Mobile phone cameras are starting to close the gap between them and professional, standalone cameras—hopefully, one-day reaching parity. Due to the quality enhancements being made, many professional photography businesses now employ smartphone cameras.
Some manufacturers, like Google, add artificial intelligence support for photo and video editing to enhance quality. Whether you are a hobby photographer or a professional, it’s an excellent tool for getting the best out of your pictures.
It’s exciting to watch new phones come out with better cameras and editing tools every year, but staying up-to-date can be costly. Refurbished phones are quickly becoming a popular alternative to buying brand-new, even for the latest models, as a cost-effective option.
Refurbished phones are a great choice for eco-conscious shoppers because they save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce e-waste, and lower the impact smartphone manufacturing and supply chains have on the environment.
What To Look For In A Photo & Video Editing Phone?
When looking for a phone for photo and video editing, there are a few key factors you should consider. Namely, it’s important to think about the phone's display, processing power and storage, camera quality, and editing software support.
Display
When searching for a photo and video editing device, it's essential to consider the display. You want a device that supports high-resolution (Full HD+, 2K, or 4K) to ensure sharp visuals, which will make the editing process easier.
Especially when taking photos, it’s crucial to have a display that features high colour accuracy and can support a wide colour gamut. OLED and AMOLED screens typically offer the best contrast and colour options.
Screen size
If you’ve ever tried editing photos or videos on a smaller phone screen, you understand the pain. That’s why we recommend considering the screen size when looking for a device. You’ll want a device that has ample space to see the minute details, like Apple’s iPhone Pro/Pro Max and Samsung’s Galaxy S Ultra devices.
Processing power
If you plan to edit photos and videos on a phone instead of an external device, it’s important that the phone has the specs to handle it. So, before buying a phone, note the processor (Snapdragon 8 Series, Apple A-series, or equivalent), RAM (at least 8 GB or more), and GPU. The GPU is essential for rendering graphics and video playback.
Camera quality
When searching for a phone to take photos and videos, the camera quality and any related enhancing software must be considered. Below, we’ve outlined the key factors you should keep in mind.
- Megapixel count: higher megapixels offer more detail in most cases.
- Stabilisation options: It’s important that the phone’s camera has optical image stabilisation options to reduce blur in photos and videos.
- Image processing: Look for phones that offer good image post-processing software, like Google’s Pixel range. Some phones use AI to enhance the photo quality.
- Sensor size: Larger sensors on a phone’s camera allow for more light, improving photo quality, especially in low-light situations.
- Pixel size: The larger the pixel size, measured in micrometres, improves low-light performance and reduces noise in photos.
- Lenses: If you want a camera for photography and filming, multiple lenses are essential for versatility.
- Autofocus: Phones with an autofocus feature, like laser autofocus, are better in dynamic situations.
Which Phones Have The Best Cameras?
When it comes to phones with the best cameras, a few reign supreme, below, we’ve outlined the best iOS and Android devices for camera quality.
iPhone 15 Pro
The iPhone 15 Pro has one of the best cameras for an Apple phone and is a huge improvement over the base 15 model with its dedicated telephoto lens. It features a 48MP main camera with a 2x zoom option and an extra 3x and 5x optical reach.
The iPhone 15 Pro can also digitally zoom up to 10x and 15x; however, the quality is worse. The main camera shoots at a native 24mm equivalent field of view, which is wider than the 15 series base model.
In tests run by qualified tech professionals, the iPhone 15 Pro model also ran better than the 15 base model and previous iPhone generations for low-light performance. The iPhone 15 Pro includes various extra features and software support for vertical mode, enhancing photo and video quality, and editing tools.
Pixel 8a
The Pixel 8a might be a budget-friendly phone, but don’t let the price tag fool you—it has one of the best cameras in the smartphone industry. If you’re looking for an affordable device with a high-quality camera, it’s the best option.
The Google Pixel 8a features a primary 64MP camera supported by an ultra-wide 13MP lens. Google’s cutting-edge photo enhancement and post-processing software also supports Pixel phones, which has led to their winning multiple camera awards.
The Pixel 8a is a fantastic phone with a high-quality camera that can capture even minute details in a scene. It also has effective stabilisation options and great contrast.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has incredible specs that even outrank traditional cameras. The phone has a quad-lens setup, featuring a 200MP wide resolution camera, 12MP ultra-wide lens, 10MP 3x optical zoom, and 50MP telephoto lens.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is backed by the newest artificial intelligence tools, including enhancing photos, better night-mode photography, and other modes for professional-level photography.
Which Phones Are The Best For Photo & Video Editing And Why?
When choosing a phone for photo and video editing, consider the processing power, space, and display. Below, we’ve listed the best phones for these purposes.
iPhone 15 Pro Max
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the upgraded version of the 15 Pro. It features the same photo capabilities but a larger screen, at 6.69 inches diagonally, making photo and video editing easier. It’s also easier to see the smaller details and multitask.
The 15 Pro Max is also equipped with one of Apple’s best mobile phone processors, the Apple A17 Pro. This chipset features a hexacore CPU and a 6-core custom graphics unit for optimal photo/video editing and rendering.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6’s main appeal is the large screen, which makes it closer to the size of a tablet than a phone. The phone itself can fold out, unveiling a gorgeous Dynamic AMOLED screen that measures 7.6 inches diagonally.
The Z Fold 6 is also one of the few Android devices to offer 12 GB RAM, which is a must if you plan on doing heavy video editing and rendering. The device is also powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, one of the most powerful Android chipsets available.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
The Pixel 8 Pro is the best phone for video and photo editing if you want a device running stock Android or already part of the Pixel ecosystem. The 8 Pro features a wide, 6.7-inch screen that makes video and photo editing spacious, so you don’t feel too cramped.
The phone is also backed by Google’s new Tensor G3 chip, one of the few chipsets that rivals the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It’s custom-designed with Google AI specifically for photo and video features, including editing.
Similar to the Fold 6, the Pixel 8 Pro features 12 GB RAM, which ensures a smooth workflow and can handle intensive editing. The phone also has a large battery capacity of 5050 mAh so that you can edit for hours without a recharge.
Buy Top Quality Refurbished Phones at OzMobiles
If you’re searching for the best phone for photo editing, buying a refurbished device is a great way to score a deal. At OzMobiles, we stock a range of refurbished iPhones and Android devices, including Google’s Pixel devices and Samsung’s Galaxy S24 phones. If you find a better deal elsewhere, we’ll beat it by $10 (terms and conditions apply).
When you shop with OzMobiles, you get top quality. All our phones go through an extensive 72-point refurbishment process. During this, a qualified technician evaluates the device, checking that every component is fully functional and running optimally.
Our refurbished devices are also graded, so you know their exact condition. It’s important to note that all our phones are 100% functional; the grading only refers to the cosmetic/aesthetic condition.
At OzMobiles, we also have confidence in every product we sell, so we offer a free 12-month warranty and a 30-day risk-free return policy. So, if you have any concerns about the device or have a change of heart, you can contact us for assistance.
If you have any questions about finding a phone for photo and video editing or about our refurbishment process, contact our team. We’d be happy to answer any queries and connect you with the right phone to suit your needs.
