Smartphone with camera. Rating of smartphones with a good camera

Mobile technologies have become an integral part of our lives. One device that fits easily into a pocket combines an address book, a cell phone, mobile browser and a camera. Of course, smartphone manufacturers, despite all the versatility of gadgets, still focus on some option in order to make it a feature of this device. Today we will look at camera phones, or, more simply put, phones with a good camera. When choosing such devices, you should pay attention to the following characteristics:

• The resolution of the main camera is responsible for the sensitivity of the built-in photocell. The higher the resolution, the better the quality of the photograph, all other things being equal. Modern camera phones have a photo module with a resolution of 8 megapixels or more.
• The focal length determines the width of the camera's viewing angle. The smaller it is, the wider the area the camera can cover.
• Sensor size – the larger it is, the better the image quality. This is explained by the fact that manufacturers can apply many modern technological solutions to a larger element, which will have a positive effect on the parameters of the finished photo.
• The presence of stabilization allows you to compensate for hand shake when shooting. This is one of the parameters that directly affects the quality of the photograph.
• Autofocus is another one of the most important camera parameters. It not only allows you to increase the sharpness of individual objects in the photo, but also helps to correctly distribute the light directly during shooting. More expensive devices use laser autofocus, the speed of which is an order of magnitude higher than usual.
• Camera app functionality. As a rule, the software installed by the manufacturer works best with a photo module, so it is important that it has a good set of options, such as HDR, shutter speed, timer, ISO and others.

The best inexpensive camera phones: budget up to 10,000 rubles.

4 DOOGEE X60 L

Bright aperture F/2
Country: China
Average price: 6080 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.5

An ultra-budget third-tier phone with a surprisingly powerful camera. The main camera consists of two models with a resolution of 13 and 8 megapixels. The F/2 aperture size allows you to capture more light, which means you can take more detailed and noise-free images, even in low light conditions. There is autofocus here, but optical stabilization not included.

The front camera is simpler - 8 megapixels without frills and an F/2.2 aperture. Reviews for the model are contradictory - as good as the camera is, the software is just as bad. The firmware is frankly crude, the processor is only enough for routine tasks. But if you need a camera phone at an inexpensive price, this is the best gadget that is as cheap as possible.

3 Meizu M5s

Best price
Country: China
Average price: RUB 9,389.
Rating (2018): 4.3

The bronze medalist's predecessor, the M3s, was criticized by many for its mediocre image quality. This flaw was corrected in the newbie, and now we have before us a really very good smartphone. The quality of pictures from the 13 MP (f/2.2) main camera is usual for this price range: no complaints during the day, noise appears in the evening. But the front camera pleased me: the pictures are clear, the color rendition is good.

In terms of performance, the M5s lacks stars. The MediaTek 6753 processor ensures smooth operation of the interface, fast performance of applications and casual games. But don't count on mobile 3D gaming. But the presence of 3 GB of RAM in the 32 GB version of the phone is encouraging - applications are unloaded from memory much less often, which improves overall performance. Finally, the advantages include the metal body, traditional for Meizu smartphones.

2 Meizu M6T 3/32GB

Monochrome module
Country: China
Average price: 10,795 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.6

The manufacturer followed the path already trodden by Huawei: it combined color and monochrome modules in the main camera. This combination produces better results due to the fact that the monochrome device captures more details and shades. Then the pictures - color and black and white - are superimposed on each other, and the user sees clear, contrasting and high quality photo on the screen. The operating range of the modules is also different: in the first F/2.2, in the second – F/2.8. It is the second module with an increased “aperture” number that is responsible for blurring the background. The resolution of the main module is 13 megapixels, the additional one is content with 2 megapixels.

The front camera cannot boast of outstanding abilities - it has 8 megapixels in its arsenal without autofocus and other amenities. Reviews for the smartphone are good - many call the model the best camera phone in a budget of up to 10,000 rubles.

Give me more Megapixels!

When choosing a smartphone with a good camera, do not go for high resolution (megapixels). A resolution of 12 megapixels is more than enough, unless you are going to use the photo in professional. purposes. Everything above is pure marketing. Even the most modern 4K TV has a resolution of just over 8 megapixels. It turns out that you simply cannot evaluate the real quality of a photo taken with a 16 megapixel camera.

Pixel size

Clearly, the more important characteristic of a smartphone camera is the pixel size. Specified in micrometers (µm). The higher this indicator, the better. A camera with a pixel size of 1.2 µm will produce sharper images than a camera with a pixel size of 1.0 µm. There is only one problem - it is not always possible to find a pixel size indicator in the standard list of phone characteristics.

Aperture number

Aperture is a device in a camera lens that controls the size of the lens opening through which light passes. The more light that can enter the photo matrix, the clearer the photo will be. A lower aperture number will generally indicate a higher quality camera, capable of taking good pictures even in low light conditions. A camera with an aperture of 1.7 should definitely take sharper pictures than a camera with an aperture of 2.2.

Optical stabilization

Optical stabilization helps smooth out hand shake, which can often cause blurry photos. The function turns out to be more useful when photographing with high magnification or long exposure times (the hand begins to get tired and “shaking” appears). A special sensor detects any slight shifts of the lens and sends a signal to the actuator, which returns the image to its original place. The presence of optical stabilization significantly increases the cost of a smartphone.

1 Xiaomi Redmi S2 3/32GB

The best front camera. Dual main camera
Country: China
Average price: 10890 rub.
Rating (2018): 5.0

Budget smartphone with dual camera. The second module is not a prop – it has 5 megapixels and can blur the background and highlight bokeh. The resolution of the main module is 12 megapixels. The working 12+5 megapixel frame creates beautiful, aesthetic pictures. This is a high-quality lens from Sony with autofocus and F/2.2 aperture. As a bonus to all this, there are advanced settings for the standard camera application. There are various filters, shooting modes - portrait, panorama, square photo, manual (white balance and ISO are adjustable); scripts, timer, leveling and improver.

But the main advantage of the smartphone is the front camera. The letter S in the model name indicates that the gadget belongs to the line of selfie phones. There is a 16 megapixel front module with a built-in flash. The selfies come out to be of high quality: permission is more than enough for posting on social network accounts. Automatic focusing was not provided. In the reviews, users note that they are completely satisfied with the photographic abilities of the Redmi S2 and are surprised at the inexpensive price for such a suitable camera phone.

The best camera phones: budget up to 20,000 rubles.

4 Motorola Moto E5 Plus 32GB

Laser autofocus
Country: China
Average price: 11990 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.5

This is a budget smartphone with a simply good camera. There are no frills like a dual module, and high quality frames are achieved thanks to fast and accurate laser focusing and a 12 megapixel module. F/2.0 aperture, shoots video at 30 frames per second.

The front camera here is formal. 5 MP is enough for video calling, but not enough for aesthetic selfies. It's a stretch for the Moto E5 Plus 32GB to become a camera phone. This is a smartphone with harmonious features for a wide range of people and with a slight emphasis on the main camera. Finding a budget phone with laser autofocus is a big success.

3 Xiaomi Mi Max 3 4/64GB

Different module apertures
Country: China
Average price: 19890 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.7

New from China with a dual camera of 12 and 5 megapixels. The aperture of the main module is F/1.9, the additional one is F/2.4. Due to the difference in aperture, the camera can blur the background and create bokeh. Basic Xiaomi module I bought it from Sony, and the five-megapixel one from Samsung. The manufacturer has also developed artificial intelligence, whose work is aimed at improving the quality and aesthetics of photographs. Machine learning is a bonus. Phase autofocus with Dual-Pixel function.

The front camera is simpler - 8 megapixels with face recognition function. Reviews of the new product make you want to urgently purchase this model for any task. Only one thing can confuse a potential buyer - size. There is an almost 7-inch screen, which even with the thinnest frames feels large.

2 Samsung Galaxy A6+ 32GB

Best fast lens
Country: Korea
Average price: 19930 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.8

An inexpensive smartphone by Samsung standards with a dual-aperture camera. There are 16+5 megapixels with apertures F/1.7 and F/1.9, respectively. Due to this aperture size, the modules capture more light and perform better in low light conditions. There is a built-in flash and automatic focusing, but it doesn’t come down to optical stabilization.

The front module is no less interesting here. Selfies are taken by a 24MP camera. Yes, permission deserves respect. It’s just a pity that the manufacturer didn’t equip the front camera with autofocus. Aperture – F/1.9. Reviews are full of admiration, but the camera is sometimes criticized for noise in poor light conditions and the “live focus” function not working correctly.

1 Xiaomi Mi6X 6/64GB

Artificial intelligence
Country: China
Average price: 17,500 rub.
Rating (2018): 5.0

There is a two-module camera with high resolution: 12+20 megapixels. Both modules are from Sony. The second module with a Sony IMX376 telephoto lens. There is a built-in flash and automatic focus. The optical zoom brings you twice as close, and the camera can also shoot video in 120 frames per second. The aperture of the main camera deserves attention - here it is F/1.75, capturing more light than regular cameras. For dessert: Xiaomi has developed artificial intelligence that improves photos in every possible way. The software is still crude, but the company regularly releases updates.

The front camera is not at all a modest gift from the manufacturer. 20 megapixels with F/2.2 aperture and built-in flash produce excellent selfies. Video is recorded in Full HD resolution. There are not many reviews of the new product yet, the new owners are unanimous in their opinion: the smartphone is good and balanced, and the camera is the best thing it has.

The best camera phones in the mid-price segment: budget up to 30,000 rubles.

3 Meizu 15 4/64GB

3x zoom
Country: China
Average price: 31,100 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.6

Cool model with dual camera. Modules from Sony - 12 and 20 megapixels. The second module with a telephoto lens. There is autofocus (phase detection and laser technology), six-segment flash, optical stabilization and 3x hybrid zoom. Pure optical zoom is enough for a 1.5x magnification, and at 2x and 3x magnification both optics and digital are used. The camera produces clear, detailed photos even in low light conditions.

20 megapixel front module (also Sony). For some reason there is no autofocus. Reviews for this “Meiza” are extremely positive. In any case, the phone costs the 30,000 rubles that are asked for it in stores.

2 ASUS ZenFone 5 ZE620KL 4/64GB

Advanced artificial intelligence. RAW support
Country: China
Average price: 26990 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.9

The two-module camera with sensors from Sony has a resolution of 12 and 8 megapixels. The second module is wide-angle. Built-in artificial intelligence automatically detects scenes for photos (there are 16 of them in total: food, dogs, cats, ocean, etc.) and learns itself in the process. Portrait mode owns not only the main camera, but also the front camera. There is optical stabilization and RAW support. The main camera can create video content in 4K and quickly switches between modules.

A gift from ASUS - the Super Revolution function, when the output is 48MP photos. And this is not just loud marketing, the footage has really good color reproduction, detailed and clear. In reviews, owners call ZenFone 5 ZE620KL 4/64GB the best camera phone of 2018.

1 Huawei P10 Plus 6/64GB

Better color and depth reproduction
Country: China
Average price: 29,470 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.9

Huawei regularly delights users with innovative technologies in the field of photography. The P10 Plus uses optics manufactured by Leica, a renowned German camera company. There is a dual camera of 12 and 20 megapixels with optical stabilization and laser focusing. The 20-megapixel monochrome module examines lighting conditions and allows you to take photos with a large dynamic range. Aperture indicators hint at the aperture of the optics. Optical stabilization helps a lot when shooting video handheld. A nice bonus is that the smartphone can shoot a video in 4K resolution.

The front camera is simpler - it's 8 megapixels, but with autofocus. Reviews of the P10 Plus indicate that the device is worthy of the title of the best camera phone in a budget of up to 30,000 rubles.

The best premium camera phones

4 Apple iPhone X 64GB

IR emitter
Country: USA
Average price: 67,990 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.5

The flagship from the Apple company boasts an individual processor for the camera, which ensures the performance of artificial intelligence. The IR emitter also deserves attention. First of all, it is designed to identify the user by face, but its abilities are also used to create portrait photographs. The main camera has two 12 megapixel modules. Optical stabilization is available on both sensors.

The manufacturer is also proud of its flash True Tone Quad-LED with Slow Sync technology that illuminates the foreground without darkening the background. The front camera has become better due to the TrueDepth system - it detects the texture of the subject and adjusts lighting parameters. In the reviews, users are happy with the camera, but express disappointment over the excessively high price and some aspects of the iPhone X’s performance.

3 Samsung Galaxy S9+ 64GB

Adjustable aperture diameter
Country: Korea
Average price: 54,990 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.8

According to the authoritative service DxOmark, this smartphone has the best camera. The main feature of the cameras is a mechanical change in the diameter of the hole through which light enters the matrix. Maximum size F/1.5, minimum – F/2.4. In the automatic shooting mode, the aperture size is selected by artificial intelligence, and in the “pro” mode, you can adjust the settings yourself. Samsung does a great job of drawing out detail, creating clear images with distinct contours of objects.

The camera phone can also shoot super slow-motion video without losing quality. The result can be saved in GIF format. The built-in Bixby neural network already recognizes some types of food (fruits, vegetables) and reports its calorie content. Another fun feature is animated emoji. The camera recognizes your facial expressions and transfers them to a drawn character or emoticon.

2 Huawei P20 Pro

Triple camera
Country: China
Average price: 49920 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.9

A three-eyed flagship with an emphasis on photographic capabilities. The main camera consists of 40 MP, 20 MP and 8 MP sensors. The second module shoots in monochrome mode, and the third is equipped with a telephoto lens. Such an explosive mixture creates cool photos even in the dark, handheld and with long exposures. Thanks for this we must say to the smart software, which glues together several photos taken in a row into one, high-quality and detailed one. The zoom deserves special attention: the optics provide a three-fold magnification (smartphones capable of this can be listed on the fingers of one hand). And optics + digital are capable of five-fold magnification without noticeable loss of frame quality.

The reviews only talk about cameras. By the way, all three cameras have optical stabilization. The front camera has a 24-megapixel sensor and nothing else. You can’t count on autofocus – the front camera doesn’t have it.

1 HTC U11

The best smartphone camera of 2017 according to DxOMark
Country: Taiwan
Average price: 44,990 rub.
Rating (2018): 4.8

In short, in 2017, HTC U11 was recognized by the authoritative publication DxOMark, which tests photographic equipment, as the best camera phone at the moment. The smartphone scored a record 90 points, which are still unattainable for anyone. However, there is no newfangled dual camera here. Only one 12 MP module with f/1.7 and optical stabilization. The video quality is simply excellent. The picture is stabilized, and thanks to four (!) microphones, the sound is clear and spacious. But the front camera is ordinary. The quality is good, but nothing outstanding.

The filling is fully consistent with the 2017 flagship. Used as a processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, the performance of which we have already discussed. The volumes of RAM and permanent memory are also similar to those in Samsung. But there are a couple of interesting features. For example, the pressure-sensitive edges of the case: if you squeezed the gadget harder, you got a screenshot. You can customize it as you please.

Among the numerous Chinese smartphone manufacturers, the company DOOGEE occupies a prominent place. For domestic users, phones from this manufacturer are known primarily for their affordable prices. The flagship model is definitely included in our ranking of the best camera phones of 2016 thanks to the powerful main camera sensor of 21 megapixels Sony Exmor RS IMX230, which has phase and laser autofocus, which allows you to take very high-quality and clear photos and 4K videos. The system has 192 focusing points, which virtually eliminates blurring when shooting even fast-moving objects.

As for other specifications, the smartphone boasts a powerful 10-core Helio X20 processor (MTK6797). The chip architecture includes two 2.3 GHz cores (Cortex-A72), as well as four 1.85 GHz cores and four 1.4 GHz cores (Cortex-A53). For lovers mobile games There is an ARM Mali-780 video chip, which will provide good performance. The smartphone memory is equipped with 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of general storage. If necessary, you can expand the file space up to 128 GB with a memory card. The mobile phone's screen measures 5.7 inches and has a decent resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

The device is also equipped with a fingerprint scanner, a USB Type-C port and a fairly capacious 4000 mAh battery and Android 6.0 OS. The price of DOOGEE F7 Pro in Chinese online stores with free delivery to Russia ranges from $270 .

Another new product this year from a highly respected Chinese company LeEco(formerly LeTV) also deserves close attention. The model was equipped with a powerful 21-megapixel camera sensor with a flash in two colors and excellent shooting performance. The front camera is 8 megapixels. For its price in the area $230 This is an excellent inexpensive smartphone with a good camera. At the same time, the device has very tasty characteristics and high build quality with an attractive design, which includes a metal case.

The high performance of the smartphone is ensured by the Helio X20 chip with 10-core architecture. The RAM is a very good 4 GB, and the storage for files has a capacity of 32 GB, which can easily be supplemented with another 128 GB with a memory card. The screen boasts a complete absence of frames and a 5.5-inch size with a high-quality detailed picture and a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and a pixel density of 403 PPI. There is a 3000 mAh battery, wireless Wi-Fi functions. Bluetooth and standard cellular network 4G LTE. The LeEco (LeTV) Le 2 PRO smartphone runs on the new Android 6.0 operating system.

Company ASUS boasts a number of very interesting smartphones, including models that can safely be called camera phones. For example, , which is the latest innovation and has a powerful Sony IMX318 sensor, which takes photos no worse than the most advanced digital camera and shoots 4K video. Innovative technology The new generation PixelMaster 3.0 allows you to shoot photos with a resolution of up to 92 megapixels thanks to alternate shooting and overlaying frames on each other. The model boasts OIS and EIS stabilization, laser and TriTech AF phase detection autofocus with a response time of 0.3 s. The camera in this smartphone is very, very good.

Specifications also include a powerful 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 chip with a frequency of each individual core of 1.8 GHz and Adreno 510 video graphics. The RAM capacity is 4 GB, and there is 64 GB of storage space for digital content. You can expand the space with another memory card up to 200 GB microSD format. The huge 6.8-inch screen may not be to everyone’s taste, but for lovers of mobile games and watching videos online in the highest quality, this is what they need. The resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels with a pixel density of 324 PPI. And another interesting feature is the pretty serious sound of the NXP Smart AMP. The speakers use 5 magnets, which allows you to achieve 7.1-channel virtual powerful sound with 24-bit quality and 192 kHz. There is a 4000 mAh battery and Android 6.0.

Chinese manufacturer Meizu released a new generation of its famous smartphone in 2016. The device should definitely be among the best camera phones for its powerful main Sony IMX230 photo sensor, which has laser focusing and a resolution of 21 megapixels. A special ring flash with 10 LEDs improves low-light photography at night. The front camera is very modest compared to the main sensor and has a resolution of only 5 megapixels. Apart from the camera, the smartphone is interesting powerful sound Hi-Fi quality.

Fast operation of the entire system is ensured by a 10-core processor – MediaTek Helio X25. The amount of RAM is an impressive 4 GB, and the file storage space is 32 GB with the ability to add a memory card. Fans of mobile games can relax and enjoy all the entertainment without any delays, thanks to the powerful Mali-T880 MP4 video chip. The device supports modern USB port Type-C and is equipped with a 5.5-inch frameless screen with a dense pixel density of 424 PPI and a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. There is a fingerprint scanner. The price of the model ranges from $375 .

Among the best camera phones of 2016, the smartphone stands out noticeably. Company Sony produces premium-level devices, and this model is distinguished not only by its powerful hardware, but also beautiful design, which is the hallmark of the manufacturer. The main camera sensor has a resolution of 23 megapixels and includes proprietary G Lens optics and a built-in Sony Bionz image processor. Intelligent software monitors the subject during shooting and predicts its actions, thereby eliminating poor shooting quality.

Other characteristics of the Performance Dual include a 5-inch screen, making the smartphone more compact and has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels with a pixel density of 443 PPI. The central Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chip offers high performance, which is complemented by a decent amount of 3 GB RAM and 64 GB storage. Adreno 530 graphics make the device a gaming station, which will undoubtedly please many users. Standard features include the obligatory Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC and the latest generation 4G LTE Cat cellular communications. 9. The battery is quite modest at 2700 mA, but holds a charge well. The device is worth it $650 .

Company Elephone known for its smartphones affordable prices. The model that is about to go on sale will definitely cost no more $300 . At the same time, the device was equipped very well. For lovers of high-quality mobile photography, engineers placed a powerful main Sony IMX230 camera with a resolution of 21 megapixels in the device. In the review, we have already repeatedly talked about the great capabilities of the sensor, which easily shoots 4K video. There is laser and very fast autofocus, which responds within 0.3 seconds. The front camera is 8 megapixels.

As for other characteristics, the model not only ranks among the best camera phones, but also attracts with an absolutely frameless display with 2.5D rounded edges and a 5.5-inch diagonal with a high resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Eat powerful processor MediaTek Helio P10 with an 8-core architecture and a frequency of each of them 2 GHz. High performance is complemented by the Mali-T860 video processor. There is a 3000 mAh battery and a USB Type-C port along with a fingerprint scanner and standard wireless options Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC. The mobile phone is equipped with mandatory GPS and comes with Android 6.0 OS installed.

Now, in 2016, more and more professional photographers began to pay attention to mobile photography, they believe that it is the future. After all, it makes it possible to record every moment of our life. The editors of APPTIME decided to prepare for you the top 8 best camera phones, which are recognized by amateurs and professionals.

LG G3

In recent years, the South Korean company has increasingly pleased consumers with the quality of its products. Every new smartphone gets its own unique “trick” and it can’t help but delight. In particular, the latest LG phones began to receive top-end cameras. LG G3 is a smartphone released in 2014 and during this time it has managed to gather millions of fans around the world.

G3 has a 13 MP camera and a large display (5.46 inches). One of the main advantages is a good photo editor, which is built into the phone out of the box. It’s also impossible not to mention the “magic focus” mode, which can change the focus of a photo after shooting. The camera phone is capable of taking very decent pictures, even in poor lighting.

Photo from LG G3 camera

The bright 5.46 HD display is perfect for entertaining with friends. In conclusion, we can say that the phone is still more suitable for amateurs than professionals.

LG G4

Another “brainchild” of the South Korean company. If you look at the characteristics of the G4, you won’t see anything shocking or amazing, but if you take a closer look, you will understand that the company is on the right path, giving preference not to dizzying numbers, but to the real quality of the device.

In this model, the screen has been significantly improved, now the color rendition has become even more vibrant, and the brightness and contrast have increased by several points. The camera is equipped with a spectral IR sensor that allows you to accurately determine shades, and the lens has one of the most sensitive apertures.

Photo from LG G4 camera

The camera has a lot of settings, which allows you to configure it very flexibly.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5

The Korean giant was once one of the first to introduce the fashion for high-quality cameras. And now, year after year, each smartphone of this company becomes a bestseller. This phone is designed to fit comfortably in your hand.

The display of this device has a very high resolution and excellent color rendition, as well as excellent sensor responsiveness. Iron from the "chic" category. The camera requires no comment, as Samsung continues to improve its point-and-shoot cameras to the level of a DSLR.

Photos from the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 camera

The resolution is 16 MP. Galaxy Note 5 can boast excellent quality shooting in any lighting. Basically, we can confidently say that Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is a phone that is suitable for both professionals and amateurs.

Lenovo VIBE Shot

Lenovo is a company that has begun to make itself known more and more loudly in the last couple of years. The smartphones of this company belong to the middle price category, so you shouldn’t expect very powerful results. But, against all odds, Lenovo managed to create a phone that was high quality and relatively inexpensive.

Lenovo VIBE Shot has an edge-to-edge display, and the flagship is also equipped with a good processor. Lenovo uses the South Korean BSI sensor S5K2P8, unlike Samsung. Despite many shortcomings (due to the low price), IR autofocus and optical stabilizer allow VIBE Shot to take good pictures.

Photo from Lenovo VIBE Shot camera

It can also be called a plus physical buttons switching modes and shutter, they can help if ambient light reflects off the screen and it becomes dark. In conclusion, I will say that the Lenovo VIBE Shot is a good camera phone, but it is still far from being the top flagships.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+

The Korean camera phone has a unique display design; it has a curved screen and smooth edges. The main camera of the phone is equipped with a Sony Exmor sensor, which allows you to take good pictures in almost no light.

For advanced photographers there is a Pro mode. Unfortunately, the camera phone is not equipped with laser focusing, but this does not greatly detract from the operation of the smartphone.

Photos from the camera of Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+

Overall, the S6 Edge is suitable for all users, whether they are advanced photographers with experience or ordinary users.

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact

Everyone knows that Sony is a company that always follows market trends, this is reflected in the Xperia Z5 - the entire smartphone is clad in a stylish glass body. The device is made in the most minimalist design.

The display of the device is also pleasing - Full HD and 4K. It's worth noting that Sony makes some of the best cameras in the entire world, but they haven't been able to unleash their full potential for their own smartphone.

Photos from the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact camera

But the 23 MP cameras compensate for the insufficiently developed software shell.

Meizu PRO 5

Chinese companies have recently been increasingly making their way into the market, while offering consumers really high-quality products. Meizu PRO 5 has a good screen (full HD).

And by the way, the camera is equipped with a new sensor from Sony, as well as laser autofocus. The lens of the device is protected by sapphire glass. But, unfortunately, everyone has an “Achilles heel” and for Meizu PRO 5 this is weak software.

Photo from Meizu PRO 5 camera

There is no technical support for this device, so you can’t count on software optimization for hardware in the near future.

Apple iPhone 6S Plus

Not a single top mobile device is complete without smartphones from the Apple company. Apple has been showing us for years an excellent example of how you can combine resolution and image quality.

The iPhone 6S Plus gives us excellent color reproduction and excellent white balance. The good thing about Apple is that for several years now they have not been chasing crazy trends in increasing pixels, because the iPhone has enough photography resources for both the average user and the picky professional.

Photo from Apple iPhone 6S Plus camera

In conclusion, I will say that Apple has created a gorgeous camera phone that, in the absence of crazy people technical characteristics produces professional photos.

This is the most complete guide by choice of smartphone in 2016. We will choose Top 10 best smartphones in all price segments, consider expert ratings and customer reviews. We will determine the best flagships, camera phones, the best inexpensive smartphones, as well as best companies smartphones based on the results of 2016.

For many buyers, price comes first when choosing a smartphone, because not everyone can or wants to buy a top-end device that costs 50 thousand rubles or more. But regardless of budget, buyers always want to get the most for their money. That is why we have compiled several ratings - the best flagship smartphones, the best mid-price smartphones and the best not expensive smartphones.

These are the most best models smartphones according to experts - sites and magazines involved in professional testing of electronics. Professional testing implies an independent and objective assessment, as well as the availability of special equipment and extensive knowledge to conduct the appropriate tests.

Rating of the best flagship smartphones of 2016

Let's start with the rating of flagship models. Essentially, this is just a ranking of the best smartphones of 2016, without adjusting for cost. According to most experts, the best smartphones of 2016 are recognized Samsung Galaxy S7 And S7 Edge, these are the devices that received the highest ratings according to the tests of TopTenReviews, CHIP, TechRadar and many other reputable sites. The smartphones have record-breaking performance, a reference screen and one of the best mobile cameras on the market. Average rating smartphones was 93.5 and 93.1 points, respectively, this is the average rating the devices received based on 26 ratings from various publications.

In third place is Xperia XZ, the flagship from Sony. Apple iPhone 7 found itself in fourth place in the list of the best smartphones of 2016, and this can be regarded as a very good result, considering that in the past year iPhone I had to settle for only seventh place. Rounds out the top five Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, the leader of last year's rating, which is still in high demand among buyers.

Rating of the best smartphones of 2016 under 20,000 rubles

Now let’s look at the best smartphones in the middle price segment, according to experts, that is, costing from 10 to 20 thousand rubles. These are the optimal models in terms of price-quality ratio. Among the presented models there are both classic “mid-range” and top-end smartphones of past years.

What should you expect when buying a smartphone worth 10-20 thousand rubles, and what is the difference between these devices and the top flagships of 2016? Firstly, they have more modest screens with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels and lower. Chipsets (processor, graphics chip) is also weaker, that is, lower performance, this will be noticeable in modern 3D games. Cameras, as a rule, have modules of the previous generation without advanced options (optical stabilization, dual flash, laser autofocus), and lack some hardware and software features that make flagships stand out. How to choose the right smartphone under 20,000 rubles and what characteristics you should pay attention to first - in our article.

Rating of the best smartphones of 2016 under 10,000 rubles

Let's move on to the most popular segment - smartphones costing less than 10 thousand rubles. If the leading positions in the ranking of expensive smartphones are occupied by Samsung, Apple, Sony and other companies with a rich history, then among inexpensive smartphones Chinese brands are gaining more and more popularity. And there is nothing surprising here. For the same money, the Chinese offer devices with much more advanced technical characteristics, which naturally attracts buyers who want to get the most for their money.

We have compiled two ratings of the best inexpensive smartphones of 2016 - based on expert ratings (presented below) and based on customer reviews (available). The fact is that many authoritative publications limit themselves to reviews of products only from A-brands, and do not even bother testing second-tier smartphones, not to mention the products of little-known Chinese companies. That is why it is simply impossible to calculate the average rating for such devices; as a result, they are not included in the top of the best devices. However, you can find quite a lot of reviews with customer ratings (since smartphones are very popular), which we took advantage of by compiling. In this material you will also find some useful tips on how to choose the right smartphone costing less than 10 thousand rubles.

Rating of smartphones 2016 with the best camera

Camera. Manufacturers of modern smartphones are paying more and more attention to this component. Smartphones with a good camera are proudly called camera phones, and this does not mean that such smartphones are somehow inferior in other aspects.

Every year we see a competition between flagships for the title of the best mobile camera. According to the DxOMark website, the best camera phone of 2016 is Google Pixel(89 points in the rating), which beat three smartphones by just one point: HTC 10, Samsung Galaxy S7 And Sony Xperia X Performance.

The best camera phones of 2016 according to the DxOMark website

However, this rating agency's ratings often differ from those of other sites. Having summed up the ratings of various publications, we compiled our own (other characteristics of smartphones were not taken into account when calculating the rating). On this page you will also find comparative reviews smartphone cameras.

Best smartphone companies 2016

Which company's smartphones are the best? A separate study was devoted to this issue - We will not retell it in full, we will only outline brief conclusions. Experts most like products from A-brands such as Samsung, Apple, Sony, LG and HTC; just look at the ratings of the best smartphones above. This is especially true for expensive flagship smartphones. However, smartphones from companies such as Huawei, Asus and OnePlus sometimes also receive very high expert ratings.

As for buyers, they have their own opinion on this matter. We held a vote in which any site visitor could vote for or against any brand. At the moment, more than 15 thousand people have voted, the votes were distributed as follows:

We also analyzed customer ratings on Yandex Market, calculating the average rating for each brand using a 5-point system. The results were quite unexpected: the Chinese took four first places:

From this we can conclude that buyers are often dissatisfied with the quality of the products of many large companies (the so-called A-brands), having high expectations for them. And, on the contrary, they remain pleasantly surprised by the smartphones of certain Chinese brands, initially aimed at budget segment and offering more “tasty” characteristics at a lower price.

Each manufacturer flagship smartphone tries to convince that his device has the best camera among mobile devices. To achieve high quality images, developers install larger matrices, equip lenses with high-aperture optics, and use laser and phase autofocus. However, it doesn’t always turn out that the next top camera takes better pictures than the “old man” released several years ago.

Our material is dedicated to smartphones in 2016 that have the best camera in their class or on the market in general. The list includes only models that were released this year. For this reason, the selection does not include successful models, such as the iPhone 6s, introduced at the end of 2015. The list of devices is compiled taking into account the technical characteristics of their matrices and the real quality of the images. The opinion of expert photographers from the DXOMark resource was also taken into account.

Released in February 2016, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge were notable for being the first smartphones to feature Dual Pixel technology. There is nothing supernatural about it (it’s just a phase-detection autofocus mechanism that has been brought to perfection), but previously such a solution was used only in DSLRs.

The devices received 12 MP Sony IMX260 or Samsung S5K2L1 matrices, 1/2.5" in size, with 1.4 micron pixels. Lens aperture is f/1.7, optical image stabilization is present. Experts evaluated the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge cameras 88 points (out of 100), this is the maximum score for a smartphone at present. Front camera is 5 MP, with f/1.7 aperture.

Smartphones differ in the size and shape of their displays. In the S7, it has a diagonal of 5.1", as well as a flat shape. In the S7 Edge, the diagonal has grown to 5.5", and the edges have become curved. The resolution of both matrices is 2560x1440 pixels. The devices operate on a quad-core Snapdragon 820 or eight-core Exynos Octa 8890 processor. 4 GB of RAM, 32 or 64 GB of built-in memory, a MicroSD slot is available. Smartphones run on Android 6 OS; an update is expected by the end of the year. The autonomy of the S7 is ensured by a 3000 mAh battery, and the S7 Edge – by a 3600 mAh battery. The device is good enough for any task. It’s not for nothing that many other manufacturers look up to Samsung’s flagships.

Examples of pictures taken with the Galaxy S7 smartphone camera

HTC 10 – familiar functionality, but at a new level

In April 2016, sales of the metal flagship HTC 10 started. It became a worthy successor to the idea of ​​“ultrapixels” used since the M7 model. The HTC 10 camera is based on a 1/2.3" Sony IMX377 matrix, which allows the pixel size to be increased to 1.55 microns. The total number of megapixels is 12. The optics have an aperture ratio of f/1.8.

HTC 10 received a laser autofocus mechanism, different high speed work. There is also optical frame stabilization. Due to the combination of these features, the device also scored a maximum of 88 points in the DXOMark assessment. The front camera is not far behind. It has a resolution of 5 MP, is equipped with a matrix with 1.34 micron pixels and a lens with an f/1.8 aperture.

HTC 10 is equipped with a SUPER LCD (a variation on the IPS theme) display with a diagonal of 5.2". Its resolution is 2560x1440 pixels, which makes the smartphone convenient for VR. The chipset is Snapdragon 820 with Adreno 530 graphics. The device has 4 GB of RAM, and the built-in one is 32 or 64 GB. I’m glad that there is a memory card slot.

As operating system Android 6 is installed on HTC 10. The smartphone's battery has a capacity of 3000 mAh. We can safely say that HTC 10 has taken the functionality implemented in its predecessors to a new level. Especially in terms of the camera, which now not only stands out for its light sensitivity, but also provides decent detail (which the M7 or M8 did not have).

Examples of photos on HTC 10

Sony Xperia X Performance – giving you more pixels?!

Another smartphone that has a good camera among the flagships is the Sony Xperia X Performance, released in February 2016. Sony's company is a “photographic” company even more than a “musical” one, so the photo matrices of its smartphones pleasantly stand out for their shooting quality. Engineers do not risk “cutting from the shoulder” and using 30-40 MP (like Nokia). But they do not neglect the opportunity to increase the number of megapixels without sacrificing quality.

The Sony Xperia X Performance has a 25-megapixel IMX300 on a 1/2.3" matrix (23 million effective pixels in 3:4 size). It supports phase detection autofocus and is equipped with high-aperture optics with an f/2 aperture. According to experts, the device received 88 points, closing the top three. The front camera is 13 MP IMX 214, previously used as the main one on Xiaomi Mi4c and HTC One A9.

The Sony Xperia X Performance screen is based on IPS matrices with a diagonal of 5". Its resolution is 1920x1080 pixels. The processor is Snapdragon 820, Adreno 530 is responsible for graphics processing. The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM, about 25 of 32 GB are allocated for user data. The smartphone also has a MicroSD slot.

Sony Xperia X Performance runs Android 6, with an update to version 7 planned before the end of the year. The battery of the device is 2700 mAh. You shouldn’t expect record autonomy from it, but the battery provides average operating time.

Sample photos from Sony Xperia X Performance

Moto Z Droid Force is a revolutionary camera phone

Announced in June 2016, Moto Z Droid Force is not expected until September 2016. But experts were already able to evaluate his camera and gave it a high score. The smartphone is equipped with a 21-megapixel Sony IMX230 matrix. It has a size of 1/2.4", the pixel size is 1.12 microns.

High photo quality is ensured by high-aperture optics with an f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilization and hybrid (phase-laser) autofocus. They deserved a final quality rating of 87 points. The front camera of the Moto Z Droid Force looks simpler, but it is also of high quality. The 5 MP matrix has a pixel size of 1.4 microns and is equipped with a flash.

The Moto Z DroidForce display has a diagonal of 5.5", with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. An AMOLED matrix with a sensor made of impact-resistant glass is used. The processor on board is Snapdragon 820, which is now installed in 90% of flagships. The amount of RAM is 4 GB, internal memory is 32 or 64 GB. There is a slot for a memory card on board.

OS new Moto Z Droid Force – Android 6, no updates yet. An impressive 3500 mAh battery is responsible for autonomy. A feature of the device should be modularity. It is planned to connect accessories that expand functionality to the magnetic connector on the rear panel.

Sample photos from Moto Z Droid Force

LG G5 – modular flagship with two cameras

In February 2016, the LG G5 was released, which was supposed to become a fundamentally new product. Despite the fact that the modular concept attracted fewer buyers than expected, this does not remove the advantages. The smartphone's camera (or rather, two) puts it on the list of the best. The LG G5 uses a 16 MP main sensor based on a Sony IMX234 sensor (1/2.6", 1.12 micron pixels). It is equipped with an f/1.8 lens, laser autofocus and an optical stabilization system.

To support the main camera, the smartphone has an 8 MP matrix with wide-angle (135 degrees) optics. It is used when shooting landscapes and panoramas to expand the viewing angle. This two-module system received a score of 86 points. The front camera is 8 MP, with f/2 aperture.

The screen of the modular flagship is 5.3", with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels, IPS. Like other flagships in the selection, the LG G5 runs on a Snapdragon 820 processor. The amount of RAM is 4 GB, internal memory is 32 GB. There is a slot for MicroSD cards .

The LG G5 operating system is Android 6, with the proprietary Vibe UX 5 shell. The smartphone battery is removable, with a capacity of 2800 mAh. The modules allow you to install an additional battery. Also, a special module makes the device more suitable for photography by adding hardware camera control keys.

Examples of pictures taken with the LG G5 camera

Moto G4 Plus – the owner of the best camera in the middle class

All of the listed smartphones with a good camera belong to the flagship class and cost more than $500. Not everyone is ready to shell out that kind of money for mobile device, and for budget-conscious users, the Moto G4 Plus, released in May 2016 (about $250-300), will be a good alternative. The gadget, equipped with a 16-megapixel OmniVision OV16860 sensor, is rated (84 points) on the same level as the iPhone 6s Plus. As for a matrix from a Chinese manufacturer, the result is excellent.

The camera characteristics are as follows: matrix diagonal – 1/3", pixel size – 1.3 microns, lens aperture – f/2. There is hybrid laser-phase focusing. The matrix itself is created using PureCell technology, which reduces the amount of noise and artifacts from the interaction of neighboring pixels The front module of the Moto G4 Plus is an unremarkable 5 MP OV5693 matrix, the same as dozens of competitors.

The Moto G4 Plus display has a diagonal of 5.5 inches, a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, and is created using IPS technology. The smartphone is based on Snapdragon processor 617, belonging to the average level. The device has 2, 3 or 4 GB of RAM, and 16, 32 or 64 GB of ROM, respectively. There is a dedicated slot for a MicroSD memory card.

The operating system of Moto G4 Plus is Android 6. The battery capacity is 3000 mAh. Overall, the smartphone looks like a very attractive competitor to Xiaomi and Meizu phablets. Although it costs more, it offers a good camera, which they do not have.

Sample photos from Moto G4 Plus

Google Pixel – the reference “Google phone”

In 2016, Google decided to abandon cooperation with by different manufacturers for the release of Nexus series smartphones. It was replaced by the Pixel line, created in close collaboration with HTC. The first devices were Google Pixel and Pixel XL, differing in screen sizes. Google Pixel received a new Sony IMX378 matrix with a resolution of 12 MP. On the front of the smartphone there is an 8-megapixel matrix with dimensions of 1/3.2".

The physical size of the main camera is 1/2.3", this is one of the largest sizes for smartphones. The pixels are distinguished by increased dimensions to 1.55 microns, which led to a doubling of the effective photosensitive area (compared to 1.12 microns). The matrix is ​​equipped with its own a gyroscope used for electronic image stabilization. The aperture of the optics is F/2.

The smartphone is equipped with an AMOLED display, 5 inches diagonal, with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. The chipset inside is the top-end at the time of the release of Qualcomm Snapdragon 821. The RAM capacity is 4 GB, the built-in memory is 32 or 128 GB. MicroSD slot, they offer to compensate it with unlimited GoogleDrive cloud.

The smartphone has Android 7.1 OS installed on board, it is understood that in the future it will be the first to receive updates to the next OS versions. Autonomous operation is provided by a 2770 mAh battery, which turned out to be quite durable.

Examples of photos on Google Pixel

Apple iPhone 7 Plus – flagship with optical zoom

Older version apple smartphone Apple iPhone 7 Plus differs from the younger one by the presence of a dual camera. The mechanism of their interaction has become an interesting novelty that has not been used in smartphones before. To ensure true optical approximation, the device was equipped with identical 12 MP matrices, but they were equipped with different lenses. The main one is wide-angle, with an equivalent focal length of 28 mm, the second is a telephoto lens of 56 mm. By switching between cameras, you can use optical zoom.

In addition to the unusual optics configuration, the main cameras have OIS. The main camera can record video in 4K at 30FPS. She also writes Slow-Mo at 240 FPS in HD resolution. Supports slow motion and a 7 MP front camera. It is equipped with optics with an aperture ratio of F/2.2.

The smartphone is equipped with a 5.5-inch FullHD display that is pressure sensitive. The chipset is the still unsurpassed Apple A10 Fusion with 4 cores. The amount of RAM was increased to 3 GB, storage – 32, 128 or 256 GB. Of course, there is no slot for a flash drive.

iPhone 7 Plus running iOS systems 10. The built-in battery has a capacity of 2900 mAh, and for a 5.5-inch phablet, it provides very good battery life.

Examples of pictures taken with the iPhone 7 Plus camera