Smartphone cameras have come a long way. From a basic VGA sensor to a high-resolution 200 MP and 1-inch type sensors, smartphones have almost entirely replaced point-to-shoot cameras. Some brands have even collaborated with legendary camera brands to further optimise the imaging capability, and to attract more shutterbugs.
One can easily get a smartphone with a well-tuned camera setup without spending much. However, one definitely needs to splurge to get a smartphone with a top-tier camera setup.
Before we get going with the list of best camera smartphones of 2024, here are a few things to look for while considering one:
Look for a smartphone with a versatile camera setup
Most phones have good primary cameras, but few offer a consistent experience across all lenses. Ideally, the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses should also have a high megapixel count. Besides megapixels, consider factors like aperture (wider is better) and OIS for stable images and videos.
For a camera-focused smartphone, choose one with at least a triple camera setup, including a dedicated ultra-wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens.
Branding is an indicator of a good camera setup, at least sometimes
A fantastic camera phone (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)
Branding can indicate a good camera setup, as some brands collaborate with camera legends like Zeiss, Hasselblad, and Leica. While some partnerships are merely for branding, others significantly enhance camera quality. However, smartphones from companies like Apple and Samsung, which independently tune their cameras, also offer exceptional performance.
When seeking a camera-centric phone, consider both in-house and externally collaborated brands.
Choose your forte
When buying a camera-centric smartphone, consider the brand. iPhones excel in videography, Pixels are renowned for still images, and Galaxies offer vibrant colour reproduction. For natural depth of field, look for phones with large sensors and wide apertures.
With that in mind, here are six camera-centric smartphones available in India worth considering in 2024, including a bonus option:
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Some iPhones users say the alarm function is a hit or miss. (Express Photo)
People swear by their iPhone cameras, and the iPhone 15 Pro is no exception, featuring the brand’s first 5x optical zoom lens. It also includes a 48 MP primary sensor, a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12 MP telephoto lens. The iPhone 15 Pro Max, starting at Rs 1,59,900, is available both online and offline across the country. Additionally, it has a highly regarded 12 MP selfie camera.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Galaxy S24 Ultra in Titanium Gray finish (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
Samsung’s flagship camera approach differs from Apple’s, boasting a 200 MP primary sensor, 50 MP 5x periscope zoom, 10 MP 3x telephoto, and 12 MP ultra-wide lens. It can capture 200 MP images and supports 100x hybrid zoom. While the 5x telephoto zoom is considered a downgrade from the previous 10x optical zoom, the extra megapixels compensate for the reduced zoom range, making the 10x hybrid zoom nearly as good as the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The Galaxy S24 Ultra starts at Rs 1,29,999 and is available for less on e-commerce platforms.
Vivo X100 Pro
The device is based on Dimensity 9300 SoC (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)
Vivo’s collaboration with Zeiss has yielded impressive results, with the Vivo X100 Pro (review) being one of the best smartphone cameras of 2024. It features a triple 50 MP camera setup, including a large 0.98-inch primary sensor with a Zeiss lens, capturing stunning images in various lighting conditions. A special lens coating helps reduce lens flare. Priced at Rs 89,999, it is more affordable than the other flagship options.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra
Xiaomi 14 Ultra packs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. (Express Photo)
For a camera-specific flagship smartphone, consider the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Xiaomi’s best camera phone yet, made in collaboration with Leica. It features four 50 MP sensors, including a 1-inch primary sensor and two telephoto lenses with different focal lengths. Priced at Rs 99,999, it is Xiaomi’s most expensive phone in India.
OnePlus Open
OnePlus Open is currently the fastest charging foldable phone in the market. (Express Photo)
For variety, consider the OnePlus Open (review), the first OnePlus smartphone with a periscope zoom lens and arguably its best camera phone, nearly matching the OnePlus 12. Hasselblad has tuned the cameras, including a dedicated Hasselblad mode. Priced at Rs 139,999, it’s an excellent choice for a camera-centric foldable. Additionally, Vivo is launching its latest foldable in India, also featuring an impressive camera setup.
Pixel 8 Pro
Android 15 will be available to all sometime in the second half of the year. (Express Photo)
This is a bonus, as Google Pixel smartphones are primarily known for their photography capabilities. The Pixel 8 Pro (review) is the best camera phone that Google has made till date. Compared to the previous Pixel smartphones, it has exclusive features, and the company is also working on adding capabilities like AI zoom enhancer.
The list contains devices that are a bit different from one another, each catering to a different set of audiences, hope one of these devices will be able to cater to your specific camera needs.
A user capturing a phone on a smartphone (Image credit: Horacio30/Pixabay) 
A fantastic camera phone (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)
Some iPhones users say the alarm function is a hit or miss. (Express Photo)
Galaxy S24 Ultra in Titanium Gray finish (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)
The device is based on Dimensity 9300 SoC (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)
Xiaomi 14 Ultra packs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. (Express Photo)
OnePlus Open is currently the fastest charging foldable phone in the market. (Express Photo)
Android 15 will be available to all sometime in the second half of the year. (Express Photo)
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