CameraPhone

There was a time, not so long ago, when the term “camera phone” was almost an insult—a synonym for grainy, poorly lit photos that were a pale imitation of what a “real” camera could do. As someone who has been obsessively testing and analyzing these devices for over a decade, I can tell you that in 2025, that era is definitively over. The smartphone has not only caught up to dedicated cameras for most people’s needs; it has, in many ways, surpassed them. ...

There’s a quiet revolution happening in the world of smartphones. For years, I’ve watched as flagship devices costing well over $1,000 have dominated the conversation about mobile photography. But in 2025, that narrative is becoming obsolete. The technological advancements that were once the exclusive domain of the ultra-premium have finally and decisively trickled down to the budget and mid-range sectors. The result? You can now buy a smartphone for under $500 that can capture images that would have been unthinkable from a dedicated camera just a few years ago. ...