Best Value Mobile with Good Camera?

Can anyone recommend a mobile with very good cameras, please. I'm not looking to buy the most expensive as I believe the difference won't be noticeable but obviously I'm not looking for low end. Currently using mi max 3. I'm looking at Xiaomi or other Chinese brands. Budget? Under a $1000. A quick check and I'm looking at Mi 9 or something around that.

Edit: it's for taking photos of family members. Screen size important. Don't need any fancy ir blaster etc. Good size screen, very good cameras and if 5G then a bonus but is not a deal breaker.

Comments

  • Iphone SE2?

  • +2

    I've upgraded from a mi max 3 as well to a oppo reno 5g and am very happy with the speed boost and camera quality. The battery isn't as impressive though.

    Depends on what kind of photography is important to you. I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying the triple camera set up (ultra wide, standard and 2x telescope zoom with up to 60x digital).

    Mi note 10 and one plus phones are worth looking into.

    For me, it's hard to recommend the iphone SE2 since it only has one camera though the camera smarts are very good and iphones are generally better at recording video than androids.

    I'd recommended looking at this.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/554423

    Edit: the reno 5g doesn't have dual sim or IR blaster if that's important to you. Zoom above 10x isn't too usable

    • +1

      Thanks. Screen size of iPhone se unfortunately is a problem. Don't need ir blaster etc. Definitely would consider a 5g phone if possible, thanks.

  • +5

    Pixel 4a

  • +1

    OnePlus 6T, 7 or 7T

  • +1

    Xiaomi Mi 10? I saw a video and the reviewer said this is the best camera in the market. The phone is very affordable. I am currently using a Huawei P30 which has a great camera in its own right. I might have to shift to Xiaomi with my next phone considering the current ban that Google has placed on Huawei.

    • I've ended up on the mi 10. Just looking at difference between 10 and pro. Obviously pro is beyond what I want to spend. The mi 10 looks good, just reading up on camera differences with the pro.

  • +1

    Mate 20 is still the best value phone of all time.

    • Thanks. Just looking at the Mate 20 Pro now. No 5G here and unlikely to be anytime soon so spending extra for that is a waste. Camera seems good on the phone at a good price but need to do some digging.

      • +1

        Not the Pro, the standard. Pro has a better camera, but let me put it in perspective. If the iPhone 11 Pro has a A+++ camera, the Mate 20 Pro is an A++ and the Mate 20 is an A+. These are all insanely good cameras - I bet you couldn't even pick them apart. I take better photos on my Mate 20 than my friends do on their iPhone 11 Pros. Battery life is insane, literally 2 days if you TRY and churn through battery. Screen is great (Mate 20 Pro is insane, look at the specs) - I replaced mine after 1.8yrs after dropping it - $70 shipped for a replacement that came with a brand new battery. I literally cannot find a phone I want to upgrade to. The Mi 10 Ultra has the specs, but the more I see of the software, the more I'm turned off.

        Has NEVER had any slow down even after nearly 2 years (I literally cannot say that about ANY OTHER PHONE, including iPhones and especially ALL Google's own phones), constant software and security updates, still runs like brand new, even with nearly full 128GB storage (remember, you can add a 512GB memory card as well) and charges in no time with the wired charger (Pro has 40W Super charging and wireless and reverse wireless charging).

        Edit: AND the Pro is only $599 at HN - NUTTY good value!

        Link

        • Thanks. Yes, saw the mate 20 pro and also the recent p30 which is meant to have a slightly better camera but as you said I wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

  • +1

    Probably Pixel 4a will have the best cameras in the price bracket.

    • +1

      Thanks. Yup saw and read up on it. Definitely a contender.

      • The other phone I'd recommend would be an iPhone SE, if you're also looking for a phone that will last you 4+ years.

        As much as people hate on Apple products on OzB, I've yet to have an Android phone that have lasted as well as family/friends' iPhones.

        Still have people in my life that daily drive an iPhone 6S+ or the original iPhone SE, whereas I have yet to meet anyone that still uses a Galaxy S6.

        • Yup, know what you mean. The SE definitely has what I'm after but size may be an issue.

          • +1

            @tessel: The SE camera and battery are literally bad.

            • +1

              @KLoNe: I own an SE, and coming from a S9+ I wouldn't say that the camera or the battery are worse than the S9+. It's easy to read a spec sheet and say that X is worse than Y, but from real world use I can't say I've been unhappy with the SE.

              There's definitely less 'software playing around' on the SE, less manual control but I've always been more of a point and snap type mobile shooter anyway.

              The only real complaints I have with the SE is that the screen is a major step-down from the S9+ in every way, from brightness to sharpness to colour to size, and the use of a lightning port (which can be worked around with wireless charging).

          • +1

            @tessel: If you wait a month you can take a look at what Apple will be offering with their iPhone 12 line, or see if the drop in the iPhone 11 is decent enough to be an alternative.

            • +1

              @frowny: Thanks. I've no problem buying last year's flagship phone etc. Just like I don't need 5G as my current phone doesn't have B28 (god forbid the ozbargain police find out) as I don't need it. Just want something with good camera and will last a few years before being replaced.

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