The 6 Best Smartphones for Vlogging

If you’re looking for a more affordable way to vlog, a smartphone is a great choice.

Available for a wide range of budgets, smartphones are often easier to use than high-end vlogging cameras and offer similar features in terms of 4K video recording.

Some of the best smartphones on the market even offer clear OLED and QLED displays, durable Gorilla glass screens, and extended batteries.

Here are the best smartphones for vlogging available today.

Camera performance is the most important factor to consider when buying the best smartphone for Vlogging, and Huawei sure outdid themselves with the Mate 40 Pro’s cameras. The Mate 40 Pro features a triple camera setup with a 50MP main camera lens, a 20MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens. The main camera uses Huawei’s famed RYYB sensor instead which absorbs more light, for brighter and clearer images and videos.

The telephoto lens offers 5x optical zoom and up to 50x digital zoom allowing you to capture close-ups of interesting sceneries without sacrificing quality. The ultra-wide camera is where the Huawei Mate 40 pro shines best. It not only offers a wider field of view, but it also uses functions like Free-form which lets you automatically reduce distortion typical of a wide-angle camera lens.

HDR mode comes in handy when you need to lift shadows off for brighter images and videos especially in portrait mode. Huawei even offers a moon photography setting that lets you take clear, nearly realistic shots of the moon without using any special software. The mate 40 pro has a curved, 6.7inch screen with 1344x2772MP in resolution meaning the display can show more content at a go and is easy to view when under direct sunlight.

Key Features

  • Large 6.7inch screen for easy editing
  • 8GB RAM for fast and efficient performance
  • Triple camera setup for better quality vlogs and photographs
Specifications

  • Brand: Huawei
  • Storage: 128GB
  • CPU: Huawei HiSilicon Kirin 9000
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Operating System: Android 10.0
  • Battery: 4,400mAh
  • Ports: USB-C
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 50MP, 20MP, 12MP and 13MP
  • Display (Size, Resolution): 6.7-inch, 1344×2772
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS
Pros

  • Free-form prevents image and video distortion when using the ultra-wide camera
  • Has a moon photography setting
  • Portrait mode lifts shadows and highlights
  • Large, immersive display
Cons

  • Doesn’t support Google Apps

Despite stiff competition from newer Samsung models like the Samsung Fold, the S10 plus remains one of the best smartphones the brand has ever rolled out. The S10+ features a gorgeous, almost bezel-less 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a 1440×3040 resolution. The standard and telephoto lens boast optical stabilization which keeps your vlogs clear even when you’re recording in shaky conditions such as when driving on a bumpy road.

The ultra-wide camera offers you an expanded field of view so you easily fit more content in a single frame. The three-camera arrangement makes vlogging, and content creation a breeze since you can go from capturing standard shots with the main camera to super-wide sweeping landscapes using the ultra-wide camera, to getting a close-up of things that are far away using the telephoto lens.

The S10+ also boasts functions like Portrait mode which allows you to blur, or spot color your portrait shots for clearer, color-rich image, and video content. The front-facing camera offers 10MP and boasts dual autofocus which makes tracking and focusing on a moving subject a breeze. The S10+ also features a Bright Night Shot function for clearer, detailed photo, and video recording even in low-lit settings.

Thanks to the new scene optimizer feature, you no longer have to find the perfect settings as the S10+ AI-based cameras can recognize up to 30 scenes, and automatically adjust the relevant settings, for clear and vivid yet realistic images and videos. The scene optimizer will even automatically turn on Night shot mode when shooting in extremely low-light conditions.

Key Features

  • Wireless powershare is perfect for users with multiple accessories
  • HDR10+ for smooth motion control
  • Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner allows easy launching
Specifications

  • Brand: Samsung
  • Storage: 128GB
  • CPU: Samsung Exynos 9820
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Operating System: Android 9.0
  • Battery: 4,100mAh
  • Ports: USB-C
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 12MP, 16MP, 12MP and 10MP
  • Display (Size, Resolution): 6.4-inch, 1440×3040
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS
Pros

  • Advanced camera functions
  • All-day long battery life
  • Expandable storage
  • Superb 6.4-inch AMOLED infinity display

Want the best smartphone for vlogging but working on a tight budget? You might want to check out the Google Pixel 5. Pixel 5 comes in with a six-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080×2340. That means the screen is big enough for seamless vlogging, and video editing yet the phone itself is easily handheld.

It’s equipped with a durable Corning Gorilla Glass display and an equally durable aluminum back panel so you can panic a little less when it drops. The Pixel 5 offers 8GB RAM so you’ll never have to deal with lagging even when running demanding vlog editing software. You also get 128GB storage, allowing you plenty of space to capture and save countless vlogs. The battery easily lasts up to 24 hours making the Pixel a perfect companion to a vlogger who’s always chasing after content outdoors.

As for the cameras, the Pixel 5 has a dual setup with a 12.2MP standard lens and 16MP ultra-wide camera lens. The standard lens does a pretty good job thanks to functions like optical and electronic image stabilization which adjusts sensors accordingly when you’re moving so the video being captured remains stable and clear. The ultra-wide camera on the other hand offers a wider field of view allowing you to capture more elements in a single frame even while close.

Key Features

  • Autofocus with dual pixel detection improves speed and accuracy
  • EIS maintains sensor stability for clearer videos on the move
  • HDR+ for greater color-accuracy
  • Portrait mode adds light for quality, shadow-free shots
Specifications

  • Brand: Google
  • Storage: 128GB
  • CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Operating System: Android 11
  • Battery: 4,080mAh
  • Ports: USB-C 3.1
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 16MP, 8MP
  • Display (Size, Resolution): 6.0-inch, 1080×2340
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, LTE
Pros

  • Quite affordable
  • Large, bright display
  • Automatic night mode feature
  • Features optical and electronic image stabilization
Cons

  • Below-average audio quality due to speaker arrangement

2020 might have been hard, but Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro Max made it a little better, especially for vloggers and other content creators. Released as part of the iPhone 12 family, the Pro Max has a 12MP front camera and packs an outstanding triple rear camera module which includes standard wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto zoom cameras. Each rear camera boasts features that make it better at vlogging and general recording.

For instance, the main 12MP standard wide camera was equipped with a bigger sensor to absorb more light for brighter, clearer images and videos even when shot in low-lit conditions. The telephoto camera offers a 2.5 optical zoom, allowing vloggers to easily get a close-up of faraway things without sacrificing quality. The iPhone 12 Pro Max records 4k videos at 60fps, bringing it up to par with most cameras in the market.

On top of that, it’s among the first smartphones in the market that can shoot in Dolby Vision. It automatically adjusts visual data so each scene is optimized for clearer, brighter videos your subscribers will love. Apple also added a LiDar scanner to deliver improved range and easier focusing even in low-light conditions. It also boasts sensor-shift image stabilization to automatically adjust the sensor when bumped, allowing you to capture clear and stable videos even when on the move.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max ships with a powerful A14 processor, which, when combined with up to 6GB RAM, means it’s fast and efficient even when handling heavy editing. You get up to 128GB storage, so you can record and save countless vlogs. It sports a 6.7inch OLED screen with a maximum resolution of 2778×1284 and a brightness of 800 nits. That means you can comfortably record and edit vlogs even under direct sunlight.

Key Features

  • 12x digital zoom to easily focus on specific parts of an image
  • IP68 Waterproof rating
  • 4k video recording from 24fps to 60fps
  • Dedicated night mode
Specifications

  • Brand: Apple
  • Storage: 128GB
  • CPU: Apple A14 Bionic
  • Memory: 12GB
  • Operating System: iOS 14
  • Battery: 3,687mAh
  • Ports: USB-C
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 12MP rear cameras, 12MP
  • Display (Size, Resolution): 6.7-Inch, 2778×1284
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS
Pros

  • Supports Dolby Vision
  • All three cameras feature night mode support
  • Features sensor-shift stabilization
  • Long battery runtime
Cons

  • It’s heavy
  • Storage isn’t expandable

OnePlus might be a relatively new player in the market, but their OnePlus 8 Pro is undoubtedly worth considering if you’re in the market for the best smartphone for vlogging. The smartphone features a 48MP main camera lens, a 48MP wide-angle lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and a digital zoom of up to 30x. You can shoot at either 48MP or 12MP using the standard camera lens, while the wide-angle, 48MP lens gives you a wide, 119-degree field of view, so you can capture sweeping cityscapes in a single frame.

There’s even a dedicated color camera that lets you add filters to the content you’re shooting for high-quality videos your subscribers will love. Besides the camera, another most notable feature of the OnePlus 8 pro is its huge display. At 6.78 inches, the OnePlus 8 Pro has one of the biggest smartphone displays in the market which means additional real estate for smooth vlogging, and video editing.

It’s an AMOLED display with a maximum resolution of 1440×3168 which means it’s bright enough even under direct sunlight. With a refresh rate of 120Hz, the OnePlus Pro offers a smooth and enjoyable user experience at all times. Battery lasts about nine hours when using the 120Hz refresh rate and offers an extra two hours when running on 60Hz.

Key Features

  • 120GHz refresh rate for smoother performance
  • Reverse charging to keep smartphone powered even without access to a power outlet
  • IP68 water and dust resistance rating
Specifications

  • Brand: One Plus
  • Storage: 128GB
  • CPU: Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Operating System: Android 10
  • Battery: 4,510mAh
  • Ports: USB-C
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 48MP, 48MP, 5MP and 16MP
  • Display (Size, Resolution): 6.78-inch, 1440 x 3168
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS
Pros

  • Great camera
  • Superfast charging
  • Premium design

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If you find the iPhone 12 Pro Max big, you’ll love the iPhone 11 Pro. At 5.67 x 2.81 x 0.32, this smartphone is easily handheld for seamless recording. Still, the iPhone 11 Pro doesn’t skimp on performance and features particularly incredible specs for vlogging even at its size. The front camera offers 12MP and a wider focal length meaning your friends will no longer be cut out from group selfies and videos.

The iPhone 11 Pro also features a triple 12MP camera setup with standard wide, ultra-wide, and 2x telephoto cameras. The ultra-wide camera was a much-needed addition as it greatly expands the view so you capture more content without losing the image and video quality. Apple didn’t just add more cameras to the iPhone 11 Pro; it also made them easy to use. For instance, whenever you’re using the ultra-wide camera, it also displays what you’d be seeing when using the telephoto camera. This allows you to quickly determine which camera captures a specific scene better when vlogging.

The iPhone 11 Pro also boasts Deep Fusion to combine multiple images shot in low-lit conditions for brighter, clearer night photographs and videos. The iPhone 11 Pro ships with an A13 processor and packs 4GB RAM, so apps always launch and respond efficiently. This makes capturing and editing content pretty seamless.

Key Features

  • 4K video recording at 30fps to 60fps
  • Night mode automatically adjusts brightness for better pictures and videos
  • Smart HDR controls highlights for better shots
Specifications

  • Brand: Apple
  • Storage: 64GB
  • CPU: Apple A13 Bionic
  • Memory: 4GB
  • Operating System: iOS 13
  • Battery: 3,046mAh
  • Ports: USB 2.0
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 12MP, 12MP
  • Display (Size, Resolution): 5.8-inch, 1125×2436
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, GPS
Pros

  • Triple camera system
  • Superb night mode feature
  • Great battery life
  • Has deep fusion

Specifications

  • Brand: Sony
  • Storage: 256GB
  • CPU: Snapdragon 865
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Operating System: Android 10
  • Battery: 4,000mAh
  • Ports: 1x USB-C 3.1, 1x, 3.5mm jack
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 12MP, 8MP
  • Display (Size, Resolution): 6.5-inch, 1644×3840
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FAQ

Q: What Should I Look For When Buying The Best Smartphone For Vlogging?

The camera is the first, and most important feature to consider when buying a smartphone for vlogging. Ensure you get at least 12MP on the standard camera, and try to prioritize models with a dual or triple camera module for better quality videos. The last thing you want is your smartphone to die on you while in the middle of recording a mind-blowing scene so ensure you consider the battery life too. You’ll also want a smartphone with a bigger and brighter screen for easy editing, and vlogging under direct sunlight. Also check the amount of RAM, and storage at your disposal.

Q: Why Use A Smartphone For Vlogging?

While there is no comparing smartphones with professional cameras, using a smartphone for vlogging means cutting costs as they are significantly cheaper than high-end vlogging equipment. Using the best smartphone for vlogging also means less baggage to carry compared to when you have to carry mirrorless cameras, DSLRs, and all the relevant camera accessories. Plus, the learning curve is less steep as you are already familiar with how smartphones work. This makes vlogging a tad easier especially for beginners who might have a hard time familiarizing themselves with camera settings. Smartphones nowadays boast all the features you need for quality vlogging.

Q: What Exactly Makes The Best Smartphone Camera For Vlogging?

A smartphone camera for vlogging should have a wider lens aperture since the feature controls the amount of light reaching the sensor. Megapixel quality is also equally important. Usually, the more megapixels, the better the image will be. But note, more megapixels without a good camera sensor still means low-quality images so ensure you check out the sensor quality too. Look for a smartphone camera with features such as optical image stabilization to reduce the impact of shake on your vlogs, and HDR to improve quality. Other important features that make a good smartphone camera for vlogging include ISO control, great zoom capabilities, and easy-to-use camera control features.

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