Money to buy a super premium camera phone with stock Android

However, none of the above phones could replace my daily driver. Because, frankly, that software gives me a headache. They all work perfectly at their core (this is Android, after all!), but to get a great camera, you’ll have to deal with uninstallable apps, complicated menus, or (additional) annoying search tracking. I don’t want to struggle with it.

No, what I really want is a super powerful photography flagship with a clean software setup and years of support. The OS doesn’t have to be Pixel-like. I need to get that out of my way.

“So what about the Google Pixel 8 Pro?” I hear the collective comment scream. Well, this is probably the phone that comes closest to my ideal. I’ve been using the Pixel 8 Pro as my daily driver since its launch, thanks to its powerful combination of photography and software. And while this is a very good camera phone, I often regret having “just had a phone” instead of mirrorless.

The problem with Google’s camera is that while it works, it lacks any tangible creative spark (made even more difficult by the fact that the popular slider is hidden). Pixel’s strict approach to color processing leaves little room for flare (no need for heavy-handed editing), while Google’s pioneering HDR technology regularly plays with concepts of contrast and mood. I’ll erase it. Yes, there is an action pan mode and a portrait mode, but they are all shoddy software that mimics the real thing.

The lens configuration isn’t surprising either. The 23mm main is too wide for framing, but the 125mm periscope is too narrow for portraits. So OK I’m stuck with hybrid zoom, but it’s far from perfect. Granted, these are the kinds of complaints only picky photographers would have, but that’s where I stand.

And yes, you can endlessly tweak Google Photos and fiddle with manual controls all day long to get great photos. However, the results are still often very similar to those taken with a smartphone. I feel the same way about the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro that I’ve used in recent months. Both have great camera packages, but they’re far from my favorites. The S24 Ultra’s color science is too poppy and childish, but the iPhone 15 Pro still suffers from terrible yellow tints and crushed shadows.

There are a few things that make OPPO and Xiaomi’s latest products stand out from the competition. The first is the fact that the camera hardware is simply better. There’s no tiny telephoto sensor that breaks down on cloudy days or a distorted ultra-wide lens that mars your spectacular scenes. Robust hardware across 3 or 4 cameras means you’ll get great-looking photos no matter the conditions, no matter what lens you shoot with.

I’m given up on the Galaxy flagships with decent-sized portrait telephoto lenses, and the Pixels with ultra-wide cameras that, despite improvements, are so fish-eye I’m afraid of blowing up on the canvas. not. Sadly, we often end up stuck with one or two decent lenses at best and compromise on the rest.

The other half of the appeal of Chinese camera phones is their more exciting take on color science, which takes the hassle out of making your photos look unique and interesting. My favorite mirrorless camera is Fuji. One reason for this is the range of beautiful color profiles available at the click of a switch (Classic Chrome is extremely versatile).

Of course, profiles/filters are nothing new to mobile, but brands like vivo are taking filters to a higher level, allowing users to be more creative in the RAW space with quick switchovers rather than slow post-editing. I’m doing it. More unique and emotional photos will quickly make your audience stop and think. “Oh, did you really take that with your phone?” You don’t get that wow factor from a Galaxy or iPhone (despite Apple’s profile options). In recent years, these brands have also had fewer problems with oversharpening and aggressive noise reduction, resulting in significantly better perceived image quality. Portraits in particular are very important both for social media and for personally documenting the life of a loved one.

I’m itching to get rid of my Pixel and make one of these smartphones my daily driver, but while these Chinese brands excel with hardware, they disappoint with clunky software. They are keen to promote additional app markets and ecosystems, but at least for Western consumers, they only get in the way rather than enhancing the experience. Of course, these phones aren’t cheap. Although it costs well over $1,000, you can still take relatively good photos with more affordable hardware.

But money isn’t an issue, so aside from Chinese-made phones, Sony’s Xperia lineup probably comes closest to meeting that criteria. The series relies heavily on its photography and videography abilities, but the software department remains perhaps a bit too lean. Unfortunately, this series of cameras hasn’t quite hit the mark in the past, but I thought the Sony Xperia 1 V came pretty close thanks to its suite of color profiles. However, it’s impossible to justify his $1,399 purchase that doesn’t promise future OS upgrades.

Here’s hoping the newly reborn Sony Xperia 1 VI, which is rumored to have switchable focal lengths on all three cameras, fits the bill. I really hope that happens. And Pixel 9 Pro is coming soon. Until then, his aforementioned Google Pixel 8 Pro probably combines photography features and software for the best overall experience, and Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series is also on the same level. But if you really want the best photography on a phone money can buy, the vivo X100 Pro and Xperia 14 Ultra are probably your best options. Be prepared to struggle with the software until you get used to its quirks.