The best smartphones for making videos

With short videos on TikTok and Instagram becoming increasingly popular, having a smartphone that is great at recording videos has become a necessity for many people. The best smartphones for making short videos have one primary job – deliver the best quality videos out of the box without requiring the user to play with the settings.

It's not always necessary that the best smartphones for photography will also be good at making videos. While a great set of cameras is essential for both photos and videos, processing them is a different ball game altogether.

For a long time, Apple Inc. AAPL has ruled when it comes to capturing great videos out of the box, but its competitors like Samsung and Alphabet Inc.'s GOOGL Google are fast catching up.

If you are looking for the best smartphone for videos, read on to find out your options in 2023.

See Also: The Best Free Short Video Editing Apps On iOS And Android

Things To Consider: Before you go ahead and choose the best smartphone for making short videos, you need to keep in mind the following factors:

1.    Camera quality is the most critical factor. Color accuracy, autofocus, the availability of zero shutter lag, advanced camera features like RAW capture, manual controls, and more are essential.

2.    Battery capacity is another important factor. Video recording uses a lot of power; therefore, a larger battery is always advantageous.

3.    Processing power is just as important – a great set of cameras paired with a sub-par chipset will spoil the experience. Flagship-grade chipsets also have additional photo and video processing features, so you will want to go for a smartphone with a high-end chipset.

4.    Storage is another important aspect to remember while choosing a smartphone for making videos. Videos can take up a lot of space, so higher storage capacities are always good if you like shooting a lot of them.

Now that you know what to consider while choosing the best smartphone for making short videos, check out the list below to make your choice.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

iPhones still remain amongst the best for shooting videos on smartphones. The iPhone 14 Pro Max is the latest and greatest from Apple, sporting a 48MP primary camera with sensor-shift optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP telephoto camera, a 12MP ultrawide angle camera, and a 3D LiDAR scanner.

The iPhone 14 Pro Max can shoot 4K videos at up to 60 frames per second (fps), 1080p videos at up to 240 fps, and 10-bit HDR videos. Apple has also improved the low-light captures with a wider ISO range, and a new Action Mode helps deliver stunning videos with great stabilization.

Another benefit of going with an iPhone is the plethora of third-party lenses that expand the possibilities and let you get as creative as possible with a smartphone.

The iPhone 14 Pro Max is available starting at $1,099 on Apple.com.

Sony Xperia Pro-I

Sony has yet to give up on smartphones, and instead of catering to the mass market, it has been focusing on the pro segment. The Xperia Pro-I is a testament to that philosophy.

It sports a 6.5-inch 4K HDR OLED display, delivering stunning details in a compact form factor. Sony has also been thoughtful about the audience it is catering to, with a dedicated camera button for quick access and control.

The Xperia Pro-I has three 12MP cameras – a primary, a telephoto, an ultrawide angle snapper, and a 0.3MP 3D sensor. The 12MP primary camera has a 1-inch sensor and phase detection autofocus, a first for any smartphone. Sony has partnered with Zeiss, and all three 12MP cameras also have T* anti-reflective coating for distortion-free recording.

Hardware aside, the Xperia Pro-I's camera app comes loaded with features that enthusiasts and professionals alike will enjoy.

The best part? It is available on Amazon at $998, after a huge discount of $802.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Samsung's latest flagship, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, is another great option for vlogging on the go. Samsung has made strides in the video department over the past few years, and the Galaxy S23 Ultra ticks most boxes.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra sports a quad camera setup, with a 200MP primary camera with OIS, a 10MP periscope telephoto lens, a 10MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide angle snapper. The phone supports 8K recording at up to 30 fps and 1080p recording at up to a whopping 960 fps, and everything else in between.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is available starting at $999 on Amazon.

Google Pixel 7 Pro

Not the one to be left behind, Google launched the Pixel 7 Pro with a triple camera setup. To make it competitive, Google also added a new cinematic mode that lets you capture portrait videos – that is, videos with blurred backgrounds.

The Pixel 7 Pro sports a 50MP primary camera with OIS, a 48MP telephoto camera, and a 12MP ultrawide angle camera. It supports 4K recording at up to 60 fps and 1080p recording at up to 240 fps.

The Google Pixel 7 Pro is available starting at $999 on Amazon.

OnePlus 11

Lastly, the OnePlus 11 is also a good option if you want a smartphone that can capture short videos while being easy on your pocket. The latest flagship from OnePlus sports a triple camera setup, a 50MP primary camera with OIS, a 32MP telephoto camera, and a 48MP ultrawide angle snapper. The cameras are tuned by Hasselblad.

The OnePlus 11 Pro supports 8K recording at 24 fps and 1080p recording at up to 240 fps and everything in between.

The OnePlus 11 is available starting at $699 on Amazon.

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