5 best dual-camera smartphones to buy right now

Dual-camera smartphones are nice because they keep things simple and focused. Rather than waste time debating which lens is best or weighing the pros and cons of one sensor and aperture over another, dual-camera smartphones simplify the task of taking a photo by allowing you to focus on actually taking the photo instead of on the gear and settings.

Since that’s the kind of photography that appeals to you, here are the best dual-camera phones we think you should be looking at!

5 best dual camera smartphones to buy

1. iPhone 16

2. Google Pixel 9

3. Nothing Phone 2A

4. OnePlus Nord 4

5. Redmi 13 5G

1. Apple iPhone 16

If you’re looking for the best dual-camera phone, the iPhone 16 easily tops the charts. The two cameras on the rear are a 48MP fusion camera with an F1.6 aperture and 26mm focal length, while the second one is a 12MP ultra-wide with auto-focus and a macro mode.

ALSO READ: Apple iPhone 16 review roundup

The thing that makes this dual camera setup special is the fact that you’re effectively getting four cameras instead of two. The wide-angle 48MP camera has a 2x telephoto mode – achieved optically by cropping the sensor, and the ultra-wide also works as a macro camera. On top of that, you can shoot 4K video at 120FPS in Dolby Vision and with cinematic stabilisation and bokeh, game on one of the fastest smartphones around, and enjoy movies on a stunning 2000 nits display.

2. Google Pixel 9

Thanks to Google’s impressive AI-powered camera technology, there is now no doubt that the Pixel line is what you go for when you want the best photo you can get. The best Pixel phone for getting such images is the flagship Google Pixel 9.

On paper, the Pixel 9’s cameras are not much different from others in its class. You get a 50MP F1.68 wide, and a 48MP F1.7 ultrawide camera on the rear, with a 10.5MP F2.2 selfie camera.

While the sensors might not be exceptional, it’s Google’s unmatched image processing algorithms that set the Pixel’s images head and shoulders above its competition. On top of this you’re getting stock Android, a guarantee that you’ll get the latest Android updates on priority, a fantastic display, and a lot more.

3. Nothing Phone (2a)

The two 50MP cameras on the rear of the Nothing Phone (2a) are no slouch when it comes to smartphone photography. The wide angle camera uses an F1.9 aperture and 1-micron pixels sensor while the F2.2 ultra-wide camera uses a sensor with smaller 0.64-micron pixels. The resulting image quality is fantastic, to say the least.

The Phone (2a) also happens to be one of the most interesting phones in the Android space thanks to a unique design and of course, the minimalist Nothing OS.

4. OnePlus Nord 4 5G

The OnePlus Nord 4 5G is a slick smartphone that features a metal unibody design and is powered by a Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 SoC with 12GB of RAM. It’s a fast, powerful phone with cameras that are just as special thanks to a 50MP Sony “True-light” sensor and OnePlus’ specially tuned AI image algorithms. This camera is also paired with an 8MP ultrawide, and a 16MP selfie camera that’s tuned for skin tones.

A tonne of AI photography features such as Best Face and Clear Face round out the feature set, virtually guaranteeing that you’ll get a great shot every time. It’s a great dual-camera phone at a very competitive price.

5. Redmi 13 5G

For budget-conscious buyers, we’d recommend the Redmi 13 5G. This dual-camera phone features a monster 108MP rear camera that, in good lighting, will rival image quality from many flagships.

ALSO READ: 5 mobile phones with the best cameras

This high-resolution sensor is coupled with a lens with an F1.75 aperture and a dynamic ring flash. The secondary camera on the rear is a smaller 2MP macro, which does a fine job of capturing small objects in enough detail for social media use.

And there you have it, a selection of dual-camera phones for every budget and every type of photographer. Whether you want excellent out-of-the-box performance, unmatched video capabilities, or even RAW support for advanced editors, these phones cover a wide gamut of photographers. Take your pick and don’t hesitate to reach out to let us know what you think of your new camera phone!