When choosing the best smartphone for video, options are more plentiful than ever. These days, phones don’t just shoot video at high resolutions, they also provide pro-video features like optical stabilisation, high-frame-rate slow-motion, Log colour profiles, and more. You can capture top-quality content on smartphones; many people do. The key is in finding the right phone.
At AP, we take smartphone imaging very seriously. We review all the latest phones from Apple, Google, Samsung and others as they are released, and often pit them against each other in head-to-heads to figure out which ones are best. The phones on this list represent the top picks as tested by our technical team, and come with our experts’ view on their price value – as far as their cameras are concerned.
Read on as I count off the best smartphones you can buy for videography right now or scroll to the bottom on useful tips on how to choose the best smartphone for video. For more buying advice on phones, check out our guide to the best phones for low light, macro and portraiture. Or save some cash with our rundown of the best budget camera phones.
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The best smartphones for videography quick list
- Google Pixel 10 Pro – Buy now
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro / Max – Buy now
- OnePlus 13 – Buy now
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra – Buy now
Best budget smartphones for video
Looking for the best deal on smartphones for video? Not only will you find the best phones for video, but also some of the best deals, as our ‘Buy now’ buttons are set to automatically take you to the best prices from trusted retailers. You’ll also find a list of other retailers below each phone, so you can find the right deal for you.
How we test phones
We review smartphones from the perspective of choosing one for its photography and camera performance. We look at what the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL offers, and the features included for photography and video, paying particular attention to the cameras on the phone, photo editing capabilities, as well as the output from each different lens, and features offered.
Read on to learn more about the best smartphones to buy for videography, and our useful tips on how to choose the best smartphone for video at the end of this article.
The best smartphones for videography in 2025
The best smartphones for video are always changing, but the models listed below are the most capable and versatile options you can buy right now.
Google Pixel 10 Pro
Amateur Photographer verdict
The 10 Pro offers some of the best cameras and shooting features on a camera phone.- Excellent camera setup with effectively 5 rear cameras
- Lovely colour production
- Only 128GB on base model
- Video boost is more con than pro
- Camera bump makes it chunky
Specifications at a glance:
| Specifications | Google Pixel 10 Pro |
|---|---|
| Main camera | 50MP f/1.68 wide, 1/1.3inch, OIS, 24mm equiv. |
| Ultrawide camera | 48MP f/1.7 ultra-wide with AF, 1/2.55inch, 12mm equiv. |
| Telephoto | 48MP f/2.8, 5x telephoto, 1/2.55inch, OIS, 110mm equiv. (up to 100x Pro Res Zoom) |
| Selfie camera | 42MP f/2.2 selfie with AF |
| Video | Up to 4K video 60fps front/rear (8K powered by Video boost upscaling) |
| Audio features | Stereo recording, speech enhancement, wind noise reduction and audio zoom |
| Storage | Up to 12GB RAM + 256GB |
The latest and greatest in Google’s range of Pixel phones. As with its predecessor, the Pixel 9 Pro, Google plug this model for its 8K video recording. However, this resolution is not available in-camera itself. In reality, you need to switch on “Video Boost” first, record your video and upload it to the cloud for “boosting” to 8K quality footage in return. And, by the way, you’ll need enough space on your Google account (naturally, you can pay Google more to upgrade it). Video boost can be used for things such as additional stabilisation when zooming.
Video mode offers pan, blur, standard video mode, night sight, slow motion, and time lapse. Additional options include a speed enhancement option, audio zoom, and video format options. You’d need to switch on Video boost to enable a flat video mode.
Video is actually recorded with HDR+ automatically applied for expanded dynamic range (when using the main wide camera). In detail, colour, and stabilisation, it all looks good. We did notice a slight hiss on the audio though, even in quiet environments. The highest resolution and frame rate the phone itself can record is 4K at 60fps. You can not record 8K video on the phone, and there is no 4K 120fps option. You can also use up to 20x zoom in video, but the quality is poor, as you’d expect, but can be improved using the Video Boost feature.
For all of its end product quality, note that Video boost takes AGES to process and return – a 10 second clip I recorded for 8K upscaling took about 3 hours to be returned. A 45 second clip recorded for general boosting took around 8 hours. For genuine 8K video recording, we prefer a phone that does it in-camera, like the Samsung Galaxy S24/S25 Ultra.
Read our Google Pixel 10 Pro review.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro / Max
Amateur Photographer verdict
The 17 Pro (and Pro Max) get upgraded video capabilities, and the 17 Pro Max gives the largest iPhone screen, as well as larger storage sizes (up to 2GB)- Large screen
- Gorgeous display quality
- Camera control button
- Upgraded video features
- Maxes out at 4K 120p (no 8K option)
Specifications at a glance:
| Specifications | iPhone 17 Pro / Max |
|---|---|
| Main camera | 48MP (wide), f/1.78 aperture, 24mm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS |
| Ultrawide camera | 48MP (ultrawide) f/2.2 aperture, 13mm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Telephoto | 48MP 4x (telephoto with 8x optical quality zoom) f/2.8 aperture, 120mm, 3D sensor-shift OIS and PDAF |
| Selfie camera | 12MP (selfie) f/1.9 with AF |
| Video | Up to 4K 120p video recording |
| Audio features | Spatial Audio and stereo recording |
| Storage | Up to 1 TB (Pro) / 2TB (Max) |
If you’re looking for the best iPhone for video, this is unquestionably it. Video features have been upgraded, with more options and features that advanced videographers will appreciate. It now supports Dual Capture as well.
The triple-camera array has been updated and the telephoto camera is now a 48MP camera with 4x optical zoom, and 8x optical quality zoom. Log has been updated from Apple Log (which was in the iPhone 15 Pro Max) to Apple Log2, improving the flat colour profile to delivers the maximum amount of dynamic range and provide as much latitude as possible for the colour grade. Genlock support has also been added. Fancy!
With the dedicated Camera Control Button, you can record with a long press and zoom seamlessly by dragging your finger across. The bigger, 6.9inch screen can make it easier to record, review and edit videos. Elsewhere, frame rate is at 120p (4K – like the 16 Pro) allowing for more creative slow-motion recording. It also includes a studio-quality four-mic array with built-in noise reduction and Audio an Mix feature. The 17 Pro Max also gives a 2TB storage option, which gives plenty of space for video files.
Other features that have already made iPhones popular for video – effective stabilisation, ‘Cinematic’ shooting mode, Dolby HDR, Apple ProRes RAW, and plenty more. As long as it’s within your budget, you really can’t go wrong with Apple’s latest smartphone.
Read our Apple iPhone 17 Pro review
OnePlus 13
Amateur Photographer verdict
A well-performing model with improvements in cameras, giving excellent image quality across various conditions.- Good value flagship
- Pro mode
- Hasselblad portrait modes
- Excellent battery life
- Fairly short telephoto lens
- Raw shooting only in Pro mode
- Selfie camera fixed focus only
Specifications at a glance:
| Specifications | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|
| Main camera | 50MP f/1.6 23mm equivalent 1/1.43” Sony camera, OIS |
| Ultrawide camera | 50MP f/2.0 15mm equivalent 1/2.75” Sony camera |
| Telephoto | 50MP f/2.6 73mm equivalent 1/2” telephoto camera |
| Selfie camera | 32MP f/2.4 selfie camera, fixed focus |
| Video | Up to 8K at 24fps video recording |
| Audio features | Dual stereo speakers |
| Storage | Up to 1 TB (paired with 24 GB RAM) |
If you crave extra resolution, the OnePlus 13 is one of the few smartphones on this list that is capable of 8K video recording. Now, you might think you don’t need 8K resolution – and 8K video will eat your memory cards and hard drives – but many videographers like to shoot in 8K to create higher quality down sampled 4K footage. This can be a real advantage.
The OnePlus 13 is equipped with a 50MP main camera, a 50MP ultrawide camera, and a 50MP telephoto camera, giving you a wide range of options to achieve your desired image quality and composition. It also comes with a 32-megapixel fixed focus front-facing selfie camera, which may put some people off due to the lack of auto-focus.
The OnePlus 13 also offers a range of other features that make it a great choice for videographers. Both its 50-megapixel wide (main) and 50 megapixel telephoto cameras feature impressive OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) to help reduce camera shake and create smoother, more professional-looking footage. There are also a number of different video modes, such as Video Nightscape, Video HDR, Video Portrait, Timelapse and Dual-View video that make filming different subjects and scenes easier.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Amateur Photographer verdict
This is a very well-specced phone which takes great photos, and while it’s expensive, it’s one of the best Android phones you can buy for photography. It’s still not perfect, but it’s pretty great.- 4x high resolution sensors
- Excellent screen
- Privacy display has some uses
- Very high price
- Macro mode still not using telephoto
- Only one screen size available
- Minimal upgrade from S25 Ultra
Specifications at a glance:
| Specifications | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|
| Main camera | 200MP wide camera, 24mm, f/1.7, 1/1.3” sensor, PDAF, OIS |
| Ultrawide camera | 50MP ultrawide camera, 13mm, f/1.9, PDAF |
| Telephoto | 1. 10MP telephoto camera, 67mm, f/2.4, 1/3.52” sensor, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom; 2. 50MP periscope telephoto camera, 111mm, f/3.4, 1/2.52” sensor, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom |
| Selfie camera | 12MP f/2.2, 26mm selfie camera with AF |
| Video | Up to 8K at 30fps video recording |
| Audio features | Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support |
| Storage | Up to 1 TB |
The S26 Ultra is Samsung’s latest flagship smartphone, packed with a raft of AI-powered computational features. You can use AI to generate intermediate frames for an already recorded video and create slow-motion footage and improve audio quality. Just like its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, this is an absolutely outstanding Android smartphone for serious videographers. The 12 MP selfie camera has 4K recording capability and autofocus which is extremely useful when vlogging or recording.
The phone sports a very generous 6.9inch, great for recording and editing video, especially with its very thin bezel and an anti-reflective coating which reduces reflections and glare very successfully. Improvements compared to the S25 Ultra include a faster processor and the option to buy a 16GB RAM option (you might find this useful for 4K video recording).
It records video in 8K just like the S25 Ultra, a feature we have only seen in a handful of smartphones. However, simply offering this feature doesn’t necessarily make the Galaxy S26 Ultra the automatic ‘best’ choice for videographers – most people simply don’t need this level of resolution. There’s also an argument to be made that results are overall better at 4K or even Full HD anyway, as shooting in 1080p allows you to take advantage of Samsung’s Super Smooth Stabilisation for gimbal-like footage. Still, it’s hardly like we’re going to criticise a phone for having too many options, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra really is an impressive technological achievement.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review.
Best budget smartphones for video
Need something a little more affordable? If you’re willing to look for an older smartphone, there are some fantastic budget options out there which still create fantastic video. Here are a couple of our favourites.
iPhone SE
Specifications at a glance:
| Specifications | iPhone SE |
|---|---|
| Main camera | 12MP |
| Video | 4K at up to 60fps |
| Audio features | Built-in stereo speakers (bottom-firing and top front-firing) and supports advanced audio formats including Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus |
| Storage | Up to 128GB |
With a sub-£500 price tag, the iPhone SE is a great budget option for videography. Not to mention its powerful A15 Bionic Chip, high-quality camera and excellent battery life. The Apple-developed A15 Bionic Chip provides a powerful processor that allows for smooth streaming and editing of videos without experiencing lag or stuttering.
Meanwhile, the SE’s lone 12-megapixel camera may look pedestrian in comparison to Huawei’s quad-camera arrays or the 108MP offerings from the likes of Samsung. All of this this aside however, its 4K footage is crisp, noise-free and full of rich colours.
What’s more, the device has excellent battery life. It can last for up to 15 hours of video playback on a single charge. This makes it perfect for long shoots and editing sessions. If you’re looking for a powerful, user-friendly device that can handle your everyday video needs without breaking the bank, the iPhone SE is a solid option.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Amateur Photographer verdict
Excellent hardware and advanced software, the Pixel 8 Pro took what the company had already done with its existing models and improved it even more.- Three high-resolution sensors
- Computational magic makes images pop
- Pro control option
- Price hike from previous model
- No 1TB storage option
Specifications at a glance:
| Specifications | Google Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.68, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS |
| Ultrawide camera | 48 MP, f/1.95, 125.5˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9", AF |
| Telephoto | 48 MP, f/2.8, 113mm (telephoto), 1/2.55", multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom |
| Selfie camera | 10.5MP with an f/2.2 aperture and AF |
| Video | 4K at up to 60fps |
| Audio features | Bluetooth 5.2 with support for the LE and aptX HD codecs, as well as A2DP |
| Storage | Up to 512GB / 1TB (US exclusive) |
The Pixel 8 Pro offers a number of clever features that make it our pick for the best smartphone for video. Now that it has been superceded but the Pixel 9 Pro (and its XL big brother), expect to see its price drop progressively.
The basics of its triple-camera array are of course rock solid – built around a 50MP main wide camera with a generous f/1.68 lens, as well as dual 48MP cameras offering ultra-wide and telephoto perspectives. With a beautiful 6.7” Super Actua LTPO OLED, Pixel 8 Pro handles brilliantly, and feels like a premium phone to use.
For video output, the Pixel 8 Pro shoots 4K resolution at up to 60p. While some users might decry the lack of an 8K option, the reality is that most users simply do not need it. Google has instead gone all in on the computational, AI-powered wizardry that has started to become something of a hallmark for the Pixel series, enabling modes like Night Sight, which optimise image quality for low light.
For video shooters specifically, a recent Pixel 8 Update has introduced Video Boost mode, which automatically kicks in Night Sight, HDR+ and Unblur in order to deliver the best-quality video possible (bear in mind that this won’t work with locally saved files; your video needs to be backed up to Google Photos in order for it to work).
A brilliant phone for video, delivering great value for money on the second-hand / refurbished market.
Read our Google Pixel 8 Pro review.
Specifications compared:
| Specifications | Google Pixel 10 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro / Max | OnePlus 13 | Samsung Galaxy S26 | iPhone SE | Google Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 50MP f/1.68 wide, 1/1.3inch, OIS, 24mm equiv. | 48MP (wide), f/1.78 aperture, 24mm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS | 50MP f/1.6 23mm equivalent 1/1.43” Sony camera, OIS | 200MP wide camera, 24mm, f/1.7, 1/1.3” sensor, PDAF, OIS | 12MP | 50 MP, f/1.68, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS |
| Ultrawide camera | 48MP f/1.7 ultra-wide with AF, 1/2.55inch, 12mm equiv. | 48MP (ultrawide) f/2.2 aperture, 13mm, dual pixel PDAF | 50MP f/2.0 15mm equivalent 1/2.75” Sony camera | 50MP ultrawide camera, 13mm, f/1.9, PDAF | No | 48 MP, f/1.95, 125.5˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9", AF |
| Telephoto | 48MP f/2.8, 5x telephoto, 1/2.55inch, OIS, 110mm equiv. (up to 100x Pro Res Zoom) | 48MP 4x (telephoto with 8x optical quality zoom) f/2.8 aperture, 120mm, 3D sensor-shift OIS and PDAF | 50MP f/2.6 73mm equivalent 1/2” telephoto camera | 1. 10MP telephoto camera, 67mm, f/2.4, 1/3.52” sensor, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom; 2. 50MP periscope telephoto camera, 111mm, f/3.4, 1/2.52” sensor, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom | No | 48 MP, f/2.8, 113mm (telephoto), 1/2.55", multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom |
| Selfie camera | 42MP f/2.2 selfie with AF | 12MP (selfie) f/1.9 with AF | 32MP f/2.4 selfie camera, fixed focus | 12MP f/2.2, 26mm selfie camera with AF | No | 10.5MP with an f/2.2 aperture and AF |
| Video | Up to 4K video 60fps front/rear (8K powered by Video boost upscaling) | Up to 4K 120p video recording | Up to 8K at 24fps video recording | Up to 8K at 30fps video recording | 4K at up to 60fps | 4K at up to 60fps |
| Audio | Stereo recording, speech enhancement, wind noise reduction and audio zoom | Spatial Audio and stereo recording | Dual stereo speakers | Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support | Built-in stereo speakers (bottom-firing and top front-firing) and supports advanced audio formats including Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus | Bluetooth 5.2 with support for the LE and aptX HD codecs, as well as A2DP |
| Storage | Up to 12GB RAM + 256GB | Up to 1 TB (Pro) / 2TB (Max) | Up to 1 TB (paired with 24 GB RAM) | Up to 1 TB | Up to 128GB | Up to 512GB / 1TB (US exclusive) |
How to choose the best smartphone for video
While just about every phone these days will record video (apart from Nokia’s throwback ‘90s models), the best smartphones for video will primarily be the flagship models from big brands such as Apple, Samsung, Google, Honor, Xiaomi, Oppo, OnePlus, and a handful of others.
In addition to these brands’ flagship models, their mid-range models also typically boast excellent videography capabilities, because a manufacturer’s signature technology tends to trickle down the range over time.
What’s more, for the truly budget conscious, some brands like OnePlus and Motorola have launched low-end models that offer no frills in some areas (e.g. screen size or resolution), but include quality cameras and video capabilities. The OnePlus Nord and Motorola G series are prime examples.
How much does the best smartphone for video cost?
Prices vary by brand, of course, (we’re looking at you, Apple), and by country. But the average price of a high-end smartphone with solid video capabilities is around $600-1000+ / £600-1000+, depending on the model and features. Obviously, for flagship models, you will pay out at the upper end of that range. But you can still find good-quality smartphones for videography at the lower end.
Looking for more info on how to start shooting video?
Smartphones have established themselves as the ultimate carry-around camera, and there are currently a lot of good camera phones out there – even budget options! Amateur Photographer has covered it numerous times, so you’ll find lots of video articles on this website, but here are some of our top ones that we think you should have a look at. Simply click the titles below.
How to make a great video recording with your camera
Best tripods, mounts and gimbals for smartphones
Smartphones have impressive built in image stabilisation (OIS or electronic – EIS), but to take your video to the next level, the addition of a simple tripod, desk clamp/mount, or a gimbal can drastically improve how watchable your videos are, taking your video from amateur to professional looking in one fell swoop. Nobody wants to watch blurry shaky footage anymore, the days of the Blair Witch Project are long gone.
Recent updates
- June 2026 – Sony Xperia 1 V removed. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra replaced with newer S26 Ultra. Specifications tables updated.
- January 2026 – iPhone 16 Pro updated to iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max for improved video recording features and performance. Article checked for clarity and detail to improve overall quality.
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- How to take amazing portraits on a smartphone
- Best cameras for video, vlogging, and videography
- Best camera phone accessories for photography and video
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