Budget-Friendly Smartphones with Top-Notch Cameras
Top-tier Mobile Cameras: A Ranking of Notable Devices
Want a phone with a killer camera without breaking the bank? You're in luck! Even mid- and entry-level devices offer impressive camera technology, according to Stiftung Warentest, a renowned German consumer organization. High-end smartphones might still edge out the competition in the camera department, but the gap between the two is shrinking rapidly.
For most smartphone users, features like display quality, build, battery life, updates, and storage are crucial. Lucky for you, you don't have to splurge to get these features. Even budget phones now pack a punch when it comes to performance.
In the world of high-end smartphones, manufacturers are constantly battling for consumers' dollars by offering better and better cameras. However, thanks to advancements in technology, the distinction between pricey and affordable devices is blurring, especially in the camera arena, as proven by Stiftung Warentest's best phone lists.
The Cream of the Crop
Four smartphones share the top spot, all offering excellent camera performance with a score of 1.3. Among them are two flagships from Apple, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, retailing for 1070 and 1322 euros respectively. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, priced at 1130 euros and 1099 euros, join the party with identical scores. The rear cameras on these devices get rave reviews, with the front camera being "good" only.
The second place is shared by Google's latest flagships, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, costing 833 euros and 963 euros, respectively. These phones received exceptional ratings for all three rear cameras and a "good" rating for the front camera, a testament to their impressive photography capabilities.
Five smartphones share the third spot, each with a commendable score of 1.5: the Google Pixel 8 Pro, Honor Magic6 Pro, OnePlus 12, Samsung Galaxy S25, and Samsung Galaxy S25 Neo.
Mid-range Magic under 500 euros
If your budget is limited to 500 euros, three smartphones receive a camera score of 1.9: the Google Pixel 8a, Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, and Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, priced at 430 euros, 449 euros, and 490 euros, respectively.
The Samsung Galaxy A56 and Xiaomi 14T follow closely with a score of 2.1, making them worthy contenders for your wallet. Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro, with its cameras scoring 2.2, takes the bronze in this price range.
Entry-level Excellence under 300 euros
In case you're working with a tight budget of 300 euros, don't worry. The market is teeming with cost-effective phones boasting good cameras. Leading the pack are the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion and Motorola Edge 50 Neo, both scoring 2.3. Their cameras produce impressive images in daylight, though low-light shots could use a bit of polishing. Just barely making the grade, with a score of 2.5, are the Motorola Edge 40 Neo, Samsung Galaxy A35, Xiaomi Redmi Note 14, and Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro.
So, there you have it! Despite your budget, you can still snag a smartphone with a solid camera. Happy hunting!
Sources:- ntv.de- kwe- Stiftung Warentest criteria and test insights
Stiftung Warentest methodology:Stiftung Warentest assesses smartphones on several factors, with camera performance accounting for 20% of their overall rating. They evaluate photo quality in normal and low light, zoom capabilities, video quality, and selfie camera performance with detailed subjective criteria[2].
While Stiftung Warentest doesn't provide an explicit list of the top mid-range smartphones under 500 euros with good cameras in their search results, they test over 400 models, including nearly all current devices, judging them comprehensively on camera and other features[1][4], so their latest smartphone comparison lists and detailed test reports available on their site will identify the top devices under 500 euros with strong camera performance.
In the budget-friendly smartphone market, advancements in research and development contribute to the shrinking distinction between high-end and affordable devices, particularly in the camera arena, as proven by Stiftung Warentest's research. When exploring gadgets under 500 euros, smartphones like the Google Pixel 8a, Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, and Samsung Galaxy S24 FE offer impressive camera technology, following from Stiftung Warentest's evaluation criteria and methodology.
