The best phones you can buy in 2024 all pack amazing cameras that can take photos that will wow your Instagram followers. These include high-performance phones from Apple, Google, Xiaomi and others, with different companies offering different features, number of camera lenses and megapixels.

Apple’s new iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max are now out and each come with a slew of camera improvements — from new sensors and lenses to a new Camera Control button and the ability to record 4K 120fps slow-motion video.

We thoroughly tested and compared dozens of phones and found that one with more lenses or megapixels isn’t necessarily any better at taking great shots.

Top phones like the iPhone 16 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro use larger image sensors and software additions for AI-powered computational photography. Then there’s the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, which has a much larger sensor than you can find on any of the competing camera phones. And the Google 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL incorporate AI skills that aren’t yet available on many other phones.

Best camera phone: Apple iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max have everything we’ve come to expect in a year-over-year upgrade. Even without Apple Intelligence at launch, the 6.3-inch iPhone 16 Pro and 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max have a slew of upgrades, including good battery life, larger displays, outstanding photo and video chops, high-resolution slo-mo, a new Camera Control button and iOS 18 goodies.

The negatives are as thin as the borders around the new screens: You only get 128GB of storage for $1,000, plus drab color options and a new camera button that might get accidentally tapped.

This year, the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max have the exact same cameras — unlike the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, which had different telephoto options. Screen size, battery life and price should be the deciding factors when you’re choosing between the two. The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max are excellent phones worthy of a spot in your pocket — if you can afford them.

Best phone camera for photography: Xiaomi 14 Ultra

With a main camera sensor that’s much larger than those on any of its rivals, a wide, variable aperture and Leica-engineered optics, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is able to take some of the best images we’ve ever seen from a phone. The huge dynamic range and clarity of the raw files mean we can produce shots we’d normally expect to see from full-size mirrorless cameras.

We particularly like using the 14 Ultra’s Leica high-contrast black-and-white mode to take punchy monochrome street photos that look amazing without any post-processing. To make it more of a fully-fledged camera, Xiaomi sells the Photography Kit that includes a case and a grip that provides physical camera controls. It allows you to use this phone just like a regular camera, which makes it a total joy to use.

Best Google has to offer: Google Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL

The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL have a lot going for them, including their shiny new designs and long software support period. But it’s the AI skills that really stand out — from the deep integration of the conversational Gemini Live to the new Pixel Studio that creates weird and wonderful images from your text prompts.

The phones aren’t perfect. The cameras are good and can take excellent photos in bright light, but they’re just OK in low light and in night mode. The best AI features will require a monthly subscription (although you get the first year for free). If you’re keen to experiment with AI on your phone, then the new Pixel 9 Pro is a superb way to experience it.

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