The Best iPhone Cameras 2024
When it comes to smartphone requirements, a fantastic camera is commonly on the top of people’s list. Whilst it's easy to see how far iPhone cameras have developed since the first generation, understanding the differences between models and narrowing down the best iPhone camera for you can be tricky.
To help you make a decision, we’ve gathered together our top iPhone recommendations. From modern handsets to previous generation standouts, you’re sure to find an iPhone camera that suits you.
Explore the options below, or take a look through our extensive iPhone collection.
Our top iPhone camera choice
iPhone 16 Pro Max
At the premium end of Apple’s iPhone 16 range is the iPhone 16 Pro Max, with a camera line-up that cements it as our best iPhone camera pick.
The first major upgrade from previous handsets is a 48MP ultra-wide camera that captures photos in exceptional detail, with image quality vastly improved when in low-light conditions. The iPhone 16 Pro Max also boasts a 48MP main camera, a 12MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom and a 12MP selfie camera, resulting in a wide range of opportunities for taking photos at different focal lengths and compositions.
The Camera Control button, which is recessed on the right side of the phone, elevates the user experience and can be used in a variety of ways to perform different actions. As well as standard camera controls such as taking a photo and shooting a video, the Camera Control button allows you to adjust the zoom and change settings such as exposure without needing to trawl through menus. It’s brilliance really lies in how easy it is to use.
For filmmakers, the 4K 120FPS video recording capability is available in both regular and slow mode, offering an improved quality of video in tandem with upgraded audio capture and studio-quality mics. Videos at this resolution look absolutely stunning on the 16 Pro Max’s 6.9” OLED display.
From photography to videography, the iPhone 16 Pro Max brings a multitude of exciting features that mark this as the best iPhone camera on the market.
Best high-end iPhone camera
iPhone 16 Pro
Offering similar hardware capabilities to the 16 Pro Max on a smaller 6.3” screen, the iPhone 16 Pro is a high-end masterclass. It possesses the same camera specs in the form of a 48MP ultra-wide camera, 48MP main and 12MP telephoto camera, making it a fantastic choice for those who don’t want or need the absolute best of the best.
As with all four handsets in this range, the iPhone 16 Pro boasts the upgraded Photographic Styles menu, allowing for deeper personalisation of images by customising how your camera captures photos, from saturation to tone. This feature can be accessed through the Camera Control button to adjust zoom level, depth of field and more.
The upgraded Pro Audio Mix editing mode transforms the way users capture and edit sound on video recordings, employing AI powered by the A18 Pro chipset to do so. It also has an excellent line-up of microphones, granting the ability to isolate voices and experiment with mastering audio.
If the 16 Pro Max is just outside your budget or you simply don’t require the larger screen it offers, the iPhone 16 Pro is one of the best iPhone cameras you can buy.
Best mid-range iPhone camera
iPhone 16 Plus
In the mid-range market, the iPhone 16 Plus is a top contender. With its dual camera lineup featuring a 48MP main and 12MP ultra-wide camera, the iPhone 16 Plus very much shares the same hardware as its base sibling. However, where it differs is in screen size; coming in at 6.7”, it’s significantly larger and is designed to suit those who want a fantastic camera phone without the premium bells and whistles of the Pro or Pro Max.
The cameras on the back of the handset have been realigned into a vertical position to allow for Spatial Capture: a 3D video format used on the Apple Vision Pro. Also amongst the upgrades to the iPhone 16 Plus is the Camera Control button, which gives more tactile control over various settings within the camera app that you don’t get on the 15 Plus.
An upgrade to Photographic Styles has significantly improved the way you can capture images through preset styles and customised editing of contrast, vibrancy and warmth. Under the hood, there’s also the A18 chipset to power the iPhone 16 Plus’ improved macro photography.
The iPhone 16 Plus performs brilliantly when shooting videos, too, with support for 4K recordings at 24, 25, 30 and 60 frames per second, as well as Dolby Vision HDR.
Overall, the iPhone 16 Plus packs a punch in the camera department, positioning it as one of the best handsets around and the ideal mid-range option.
Best budget iPhone camera
iPhone SE 3rd Gen
The third gen iPhone SE is a brilliant choice if you’re shopping on a budget for your next camera phone. This model is equipped with a 12MP rear camera and 7MP front-facing camera - that's plenty of megapixels to snap professional-looking shots in both bright and low light.
iPhone SE 3rd Gen shares many of the photography features found on Apple's premium handsets, including Portrait Mode with all six Portrait Lighting effects. You can get creative with the subject of your shot, and on both the front and rear cameras you can access Depth Control, which uses machine learning and monocular depth estimation to allow you to adjust the amount of background blur in each picture. Simply use the toggle to add more or less blur to a photo - you can even do this after you've taken the shot.
Smart HDR 4 is also built in to enhance every single photo taken, intelligently adjusting highlights and shadows to ensure your picture has the very best lighting with less overexposure.
Last but not least is iPhone SE video. You can record on the rear camera at a crisp 4K resolution up to 60FPS, and with stereo audio recording, the sound is crystal-clear. You can even use the QuickTake feature to take a still photo while filming - perfect for capturing unforgettable moments to share on social media.
Another top iPhone option
iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 is a fantastic option if you still want camera capabilities that stand out from the crowd, without the premium price tag attached. With the same camera specs as the iPhone 16 Plus, including the 48MP main, 12MP selfie camera and 12MP ultra-wide lens, the iPhone 16 is well-versed in shooting visually striking photos.
One of the iPhone 16 range’s standout features, the Camera Control button, makes an appearance yet again here. Tactically positioned where your hand naturally rests on the side of the phone, the Camera Control button vastly improves the user experience when it comes to capturing photos and videos. It easily enables you to jump between functions and shooting modes, making on-the-fly experimentation fun yet efficient.
Other components such as a 6.1” display, A18 chipset and upgrades to Autofocus rally together to improve the overall performance of the iPhone 16 camera compared to prior generations. Features such as Macro photos were also added, which were previously limited to the 15 Pro models.
Unlike the Pro handset, the iPhone 16 comes without the advanced 4K 120 video capability. Despite this, regular 4K video capture across 24, 25, 30 and 60FPS ensures this handset still delivers video in high quality.
As far as base handsets go, the iPhone 16 has one of the best roundups of camera features you’ll find anywhere.
Best previous generation iPhone camera
iPhone 15 Pro Max
One of the best iPhones we’ve reviewed for capturing every pixel in the highest quality is the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Its camera array is comprised of 12MP telephoto, 12MP ultra-wide and 48MP main lenses, as well as a 12MP TrueDepth selfie camera up front supported by an advanced quad-pixel sensor.
Complementing the hardware is a suite of software enhancements. The still-excellent Photonic Engine goes to work behind the scenes, merging pixels earlier while taking the shot and resulting in images of higher detail and greater clarity. Portrait Mode also supports live photos, continuous zoom, and post-shot focus adjustments.
The 15 Pro Max’s Photonic Engine is not the sole contributor to remarkable low-light photography; its Night Mode also offers an expanded dynamic range, ensuring your subjects remain visible even in darkness. Furthermore, the device boasts four times the resolution of the iPhone 14, empowering you to shoot in HEIF or ProRAW formats for greater control over colour and detail.
When filming videos, iPhone 15 Pro Max includes Action Mode, a feature that smooths out shaky footage for steady shots. There’s also an enhanced Cinematic Mode for recording in 4K resolution; notably, the iPhone 15 Pro range was one of the first to support ACES (Academy Colour Encoding System), a colour-management solution favoured by major film productions worldwide.
With all this said, the iPhone 15 Pro Max remains one of the best iPhone cameras on the market. If the enhanced features of the iPhone 16 range such as Spatial Photography aren’t needed on your next handset, this model is still a superb choice.
Each of these handsets, whether you’re looking for a budget, mid-range or premium device, delivers on quality where camera capabilities are concerned. For more iPhone insights, check out our HDR guide or find out how to improve its battery life.