Best camera phone 2020: the top smartphone snappers around

One of the core features you'll likely want from a new smartphone is a powerful camera, and that's why we've put together a list of the very best camera phones that money can buy.

At TechRadar we put smartphone cameras through rigorous testing in different lighting conditions, scenarios, and snap people, pets, plants and more to work

out how each camera fares in the real world.

Beyond the specs and capabilities of the cameras, there are a number of aspects you'll also want to consider. For example, getting a high-storage option or one that supports a microSD card will be helpful if you capture lots of 4K video, and flagging fundamental shortcomings like battery life so you don’t find yourself out of juice before the day is done.

So to help you, we've compiled this list of the best camera phones, that we've tested extensively, to help you when it comes to choosing your next camera phone.

Editor's Note: We've yet to update this list with a few of the very best smartphones, but that update is in the works and should be here very soon. Expect to see a big shake up with new entries from Samsung, Huawei and more.

1. iPhone 11 Pro

The best point and shoot camera phone

Release date: September 2019 | Main camera: 12MP (f/1.8) | Telephoto: 12MP (f/2.0) | Ultra-wide: 12MP (f/2.4) | OIS: Yes | Front camera: 12MP | Weight: 188g | Dimensions: 144 x 71.4 x 8.1mm | Battery size: 3,046mAh | Max video quality: 4K 60fps | Storage: 64GB / 256GB / 512GB | Memory card slot: No

The iPhone 11 Pro doesn’t just feature the best smartphone camera Apple’s ever made, it’s also the best camera phone money can buy for a certain type of user. It’s reliable - you take a shot and it’s likely going to be a good one, even in middling light. Dynamic range is strong, and with three cameras, it’s versatile too.

The primary camera features a 26mm focal length, perfect for grabbing everyday snaps. The ultra-wide camera takes a step back so you don’t have to, getting more in the frame with its 13mm focal length. As for the telephoto camera, as with the iPhone XS, it zooms into your subject with a 52mm focal length - perfect for portraits

While there’s no manual mode and the 12MP resolution is meagre on paper compared to some of the competition, results still impress, and Apple has introduced a new night mode which can hold the shutter open for incredible low light photography.

This can’t beat the Astrophotography feature on the Pixels when steadied on a surface or a tripod, but handheld, it’s up there with the best of them. 

Add to the mix a beautifully consistent color and tonal profile across all three cameras, and if you’re an Apple fan looking for a camera champ, this is as good as it gets 

3. Huawei P30 Pro

The best superzoom smartphone

Release date: March 2019 | Main camera: 40MP (f/1.6) | Telephoto: 8MP (f/3.4) | Ultra-wide: 20MP (f/2.2) | Other: ToF camera | OIS: Yes | Front camera: 32MP | Weight: 192g | Dimensions: 158 x 73.4 x 8.4mm | Battery size: 4,200mAh | Max video quality: 4K 30fps | Storage: 128GB / 512GB | Memory card slot: Yes