Photo phone

Like its predecessor, the Pixel 7 Pro ensures superb sockets both outdoors and indoors thanks to perfect management of light and colors. Night mode which is one of the strengths of Google smartphones once again allows you to take light and detailed shots in the middle of the night.

The 5 best smartphones for photo in 2023

When you like to take pictures at the moment, your smartphone can become its best ally. Performance, camera, objectives. We have selected the best smartphones to succeed in your shots, with prices ranging from 899 to 1.479 euros.

Posted on 02/24/2023 at 6:13 p.m. & Updated on 08/23/2023 at 4:15 p.m

We are in February 2023, and it’s time to assess what the five best smartphones for the photo are, just after the star launch on this market, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. The prices of smartphones in this selection range from € 899 to 1.479 €. For our evaluation, we use several criteria whose main ones are primarily the performance of the camera and then the quality of the screen, the power, the design, and the battery life. For the camera, we conducted our evaluation using our owner score, Ubergizmo Camera HW. The latter only considers the dorsal photo block and does not include the selfie front camera. This score is generated by algorithms and the technical characteristics of the devices, it is likely to evolve from time to time. To find out more, go to the dedicated page. For this test, we have made comparative shots with each objective of each smartphone to check in pictures what our score indicates to us.

1. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Price: 1.419 €
Ubergizmo Camera HW: 201 score

More :

• Photo block with four objectives including a 200 megapixel sensor
• Quality of the two telephuritions including an X10 optical zoom
• Very beautiful design
• Excellent Soc performance
• Large very high quality screen with the S-PEN

Less :

• High price
• “Fast” charger (45W) not supplied
• The load could have been faster at this price

Camera** :

• Grand Angle (main): 24 mm, 200 Mpx, f/1.7, ois
• Ultra-Grand-English: 13 mm, 12 Mpx, f/2.2, ois
• Telephoto: 69 mm, 10 Mpx, f/2.4, ois, optical zoom x3
• Telephoto: 230 mm, 10 Mpx, f/4.9, Ois, X10 optical zoom
• Selfie: 26 mm, 12 mpx, f/2.2

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, the successor to the Galaxy S22 Ultra, is a technology jewel and currently the best Android smartphone on the market. Equipped with the latest System-on-Chip (SOC) of Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, it offers exceptional performance especially for gaming (see graphics for performance comparison at the bottom of the article).

The Ultra S23 is distinguished by the excellence of its dorsal photo block which has four objectives, including a main sensor of 200 megapixels and two telephoto lenses delivering 3x and 10x optical zooms. We salute the effort, because currently most manufacturers tend to reduce the power of their telephotgus to reduce costs, since they are much less used than the Grand-Angle and Ultra-Grand Angle Modules.

The camera of the Ultra S23 is well balanced and demonstrates a Excellent image quality in high angle, ultra-angle and telephoto lens (Optical and Digital Zoom). Samsung also pushes the digital zoom very far with its super resolution zoom of 100x.

We appreciate that the 200 MP shooting option is directly available in automatic mode, in the same menu as the selection of the ratio aspect. Indeed, other brands offering shooting in very high resolution (50,108, 200 megapixels) oblige users to go click in several menus and under menus to access it.

Unsurprisingly, this versatile camera has one of the Ubergizmo Camera Hw the highest of the selection, at 201. Its predecessor, the ultra S22 gives off a very slightly higher note of 202, because we suspect that the main sensor of the S23 Ultra, although slightly larger than that of the Ultra S22, is not 100% exploited by optics Because of the finesse of the chassis. It should be noted that for the moment our score only takes into account the most powerful telephoto lens, the ultra S23 would be even better. We think we update our algorithm to reflect this type of configuration.

In addition, the AMOLED 6 screen.8 inch 1440p at variable refreshment rate from 1 Hz to 120Hz is of excellent quality, and offers a theoretical brightness of 1750 nits, which we measured at 1045 nits.

Samsung delivers a refined design and a unique user experience thanks to the integrated S-PEN which allows you to quickly scribble notes on the screen, create works of art or even remote views and presentations. The sound quality delivered by the stereo speakers is also one of the best with that of the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

2. iPhone 14 Pro Max

Price: 1.479 €

Ubergizmo Camera HW score: 200

Best smartphones for the photo: which model to buy in 2023 ?

Photo performance can be a decisive criterion when buying a new smartphone. Based on our tests, we have selected for you the best smartphones for the photo in 2023. follow the leader.

• Our selection of the best photo smartphones
• ��What manufacturers offer the best smartphones for the photo ?
• What is the price for a good photophone ?
• Best smartphones by price slice
• Best smartphones per brand
• Comments

Our selection of the best photo smartphones

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Smartphones are becoming more and more efficient, even mid -range models. This criterion becomes less and less decisive for users who wish to buy a new smartphone. When asked what are the most important features on their mobile device, two characteristics come first: autonomy first, but also Photography capacities.

In recent years, the photo sensors of smartphones have experienced great progress. THE Best smartphones for the photo even use for professional uses. Whether you are looking for a good model to succeed in your vacation photos and your selfies or you plan to use your mobile for professional photos or videos, one of the models of our selection is made for you.

Galaxy S23 Ultra: Samsung emphasizes the photo

Galaxy S23 Ultra at the best price

The latest Samsung model is obviously part of our selection of the best smartphones for the photo in 2023. The Galaxy S23 Ultra has 5 sensors (against 4 on other models): The 200 MP main main angle sensor, An ultra -wide angle sensor of 12 megapixels and two teleobriticals of 10 megapixels, one of which offers an X10 optical zoom and the other an X3 optical zoom as well as a 12 Mp Selfie sensor.

With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, the Samsung smartphone excels in photo. Day and night, he is able to provide very good quality photos and videos, even in low light. Astrophotography mode also offers you the possibility of grasping the beauty of starry skies. The resolution of the main camera has almost been doubled, which allows you to easily crop your photos while keeping the sharpness.

Finally, in terms of videos, the ultra S23 can Film up to 8K 30 frames per second.

• A Main Grand-Angle of 200 Mp Angle (opening f/1.7)
• A Ultra Grand-Angle sensor of 12 Mp (Opening f/2.2)
• A first 10MP telephoto lens offering an X10 zoom (Opening f/4.9)
• A second 10MP telephoto lens offering an X3 zoom (Opening f/2.4)
• A 12MP front camera (Opening f/2.2)

Pixel 7 Pro: Google confirms its mastery

Google Pixel 7 Pro 128GB

Google Pixel 7 Pro 256GB

The Pixel 7 Pro, the latest Google smartphone released in 2022, confirms the brand’s know-how in the field of photo. Thanks to innovative software processing, the three rear sensors are used to the best of their potential. The device has a large angle module of 50 megapixels (f/1.9), of an ultra-angle of 12 megapixels (f/2.2) and a 48 megapixel telephoto lens (f/3.5).

Like its predecessor, the Pixel 7 Pro ensures superb sockets both outdoors and indoors thanks to perfect management of light and colors. Night mode which is one of the strengths of Google smartphones once again allows you to take light and detailed shots in the middle of the night.

Thanks to its Tensor G2 SOC, Google offers a new Super Res Zoom technology for the photo. This allows you to combine the main sensor and the telephoto lens to refine the results in X5 zoom, or even x10. The photos taken from afar remains completely decent.

And during our test, we could see that in zoom x2, the Google Pixel 7 Pro could take noise, comparable photos With what you get without zoom. And even if it does not have a macro sensor, the smartphone offers an eponymous mode which allows you to clearly photograph objects very closely.

The Pixel 7 Pro has several very practical tools and features for the photo. You have a controlled portrait mode as well as a kinematic mode for video or even a pushed stabilization which also works with the zoom. Another very interesting asset: His magic gum. It allows you to remove unwanted people or objects from a photo.

Finally, thanks to the anti-duddy mode, the smartphone improves the sharpness of a cliché already taken, even on another phone. You can read our full Google Pixel 7 Pro test to know everything about the smartphone.

• Main sensor :: 50 megapixels (ƒ/1.9) Grand Angle
• Ultra wide angle : 12 megapixels (ƒ/2.2)
• Telephoto : 48 megapixels. 4x optical zoom (ƒ/3.5)
• 10.8 Mp front camera : Ultra Grand Angle (opening f/2.2)

Best photophones 2023: 6 advanced smartphones to succeed in your photos

Because we don’t always have a digital reflex in our pockets.

• Brief products
• The best
• The best Apple
• The most versatile
• The best with Leica
• The cheapest
• The most beautiful screen
• How do we test them ?

Best photophones 2023: Express menu

By diving back ten years, which could have provided that mobile phones would replace our faithful cameras ? And yet, in 2023, our smartphones have undeniable qualities for photography, whether you are amateur, but also professional.

On the Android side, the elected and re -elected ambassadors of photophones remain Samsung, Huawei and Google. The first offers the most powerful sensors on the market, with a resolution of up to 108 Mpx, the second bet on Leica cameras fueled by artificial intelligence, and the Mountain View firm continues to offer a more affordable pixel range, to software impressive treatment.

As for Apple, despite a late departure, the brand catches up with its new models from iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, which incorporates a powerful and precise photo module, as well as a cinematic mode that even has conquered videographers.

Here is our ranking of the best photophones of the year 2023.

Emmanuelle joined the Techradar France team in 2022, she worked on the purchasing guides part. If you no longer know where to turn, she will be able to direct you to the best smartphone or the best television according to your needs.

Brief products

Today’s smartphones can be used as real cameras. Here is an overview of the best photophones of 2023. To read more on each model, click on learn more.

1. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The best

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is in our opinion the best photophone because it offers a set of four cameras on the back, including a new main 200 mp sensor.

The best Apple

2. iPhone 14 pro / iPhone 14 Pro Max

The best Apple

The iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max have the same photo module, which shines with its photo processing via artificial intelligence, as well as by the dynamic range it offers.

The most versatile

3. Google Pixel 7 Pro

The most versatile

The Google Pixel 7 Pro allows you to take superb night photos, it incorporates the photo unburur software and is able to record 4K videos with excellent stabilization.

The best with leica adjustment

The best with Leica

The Xiaomi 13 Pro is the first smartphone that offers a high -end photo experience, with Leica setting. It also has a trio of 50 MP rear sensors.

The cheapest

The Oppo Find X5 Pro is the cheapest on our list, and at that price it would be a shame to miss the light, detailed and colorful photos that it is able to take.

The most beautiful screen

The most beautiful screen

The OnePlus 10 Pro is a quality photophone, with a superb X3.3 optical zoom and a surpassing portrait mode even some of the high -end models.

What a photophone to buy in 2023 ?

Why can you trust Techradar ?

Our expert examiners spend hours testing and comparing products and services so that you can choose the best for you. Learn more about how we test.

The best photophone

1. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

A photophone that improves over time.

OUR EXPERT REVIEW:

Technical characteristics

Operating system: Android 13
Screen size: 6.8 inch
Resolution: 1440 x 3088
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Storage: 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TO
Camera: 200 Mpx (f/1.8) + 12 Mpx (f/2.4) + 10 Mpx (f/4.9) + 10 mpx (f/2.2)
Front camera: 12 Mpx (f/2.2)
The best offers of the day

Why buy it

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
More basic storage space than its predecessor
Functional improvements

Why wait

A faster load would have been appreciated

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra keeps an identical look, but still offers many changes, such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, designed to offer performance superior to those of its competitors (51 % of better NPU performances, 41 % Best GPU performance and 33 % of better CPU performance than before, according to Samsung). It is also one of the first smartphones to offer LPDDR5X RAM and UFS storage.0 faster and more effective.

On the photo side, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers a set of four cameras at the rear, including a new main 200 Mpx sensor, which makes it possible to advance the capacities of “Nightography” in all respects (general shots, portrait photography, Videos of the night sky using the new Astro Hyperlapse mode, etc.)).

You always have an ultra-large 12 Mpx angle sensor and a double telephoto lens with a 3x and 10x (periscopic) zoom, which gives S23 ultra the same degree of versatility as that offered by the last two generations of ‘Ultra.

If you enjoy taking photos with greater control, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra allows better editing control, with the possibility of working on photos up to 50 mpx captured in Expert RAW mode.

The best Apple photophone

2. iPhone 14 pro / iPhone 14 Pro Max

Apple’s best photophones.

OUR EXPERT REVIEW:

Technical characteristics

Operating system: iOS 16
Screen size: 6.1 / 6.7 inches
Resolution: 1170 x 2532/1284 x 2778
Processor: A16 Bionic chip
Storage: 128/256/512 GB/1 TO
Battery: 3,200 mAh / 4 323 mAh
Camera: 48 Mpx (f/1.78) + 12 MPx (f/2.2) + 12 MPx (f/2.8)
Front camera: 12 Mpx (f/1.9)
The best offers of the day

Why buy it

More efficient photo module than on old models
Quality photo processing

Why wait

Although iPhones 14 Pro and 14 Apple Pro Max offer several different characteristics, namely their weight, resolution or even screen size, they both have the same photo module.

Indeed, the two Apple smartphones are equipped, on the rear side, with a main sensor of 48 Mpx with an opening of f/1.78, of an ultra-large 12 Mpx angle lens with an opening of F/ 2.2 and a 12 Mpx telephoto lens with an opening of f/2.8 and a zoom up to 3x.

As for their front photo sensor, located on the front side, it also offers 12 MP, with an opening of f/1.9.

The photo module offered by Apple on iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max models shines with its photo processing via artificial intelligence, as well as by the dynamic range it offers. It is also excellent for video recording, and notably offers several funny modes such as the Focus Pulling, which allows you to record cinematographic plans.

We also found that the low light photography was excellent on these two iPhone models, allowing the creation of magnificent night photos.

If Apple loses a few points, and a place in our ranking of the best photophones 2023 due to a 3X zoom not qualitative enough, iPhones 14 pro and 14 pro max still represent serious competitors.

The most versatile photophone

3. Google Pixel 7 Pro

A brilliant photophone in all areas.

OUR EXPERT REVIEW:

Technical characteristics

Operating system: Android 13
Screen size: 6.7 inches
Processor: Tensor G2
Storage: 128/256/512 Go
Camera: 50 Mpx (f/1.85) + 48 MP TV (f/3.5) + Ultra wide angle 12 MP (f/2.2)
Front camera: 10.8 Mpx (f/2.2)
The best offers of the day

Why buy it

Very beautiful night photos
Photo software a really stunning even on old photos
4K video and efficient stabilization

Why wait

Correct macro objective

This new Google Pixel 7 Pro model has all the best characteristics of the previous versions, but has a better level of detail, being in particular among the highest. But where the Pixel 7 Pro undeniably stands out, it is in the night photos, where the photophone does not distort the colors, nor smooth the image.

On the photo module of the Pixel 7 Pro, there is an ultra-large 12 Mpx angle lens, much more qualitative than on the Pixel 6 Pro model. The pro version also incorporates a telephoto lens, which we do not find on the classic version. This 48 Mpx telephoto lens allows an X5 optical zoom as well as an X30 digital zoom.

Finally, the frontal mode of 10.8 Mpx performs satisfactory shots and the True Tone treatment is successful. Regarding the video, the Google Pixel 7 Pro still does not disappoint us, offering a 4K video mode at 60 i/s, as well as efficient stabilization. It deserves its place on the podium, especially since it is available at a more affordable price than its main competitors.

The best photophone designed with Leica

4. Xiaomi 13 Pro

A high -end camera with the Leica setting.

OUR EXPERT REVIEW:

Technical characteristics

Operating system: Android 13
Screen size: 6.73 inches
Resolution: 1440 x 3200
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Camera: 50.3 Mpx + 50 Mpx + 50 Mpx
Front camera: 32 mpx
The best offers of the day

Why buy it

High -end camera experience with Leica setting
Solid design and sure of it

Why wait

Huge camera bump

The Xiaomi 13 Pro, with the Xiaomi 13, is the first international example of Xiaomi’s recent partnership with the Leica imaging specialist. Associated with a huge 1 inch main camera sensor, a shiny screen and a fast load battery, it represents a high -end smartphone ideal for photographers.

It has a trio of rear sensors of 50 Mpx, including a X3.2 telephoto lens with a floating lens. The Xiaomi 13 Pro also has a ceramic shell and the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor from Qualcomm, with faster and more effective memory and storage than those of its predecessor.

Regarding recharging, we are entitled to the same impressive 120 W wired recharge, wireless 50 W and inverted wireless of 10 W as previously, but this time associated with a battery larger of 4,820 mAh.

The cheapest photophone

5. Oppo Find X5 Pro

A powerful camera, ideal for amateur photographers.

OUR EXPERT REVIEW:

Technical characteristics

Operating system: Android 12
Screen size: 6.7 inches
Resolution: 1440 x 3216
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Camera: 50 Mpx + 13 Mpx + 50 Mpx
Front camera: 32 mpx
The best offers of the day

Why buy it

Excellent main sensor
Ultra-fast loading
Very good stabilization

Why wait

The photo module of the Oppo Find X5 Pro is both one of its strengths and one of its weak points, depending on the lens you use.

The main sensor of 50 Mpx f/1.7 turns out to be superb, as well as the ultra-large angle lens of 50 Mpx f/2.2. Both are able to take bright, detailed and colorful photos. On the other hand, neither the 13 Mpx f/2,4 telephoto lens, nor the 2x optical zoom are up.

However, if you are not really interested in shots with zoom, the Oppo Find X5 Pro remains an excellent photophone for amateur photographers. You can in particular save videos with excellent stabilization, and the front objective offers a quality of 32 MPx.

Although it does not represent the most complete or most versatile photo configuration, the market, the Find X5 Pro has demonstrated many capacities.

The photophone with the most beautiful screen

6. OnePlus 10 Pro

A photophone, but not only.

OUR EXPERT REVIEW:

Technical characteristics

Operating system: Android 12
Screen size: 6.7 inches
Resolution: 1440 x 3216
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Storage: 128/256/512 Go
Camera: 48MP (large) + 50MP (ultra-large, 150 degrees) + 8MP (telephoto, 3.3x optics)
Front camera: 32MP (Wide)
The best offers of the day

Why buy it

Very nice 6.7 -inch Amoled screen
Ultra-fast loading

Why wait

The OnePlus 10 Pro is a quality smartphone that excels in many areas. He first offers a main 48 Mpx sensor which captures very good shots, whether in well -lit conditions, but also when it is darker. We found that the photos taken, whether close -ups or cinematic views, were superb.

With an X3.3 optical zoom, the OnePlus 10 Pro is better than the competition, although the 8 Mpx telephoto leaving a little desire. And despite some small mistakes, the portrait mode is also excellent, sometimes even surpassing Samsung models.

The OnePlus 10 PRO allows a video recording in 8K quality, but for the functions of artificial intelligence and stabilization, only 1080p quality is possible. You will find many modes like Fisheye, Tilt-Shift, Xpan and many others.

We recommend the OnePlus 10 PRO to people who wish to benefit from a smartphone relates to everything. If it is a good photophone, it also stands out by its 6.7 -inch Amoled screen, its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip or by its 5,000 mAh battery.

How do we test these photophones ?

How do we test these photophones ?

At Techradar, we rigorously test the photo sensors of the best smartphones in different scenarios and lighting conditions. We take portraits, landscapes, panoramas, low and very high light scenes, in order to determine how each integrated camera behaves at the heart of our daily uses.

Beyond the specifications and capacities of these cameras, we gain a certain interest in the storage capacity and the autonomy of the smartphones tested. It is indeed essential to have a high storage space, or at least a location for SD memory card, in order to keep your very high definition photos and videos and videos. The camera and video recording strongly consume the resources of your smartphone, it is also necessary to determine the battery life before purchase of a photophone.

To ensure a peaceful decision, we have compiled this list of the best photo smartphones. And as new smartphones come to challenge each quarter, our buying guide is updated regularly.