5 Best Camera Phones to Improve Photography Skills

Smartphone cameras have progressed to the point where they can compete with point-and-shoot cameras. In fact, photography skills can be acquired using only a smartphone. However, most camera phones usually are expensive and with so many options on the market, it can get overwhelming to find an affordable smartphone. Lucky for you, we've compiled a list of the best camera phones available, spanning from high-end to low-cost options.

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

The iPhone 13 series was recently launched, expanding the boundaries of what a smartphone can do. The iPhone 13 Pro, for example, features a slightly refined design and the all-new Super Retina XDR Display with ProMotion, which has an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The latest iPhone model is also powered by the unrivalled performance of the A15 Bionic, which is more powerful than its competitors.

The three-lens array is essentially the same, but it has been significantly improved with new Ultra-wide, Wide, and Telephoto cameras that capture spectacular photos and videos. When you compare an image from an iPhone 13 Pro to one from an iPhone 12, you'll notice a significant difference.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the company's flagship smartphone for 2021, and it's a beast. The Samsung phone is attractive to the eye, thanks to its curved 6.8-inch screen and smooth Gorilla Glass back with a matte texture. For the first time in a Samsung phone, the S21 has a QHD+ resolution as well as a 120Hz refresh rate.

Samsung has included S Pen support, but even without it, this is a stunning device with a quad-lens camera that can achieve 10x optical magnification. On the rear, the S21 Ultra sports two telephoto lenses. One has a 3x zoom while the other has a 10x magnification, reaffirming Samsung's position as one of the best zoom lens makers in the industry.

Google Pixel 4a

The Google Pixel 4a is a smartphone featuring a camera designed for 'point-and-click' photographers. It has a 5.8-inch screen and runs Google's version of Android, so you'll be among the first to receive Android updates. The Pixel 4a features 6GB of RAM, which is just enough to keep apps from closing in the background.

Like its predecessor, the Pixel 4a continues to be an excellent compact camera phone. It features the same 12MP camera sensor as the Pixel 3a, but its final product is unrivalled due to the excellent software optimization. The Pixel 4a includes Super Res Zoom, which improves the quality of digital zoom, as well as Night Mode, which allows you to photograph starry skies.

Huawei P40 Pro

If you don't mind not being able to run Google apps, the Huawei P40 Pro is the best Huawei phone for the money. It's an upgrade over the Huawei P30 Pro, with a brilliant quad-lens camera and curved glass on all four front edges. Released just a year ago, the stylish smartphone may not be the latest model, but it still offers everything you need in 2021 and beyond.

The Kirin 990 chipset in the P40 Pro delivers high-quality performance, including an excellent screen with a high 90Hz refresh rate. In terms of photography, Huawei has a reputation for equipping its phones with exceptional cameras. The Huawei smartphone comes with four lenses, including a standard zoom, a super wide-angle lens, a 5x optical zoom lens, and a depth-sensing lens, making it one of Huawei's top camera phones.

Motorola Moto G Power

If superior battery performance is a must-have feature in your smartphone, the Motorola Moto G Power should be on your list. The Moto G Power can last for several days due to its sizeable 5,000mAh battery. Other specifications are modest, but you get excellent performance for casual use.

Moreover, Moto G Power is a good choice for the price because it can take some great photos, especially with the main sensor. Motorola dropped the ultra-wide camera for this model, leaving you with 48-megapixel wide and 2-megapixel macro cameras, as well as an 8-megapixel selfie camera. Photos taken in bright outdoor light have a lot of detail, although the colours can be a bit washed out. Regardless, you can expect decent overall performance from the Moto G Power.