Best Phone for AI-Powered Photography: Best AI Phones in 2025

AI and computational photography are two of the best features of the best AI-based photography smartphones in 2025. These technologies change settings as you shoot and automatically improve your images. When you turn on night mode, your phone quickly takes multiple exposures and combines them into one well-exposed photo.

AI algorithms watch the scene in real time and adjust for things like movement, lighting, and light sources to ensure every shot is sharp and clear. You can also find AI camera and AI image editing on select flagships.

What is an AI camera phone?

An AI camera phone is a smartphone with artificial intelligence features specifically designed to enhance your photography experience. These phones use advanced algorithms and machine learning to analyze and optimize images captured by the camera, resulting in superior photo quality.

The technology stands out by automatically adjusting camera settings based on the recognition of scenes, objects, and even human faces. These intelligent adjustments improve the clarity, color balance, and overall aesthetic of your photos.

The advent of phones with AI camera features has changed the way users interact with their devices. For example, when you take a photo of a sunset, AI automatically enhances the colors and contrast to create a stunning image.

These smart adjustments are made possible by the extensive database of images and patterns on which the AI ​​is trained, allowing it to identify different elements within the frame and optimize the shot accordingly.

Best Phone for AI-Powered Photography

1. Xiaomi 14 Ultra

Xiaomi’s latest flagship handset packs some of the best Ai photography hardware of any phone, given its massive camera bump on the back. Leica glass, a 1-inch lead sensor with variable aperture lens, separate 3x and 5x zoom lenses with optical image stabilization, and an ultra-wide snapper with macro capabilities make for perfect phone for AI-powered photography.

Top-notch internals, including a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU and a massive 5,000mAh battery, help out everywhere else. Then there’s the OLED display, which finds the ideal middle ground between flat glass and a curved-edge panel.

As part of its early AI efforts, Xiaomi has added AI-generated captions for video calls. However, at the time of writing, it was limited to a beta test that I wasn’t a part of, so I haven’t seen it in action yet.

The company’s image editor already had an object eraser and sky replacement tool, but now these are said to use AI acceleration.

The company has also promised that AI portrait features will be available in an OTA update. You can take a face from a photo and place it in almost any pose, outfit, or background you can think of (provided it’s PG-rated, of course).

Generative image scaling is also in the works. The results are pretty impressive, but I’ll reserve judgment for a full review once my handset is updated.

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2. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is not only our pick for the best AI camera phone, it’s also the best overall camera phone you can buy. The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers the most versatile camera system we’ve ever seen on a smartphone, and it’s smartly improved over its indomitable predecessor, with AI scene detection and shooting modes making it a more appealing option than a single spec.

Sure, the S24 Ultra has a 200MP sensor, but that sensor isn’t going to be used to capture the most amazing moon shots you’ve ever taken on any camera (unless you’re a pro).

Samsung has dialed back the zoom to 5x (vs. 10x on the Galaxy S23 Ultra), but its AI-powered scene optimization software delivers better results than before, thanks to the larger sensor and better processing.

Everything you take with the Galaxy S24 Ultra looks better than it does on other phones. Baked some amazing cookies? The S24 Ultra’s camera makes them delicious, but they can look a little cold and uninviting when taken with an iPhone.

Portraits look great, and so do macro shots, selfies, and any video you take with this camera. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is like carrying a lens bag with you everywhere, so you can always take great photos thanks to its impressive features and excellent software processing.

If you want the best AI camera, of course. If you thought you didn’t need the S Pen, you might think again when you realize that it can also act as a remote control for the camera, in addition to other hidden features.

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3. HONOR Magic 6 Pro

The HONOR Magic 6 Pro stands out in the competitive smartphone market with its impressive AI-based camera features, powerful performance, and sleek design. This flagship phone is designed for both photography enthusiasts and tech-savvy users alike.

The HONOR Magic6 Pro also boasts a 180MP periscope telephoto lens that delivers DSLR-like image quality and captures exquisite detail. The AI-enhanced camera ensures stunning photos with vivid colors and excellent HDR processing, making it ideal for both casual and professional photography.

The 50MP ultra-wide and primary cameras add versatility, while the device’s powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor ensures smooth performance. With a 5,600mAh battery, it promises excellent battery life that easily lasts for two days with typical use.

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4. Google Pixel 8a

If you want the best If you want AI in a phone that costs under $500/£500, the Pixel 8a is the one to get. The Pixel 8a uses the same Google Tensor G3 processor as the Pixel 8 Pro, so it should be able to run pretty much all the same AI features.

It also has the same seven-year commitment to software and major Android updates, so Google should be confident enough in its affordable phone to keep up with the Pixel 8 Pro until 2031.

Like the Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel 8a can load Google Gemini. You can also run Gemini Nano LLM on the device itself, but for now it’s reserved as a developer option, so most of the AI ​​computing is done in the cloud.

The same Pixel Recorder that wowed us on the Pixel 8 Pro and the same photo editing features we loved on the Pixel 8 are available on a smaller display. The camera isn’t quite as good as the more expensive Pixel phones, but the performance is otherwise very similar, and there’s nothing that can beat the price.

If you need AI help dictating messages, summarizing news you read on the web, or recording your 8 a.m. chemistry lecture, the Pixel 8a can get the job done. It offers real, advanced AI capabilities.

Plus, the Pixel 8a is on sale right now and will likely continue to be on sale throughout the year, so keep an eye out for it if you want to save big on heavy computing.

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5. Motorola Razr  Plus (2024)

Twenty years after the original Razr set a new standard for what a flip phone could be, the Motorola Razr Plus 2024/2025 is back. Moto has squeezed the largest external screen you’ll find on any flip-style foldable, and a larger battery than the original.

The dual external cameras have been upgraded to a 50MP sensor, which is one of the best sensors currently available in a clamshell, and the Snapdragon silicon promises flawless performance.

It’s available before Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 and is considerably cheaper than the original Z Flip 5. Add in the fact that Motorola isn’t limiting what apps can run on that expansive external display, and this is without a doubt the new standard for flip phones.

The Motorola Razr+ 2024 is the first phone to run Google Gemini instead of Google Assistant, making AI-accelerated commands readily available right out of the box. That means it can recognize photos, read and write text, and answer voice questions—all without having to unfold the phone, even on the cover display.

Gemini Nano messaging is built into the default messaging app, allowing you to change the tone of your text before you send it. Think of a more formal message to a work client or a jokey tone to send to friends and family.

Motorola also has its own AI tool called Style Sync, which lets you take a photo with your phone’s camera and then create a wallpaper based on the colors and patterns of the photo. It’s designed to match your outfit, but it also works well with paintings, graffiti, and floor mats.

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6. HONOR Magic V2

Another phone to consider is the HONOR Magic V2. Featuring innovative folding technology, it combines cutting-edge features with a sleek design. This device is perfect for those looking for a versatile and capable folding phone.

The HONOR Magic V2 features a folding design with a stunning dual-screen setup. It combines a 7.92-inch primary OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 6.43-inch external screen. The AI-enhanced camera system includes a 50MP primary sensor and a 20MP telephoto camera for clear and vivid photos.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and 5,000mAh battery ensure smooth performance and impressive battery life. The device is both stylish and practical, meeting the needs of modern users who demand flexibility and top-notch camera features.

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7. Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra

Another smartphone that’s gotten even smarter this time around is Asus’ Zenfone 11 Ultra. It has some similar AI features to those mentioned above, but Asus says all of these will be coming later with a software update, so if you already own this phone, you won’t be able to use them yet at the time of writing.

There’s a live translation feature called Call Translator, which works similarly to the Samsung S24 series, translating phone calls while you speak and listen. It’s a bit slower and less accurate than Samsung’s equivalent, but it’s still a useful feature.

One very interesting feature is the noise cancellation feature. As the name suggests, this feature removes all the surrounding noise when you’re on a call, ensuring that the recipient can hear you clearly even in a noisy restaurant or train station.

Transcription is another feature that’s similar to what you’ll find on rival phones, with the ability to automatically convert and summarize voice recordings into text.

There’s also the ability to use AI-generated wallpapers to create custom images from user-provided prompts, and a semantic search feature that lets you search for images using natural language clues (though it didn’t work very well in our review).

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8. Google Pixel 8 Pro

The Google Pixel 8 Pro is heavily focused on AI (artificial intelligence) to significantly improve its camera performance, even when shooting at night. AI plays a major role in improving the detail and lighting quality of your images.

Photo editing on Pixel phones. You won’t find a photo editing feature on any other smartphone that works as well as the Pixel’s Google Photos editing feature. And the Pixel 8 is a great combination of price and performance, making it our top pick if AI-powered photo editing is your primary focus.

Today’s Pixel 8 has Photo Unblur, Magic Eraser, and Magic Editor, all of which work to retouch your photos and remove unwanted distractions to make your subject stand out.

There’s also a fantastic new Audio Eraser for video, which lets you remove background noise, noisy neighbors, and unwanted music from your videos. It’s a truly groundbreaking feature for recording.

The flagship device features a 50MP primary camera with an f/1.68 aperture and OIS stabilization. It also includes two 48MP cameras for ultra-wide and telephoto capabilities.

The nighttime camera performance is excellent, as evidenced by the DxOMark score of 123. The Pixel 8 Pro excels at delivering vivid colors in a variety of lighting conditions when taking photos or recording videos.

The phone is adept at producing accurate exposures and natural color rendering. It has lower noise levels than other budget phones.

However, DxOMark notes that the phone loses some detail in nighttime shots, resulting in less detail being retained than similarly priced competitors.

When it comes to video recording, the Google Pixel 8 Pro delivers fairly bright lighting with well-preserved detail. However, there are a few drawbacks, including noticeable noise when recording video and color reproduction that isn’t the best in its class.

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FAQs

What is an AI phone?

An AI phone features the latest software and a processor with a neural processing unit (NPU) that runs machine learning models. It uses machine learning software to create new features.

This could include generative AI features that can write or create images, or organizational AI features that can provide app suggestions and configure notifications.

Does your phone need AI?

For now, AI provides additional features that augment and improve your phone experience, but AI is not a requirement. Some AI features, like Google Gemini, aren’t preloaded on your phone, while others, like Galaxy AI, are part of your phone’s operating system.

Apple is adding Apple Intelligence to some of its phone models, but not all iPhones will support AI in the near future.

Do smartphones really have AI?

No, the best AI phones don’t have intelligence or general artificial intelligence like in science fiction. When we say a phone uses AI, we mean it uses models that use machine learning techniques to create and augment features.

For example, a phone might use a large-scale language model to transform text into a new style, or an image-generating model to create wallpapers and Genmoji. No smartphone can think for itself or create its own ideas.

What should I look for when buying an AI phone?

AI is useful right now, whether you need to transcribe audio recordings, translate conversations, or have trouble writing messages and need help. AI phones can also help improve old photos and videos, especially if you’re trying to edit old photos taken on a blurry, old smartphone.

If you want to stay ahead of the future, pick the best AI phone overall.

Does your iPhone have AI?

Apple uses machine learning and AI software to subtly improve your iPhone experience, but Apple’s future Apple Intelligence features won’t be available on iPhones until iOS 18, which is scheduled to be released in September 2025.

Even then, only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, along with all the new iPhone models, such as the iPhone 16 series that support AI, will be able to take advantage of Apple Intelligence features. Older iPhone models will likely not be able to use Apple Intelligence features.

How is AI changing photography and photo editing?

Integrating AI into smartphone cameras has a huge impact on photography and photo editing. AI-powered cameras automate many of the technical aspects of photography, simplifying the process of capturing high-quality images. This makes it easy for users, regardless of their skill level, to take professional-quality photos.

One of the most notable changes brought about by AI camera phones is the improvement of computational photography. AI algorithms can combine multiple images taken in rapid succession to create a single, highly detailed photo.

This technique, known as image stacking, reduces noise and increases dynamic range, improving the overall quality of the image.

AI also plays a significant role in photo editing. Applications that leverage the Zoom phone AI feature can automatically enhance photos, suggest edits, and even change elements within the frame.

For example, AI can remove unwanted objects from an image, adjust lighting and shadows, and even change the background with minimal user input. This level of automation and precision was previously unattainable with manual editing tools.

AI camera phones mean this technology extends to features like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). AI allows these technologies to seamlessly overlay digital content onto the real world to create immersive experiences. This is especially useful in applications like virtual reality, interactive games, and educational tools.

In terms of social media and content creation, AI camera phones have revolutionized the way users create and share content. AI-powered features like instant filters, smart cropping, and auto-enhancements allow users to quickly create visually compelling content.

This is especially useful for influencers, bloggers, and everyday users who want to share high-quality images and videos with their audiences.

Can AI on smartphones replace professional cameras?

While smartphone AI greatly enhances photography capabilities, it cannot completely replace professional cameras. Professional cameras offer superior sensor size, lens quality, and manual controls that are essential for professional photography.

AI cameras on smartphones are more convenient and accessible, providing excellent quality for everyday life and casual photography. However, for professional work that requires high resolution and advanced features, traditional cameras are still essential.

What is the difference between AI cameras and regular cameras?

The difference between AI cameras and regular cameras is that they use artificial intelligence to improve image quality. AI cameras analyze scenes and objects and automatically adjust settings for optimal results.

Regular cameras rely on user settings and lack the intelligent features that AI cameras provide. That said, AI cameras offer greater ease of use and can produce better photos in a variety of conditions, making them more versatile for everyday photography.

Conclusion

Buying an AI camera phone is one of the best ways to get into photography. With the help of AI, you can take amazing photos without having to adjust camera settings.

Whether you’re taking selfies or capturing picturesque landscapes, it’s a great feature to have on your smartphone. Fortunately, most phones today are equipped with this technology.

These devices feature advanced sensors, AI-powered processing, and flexible camera systems that allow them to take beautiful, detailed photos and videos, even in low light.

These smartphones have everything you need to improve your low-light photography, whether you’re a professional photographer or someone who enjoys taking photos at night. You’ll find that these devices will meet your needs and more. This makes night mode one of the coolest features on smartphones in 2025.