Finding it bothersome to lug around a traditional point-and-shoot camera? Why not invest in the best camera phone of 2022! As mobile phone camera technology improves with each new iteration, these pocket-friendly powerhouses are finding their place with more amateur photographers and videographers. From quality light sensors to high megapixel counts, here are our picks for the best smartphone cameras to keep your IG feed and TikTok channel lit!
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Overview of the best camera phones in 2022
| Phone | Camera Specifications (rear) | Camera specifications (front) | Price |
| XiaoMi 12T Pro | 200MP wide + 8MP ultrawide + 2MP macro | 20MP wide camera | $1,099 |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite | 64MP + 8MP + 5MP triple rear camera | 20MP in-display selfie camera | $549 |
| Xiaomi 11T Pro | 108MP + 8MP ultra-wide camera + 5MP macro camera | 16MP front camera | $758 |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | 108MP wide angle + 8MP ultra wide + 5MP telemacro + 2MP depth sensor camera | 16MP front camera | $404 |
| Google Pixel 7 Pro | 50MP wide + 12MP ultrawide + 48MP telephoto | 10.8MP ultrawide selfie camera | $1,299 |
| Huawei P40 Pro | 50MP wide angle + 40 MP ultra wide angle + 12MP telephoto | 32MP selfie camera | $560 |
| Honor 50 | 108MP wide + 8MP ultra wide + 2MP macro + 2MP depth | 32MP selfie camera | $566 – $699 |
| Google Pixel 6 Pro | 50MP wide + 12MP ultra wide + 48MP telephoto | 11.1MP front camera | $850– $899 |
| Oppo Find N | 50MP main sensor + 16MP ultra wide + 13MP telephoto | 32MP front camera | $1819 – $2069 |
| OPPO Reno5 5G | 64MP main + 8MP ultra wide angle + 2MP macro + 2MP mono camera | 32MP front camera | $499 |
| Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition | 12MP main + 12MP ultra-wide + 8MP telephoto camera | 32MP front camera | $1169 |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 20 | 12MP ultra wide + 12MP wide + 64MP telephoto camera | 10MP dual pixel selfie camera | $759 – $1049 |
| Samsung S21 FE 5G | 12MP wide + 12MP ultra wide + 8MP telephoto camera | 32MP selfie camera | $948 |
Best camera phones of 2022 that’ll light up any feed
1. Xiaomi 12T Pro – For snapping high-definition pictures
Whether you’re finding a professional camera or an advanced smartphone, this sleek Xiaomi 12T Pro (available on Xiaomi Official) has got you covered! Boasting a whopping 200 MP imaging system, this Xiaomi phone enables you to capture the clear and crisp images that you’ve always dreamed about. The system’s proprietary ProCut also allows cropping and modifying your photos into up to five images — all of which with optimal composition and high resolution. At night, the camera takes in light from the surroundings to provide the perfect shot even in the dimmest environment. With such groundbreaking technology, it’s not hard to see why the Xiaomi 12T Pro is one of the best camera phones out in the market right now
2. Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite – For users who want the complete package
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite (available on Xiaomi Global Official Store) doesn’t pull its punches when offering a comprehensive mobile phone camera experience! Its camera setup includes a 64MP primary sensory and 8MP ultrawide lens. This guarantees versatility as the Mi 11 Lite effortlessly handles any photo-taking opportunity. Details are sharp and colours are well-balanced as the huge camera module allows for maximum light exposure where necessary.
Sometimes, the best Android camera phones just have to be fun to use and the Mi 11 Lite emphatically proves this point. Besides showcasing what the best camera phones of 2022 can record and capture these days, this Xiaomi phone also has plenty of features that complement its excellent camera. You won’t have to download camera apps as Xiaomi has included effects like nostalgia filters and long exposure modes. There are even fully-fledged movie modes that create cinematic effects like dolly zooms and slow shutter speeds, which makes it one of the best smartphone cameras you can find!
3. Xiaomi 11T Pro – For vivid colours and a high level of detail
If you want to achieve vivid photos with a high level of detail effortlessly, gun for the Xiaomi 11T Pro (available on Urban Republic 5G), one of the best camera phones in the market. The Xiaomi 11T Pro camera delivers accurate target exposure and a wide dynamic range. This means that you will be able to achieve vibrant visuals with your landscape photos without having to edit them after!
If you love vlogging your daily adventures, you’ll be thrilled to know that the Xiaomi 11T Pro also boasts pro-grade HDR10+ filming. This allows you to capture lifelike videos under various lighting conditions, with dynamic colours. It is also supported by Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, which offer stunning vibrancy and crisp audio respectively.
4. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro – For value-seeking camera phone owners
Who says the best Android camera phones have to cost a bomb? The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (available on Gadgetaffair) features the world’s first 108MP penta camera! Back in 2019, the main camera toppled resolution records by packing more pixels than any DSLR or mirrorless camera. While newer devices claim to be the best camera phones of 2022, none offer the value proposition of Redmi Note 10 Pro. After all, there’s rarely an Android camera phone with five cameras at such an affordable price point.
The five lens setup includes a 5MP telephoto camera, 16MP front camera, and 108 rear quad camera with 9-in-1 pixel binning! This gives it improved processing and a higher dynamic range, which allows it to capture highly detailed images. By throwing in an excellent 10x hybrid zoom and 4-axis OIS on the telephoto cameras, the Redmi Note 10 Pro has one of the best smartphone cameras that is prepared for any photo or video opportunity.
5. Google Pixel 7 Pro – For taking excellent quality photos
The Google Pixel 7 Pro (available on Google Authorised Retailer) will leave you googly-eyed, that’s for sure! The latest flagship product of the Google Pixel series, the phone has a 50 MP wide lens, a 12 MP ultrawide lens, and a 48 MP telephoto lens for you to take gorgeous shots without compromising on quality. Using its fusion algorithm, the system combines image information from the three cameras to give the best images regardless of the zoom settings.
And if you’re always worrying about your shaky hands resulting in grainy shots, you can fret no more! With its unique laser detect auto-focus (LDAF) sensor, the Google Pixel 7 Pro’s camera helps to track subjects within the frame and keep them in focus. The verdict for this smartphone? Certainly, one of the best camera phones to be reckoned with!
6. Huawei P40 Pro – For the best low-light photos
Huawei is one of the biggest contenders for best camera phones of 2022 as it constantly pushes the envelope for image quality! Unsurprisingly, the Huawei P40 Pro (available on Laptop Factory Outlet) impresses camera enthusiasts with its robust quad lens setup and mind-blowing zoom technology.
The main camera is a 50-megapixel Superspectrum sensor that promises 40% better light absorption. Huawei has worked with Leica to deliver the ultimate smartphone camera experience by enabling better night shots, regardless of whether you’re using Night Mode. Additionally, the P40 Pro is also noteworthy for its powerful telephoto lens! Functioning like a periscope, the lens allows you to hit up to 50 times without compromising too much on image quality or stabilisation. We loved how both of these standout features combined to let users snap amazing zoomed-in pictures despite shoddy lighting conditions!
7. Honor 50 – Best for natural-looking depth
The Honor 50 is one of the best camera phones that sports a unique camera setup featuring an elegant dual ring layout and symmetric design. The main camera boasts a whopping 108MP sensor, which delivers bold and bright photos even under low light conditions. This allows you to capture natural-looking images with depth effortlessly.Â
If you’re a selfie queen, you’ll love that the Honor 50’s selfie camera features an AI wide-angle selfie capability. It automatically detects if you’re taking a group selfie, and switches it to a wider angle to help you capture everyone — even if your arms are short. Another highlight is the multi-video recording capability, which allows you to switch between different modes, such as slow motion and fast motion, in one shot. You can even enable the front and rear camera to shoot at the same time to capture multiple perspectives!
8. Google Pixel 6 – For gorgeous ultrawide shots
Back when the Pixel 4 introduced a telephoto lens, fans moaned about the lack of a more practical camera like an ultrawide lens. Fortunately, Google’s Pixel 6 Pro has learned from its predecessor’s mistakes and included a 12MP ultrawide camera. On top of that, the Pixel 6 Pro is equipped with a 50MP wide camera and a 48MP telephoto camera. If you combine this with their proprietary Super Res Zoom technology, you have one of the best camera phones of 2022 that’s primed to snap pictures of wide-sweeping vistas.
Another highlight of the Google Pixel 6 is the Magic Eraser tool. It allows you to remove background elements like photobombers to achieve the perfect shot without having to photoshop it. The AI-powered tool automatically suggests elements to remove — simply tap it and it’ll be gone!Â
9. Oppo Find N – For a hinge that doubles as a tripod
Miss the good ol’ flip phones we used to have? Here’s some good news for you! Oppo has just released their very first foldable phone – the Oppo Find N (available on mercurytech), one of the best camera phones to take photos with! With the Oppo Find N Flexion Hinge, you won’t have to stop strangers to help you take group photos anymore as you can prop the phone up easily without a tripod. What’s more, you can take selfies with hand gestures without pressing the shutter button!
Oppo Find N is also equipped with a triple camera setup that includes a 50MP Sony IMX 766 main sensor, a 16MP ultra-wide lens, and a 13MP telephoto lens that captures high-quality photos. You can also explore fun time-lapse modes like night trails, night sky, and sun and clouds to take mesmerising films of the beautiful landscapes!
10. Oppo Reno5 5G – For ultra-clear zoomed-in pictures
Want to buy the best camera phones of 2022 that make photo-taking easy with cool innovations? Oppo’s Reno series is all about elevating photography and mobile entertainment to new heights through technology. The Oppo Reno5 5G (available on OPPO Official Store) has one of the best smartphone cameras with its tri-lens setup.
Packed with a 64MP ultra-clear main camera, 2MP macro lens, and 2MP mono lens, the Oppo Reno5 5G has an effective focal length ten times that of an ultra-wide-angle lens. This ultimately lets you snap crystal clear zoomed-in shots without fretting about your typical photo distortion. Also, the Reno5 5G features Ultra Night Video and Live HDR, which means your shots remain clear even when shooting motion graphics when it’s dark.
11. Samsung S20 Fan Edition – For value-seeking Samsung fans
Don’t let its namesake fool you — the Samsung’s S20 Fan Edition (available on Mechanic Nation) certainly holds its own against the best camera phones of 2022. Despite being similar to the Samsung Galaxy S21 (available on Singtel Flagship Store), the S20 FE excels thanks to its telephoto lens! With up to 3x optical zoom, zoomed-in shots are clearer and less distorted when compared with the S21’s hybrid lens approach. In addition to this, Samsung has also ensured the S20 FE packs a punch in the selfie department. With its 32 MP selfie camera and wide-angle lens, you can effortlessly snap large group selfies without fretting about clarity or low-resolution pictures.
12. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra – For easy S-Pen integration
If you have more budget to spare, we’ll suggest investing in a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 (available on monmartechnology) for one of the best smartphone cameras around. With the built-in Bluetooth-enabled S Pen, you can write, draw and give motion gestures to swipe through the various camera modes. This makes setting up your shots a breeze as you zoom in with a spiral motion or take a picture by clicking the S Pen’s button! All of these S Pen features mashed with the Note 20’s triple camera stack makes it one of the more convenient photo taking device options when it comes to the best Samsung phones.
13. Samsung S21 FE 5G – For the best Android camera phone experience
Samsung is clearly pushing the camera boundary with its newest S21 series, with the Samsung S21 FE 5G (available on Samsung) being simply one of the best Android camera phones of 2022. This time round, the Samsung S21 FE 5G’s rear camera boasts three lenses, each with amazing specs. First up is the 12MP main camera that’s in charge of capturing vibrant shots with its 12-bit HDR capabilities.Â
Supporting it is a secondary ultra wide-angle lens that broadens your options (also good for a wefie) alongside its telephoto lens that allow up to 10x optical zoom! This essentially opens up options as you snap pictures and record videos in a variety of formats while taking advantage of the superior technology available.
Snap beautiful shots with these best camera phones of 2022
We hope our list of best camera phones of 2022 helps you with your photo taking needs. Looking to put your new camera phone to the test? Take quality photos at our curated list of Instagram-worthy places in Singapore. Otherwise, if you’re searching for other types of mobile phones and tablets, be sure to check out our listings of the best budget phones and best non-camera phones for work or army!Â
This article was updated on 17 October 2022. Additional research done by Jerald Ang.
