re but to assessment the 17 Extremely that arrived final week). It is maybe one of the vital versatile ones, too. It has two telephoto cameras as an alternative of just one, whereas the principle 1-inch sensor and the 200MP telephoto digital camera stay among the many greatest within the business.
And whereas we’re ready for the next-generation Honor Magic8 Professional, which is scheduled to be formally launched subsequent yr, this yr’s Magic7 Professional will take its place on this yr’s record. It holds the perfect digital camera system Honor can provide, and unsurprisingly, the infamous 200MP sensor from Samsung is on the helm. It is paired with a 3x telephoto lens, permitting glorious stills.
One underdog this yr impressed with an fascinating digital camera setup that revolves round portrait images for the reason that most important sensor has a 35mm equal focal size, making it preferrred for portraits. It is the nubia Z80 Extremely, and the remainder of the digital camera {hardware} is not too shabby.
One other of our favorites is the Realme GT 8 Professional. Realme’s flagships have at all times targeted extra on efficiency, design, show, charging, and just about every thing besides cameras. In truth, we are able to go so far as saying that the digital camera expertise on flagship Realme telephones at all times felt like an afterthought. This time round, nonetheless, the GT 8 Professional felt prefer it might problem the massive boys. The ultrawide unit is way improved, whereas the telephoto digital camera hopped on the 200MP pattern prepare and delivered strong efficiency.
Huawei’s modern telephoto digital camera on the Pura 80 Extremely earns the cellphone a particular place on this record. The zoom sensor is maybe the most important one we have seen used for a telephoto shooter and has not one, however two lenses. One offers 3.7x optical zoom whereas the opposite stops at 9.4x. Moreover, the principle 1-inch sensor and the ultrawide snapper each complement the superb telephoto system.
Final however not least, we’ve got the iPhone 17 Professional and 17 Professional Max in addition to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Extremely and the Pixel 10 Professional and 10 Professional XL as extra standard selections, particularly in markets the place Chinese language makers aren’t current. These telephones will not impress with distinctive digital camera efficiency or something too modern, however they continue to be constant and nonetheless ship glorious stills and movies.
Talking of movies, the iPhone 17 Professional and 17 Professional Max are maybe probably the most video-feature-packed smartphones in the marketplace and are not often rivaled by way of total video high quality.
And as for 2026, we want to see Samsung and Apple placing up a greater combat, whereas the Chinese language smartphone makers maintain pushing the market ahead.