When was the last time you went a day without using a smartphone? Chances are it was so long ago you don’t remember. Over 83% of the world’s population owns a smartphone, and each year, smartphones become better equipped to make our lives easier, including things like creating content on the go. No, seriously, have you seen what smartphone cameras can do nowadays? More on that in just a bit but you can check out our post on shooting high quality video with your phone to learn more.
While not everyone may have the funds to buy a new, state-of-the-art camera, a smartphone remains an essential device for most people and can kill two birds with one stone if you’re a content creator. Investing in a smartphone that doubles as a powerful camera for capturing high-quality photos and video can be game-changing. If you’re in the market for a new phone and want to ensure it’s one fit for all your mobile content creation needs, keep reading to learn what phones we recommend.
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Whether you’re a fan of Apple or not, you must admit that the iPhone is one of the most popular phones amongst creators of all levels. Experts cite the iPhone 13 Pro Max as one of the best smartphones for mobile content creation because its cameras offer features like true color, Apple ProRAW (for image capture) and Apple ProRes (for video capture).
Additionally, compared to Android phones made and distributed by many different brands globally, iPhones all share the same iOS, which is typically why apps such as Instagram and TikTok cater to iPhone users.
Standout Camera Specifications:
- Pro 12MP camera system: Telephoto (ƒ/2.8 aperture), Wide (ƒ/1.5 aperture), and Ultra Wide (ƒ/1.8 aperture and 120° field of view) cameras
- Digital zoom up to 15x
- Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
- Macro Photography
- Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos
- Auto image stabilization
- Includes free iMovie editing software
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Featuring a whopping four cameras, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is a force to be reckoned with regarding the best smartphones for content creation. Featuring Samsung’s “most advanced lenses yet,” this smartphone allows you to capture bright, razor-sharp images and videos even once nightfall hits. One of the coolest features that help this smartphone stand out from the competition is the “Director’s View,” which is a way to launch all four cameras so you can record multiple angles at once.
One thing to note about this smartphone is that some users report it doesn’t have the best battery life.
Standout Camera Specifications:
- Rear camera—108MP Wide (f/1.8), 12MP Ultra Wide (f/2.2), 10MP Tele 3x Optical Zoom (f/2.4), 10MP Tele 10x Optical Zoom (f/4.9)
- Front camera—40MP (f/2.2)
- Auto frame rate intelligent light detection and Super Night Solution
- Ten people focus/face tracking
- Object Eraser
- Director’s View
Sony Xperia Pro-I
Sony’s Alpha mirrorless cameras are amongst some of the most popular and beloved by creators. It’s not shocking that the brand also puts the same fierceness into its mobile devices, such as the Sony Xperia Pro-I. In addition to capturing some of the sharpest photos and videos one could imagine, this phone also picks up ultra-crisp sound thanks to the stereo microphones that reproduce multi-dimensional sound and a built-in monaural microphone that picks up speech while filtering out background noise.
Standout Camera Specifications:
- Three lens options—16mm Ultra-Wide, 24mm Wide, and 50mm Standard
- Large 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS image sensor with phase-detection AF sensor 33
- High-sensitivity 1-inch image sensor for less noise in low light conditions
- 4K HDR 120fp video
- Real-time Eye AF for stills and videos
- Optical image stabilization for shots with less blur
Google Pixel 6 Pro
The Google Pixel 6 Pro prides itself on having one of the best smartphone cameras on the market. From capturing vivid details to pro-level lenses, this smartphone is a top contender for creating high-quality content on a mobile device. Compared to the Google Pixel 5, the lens captures 150% more light to provide richer detail and color. One of the most intriguing features is the “Magic Eraser” which allows you to remove anything in a photo, including that photobomber who wrecked your perfect shot.
Standout Camera Specifications:
- Front Camera—11.1 MP 1.22 μm pixel width ƒ/2.2 aperture Fixed focus 94° ultrawide field of view (for photos) 4K video recording at 30 FPS 1080p video recording at 30 FPS, 60 FPS (for videos)
- Rear camera—50 MP Octa PD Quad Bayer wide camera (ƒ/1.85 aperture), 48 MP telephoto camera (ƒ/3.5 aperture), and 12 MP ultrawide camera (ƒ/2.2 aperture)
- Motion Mode
- Super Res Zoom lets you zoom up to 20x
- Use Magic Eraser to remove unwanted objects or people from your photos
One Plus 10 Pro
Creating stunning content with the One Plus 10 Pro is a piece of cake. Featuring a Sony IMX sensor, this smartphone captures natural colors and can shoot up to 8K. In addition to having great overall features for capturing content, the battery life is exceptional (lasting 12+ hours). According to the brand, it only takes about 15 minutes to get a full day’s charge. If you shoot a lot of content outside without access to an outlet or charger, the battery life alone may be why you pick up this smartphone.
Standout Camera Specifications
- Exceptional battery life (12+ hours)
- Main camera—48MP ƒ/1.8, Ultra-Wide Camera—50MP, Telephoto Camera—8MP ƒ/2.4
- Front Camera—32 MP with Fixed Focus
- Video—4K video at 30/60/120 FPS, 8K video at 24 FPS, and 1080p video at 30/60 FPS
- Super Slow Motion:1080p video at 240 fps,720p video at 480 fps
Even if you don’t have the most trendy or expensive camera equipment like some of your favorite veteran content creators, you can still create high-quality content you can be proud of right from your mobile device. If you’re due for an upgrade soon, bookmark this blog so you can reference it while you’re phone shopping.