What's the best phone for video recording? We've drawn on our long experience of reviewing phones to bring you the best models for the job. So whether you want to shoot professionally, make clips for TikTok, YouTube and Twitch, or just capture that dream family holiday for posterity, you'll find some great choices in our roundup.
You might think that the best camera phone for stills would automatically be the best phone for video too, but that's not always the case. Great video doesn't just mean having a great lens: it also means having a lot of computational power and smart software to produce a good-looking finished product.
For many years, Apple has led the way in delivering cutting edge, high-quality video recording capabilities. But more recently Samsung, Sony, Google and others have been putting more emphasis on video, closing the gap significantly. Read on, as we reveal the best phone for video, both for recording and streaming live.
Jon Devo
As an experienced journalist, Jon has been reviewing gadgets and tech since 2013. He has road-tested a number of smartphones for Digital Camera World as well as reviewing a variety of cameras for streaming video. He also covers camera and broadcast product content for WIRED UK, Metro Newspaper, TechRadar, Amateur Photographer Magazine and Trusted Reviews.
Each generation has built on the success of the last and the iPhone 16 series is the best yet. Our reviewer found that video from this phone looks exceptional, whether capturing nearby or faraway subjects.
If you don't want an iPhone, here's our top pick. We found video from the S24 Ultra to be punchy, crisp, and stable. Headline specs including 8K recording at up to 30fps, 10x zoom, and 480fps Full HD slow-motion capture.
The latest Pixel phone captures great quality videos at 4K resolution and 60fps. There's also a brilliant Audio Eraser tool, which does a brilliant job of reducing background noise on busy streets, and a new Cinematic video mode.
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Since the launch of the iPhone 5S, we've found Apple’s flagship phones to be a great choice for filmmakers. Each generation has built on the success of the last and the iPhone 15 series is the best yet.
Although the headline stats of 4K and 60fps are the same as its predecessor, Apple has introduced a number of video upgrades with this phone, including digital zoom of up to 3x with Cinematic mode and exporting ProRes footage via USB-C. Overall, our reviewer found that the video from this phone looks exceptional, whether capturing nearby or faraway subjects.
A more general benefit of choosing an iPhone is that third-party manufacturers prioritize making accessories specifically for them. Plus, because iOS is a single platform, apps like Instagram and TikTok are optimized primarily for it, which generally leads to fewer issues with compression ruining the quality of the content you upload.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is an incremental upgrade over its predecessor, the S23 Ultra, featuring enhancements in design, performance, and imaging capabilities.
When it comes to video recording, the S24 Ultra excels with 8K video capabilities and excellent stabilization, making it a strong contender for content creators. However, the increased detail comes with larger file sizes, which may not be practical for everyday use.
The camera system, while largely similar to the S23 Ultra, includes notable improvements in image processing. The main camera captures natural and less vibrant images compared to its predecessor, which some might prefer. The new 5x zoom lens offers better versatility, though it makes the 3x zoom lens feel somewhat redundant. Additionally, the camera can shoot in high-resolution modes up to 200MP, though these are not always necessary for casual photography.
Performance-wise, the S24 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which ensures smooth multitasking and gaming experiences. The battery life is solid, with efficient power management that extends usage, though heavy users might still need a mid-day top-up.
The device boasts a refined design with a more comfortable grip, despite being marginally heavier. Its display remains a standout, offering excellent brightness, color accuracy, and a dynamic refresh rate, making it ideal for various lighting conditions. Overall, the S24 Ultra can be praised for its minor yet impactful refinements, making it a worthwhile entry over last year's model.
Dimensions: 6.4 x 3 x 0.3 inches (87 x 76 x 162 mm)
Storage: 128GB, 256GB
Reasons to buy
+
Audio eraser feature
+
4K/60fps
+
Great image stabilization
Reasons to avoid
-
128GB starting storage is low
The Pixel 8 Pro is one of the best Android phones for video we've seen to date. It captures great quality videos at 4K resolution and 60fps. There's also a brilliant Audio Eraser tool that does a brilliant job of reducing background noise on busy streets. You can either isolate the sound of your voice completely or add back in a little noise for the atmosphere, it's up to you.
Our reviewer also loved the Cinematic video mode, first introduced in the Google Pixel 7 Pro, which blurs out the background; kind of like a portrait mode, but for videos, not stills. In both phones you also get great electronic image stabilization, using computational photography to sharpen shots.
Note, though, that the Pixel 8 Pro starts with just 128GB storage, and there's no SD card, which doesn't make it great for storing tons of video footage.
The Apple iPhone 16 is a substantial upgrade, especially for content creators and vloggers, thanks to its advanced audio and camera features. The most significant addition is the new Audio Mix tools, which use AI to enhance audio quality by isolating the subject’s voice and reducing background noise. This is particularly beneficial for recording in noisy environments, like beaches, where wind and ocean sounds would usually interfere. The iPhone 16’s four microphones enable directional audio capture, giving users flexibility when conducting interviews or vlogging without the need for external mics.
The camera system has also been improved with 15 new Photographic Styles, offering more creative control over colors and tones. These styles are non-destructive, meaning users can tweak the look of their images after shooting, making it easier to achieve a professional finish. The Camera Control button has also evolved, allowing for intuitive adjustments to settings like exposure, depth, and zoom with simple touch gestures.
While the iPhone 16 excels in multimedia capabilities, some issues persist. For instance, underwater performance is decent but can affect speaker functionality, requiring users to shake out excess water for optimal sound. Nonetheless, these enhancements make the iPhone 16 a strong contender for content creators seeking a versatile device.
The Google Pixel 8a excels in video capture, thanks to its advanced image processing powered by the Tensor G3 chip. The phone supports 4K video at 30fps and 60fps, delivering detailed and vibrant footage with accurate colors and dynamic range. Its electronic image stabilization ensures smooth shots even during handheld recording, making it ideal for on-the-go content creation. The phone’s HDR+ feature enhances contrast and brightness in varying lighting conditions, improving overall video quality. However, it lacks some advanced features like a dedicated telephoto lens, which limits zoom capabilities in video mode.
Battery life is solid, lasting a full day with moderate use. The design is sleek but maintains a simple, plastic build. The phone is lightweight and easy to handle, though it doesn’t feel as premium as higher-end models. Running Android 14, the Pixel 8a is fast and responsive, with at least five years of security updates promised.
Despite lacking some premium features like telephoto lenses or ultra-fast charging, the Pixel 8a shines in everyday usability and photography, making it a strong contender for users who prioritize camera performance and software integration at an affordable price point.
The Sony Xperia 1 VI is a smartphone designed to bridge the gap between casual photography and professional-level camera features. Equipped with a 6.5-inch 4K OLED display that delivers stunning visuals, its main selling point is the advanced triple-camera system. The 12MP wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses are powered by Sony's Alpha camera technology, offering manual controls over ISO, shutter speed, and focus, giving users full control over their shots.
The telephoto lens stands out with its 85-125mm optical zoom, enabling users to capture detailed images even from a distance. The Xperia 1 VI also excels in video capabilities, offering 4K recording at up to 120fps, allowing for slow-motion video capture with smooth playback. The Real-Time Eye autofocus ensures sharp focus on subjects in both stills and video, an asset for portrait photographers and vloggers alike.
One of its standout features is the ability to shoot macro shots with remarkable clarity, thanks to its high-end sensors and software. Sony has also incorporated the Creator Mode, which provides accurate color reproduction, ideal for professionals who need precise color grading in their work.
However, the phone's high price may deter some users, especially those who are not heavily invested in photography or video recording. Its battery life is decent but not exceptional, and it lacks some conveniences like wireless charging. Nonetheless, for those seeking a top-tier camera phone with extensive manual controls and advanced features, the Xperia 1 VI is a powerful tool that delivers professional results.
Smartphones are increasingly becoming miniature film studios, but the ones which are best for video recording aren't always obvious. When making your choice, firstly consider both resolution and sensor size. Look for 50MP resolution or above, but bear in mind that higher megapixels aren't everything. So also look for a phone that has a large sensor to capture more light, especially if you're interested low-light performance. You also want versatility when it comes to shooting video, so ideally look for a phone with at least three rear cameras: wide, ultrawide, and a telephoto zoom for close-ups. Also pay attention to stabilisation (as no one wants shaky footage) and audio features.
(Image credit: Basil Kronfli)
How much storage do I need for video recording?
The amount of storage you'll need for video recording will depend largely on the resolution and frame rate you're shooting at. For example, 4K 60fps can eat up space quickly, so you'll probably need a phone with at least 128GB on board storage, as well as the potential to expand this via a microSD card.
Does the lens matter when buying a phone for video?
Yes! More and more phones are arriving with high resolutions of 50MP+, but that's not all you need to capture professional looking video. Look for phones with wide-angle lenses for capturing more in the frame and telephoto lenses for zooming. (Optical zoom generally offers better quality than digital zoom.)
Which phone is better for video: Android or iPhone?
In truth, the best Android phones and the best iPhones both offer excellent video recording and streaming capabilities. So the choice between Android and Apple really comes down to personal preference and specific device features.
How we test the best phone for video recording
As a photography website, we pay special attention to the photo and video quality of smartphones. Camera phones are all-around digital assistants too, of course, so we will also check general handling, usability, and practicality – such as battery life. For Android camera phones we rate resolution, noise and color rendition in the context of what rival Android phones can do, and where there are any special features, such as ‘night modes’ or ‘portrait modes’, we check that these perform as the makers describe.
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Jon is a gadget reviewer, content creator and influencer. He spends his time reviewing products, covering technology news, giving talks on content strategy and creating content in partnership with a wide variety of forward-thinking brands. He also contributes to commercial radio, as well as in national print newspapers and magazines.
