Cameras have become a primary reason many phone owners want to buy a new phone and if you’re looking for the best camera phone in the UAE, you have come to the right place. Our best camera phones guide isn’t the same as our best phones guide or best Android phones guide, which looks at phones from an overall perspective.

In this list, we look at phones that push the hardware limits of your phone. But keep in mind that software is also very important, and so is the eco-system of products that help extend your phone’s camera. Many phones in this list will cost you quite a bit as they push boundaries, and new tech is always more expensive.

If you’re looking for something more affordable, then you should check out the best phones under AED 2000 list or even the best phones under AED 1000 list, but they won’t offer you the best camera system that the phones below will.

You also have to realize that photos are very subjective. There’s a certain look that the iPhone produces, just like there’s one that Pixel produces or Huawei phones produce. They all take great pictures, but you may prefer the look of photos from an iPhone, while someone else might like Samsung’s pop more.

1. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

The iPhone 14 Pro Max sits on the top of our best camera phones list in the UAE for 2022 for various reasons. To start off, it has an incredible camera system and with the iPhone 14 Pro series, Apple introduced a 48 MP sensor on the iPhone for the first time which offers a lot more detail than the 12 MP sensor it replaces.

Apple also makes it super easy to operate the camera and get great photos and videos, but you have a vast amount of third-party apps that take iPhone photography to the next level. And if you want to extend what your iPhone is capable of, there is no other phone with as many third-party accessories- such as the Moment lenses for the iPhone.

There are other phones in this round-up with more capable hardware, but for most of us, the iPhone 14 Pro Max will take the best photos and videos. The amount of third-party camera apps available on the iPhone is also fantastic.

The triple camera setup on the iPhone 14 Pro Max comprises a main camera that is 48 MP, f/1.8, an ultrawide that is 12 MP, f/2.2 with a 120 degree FOV and a telephoto that is 12 MP, f/2.8 for 3x optical zoom.


2. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has the best camera tech that Samsung has to offer, which offers a 108 MP sensor and two different zoom levels to show exceptional details, as well as an ultrawide with great colour science. Be sure to check out the Pro Video app from Samsung for capturing videos which offers you tons of controls, such as exposure and focus levels.

The quad camera setup on the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is made up of a main camera that is 108 MP, f/1.8, an ultrawide that is 12 MP, f/2.2 with a 120-degree FOV and two telephoto lenses that are 10 MP, f/2.4 for 3x optical zoom and 10 MP, f/4.9 for 10x optical zoom.


3. Google Pixel 7 Pro

Even though the Google Pixel range isn’t officially available in the Middle East, we knew we’d be doing this list injustice if we didn’t include it. here. Google is just brilliant with computational photography- better than any other manufacturer on this list.

With the Pixel, all you need to do is take your camera and snap, and Google makes sure you get an excellent photo every single time. It can correct lighting and colours, make unwanted objects disappear and put the focus on the subject that you want to stand out in your photos.

The triple camera setup on the Google Pixel 7 Pro is made up of a main camera that is 50 MP, f/1.9, an ultrawide that is 12 MP, f/2.2 with a 114 degree FOV and a telephoto that is 48 MP, f/3.5 for 4x optical zoom.


4. Huawei Mate 50 Pro

Just like the iPhone or Google Pixel, Huawei has developed its own “look” for photos taken from its phones over the years, and the results have been spectacular. The Huawei Mate 50 Pro continues the tradition started with the P20 and Mate 20 series of phones and produces spectacular photos. It’s the only phone in this roundup that uses an RYYB sensor which captures more light in the dark.

The quad camera setup on the Huawei P40 Pro is made up of a main camera that is 50 MP, f/1.8, an ultrawide that is 13 MP, f/2.2 and a periscope based telephoto that is 64 MP, f/3.5 for 3.5x optical zoom. You also get an additional 40 MP, f/1.6 Black and White sensor.


5. Sony Xperia 1 IV

The Sony Xperia 1 IV is another phone that’s not officially available in the Middle East but if you are a pro photographer or video creator that uses Sony equipment, then you won’t find any other phone like it. It’s the only phone in this round-up for 4K screen which allows it to be used as a monitor for your camera. It’s also the only phone in this roundup with continuous optical zoom to give you excellent control on your shots.

The triple camera setup on the Sony Xperia 1 IV is made up of a main camera that is 12 MP, f/1.7, an ultrawide that is 12 MP, f/2.2 with a 124 degree FOV and a telephoto that is 12 MP continuous optical zoom from 85mm f/2.3 to 125mm f/2.8 which translates from 3.5x to 5.2x.


6. Motorola Edge 30 Ultra

The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is the first phone we received with a 200 MP camera- let that sink in. It’s the highest MP count we’ve seen on a camera as of yet and while a higher number of megapixels don’t translate to better pictures, Motorola uses pixel-binning tech to make larger pixels for better photos. The amount of detail that can be captured under good lighting conditions is fantastic. The secondary cameras aren’t necessarily the best, but the primary camera makes up for it.

The triple camera setup on the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is made up of a main camera that is 200 MP, f/1.9, an ultrawide that is 50 MP, f/2.2 with a 114 degree FOV and a telephoto that is 12 MP, f/1.6 for 2x optical zoom.


7. Vivo X80 Pro

If there’s one theme in this article, it’s the innovation that different manufacturers bring to smartphone photography. The Vivo X80 Pro is the only phone in this roundup that features a gimbal on one of its telephoto lenses. That helps stabilize when zooming, something that will very much be needed as zoom levels improve. You also get a good 50 MP primary sensor along with another periscope-based telephoto lens for 5x optical zoom.

The triple camera setup on the Vivo X80 Pro is made up of a main camera that is 50 MP, f/1.6, an ultrawide that is 48 MP, f/2.2 with a 114 degree FOV and a periscope-based telephoto that can do 12 MP, f/1.9 and 8 MP, f/3.4 which is 2x or 5x optical zoom. That 2x zoom sits on a gimbal for steady shots.


8. Oppo Find X5 Pro

The innovation continues with Oppo offering a microscopic lens that captures crazy levels of details just 4 cm away from an object. You can see threads from your shirts and rocks from sand grains which is a fascinating view of the world. Oppo uses a dedicated NPU for imaging which certainly shows its commitment to photography.

The triple camera setup on the Oppo Find X5 Pro comprises a main camera that is50 MP, f/1.7, an ultrawide that is 50 MP, f/2.2 with a 110-degree FOV and a telephoto that is 13 MP, f/2.4, 52mm for 2x optical zoom.


Best Camera Phone FAQs

How much do the best camera phones cost?

Phones with best cameras tend to be priced at the higher side and expect to pay AED 3,500 or US$ 1 ,000 for the latest models.

How do I choose the best camera phone for me?

Figure out what’s important for you. Is it video? It is zoom or macro? Narrowing your choices will lead you to a much smaller set of phones to chose from.

How to test a camera phone?

Most phones take excellent photos when there is plenty of light. The best way to test a phone’s camera is to take shots in low light.

What should I look for when buying a camera phone?

Don’t fall for more megapixels equals to a better camera. The camera sensor and software (computational photography) are much more important.

Which Phone Is Best for Video Recording?

The iPhone is the gold standard for recording videos.

What makes a good camera experience?

For a camera phone to be great, it needs to be a mix of hardware and software features. A versatile camera system with a good UI and AI is the best mix.

Which Android phone has the best camera quality

With computational photgraphy, only really need one camera. The rest of them can help you take more versatile pictures.

Which Samsung has the best camera quality

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the best camera phone that Samsung makes at the time of writing this.

Is a DSLR better than an iPhone

In capable hands, no. But if you will only ever use a DSLR in auto mode, then the iPhone can be capable of producing better photos.

How many megapixel is good for a camera

By today’s standards, get a phone that features a 12MP or higher camera.

What is the best Motorola smartphone camera

The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra with a 200MP camera currently stands as the best Motorola smartphone camera.
Abbas Jaffar Ali
Abbas Jaffar Ali

Abbas has been covering tech for more than two decades- before phones became smart or clouds stored data. He brought publications like CNET, TechRadar and IGN to the Middle East.

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