The top cheap camera phones in 2023 have unexpectedly good low-light performance and high-resolution pictures. So even though they are reasonably priced (about $500/£450), you can still create pictures and films that you are proud to share.
Our specialists have extensive expertise in testing camera phones, and we also considered online customer reviews as well as in-person evaluations from our sibling sites at Future Publishing. Therefore, you can trust that the phones listed below will all perform. Additionally, we’ve included some buying advice at the end of the post to aid you in selecting the best option for your requirements.
Once you have your new phone, be sure to read through our list of the best smartphone photography tips to take your pictures to the next level. Alternatively, if you have a lot of money to spend, see our list of the top cameras and camera phones.
The top cheap camera phones now on the market
01. Google Pixel 7a
SPECIFICATIONS
- Storage:Â 128GB
- Rear camera:Â 64MP (wide, f/1.9) + 12MP (ultrawide, f/2.2)
- Front camera:Â 13MP (wide, f/2.2)
REASONS TO BUY
- Beautiful and responsible display
- Impressive camera for the price
- Includes Magic Eraser photo editing
REASONS TO AVOID
- Battery could be better
The Google Pixel 7a, which was released last May, is Google’s newest foray into the market for low-cost smartphones. It is a less expensive option than the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, with an RRP of under $500 or £500. The Pixel 7a is well-equipped despite its modest price, using the same Tensor chipset that powers the larger Pixel phones.
In terms of photography, it has two rather than the three cameras seen on most modern smartphones. But software, not hardware, is Google’s actual area of strength. Photos taken with the Google Pixel 7a have similar punch and vibrancy to those taken with phones that cost twice as much thanks to its abundance of clever minor processing tricks.
Although raw images may appear to be of poorer quality, the phone will use AI processing technology to make them truly stand out. You may also use Google’s Magic Eraser technology to remove undesired subjects or individuals from your images for picture-perfect results.
The Pixel 7a’s 5.9-inch OLED screen is smaller (but still large) than the Pixel 6’s, and its battery life is marginally worse. The Pixel 6 is ranked number 4 on our list. The Pixel 7a, however, stands out due to its superior photo editing and processing software, demonstrating that you don’t need to pay a lot of money to get a good camera phone.
02. OnePlus Nord 2T
SPECIFICATIONS
- Storage:Â 128GB, 256GB
- Rear camera:Â 50MP (wide, f/1.9) + 8MP (ultrawide, 120-degree, f/2.3) + 2MP (depth, f/2.2)
- Front camera:Â 32MP (wide, f/2.4)
REASONS TO BUY
- Great main camera
- Really fast to charge
- Excellent low-light photography
REASONS TO AVOID
- Few improvements from predecessor
- No IP rating
The Nord 2T is a gorgeous camera phone, even though OnePlus isn’t the most well-known name in technology. A 50MP Sony IMX766 primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 2MP depth sensor are all featured on the device’s rear camera.
The Nord 2T particularly shines in low-light photography when combined with an improved Dimensity 1300 chipset, so you’ll be able to take some stunning night images with vivid colors and clean lines. With the help of the AI Highlight Video feature, clear photos will be possible even in dim or unsteady lighting.
The 32MP sensor on the front camera is identical to that on the flagship OnePlus 10 Pro. Your self-portraits will look amazing because an AI deblurring algorithm will eliminate any blur that could be caused by an errant hand.
Aside from the cameras, the Nord 2T is a well-rounded mid-range phone with a respectably potent chipset, a gorgeous 6.4-inch AMOLED, and extremely quick charging. Since there wasn’t much that needed updating, it’s not a significant improvement over its predecessor, but you can now have these features for even less money than before.
03. Moto G200
SPECIFICATIONS
- Storage:Â 128GB / 256GB
- Rear camera:Â 108MP (wide, f/1.9) + 8MP (ultrawide, 119-degree, f/2.2) + 2MP (depth, f/2.4)
- Front camera:Â 16MP (wide, f/2.2)
REASONS TO BUY
- High-res main camera
- Very powerful phone
REASONS TO AVOID
- Huge size
- Slow to charge
The Moto G200 is the best illustration of how, starting in 2021, the inexpensive G series of smartphones from Moto began to merit inclusion on lists with the title “best camera phone.”
The phone includes three rear cameras, including a primary camera with an extremely high resolution, but its actual strength is in the AI scene optimization because Motorola’s software has advanced significantly in that area. For a cheap phone, low-light photography works well, and selfies look excellent too.
This is a good all-around phone as far as low-cost phones go, and in our tests, we saw that it performed brilliantly on all fronts. It excels as a “jack of all trades,” but unlike the Realme or the OnePlus, it doesn’t stand out in any particular area. If you’re on a tight budget, this is the best Moto phone for you even if some people may find the phone too bulky to be comfortable to use.
04. Samsung Galaxy A53
SPECIFICATIONS
- Storage:Â 128GB, 256GB
- Rear camera:Â 64MP (wide, f/1.8) + 12MP (ultrawide, 123-degree, f/2.2) + 5MP (macro, f/2.4) + 5MP (depth, f/2.4)
- Front camera:Â 32MP (wide, f/2.2)
REASONS TO BUY
- Impressive camera collection
Good-looking screen
REASONS TO AVOID
- Slow to use
- Battery life isn’t great
We were genuinely shocked by Samsung’s decision to include four back cameras on the affordable Galaxy A53 phone. These aren’t any of the filler lenses that we frequently see on cameras.
The 64MP primary camera produces excellent images, while the 12MP ultra-wide, 5MP depth-sensing, and 5MP macro cameras can all step in when needed. However, the software is the real star of the show. All of Samsung’s settings are available, including Food for enhancing focus and saturation in photos and Single Take if you’re unsure of what kind of photo would be best for the topic.
Although it ranks lower on this list than some of the other mobiles we’ve mentioned here, this camera phone is still a terrific value for the money. On the other hand, despite having a decent design and a sturdy display, the phone is extremely sluggish to operate due to a subpar CPU. In any case, Samsung phones are frequently reliable, and the A53 is evidence of that.
5. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
SPECIFICATIONS
- Storage:Â 64-256GB
- Rear camera:Â 12MP
- Front camera:Â 7MP
REASONS TO BUY
- Powerful chip and 5G
- Great camera for the price
REASONS TO AVOID
- Relatively short battery life
- Only one lens
If we’re being completely honest, Apple’s iPhone SE isn’t exactly “budget” compared to the other choices in this guide, but it is absolutely within Apple’s price range. It combines water resistance, wireless charging, and good performance—all flagship features. Older iPhones would recognize the design immediately, but when we evaluated it, we found the performance to be spot-on.
Although there is only one lens on the rear of the camera, the 12MP sensor can capture high-resolution portrait mode images and even record 4K video. You do not receive all the capabilities of the iPhone 14, such as Night mode, Dolby Vision HDR, or Cinematic Mode for video, but you do get the essential tools, such as Portrait Mode for people, that improve the images.
Photos don’t have as much dynamic range or color vibrancy as those taken with an iPhone 14 Pro, but they do contain a lot of detail. Along with the price, Apple is outperforming many Android handsets in the area of value for money, where they usually excel.
06. Google Pixel 6a
SPECIFICATIONS
- Storage:Â 128GB
- Rear camera:Â 12.2MP (wide, f/1.7) + 12MP (ultrawide, f/2.2)
- Front camera:Â 8MP (wide, f/2.0)
REASONS TO BUY
- Generously sized OLED display
- Clever photo processing tech
- Includes Magic Eraser photo editing
REASONS TO AVOID
- Only two rear cameras
- Battery not great
The significantly smaller and older Pixel 6a is yet another Google Pixel option. The Pixel 6a is a wonderful option for creatives on a budget and is one of the best inexpensive camera phones you can buy right now.
Despite the fact that the Google Pixel 7a has since been released and replaced this product, it is still a fantastic contender that belongs on this list. The good news is that now that the 7a is available, the price of this inexpensive phone is frequently being reduced. Sales have fallen as low as $300/£300 in the past!
Much like the 7a, the Google Pixel 6a offers wonderful camera software that will really make your photos and video pop. This phone can record videos on the main camera in 4k, which is incredibly impressive considering the price point. However, one drawback that we frequently reported is the battery. This phone charges slowly and the battery life isn’t as long-lasting as other phones.
07. Realme C35
SPECIFICATIONS
- Storage:Â 64GB, 128GB
- Rear camera:Â 50MP (wide, f/1.8) + 2MP (macro, f/2.4) + 0.3MP (depth sensor, f/2.8)
- Front camera:Â 8MP (wide, f/2.0)
REASONS TO BUY
- High-resolution display
- Impressive 50MP camera
REASONS TO AVOID
- 600nit display brightness
- No ultra-wide lens
The 50MP main camera of the Realme C35 is powered by Sony’s IMX766 sensor, which is seen in many smartphones with bigger price tags than this one. Without an ultra-wide array, the rest of the camera array is nothing special, but in most circumstances, you can still acquire imagery with this camera that is far superior to the phone’s capabilities.
Overall, for the price, this phone performs admirably. You can use the phone for a good number of days without needing to charge it because of the amazing battery life, which is something you cannot say about more expensive smartphones.
A Full HD display is also appreciated because it improves the quality of streaming Netflix or YouTube on a phone. Even while the maximum brightness of 600 nits is certainly not ideal, you would expect to make some type of trade-off at this price.
08. Honor 50
SPECIFICATIONS
- Storage:Â 128GB, 256GB
- Rear camera:Â 108MP (wide, f/1.9) + 8MP (ultra-wide, 120-degree, f/2.2) + 2MP (macro, f/2.4) + 2MP (depth, f/2.4)
- Front camera:Â 32MP (wide, f/2.2)
REASONS TO BUY
- Great selfie camera
- Long-lasting battery
REASONS TO AVOID
- 2MP cameras don’t add much
- No headphone jack
As long as you choose the 128GB model, Honor’s newest smartphone officially falls just under the price cap and features a 108MP main camera in addition to an 8MP ultra-wide and two 2MP auxiliary cameras.
The 32MP selfie camera, though, steals the show because self-portraits come out vivid and colorful. With well-balanced highlights and shadows, excellent contrast, wonderful color, and realistic-looking Bokeh background blur, we thought this was terrific in both normal and Portrait modes. We discovered that we were well-detailed even in our selfies taken at night.
We weren’t as excited about the cameras in other places. For photography, it’s not bad, but it’s approximately on par with the other mobiles on this list. The decision is really up to enthusiasts of selfies. Beyond that, this is a typical mid-range Android phone with a dependable battery, a somewhat powerful processor, and an attractive display. It’s a nice option if you need a phone with a 108MP camera on a budget, but the Redmi Note 10 Pro offers superior value.
09. Oppo Find X3 Lite
SPECIFICATIONS
- Storage:Â 128GB / 8GB RAM
- Rear camera:Â 64MP (wide, f/1.7) + 8MP (ultrawide, 119-degree, f/2.2) + 2MP (macro, f/2.4) + 2MP (depth, f/2.4)
- Front camera:Â 32MP (wide, f/2.4)
REASONS TO BUY
- Great battery life
- Reliable Android and ColorOS software
- 64MP main camera and 32MP front
REASONS TO AVOID
- Not the greatest camera by Oppo compared with the FInd X5 Pro, but still great for the budget price
While it might not have the best camera compared to other options in this guide, Oppo’s offering is a fantastic option for people on a budget, and at less than £200 / $450 in the US (where it’s a little tougher to find), it offers excellent value.
The Oppo Find X5 Pro camera is unsurpassed in many respects and can unquestionably compete with the likes of flagship Samsung and Apple releases if you truly want one of the greatest smartphone cameras and have the money to make a few upgrades.
Regarding the Find X3, this phone can still compete, and once again, considering how cheap it is in the UK, there isn’t much to be unhappy about. It sports a huge 6.43-inch AMOLED screen, 65W quick charging, and an excellent night mode for shooting in low light.
10. Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G
SPECIFICATIONS
- Storage:Â 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
- Rear camera:Â 64MP (wide, f/1.8) + 8MP (ultrawide, 119-degree, f/2.2) + 5MP (macro, f/2.4)
- Front camera:Â 20MP (wide, f/2.2)
REASONS TO BUY
- Good-looking design
- Capable camera array
REASONS TO AVOID
- Battery life is only okay
- Software is iffy
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G borrows some of the Mi 11’s standout features while making certain design compromises (and a lot of body changes) to create a smaller, less expensive phone. But keep in mind that the US doesn’t offer this phone.
It features a high-megapixel main camera with an ultra-wide lens in addition to the same excellent macro camera we saw on the Mi 11. We discovered that the Mi 11 Lite behaved rather similarly to the Redmi once the cameras were trained on the subject, despite having a much smaller form factor. When we noticed a great scenario, it was simple for us to take the Mi 11 Lite out of our pocket, which is something we can’t claim for many of the other mobiles on our list.
Beyond the cameras, this phone is stylish, with a sleek frame and a variety of color options. Although the battery life isn’t very long, it will be sufficient for the majority of users.
How do I choose the best budget camera phone?
When choosing a cheap camera phone, there are three crucial factors to take into account. What is the desired amount? What does the camera need to do for you? And what other features of the phone do you require?
Even if the highest item on our list is $500 (or £450), not everyone will have that kind of money to spend. To determine your budgetary flexibility and then look for a product that fits within it. Beyond the cameras themselves, what functionalities are necessary? Consider what’s important when purchasing a camera phone. It’s not simply for photo shoots.
Do you require a lot of battery power? large screen? Quick recharging? A powerful gaming chipset? Which smartphone is best for you will depend on your lifestyle. All of these criteria are taken into account in the information provided in each of the aforementioned listings to aid in your decision-making.
What makes a good smartphone camera?
Think about your preferences and photographic practices. Do you desire a phone that will edit and retouch your photos? This isn’t necessarily a good thing, since certain low-cost devices might produce images with an excessive amount of AI saturation. You can decide that you prefer one that doesn’t utilize AI at all or one that takes photos that look more natural.
Have you got any zoom lenses? macro settings for taking pictures of insects and flowers? How about a few fun extras? To be sure your requirements are met, review the specifications we’ve listed for each phone. Finding the perfect phone for you might be aided by being aware of your preferences.
It’s also crucial to avoid falling into megapixel tricks. Large 200-megapixel cameras are among the many characteristics that some forthcoming smartphone cameras will have. Due to a process called pixel binning, which simply means that phone sensors will combine pixels together to produce one single pixel, 200MP is actually close to 50MP, and so on, and these aren’t as sharp as full-frame camera pixels, this isn’t as fantastic as it sounds.
You may also like to check out:
- Reasons Why You May Not Want to Use SD Cards With Android Phones
- 5 Charging Mistakes You Make With Your Smartphones
- The top smartphones available in 2023
- Google Pixel 4A Review
- Redmi Note 11T 5G India Dispatch Date Affirmed: Check Anticipated Details, Highlights
- The Best Laptops 2023 for Windows, MacBooks, and Linux
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