Top-Notch Snapshots on a Budget: The Best Smartphones with Great Cameras
Ranking of smartphones with superior camera quality:
Getting a pocket-friendly smartphone that doesn't compromise on camera quality? No problem! Even entry-level and mid-range devices are packing impressive cameras, beating expectations based on their price points. Here's the lowdown on the best smartphones for capturing stunning photos on a budget, according to Stiftung Warentest.
For starters, let's talk mid-rangers that won't break the bank. In 2025, these models have stood out for their exceptional camera performance:
- Samsung Galaxy A56: With a 50 MP main camera, a 12 MP ultra-wide, and a 5 MP macro camera, the Galaxy A56 delivers solid photo quality during daylight with impressive details and colors, though sharpness could be improved, and low-light photos tend to appear overexposed. It's a budget-friendly camera phone with a price tag of approximately $200-$400 (~up to 400 euros), making it an excellent option in the mid-range category[2].
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G: Packing an impressive camera setup, this mid-range powerhouse offers excellent photographic capabilities at an affordable price[4].
- Honor Magic7 Lite, Nothing Phone (3a), Realme 14 Pro 5G, and Motorola Edge 60 Fusion round out the list of top camera phones in the mid-range segment, delivering strong camera systems and value for their price bracket[4].
While flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or Xiaomi 15 Ultra offer superior camera setups, they cost over 500 euros and therefore fall outside the mid-range category[3].
Moving on to more affordable options (up to 300 euros), even entry-level devices in this tier boast decent cameras. Topping the list are the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion and the Motorola Edge 50 Neo with a score of 2.3. Just good enough for capturing decent shots in daylight (2.5) can be found in the Motorola Edge 40 Neo, the Samsung Galaxy A35, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14, and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro.
If you don't want to spend more than 500 euros, three smartphones are recommended, whose cameras received a score of 1.9: the Google Pixel 8a, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. Following them are the Samsung Galaxy A56 and the Xiaomi 14T with a camera score of 2.1. The Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro is the sole third-placed with a camera score of 2.2.
In the high-end segment, four devices share the first place for their camera performance, receiving a score of 1.3: the iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. The Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL take the second place with a score of 1.4.
In essence, if you're looking for a smartphone with more than acceptable snapping abilities without going over budget, look no further than the mid-range and entry-level devices that these top performers offer. Happy snapping!
[1] ntv.de[2] kwe[3] Stiftung Warentest 2025[4] DigitalTrends 2025
In the realm of mid-range smartphones, devices like the Samsung Galaxy A56, Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G, Honor Magic7 Lite, Nothing Phone (3a), Realme 14 Pro 5G, and Motorola Edge 60 Fusion deliver exceptional camera performance for a budget-friendly price range [2]. Furthermore, research and development in technology continues to expand, so the future holds promise for advancements in gadgets such as smartphones and community policy surrounding their capabilities in areas like research and development.
