The best smartphones for camera zoom

While many smartphone cameras provide excellent definition and a range of different capture options when photographing something from a few feet away, historically smartphones have often struggled to maintain that definition while zoomed in.

That’s understandable, as the average smartphone has hundreds of different uses and isn’t built to match the quality of a dedicated camera with a specialised lens. 

That said, the best smartphone cameras are advancing at a rapid rate and have closed the gap in terms of the level of zoom distance and quality they provide. But who does it best?

Here are some of the best smartphones for zoom features. 

Released in late January this year, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a great choice for anyone seeking a leading camera zoom option, with one of the best sets of zoom features released on smartphone to date.

With its highly advanced Quad-telephoto camera, you can enjoy selecting from 2x, 3x, 5x and 10x optical zoom, bringing distant subjects into sharp focus without sacrificing quality. Whether you’re photographing wildlife, sports events, or classic architecture, the optical zoom ensures your shots are detailed and vibrant.

The epic, AI-powered 100x Space Zoom intelligently processes information to capture clearer, brighter pictures and videos from ridiculous distances, even in the dark – thanks to Nightography zoom. Powered by Samsung’s latest image processing technology, this feature allows you to capture incredible detail from afar. The Super Resolution Zoom ensures that even at high magnification levels, your photos retain clarity and sharpness. Imagine capturing the intricate details of a distant city skyline like never before.

High zoom levels often come with the challenge of maintaining a steady shot. The Galaxy S24 Ultra addresses this with its advanced Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and AI-enhanced stabilization. These technologies work together to minimize blur, ensuring your photos are crisp and clear even when fully zoomed in. Whether you’re shooting handheld or on the move, you can trust the S24 Ultra to deliver stable, high-quality images. 

Even better, the S24 Ultra comes with access to a range of Galaxy AI features, many of which are focused on photo editing and open up a new world of possibilities.

Released in September, the camera on the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers more than ever before. Now you can take the perfect photo or video in record time. And it’s all thanks to something called Camera Control.

Camera Control enables users to access camera tools quickly - including the zoom. Simply slide your finger to adjust different functions like exposure or depth of field. Plus, toggle through each lens or use digital zoom to frame your shot like a pro.

There’s more, too. You’ll also be able to enjoy a two-stage shutter that lets you automatically lock focus and exposure with a light press. And this means you can reframe your shot without losing focus on the thing you’re capturing.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro is another model which takes smartphone photography to the next level with its impressive zoom capabilities. But lies behind the magic?

Well, this device comes stacked with some serious hardware. 

The telephoto camera is equipped with a 48MP Type 1 / 2.55 Quad PD sensor, and it’s paid with an F2.8 lens that offers a 105mm equivocal focal length. This enables the camera zoom to be really effective.

But it’s how this technology is applied that really nails it. Google’s pro camera controls unlock manual control over focus and shutter speed, so the person with the ultimate view gets the last say. And let’s not forget about Google’s Super Res Zoom technology, which blends hardware, software, and machine learning to extend zoom capabilities. 

The Google Pixel 9 Pro supports Super Res Zoom up to 30x, and this delivers a stunning performance for even the most average photographer.

We’ve got a range of smartphones with astonishingly good cameras on Three. If you’d like to have professional features and the ability to zoom in or out with ease, then check out our range of devices.

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