Best Camera Phones for Photography in 2026 (Australia)

Smartphones have closed the gap on dedicated cameras in 2026. Flagship phones now ship with 200MP sensors, periscope telephoto lenses, AI zoom up to 100x, and ProRes Log video that competes with entry-level mirrorless setups. For photographers and content creators in Australia, picking the best camera phone comes down to matching the right sensor, lens system, and processing stack to how you shoot, not chasing the highest megapixel count.

We've tested the most capable camera phones available in Australia, weighing image quality, low-light performance, zoom range, and video capability. Whether you want the strongest iPhone for video, the most versatile Samsung camera phone for zoom, or a refurbished flagship at half the brand-new price, there's a pick below for every type of shooter.

Best Camera Phones in 2026

Apple, Samsung, and Google still lead the camera phone market in 2026, but Vivo and Oppo have closed the gap with their ZEISS and Hasselblad partnerships. Each phone below earns its spot for a different reason, so you can choose based on how you shoot.

Top 7 camera phones in Australia for 2026:

• Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max — from A$1,849
• Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — from A$1,599
• Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max — from A$1,549
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra — from A$1,199
• Google Pixel 10 Pro XL — from A$1,099
• Vivo X300 — from A$999
• Oppo Find X8 Pro 5G — from A$899

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Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max holds the top DxOMark score of any smartphone in 2026. The biggest change this year is the 48MP tetraprism telephoto, which jumps from 5x to 8x optical zoom while keeping the full 48MP resolution across every focal length. Pair that with ProRes Log, Apple Log 2, and the new Center Stage square selfie sensor, and it's the most flexible iPhone for video work to date. For photographers who want reliable point-and-shoot results, this is the safest pick.

Key Features:

• Display: 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR LTPO OLED, ProMotion 120Hz, up to 3,000 nits peak outdoor brightness.
• Processor / RAM: Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm) with 12GB RAM and a new vapor chamber cooling system.
• Battery & Charging: Largest-ever iPhone battery rated for 39 hours of video playback, with 40W MagSafe wireless and 60W wired charging.
• Camera: Triple 48MP system, 48MP Fusion main (f/1.8, 24mm), 48MP ultrawide (f/2.2), and 48MP tetraprism telephoto (100mm, f/2.8, 8x optical zoom), plus an 18MP square Center Stage front camera.
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB internal storage.
• Water Resistance: IP68 rated with a new aluminium unibody design.

Pros:

• Highest DxOMark score (168) of any 2026 smartphone, with natural image processing that needs less post-editing than the Samsung or Pixel output.
• 8x optical zoom tetraprism telephoto is the longest focal length ever fitted to an iPhone and matches Samsung's zoom reach.
• ProRes Log, Apple Log 2, Dolby Vision HDR, and Spatial Video make it the most capable 4K camera phone for video creators.
• Center Stage square front sensor lets you rotate the photo orientation without turning the phone, useful for vlogging.

Cons:

• Premium pricing sits at the top of the Australian market, well above most Android rivals.
• Tetraprism zoom housing makes the camera bump larger and heavier than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
• 2TB storage is exclusive to the Pro Max and adds a steep upgrade cost.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the most versatile camera system of any Android phone in Australia. The 200MP main sensor now opens to f/1.4, the 5x periscope telephoto uses Samsung's new All Lens On Prism (ALoP) mechanism for sharper long-range shots, and the imaging pipeline runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy with on-device AI. For zoom photography, astrophotography, and detailed daylight shots, this is the Android benchmark.

Key Features:

• Display: 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X at 1–120Hz with 2,600 nits peak brightness and a built-in Privacy Display.
• Processor / RAM: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy (3nm) with 12GB or 16GB LPDDR5X RAM.
• Battery & Charging: 5,000mAh battery rated for 31 hours of video playback, with 60W wired and 25W Qi2.2 wireless charging.
• Camera: Quad-camera system, 200MP main (f/1.4), 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, and 50MP 5x periscope (f/2.9) with new ALoP mechanism.
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB internal storage.
• Water Resistance: IP68 rated with an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Armor 2 glass.

Pros:

• 200MP main sensor with an f/1.4 aperture captures more light than any previous Galaxy, improving low-light and night photography.
• Dual telephoto setup (3x optical + 5x periscope) gives the widest zoom range on Android.
• Galaxy AI tools, Photo Assist, Generative Edit, and 4K video at 60fps, cover most content creation needs.
• Seven years of OS and security updates keep the imaging software current through 2033.

Cons:

• Heavy processing and sharpening can make daylight shots look oversaturated compared to the iPhone.
• 60W wired charging is faster than past Ultras but still trails Chinese rivals at 80–100W.
• S Pen no longer supports Bluetooth, so remote camera shutter control is gone.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is one of the best phones for photography you can buy in 2026, especially as a refurbished iPhone at well below current-gen pricing. It introduced Apple's first 5x periscope telephoto on the larger Pro Max, the dedicated Camera Control button, and the Photonic Engine with Smart HDR 5. For buyers who want the iPhone camera experience without paying iPhone 17 Pro Max prices, this is the value pick of the iPhone lineup.

Key Features:

• Display: 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR LTPO OLED, ProMotion 120Hz, up to 2,000 nits peak outdoor brightness.
• Processor / RAM: Apple A18 Pro chip with 8GB RAM, optimised for Apple Intelligence and computational photography.
• Battery & Charging: Up to 33 hours of video playback, with 25W MagSafe wireless and fast wired charging support.
• Camera: Triple system — 48MP Fusion main (f/1.78), 48MP ultrawide with autofocus and macro, and 12MP 5x periscope telephoto (120mm, f/2.8), plus 12MP TrueDepth front.
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB internal storage.
• Water Resistance: IP68 rated with a titanium frame.

Pros:

• 5x periscope telephoto with 25x digital zoom offers the same long-reach photography as newer iPhones at a lower refurbished price.
• Dedicated Camera Control button doubles as a physical shutter and exposure dial.
• Photonic Engine and Smart HDR 5 produce natural-looking 4K camera phone footage with strong dynamic range.
• ProRes video, Dolby Vision HDR, and Cinematic Mode all carry over from the Pro lineup.

Cons:

• Telephoto maxes out at 12MP, well below the iPhone 17 Pro Max's full 48MP zoom output.
• Battery life and brightness fall behind the iPhone 17 Pro Max, especially under direct sunlight.
• No Apple Log 2 or Center Stage square selfie sensor — both are iPhone 17 Pro exclusives.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra still ranks among the top phones for photography in 2026, and at its current price in our refurbished Samsung phones collection, it's a strong value for anyone wanting flagship Samsung camera capabilities without paying S26 Ultra prices. The 200MP main sensor is the same unit that headlines the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and the quad-camera array with dual telephoto lenses covers a zoom range few phones can match.

Key Features:

• Display: 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1–120Hz adaptive refresh rate, Gorilla Armor 2 protection.
• Processor / RAM: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy with 12GB or 16GB RAM, the first 3nm chip tuned for Galaxy devices.
• Battery & Charging: 5,000mAh battery rated for up to 31 hours of video playback, with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging.
• Camera: Quad-camera system, 200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, and 50MP 5x periscope telephoto.
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB internal storage.
• Water Resistance: IP68 rated with a titanium frame and Gorilla Armor 2.

Pros:

• 200MP main sensor with dual telephoto setup remains one of the most flexible camera arrays on Android, a year after launch.
• Built-in S Pen is still the only flagship stylus on a top camera phone, useful for marking up shots and editing in the gallery.
• Galaxy AI suite, Photo Assist, Generative Edit, Live Translate — is identical to what the S26 Ultra ships with.
• 8K at 30fps and 4K at 120fps make this a serious 4K camera phone alternative at last-gen pricing.

Cons:

• Main camera aperture stays at f/1.7, narrower than the S26 Ultra's f/1.4, so low-light shots are slightly dimmer.
• Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy is one generation behind the S26 Ultra's 8 Elite Gen 5.
• Newer Galaxy AI features rolling out on the S26 Ultra may not all reach the S25 Ultra.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is the strongest AI camera phone in 2026. The Tensor G5 chip powers Camera Coach and Magic Cue, and the 100x Pro Res Zoom uses generative AI to produce usable images at extreme magnification. The Pixelsnap magnetic charging system brings MagSafe-style accessories to Android for the first time, and the 5,200mAh battery handles a full day of shooting. For buyers who prioritise AI editing tools over raw sensor specs, this is the smart pick.

Key Features:

• Display: 6.8-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED, 1–120Hz adaptive refresh rate with up to 3,000 nits peak brightness.
• Processor / RAM: Google Tensor G5 (3nm) with 16GB RAM, built for on-device Gemini Nano AI.
• Battery & Charging: 5,200mAh battery (largest ever in a Pixel), with 39W wired and 25W Qi2.2 Pixelsnap magnetic wireless charging.
• Camera: Triple system, 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide with Macro Focus, and a telephoto with 5x optical zoom and 100x Pro Res Zoom AI, plus a 42MP ultrawide front camera.
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB UFS 4.0 internal storage.
• Water Resistance: IP68 rated with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on front and back.

Pros:

• 100x Pro Res Zoom uses generative AI to recover detail at long range, beyond what raw optics alone can resolve.
• Camera Coach uses on-device AI to suggest composition and lighting changes as you shoot, useful for beginner photographers.
• 25W Pixelsnap magnetic wireless charging unlocks a full MagSafe-style accessory ecosystem on Android.
• Seven years of OS, security, and feature updates keep Pixel AI photography features arriving on this phone, and on every model in our refurbished Google Pixel collection.

Cons:

• Tensor G5 trails Snapdragon flagships and the A19 Pro in raw benchmarks, and can throttle during long video recording.
• 39W wired charging is modest for a 2025 flagship, especially next to the Vivo X300 and Oppo Find X8 Pro.
• Heavier than the Pixel 9 Pro XL at 232g, noticeable during long handheld shooting sessions.

Vivo X300

The Vivo X300 is the camera phone for serious photography enthusiasts. Co-engineered with ZEISS, it pairs a 200MP 1/1.4-inch main sensor, the same unit Vivo uses in the X300 Pro's flagship telephoto, with a ZEISS APO-certified 3x telephoto and a 50MP ultrawide. The ZEISS T* lens coating and Leica-style colour profiles produce a more natural rendering than Samsung's saturated output or Apple's neutral processing.

Key Features:

• Display: 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED at 120Hz with up to 4,500 nits peak brightness.
• Processor / RAM: MediaTek Dimensity 9500 with up to 16GB RAM and Vivo's BlueImage dual-chip imaging engine (V3++ and VS1).
• Battery & Charging: 6,040mAh silicon-carbon battery with 90W wired and 40W wireless charging.
• Camera: Triple ZEISS-engineered system, 200MP main (f/1.57, 1/1.4-inch Samsung HPB sensor) with OIS, 50MP ultrawide, and 50MP 3x ZEISS APO telephoto (70mm), plus a 50MP autofocus selfie.
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB internal storage.
• Water Resistance: IP68/IP69 rated, the highest rating on this list.

Pros:

• 200MP main sensor at 1/1.4-inch is one of the largest fitted to a non-Ultra phone, with strong low-light clarity.
• ZEISS APO certification on the telephoto produces cleaner long-range shots with less colour fringing than competing periscopes.
• ZEISS T* coating and Leica-style colour profiles render scenes more naturally than the heavier processing of Samsung or Apple.
• Optional ZEISS Telephoto Extender accessory extends optical reach further than any built-in periscope at this price.

Cons:

• OriginOS interface is less polished than One UI, iOS, or Pixel UI for users new to Vivo.
• Software update commitment is shorter than the seven-year promises from Samsung, Google, and Apple.
• Australian after-sales support and accessory availability is more limited than the Big Three brands.

Oppo Find X8 Pro 5G

The Oppo Find X8 Pro is the only globally available phone with two periscope telephoto lenses. The Hasselblad-tuned quad-camera system covers main, ultrawide, 3x periscope, and 6x periscope, all 50MP, for gapless zoom from 0.6x to 60x with AI Telescope Zoom. A 5,910mAh silicon-carbon battery and full IP68/IP69 protection round it out. For buyers who want flagship Hasselblad photography at sub-A$900 pricing, it's hard to match.

Key Features:

• Display: 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED with up to 1,440Hz PWM dimming.
• Processor / RAM: MediaTek Dimensity 9400 with 16GB RAM and Oppo's HyperTone Image Engine.
• Battery & Charging: 5,910mAh silicon-carbon battery with 80W wired SUPERVOOC and 50W AIRVOOC wireless charging.
• Camera: Quad Hasselblad system, 50MP main (f/1.6, 1/1.4-inch Sony LYT-808), 50MP ultrawide (f/2.0), 50MP 3x periscope (f/2.6), and 50MP 6x periscope (135mm, f/4.3).
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB internal storage.
• Water Resistance: IP68 and IP69 rated.

Pros:

• Dual periscope telephoto (3x + 6x) is unique among globally available phones and gives a seamless zoom range from ultrawide through 135mm portrait.
• Hasselblad Master Camera System and Portrait Mode bring authentic Hasselblad colour science to the phone.
• 5,910mAh silicon-carbon battery is the largest on this list and lasts a full shooting day.
• IP68 and IP69 water resistance ratings make it the most durable phone here, suited to outdoor and travel photography.

Cons:

• Dimensity 9400 falls behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and A19 Pro on raw performance benchmarks.
• ColorOS feels less refined than One UI, iOS, or Pixel UI for first-time Oppo users.
• 6x periscope's narrow f/4.3 aperture limits low-light reach at maximum zoom.

Final Thoughts

The best camera phone for you comes down to how you shoot. For reliable point-and-shoot results and the strongest video, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the safest pick. For zoom flexibility and the most versatile Samsung camera phone, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the Android benchmark. For AI-powered editing and computational photography, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is the strongest option. And for camera-first buyers on a tighter budget, the Vivo X300 and Oppo Find X8 Pro offer hardware that competes with phones twice their price.

You don't always need to buy brand-new to get a flagship-grade camera. A refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max or Galaxy S25 Ultra can match most of the latest models at a lower price. For more options, check our full guide to the best Android camera phones, or for picks under A$700, our best budget camera phones roundup. Browse Phonebot's full collection to find your next camera phone.