Evaluator Cao Jinxuan: Before writing this year's review, I kept pondering one fundamental question: Why do smartphones need camera capabilities? What has the rapidly evolving mobile photography technology brought to my life?
We constantly observe the world through our eyes and listen with our ears. While language and writing serve as our primary means of expression, photography offers another powerful channel. When encountering moments worth preserving—spontaneous smiles, breathtaking landscapes, or meaningful events—our immediate instinct is to reach for our smartphones.
For the overwhelming majority, smartphones have become their primary cameras. Even professional photographers increasingly rely on smartphones as their most convenient imaging tools. This makes smartphones universally accessible tools for visual storytelling.
Photography allows us to document life's precious moments, creating expressions that delight ourselves while sharing perspectives with others. As the most efficient visual medium of our era, it narrates individual experiences—compressing complex emotions and observations into single frames that communicate across cultures and languages.
This year's evaluation reveals significant advancements beyond just image quality improvements. Several devices introduced innovative photographic experiences showing early signs of "intuitive lens response" capabilities.
Evaluation Participants
Our 2025 camera comparison features these imaging powerhouses:
- Xiaomi 15 Ultra
- Honor Magic7 RSR
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- vivo X200 Ultra
- OPPO Find X8 Ultra
- Huawei Pura 80 Ultra
- Special guest: Canon EOS R5 reference
Since smartphone manufacturers increasingly position their cameras against dedicated cameras, this review examines both mobile imaging leaders and the current gap between smartphone and traditional camera capabilities.
Image Quality Analysis
Bright Light Performance
Ultra-Wide Angle:
- Center sharpness: vivo X200 Ultra demonstrates superior clarity
- Edge performance: All flagships show respectable results, though traditional cameras maintain noticeable advantages
Primary Camera:
- vivo X200 Ultra exhibits cleaner lines and more polished processing
- Huawei Pura 80 Ultra delivers natural, algorithm-light results
Zoom Capabilities:
- 2x Zoom: Most manufacturers show improved performance year-over-year
- Medium Telephoto (3-5x): Critical differentiator between models
- Periscope Telephoto: Algorithm-assisted processing becomes standard
- Extreme Zoom (30x): Performance varies dramatically between devices
Low Light Performance
All devices experience expected quality degradation in challenging lighting:
- Ultra-wide lenses suffer most noticeable quality drops
- Primary cameras maintain respectable performance
- Telephoto systems show greatest variation between manufacturers
- Extreme zoom scenarios (30x) push all smartphones to their limits
Key Findings by Manufacturer
vivo X200 Ultra
- Overall best performer across test scenarios
- Innovative 35mm primary lens configuration
- Outstanding ultra-wide performance
- Advanced computational photography implementation
OPPO Find X8 Ultra
- Excellent quad-camera system
- Notable low-light improvements
- Natural processing style favored by purists
Huawei Pura 80 Ultra
- Dual-focal-length periscope innovation
- Significant year-over-year improvements
- Some algorithm artifacts remain visible
Xiaomi 15 Ultra
- Strong optical performance
- Natural color rendering approach
- Some inconsistent zoom performance
Honor Magic7 RSR
- Visible computational processing
- Effective algorithm-assisted zoom
- Room for hardware improvements
iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Disappointing year-over-year progression
- Noticeable quality drops in zoom scenarios
- Falls behind Android competition
Canon EOS R5
- Demonstrates traditional imaging superiority
- Highlights hardware advantages smartphones cannot match
- Requires more photographic expertise for optimal results
Focal Length Analysis
Modern flagships emphasize telephoto capabilities with periscope systems becoming standard:
| Manufacturer | Ultra-Wide | Primary | Telephoto | Periscope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| vivo | 14mm | 35mm | 85mm | N/A |
| OPPO | 15mm | 23mm | 70mm | 135mm |
| Huawei | 13mm | 24mm | 89mm | 240mm |
| Xiaomi | 14mm | 23mm | 70mm | 100mm |
| Honor | 12mm | 24mm | 72mm | N/A |
| Apple | 13mm | 24mm | 120mm | N/A |
Special Features Comparison
Long Exposure Capabilities:
- vivo introduces adjustable exposure settings
- Huawei maintains strong star trail performance
- Most manufacturers still lack full feature sets
Portrait Mode:
- OPPO leads with exceptional skin tone rendering
- vivo offers versatile creative options
- Apple trails with inconsistent results
Color Profiles:
- OPPO's restrained Hasselblad palette excels
- Huawei provides extensive customization
- vivo expands film simulation options
Emerging Technologies
👉 Smartphone vs DSLR comparison
Macro Photography:
- All flagships now include capable implementations
- Focus distance adjustments becoming standard
- Creative potential beyond traditional subjects
Astrophotography:
- vivo and Huawei introduce handheld star photography
- Specialized modes simplify complex techniques
- Democratizes previously expert-only techniques
FAQ Section
Q: Which smartphone has the best overall camera system?
A: The vivo X200 Ultra currently leads in most test scenarios, though OPPO Find X8 Ultra offers compelling alternatives for purists.
Q: How far behind are smartphones compared to real cameras?
A: Traditional cameras maintain significant hardware advantages, particularly in sensor performance and optical flexibility. However, smartphones offer unmatched convenience and computational capabilities.
Q: Which manufacturer improved most year-over-year?
A: Huawei shows remarkable progress with its innovative dual-focal-length periscope system, closing gaps with category leaders.
Q: Is iPhone's camera still competitive?
A: Apple has fallen behind Android competitors in several key areas, particularly zoom performance and computational photography implementation.
Q: Which special features stand out this year?
A: Astrophotography modes and adjustable macro focusing demonstrate how manufacturers keep expanding creative possibilities.
Q: Should I replace my dedicated camera with a smartphone?
A: For casual users, modern flagships may suffice. Professionals will still benefit from traditional cameras' superior image quality and flexibility.