Are you looking for a smartphone that can capture stunning photos, but don’t want to break the bank? Look no further than our list of the best budget camera phones! These affordable devices may not have all of the bells and whistles of their high-end counterparts, but they still pack a punch when it comes to photography.
From crisp detail to vibrant colors, these phones are sure to impress. So whether you’re an amateur photographer or just looking for a great phone with a solid camera, check out our top picks for the best budget camera phones on the market.
What Makes a Good Camera Phone and What Are the Benefits of Buying One?
A good camera phone should have a high-resolution sensor, a fast shutter speed, and optical image stabilization. It should also be able to take pictures in low light without using the flash.
The benefits of buying a camera phone are that you can always have a camera with you to capture spontaneous moments, and they are usually much cheaper than standalone cameras.
We’ll also look at some of the best budget and inexpensive camera phones available today so that you can get great photos without breaking the bank.
How to Choose the Best Budget Camera Phone for Your Needs
When it comes to budget camera phones, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind in order to choose the best one for your needs. First, consider what type of photography you’re interested in. If you plan on using your phone for mostly casual shots, then you won’t need to worry about getting a phone with a super high-quality camera. However, if you’re into more serious photography, or if you plan on using your phone camera for professional purposes, then you’ll want to make sure you get a budget camera phone that has a good quality lens and sensor.
Another thing to keep in mind is the size of the camera sensor. A larger sensor will allow for better low-light performance and higher image quality overall. However, it will also add bulk to your phone, so if portability is a priority then you might want to sacrifice some image quality in favor of a smaller sensor.
Take a look at the software features that are included with the budget camera phone you’re considering. Many phones now come with advanced editing features that can help you take your photos to the next level. And if you’re really into photography, there are even some phones that offer RAW shooting modes, which give you much more control over the final image.
Top 5 Best Budget Camera Phones Under $500 with Impressive Image Quality
| Image | Title | Camera | Battery | Storage | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 6a - 5G-Charcoal | 12MP (2160p) | 4410mAh Li-Po | 128 GB | RAM: 6 GB | PrimeEligible | View on Amazon | |
| SAMSUNG Galaxy A53 5G-Black | 64MP (2160p) | 5000mAh Li-Po | 128GB/256GB | RAM: 4/8 GB | PrimeEligible | View on Amazon | |
| Realme 9 Pro+ 5G-Black | 50MP (2160p) | 4500mAh Li-Po | 128GB/256GB | RAM: 6/8 GB | Prime | View on Amazon | |
| Poco F4 5G-Moonlight Silver | 64MP (2160p) | 4500mAh Li-Po | 128GB/256GB | RAM: 6/8 GB | Prime | View on Amazon | |
| Apple iPhone SE 3rd Gen | 12MP (2160p) | 2018mAh Li-Po | 128GB/256GB | RAM: 4 GB | Prime | View on Amazon |
Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
After a comprehensive study of budget camera phones then we have compiled a list of the best budget camera phones for you. These camera phones have great image quality, with high resolution. You can buy these best budget camera phones at a very affordable price.
Here I reviewed these smartphones with great cameras one by one.
1: Google Pixel 6A-Best budget camera phone
Processor: Google Tensor (first chip designed by Google)
Display: 6.1 inches (1080×2400 pixels)
Storage: 128 GB | RAM: 6 GB
Battery: 4410mAh Li-Po
Camera: 12MP (2160p) Magic Eraser[3], Motion Mode, & Portrait Mode
Smooth Performance with 5G supported
Google’s Pixel 6A is one of the best budget camera phones on the market. It has a 12.2-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. The rear camera has autofocus, and LED flash, and can record 4K video at 30fps. The front-facing camera can record 1080p video at 30fps.
The Pixel 6A also has Google’s excellent Night Sight feature, which allows you to take great low-light photos without a flash. It also has portrait mode for both the rear and front cameras.
One of the best things about the Pixel 6A is its price: it’s just $349 unlocked. That makes it much more affordable than other flagship phones with similar features, such as the iPhone XS or Samsung Galaxy S9+. If you’re looking for a great camera phone on a budget, the Pixel 6A should be at the top of your list.
Pros
- The Google Pixel 6A boasts a high-quality camera that captures stunning photos and videos.
- Smooth User Experience.
- Timely Software Updates.
- It comes with AI-Powered Features.
- Compact and Sleek Design with 5G supported.
Cons
- Limited Availability.
- Non-expandable Storage.
- Battery life could be improved.
2: Samsung Galaxy A53 | Best budget camera phone
Processor: Exynos 1280
Display: 6.5 Inches (1080×2400) pixels
Storage: 128GB/256GB | RAM: 4/8 GB
Battery: 5000mAh Li-Po
Camera: 64MP (2160p)
Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
Video Recording: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Available Colors: Black, White, Blue, Peach
When it comes to budget camera phones, the Samsung Galaxy A53 is one of the best on the market. It features a 64MP rear camera and a 32MP front camera, both of which are capable of taking great photos and videos. The rear camera also has optical image stabilization, which is a great feature for those who want to take advantage of the phone’s 4K video recording capabilities.
The Galaxy A53 also has a number of other great features that make it a great choice for those looking for a budget-friendly camera phone. It has a large 6.5-inch display, an impressive 5,000mAh battery, and 256 GB of internal storage (expandable up to 512GB via microSD).
It’s also running Samsung’s latest One UI interface on top of Android Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, so you’ll have access to all the latest features and security updates.
Pros
- Vibrant Display.
- Long Battery Life.
- Versatile Camera System.
- Expandable Storage.
- Sleek Design.
Cons
- Absence of Wireless Charging.
- Pre-installed Apps.
3: Realme 9 Pro Plus
Processor: Dimensity 920
Display: 6.4 inches (1080×2400 pixels)
Storage: 128GB/256GB | RAM: 6/8 GB
Battery: 4500mAh Li-Po
Camera: 50MP (2160p)
Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
Available Colors: Black, White, Blue, Peach
The Realme 9 Pro Plus is one of the best budget camera phones on the market. It has a quad-camera setup that includes a 50MP main camera, a 27mm ultra-wide camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. The Realme 9 Pro Plus also has a 16MP front-facing camera.
The Realme 9 Pro Plus’s main camera is capable of taking some great photos. The 50MP sensor gives you plenty of detail and the 27mm ultra-wide camera is great for getting more in your frame. The 2MP macro camera is also handy for close-up shots. The Realme 9 Pro Plus’s depth sensor does a good job of blurring the background in your photos to make your subject stand out.
The Realme 9 Pro Plus’s front-facing camera is also very good. It takes great selfies and can even record 1080p video at 30fps.
The Realme 9 Pro Plus is a great budget camera phone. It has an excellent quad-camera setup and a very good front-facing camera. If you’re looking for a budget phone with great cameras, the Realme 9 Pro Plus should definitely be on your radar.
Pros
- Powerful Performance.
- Impressive Camera System.
- Large and Vibrant Display.
- Fast Charging Capabilities.
- Ample Storage Space.
Cons
- No Wireless Charging.
- Bloatware.
4: Poco F4
Processor: Snapdragon 870 5G
Display: 6.67 inches (1080×2400 pixels)
Storage: 128GB/256GB | RAM: 6/8 GB
Battery: 4500mAh Li-Po
Camera: 64MP (2160p)
Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
Available Colors: Moonlight Silver, Night Black, Nebula Green
The Poco F4 is one of the best budget camera smartphones on the market. It has a quad-camera setup that includes a 64MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide angle lens, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. It also has a 20MP front-facing camera. The Poco F4 can record 4K video at 30fps and 1080p video at 60fps.
It has dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC. It runs on Android 12 and has a 45,00mAh battery. It comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection and many more advanced features.
If you want to buy a smartphone with a great camera then Poco F4 can be considered because of its great image quality and best video recording results.
Pros
- Powerful Performance.
- High Refresh Rate Display.
- Impressive Camera System.
- Large Battery Capacity.
- Great camera quality.
Cons
- Lack of Expandable Storage.
- Non-Waterproof Design.
5: iPhone SE
Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
Display: 4.7 inches Retina (750×1334 pixels)
Storage: 128GB/256GB | RAM: 4 GB
Battery: 2018mAh Li-Po
Camera: 12MP (2160p)
Ion-strengthened glass protection.
Available Colors: Midnight, Starlight, Red
The iPhone SE is a great budget camera phone because it has many of the features of the more expensive models but is much more affordable. It has a 12-megapixel rear camera and a 1.2-megapixel front camera, both of which take excellent photos and videos. It also has an A15 Bionic chip and 4K video recording, making it a powerful little device.
The iPhone SE also has great battery life, with up to 13 hours of video playback. It runs on iOS version 15.4 and is compatible with many apps. It also has a range of features like Apple Pay, 3D Touch, and more. With its reasonable price point, the iPhone SE is an excellent choice for those looking for a budget camera phone.
Pros
- Powerful Performance.
- High-Quality Camera.
- Regular Software Updates.
- Value for money.
Cons
- Smaller Display.
- No Face ID.
Conclusion: Best Budget Camera Phone
In 2023 when you go to the market to buy a smartphone then you will see a lot of options available in the market. It is very difficult to decide which one is better for you and will exactly meet your needs.
After a deep research finally I compiled a list of the best budget camera phones for you. All of the mobile phones listed above list are amazing and provide you best camera quality but I personally like Google Pixel 6A because of its high-resolution picture quality with great storage and battery features.
So if you want to buy the best smartphone with a great camera then you should buy Google Pixel 6A because it’s available at a very affordable price.
Which mid-range phone has the best camera?
There are a lot of great mid-range phones on the market, but when it comes to cameras, there are a few that stand out from the rest. If you’re looking for a great camera phone then you can consider Google Pixel 6a.
Is a cheap camera better than a phone?
I personally say no cheap camera could not be better than a phone because you can use your smartphone for many other tasks. So the phone will be a better option if you want to buy a phone for taking pictures.
Which phone has clear camera quality?
If you have enough amount to spend then you should go for the best camera phones like iPhone 14 pro max or Samsung Galaxy S22 ultra, but if you do not want to spend more money and want best budget camera phone then Google Pixel 6A is the best option for you.
