The best camera smartphones 2023 in review – Apple and Xiaomi fall short of Samsung’s best performance

The determination of the best phone in this comparison relies on personal preferences regarding the individual lenses. While the Xiaomi 13 Ultra exhibits significant drawbacks in the front camera department, the Chinese manufacturer’s flagship otherwise performs admirably. Its notably short shutter release time, in comparison to the competition, adds to its appeal alongside impressive photo quality. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra stands out as an excellent camera phone, particularly for those less concerned with selfie capabilities.

During our camera test, Samsung has once again demonstrated, as it did in the previous year, its ability to visibly enhance its in-house camera algorithms. Noteworthy improvements were observed not only in the 50-MPix mode but also in the standard use of 16-to-1 pixel binning throughout our comparison test. In contrast to the competition, the Galaxy S23 Ultra exhibits few real weaknesses, consistently delivering reliable results. However, it’s worth noting that individuals who appreciate a natural soft focus might not find the same satisfaction when capturing photos with the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

The cameras of the current flagships are nearly on par in terms of quality, with differences often lying in subtle nuances.

Apple’s flagship delivers impressive photos across almost all lenses but raises some questions about its main camera. While the iPhone 15 Pro Max stands out as one of the best smartphones in our comparison for low-light photography, its performance in daylight is not consistently convincing. In terms of software customization, the Galaxy S23 Ultra or Xiaomi 13 Ultra offer more value for the money..

Google provides an excellent camera setup with its Pixel 8 Pro, particularly given its pricing. Those who heavily rely on zoom lenses in their daily use might find the Google phone less satisfying. Nonetheless, it remains a strong all-rounder with one of the best main cameras in the market.

If the current options don’t meet your preferences, and you’re still in search of a top-notch camera phone, we recommend exploring our regularly updated list of the best camera smartphones, featuring the top 10 from our latest test reports.