Cameras and smartphones go together like bees and honey. Every phone launch showcases the model’s cameras as much as its other features. Part of the reason is that so many people use their smartphone for food photography.
Are you one of the people who loves to upload your latest culinary adventures on Instagram? Then, it pays to know which phone captures the best food photos. Here is a list of the top 10 smartphones for food photography available today.
Before that, though, we tell you which smartphone features to look for to get the most gorgeous food images.
Camera in a smartphone for food photos
Close-up photos are handled mainly by the telephoto and/or periscope telephoto cameras.
- Telephoto camera— get extreme close-ups of food without compromising image quality
- Sensor resolution— measured in megapixels (MP); higher is generally better for digital images, higher is definitely better if you will print physical photos
- Sensor size: measured in inches in the 1/x format; a lower ‘x’ value is better
- Aperture size— measured in inches in the f/x format; a lower ‘x’ value is better
Screen in a smartphone for food photos
Your screen is your viewfinder. A large, bright, high-resolution screen shows you an accurate preview of your photo.
- Resolution— in x X y format; higher is better
- Pixel density— measured in ppi (pixels per square inch); higher is better
- Brightness— measured in nits; higher is better
Other features in a smartphone for food photos
- Software (low-light)— Dim lighting is a common problem in restaurants and flash-lit images are often harsh. Good software compensates for the lighting issues.
- Software (OIS)— Optical image stabilisation virtually eliminates motion blur from shake
- HDR (High Dynamic Range)— Capture a better dynamic range (shadows to highlights)
- Water resistance— IP68 and IPX8 phones offer the best resistance against water and other beverage spills
Here are the 10 best smartphones for food photos. They boast impressive specs on the factors listed above and a pretty impressive all around.
1. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

2 telephoto sensors earn the Samsung S23 Ultra an (almost) easy first place.
- Primary camera: 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3″, 0.6µm, 100X digital zoom
- Telephoto camera: 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm, 1/3.52″, 1.12µm, 3X optical zoom
- Periscope telephoto camera: 10 MP, f/4.9, 230mm, 1/3.52″, 1.12µm, 10X optical zoom
- Ultra-wide camera: 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚, 1/2.55″, 1.4µm
- HDR: HDR10+
- Screen size (diagonal): 6.8” Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Screen resolution: 1440 x 3088 pixels (~500 ppi)
- Screen brightness (normal, max): 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)
- Water resistance: IP68
- Dimensions: 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm
- Weight: 234g
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2. Google Pixel 7 Pro

Google’s flagship pairs a great screen with formidable telephoto lens
- Primary camera: 50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31″, 1.2µm,
- Telephoto camera: 48 MP, f/3.5, 1/2.55″, 0.7µm, 5X optical zoom
- Ultra-wide camera: 12 MP, f/2.2, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9″, 1.25µm
- HDR: HDR10+
- Screen size (diagonal): 6.7” LTPO AMOLED
- Screen resolution: 1440 x 3120 pixels (~512 ppi)
- Screen brightness: 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
- Water resistance: IP68
- Dimensions: 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm
- Weight: 212g
3. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Pipped at the post by the top 2, Apple’s 2022 flagship is no pushover
- Primary camera: 48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28″, 1.22µm
- Telephoto camera: 12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), 1/3.5″
- Ultra-wide camera: 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚, 1/2.55″, 1.4µm
- HDR: HDR10+
- Screen size (diagonal): 6.7” LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Screen resolution: 1290 x 2796 pixels (~460 ppi)
- Screen brightness: 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)
- Water resistance: IP68
- Dimensions: 160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9 mm
- Weight: 240g
4. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G

The best budget option comes with a macro camera.
- Primary camera: 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52″, 0.7µm
- Macro camera: 2 MP, f/2.4
- Ultra-wide camera: 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚
- HDR: HDR
- Screen size (diagonal): 6.67” Super AMOLED
- Screen resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels (~395 ppi)
- Screen brightness: 700 nits, 1200 nits (peak)
- Water resistance: IP53
- Dimensions: 164.2 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm
- Weight: 202g
5. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

It may be nearing the end of its shelf life but Apple’s former flagship still has much to offer the foodie.
- Primary camera: 12 MP, f/1.5, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7″, 1.9µm, TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)
- Telephoto camera: 12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm, 1/3.5″, 3x optical zoom
- Ultra-wide camera: 12 MP, f/1.8, 13mm, 120˚, 1/3.5″
- HDR: HDR10
- Screen size (diagonal): 6.7” Super Retina XDR OLED
- Screen resolution: 1284 x 2778 pixels (~458 ppi)
- Screen brightness: 1000 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)
- Water resistance: IP68
- Dimensions: 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.7 mm
- Weight: 240g
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6. OnePlus 11 5G

A powerful telephoto lens and flagship screen give the OnePlus 11 a boost onto our list.
- Primary camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56″, 1.0µm
- Telephoto camera: 32 MP, f/2.0, 48mm (telephoto), 1/2.74″, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
- Ultra-wide camera: 48 MP, f/2.2, 115˚, (ultrawide), 1/2.0″, AF
- HDR: HDR10+
- Screen size (diagonal): 6.7” LTPO3 Fluid AMOLED
- Screen resolution: 1440 x 3216 pixels (~525 ppi)
- Screen brightness: 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
- Water resistance: IP64
- Dimensions: 163.1 x 74.1 x 8.5 mm
- Weight: 205g
7. Oppo Find X5 Pro

With not 1 but a duo of 50MP cameras besides the ultrawide, the Oppo Find X5 Pro is a giant-killer.
- Primary camera: 50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.56″, 1.0µm
- Telephoto camera: 13 MP, f/2.4, 52mm, 1/3.4″, 2x optical zoom
- Ultra-wide camera: 50 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 110˚ (ultrawide), 1/1.56″, 1.0µm
- HDR: HDR10+
- Screen size (diagonal): 6.7” LTPO2 AMOLED
- Screen resolution: 1440 x 3216 pixels (~525 ppi)
- Screen brightness: 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
- Water resistance: IP68
- Dimensions: 163.7 x 73.9 x 8.8 mm
- Weight: 218g
8. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G

An oldie but a heck of a goodie, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G can hold its own against many of the newest phones
- Primary camera: 108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.33″, 0.8µm
- Periscope telephoto camera: 12 MP, f/3.0, 120mm, 1.0µm, 5x optical zoom, 50x hybrid zoom
- Ultra-wide camera: 12 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm, 1/2.55″, 1.4µm
- HDR: HDR10+
- Screen size (diagonal): 6.9” Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Screen resolution: 1440 x 3088 pixels (~496 ppi)
- Screen brightness: 1500 nits (peak)
- Water resistance: IP68
- Dimensions: 164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm
- Weight: 208g
9. Honor Magic5 Pro

The Honor Magic5 Pro tops even the Oppo Find X5 Pro by carrying a trio of 50MP shooters, including a periscope telephoto with 3.5X zoom.
- Primary camera: 50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), 1/1.12″ 1.4µm; TOF 3D (depth)
- Periscope telephoto camera: 50 MP, f/3.0, 90mm, 3.5x optical zoom
- Ultra-wide camera: 50 MP, f/2.0, 13mm, 122˚, 1/2.5″
- HDR: HDR10+
- Screen size (diagonal): 6.81” LTPO OLED
- Screen resolution: 1312 x 2848 pixels (~460 ppi),
- Screen brightness: 1800 nits (peak)
- Water resistance: IP68
- Dimensions: 162.9 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm
- Weight: 219g
10. Vivo X90 Pro +

Running the exact same chipset, CPU and GPU as our no.1, the Samsung S23 Ultra, the Vivo X90 Pro + isn’t playing around.
- Primary camera: 50.3 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1.0″-type, 1.6µm
- Telephoto camera: 50 MP, f/1.6, 50mm, 1/2.4″, 0.7µm, AF, 2x optical zoom
- Periscope telephoto camera: 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm), 1/2.0″, 0.7µm, 3.5x optical zoom
- Ultra-wide camera: 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚, 1/2.0″, 0.8µm
- HDR: HDR10+
- Screen size (diagonal): 6.78” LTPO4 AMOLED
- Screen resolution: 1440 x 3200 pixels (~517 ppi)
- Screen brightness: 1800 nits (peak)
- Water resistance: IP68
- Dimensions: 164.4 x 75.3 x 9.7 mm
- Weight: 221g
BONUS: Dell 24 Touch Monitor to view your photos

Work and play from any position with this amazingly versatile monitor from Dell. The P2418HT has a touchscreen so you interact with it just as you would with your phone.
- Panel Type: IPS (In-Plane Switching)
- Screen Size: 23.8 inches
- Resolution: 1920×1080 pixels
- Response Time: 6ms (gray to gray)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Connectivity: HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2, VGA, USB 3.0 hub with 2 downstream and 1 upstream ports, Audio line-out port
Design:
- Height adjustable stand (130mm)
- Pivot, swivel, and tilt adjustment
- Dimensions with Stand: 356.1mm ~ 486.1mm x 537.8mm x 220.0mm
- Dimensions without Stand: 321.1mm x 537.8mm x 53.9mm
- Weight (with stand): 6.88kg
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