Smartphone camera race: Who's in pole position from now on?

Competition in the smartphone camera market is no longer limited to traditional brands. Today, we are witnessing a major shift with the emergence of Chinese phone companies with their own innovations.

In this article, we explore how the concept of the best camera has changed, and what made the cameras of Vivo, Oppo, Xiaomi, and others exceed expectations and reshape the mobile photography landscape.

Evolution of the smart camera concept Smartphone cameras have evolved from small lenses to integrated systems that combine sensors, sensors, software, and machine learning. A large sensor has become a key factor in improving image quality in low light, while dual or triple lenses play a role in diversifying scenes between wide and optical zoom.

Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) has become a must-have for every phone that aims to deliver sharp, shake-free images.

The most important equation currently is what is known as computational photography, a principle that companies rely on by combining artificial intelligence and software to process lighting, determine colors, and highlight fine details, making images more realistic even on phones that do not have large sensors.

Vivo: The professional lens revolution begins in Asia Vivo was among the first to combine professional cameras with AI technologies . In its latest X300 series, it features a 200MP main camera, a telephoto lens, and a 50MP ultra-wide lens, all with a Sony LYT-828 sensor. Its collaboration with German company Zeiss has also enhanced optical performance in terms of color and detail accuracy.

Vivo's most notable innovation is the over-the-top lens, which extends the focal length to 200mm, giving photography enthusiasts an experience closer to that of professional cameras.

With these developments, Vivo has become a symbol of a new generation of smartphone cameras that combine optical development with software intelligence.

OPPO: Realistic Colors and Cinematic Photography Experience Oppo has taken a different path, focusing on the visual experience over rigid specifications. Its Find X9 Pro phone comes with a 200-megapixel telephoto lens, 3x optical zoom, and four-axis stabilization.

But what really sets OPPO apart is its Danxia Color technology, which enables precise color processing across all lenses to deliver a natural color balance closer to what the human eye sees.

OPPO's collaboration with Swedish company Hasselblad to develop photography modes and color filters adds a new artistic dimension to the photography experience, making smartphone photos comparable to those captured by professional cameras. The company aims to combine aesthetic creativity with technical precision in the world of smartphone cameras.

Xiaomi: A new standard in size and precision And Xiaomi certainly hasn't fallen behind, with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, which boasts a massive full-inch sensor and 200-megapixel and 50-megapixel lenses, putting the camera on par with some standalone digital cameras.

But the real highlight is the second camera, which features a floating lens that allows macro photography from as close as 10 centimeters, without losing focus or requiring digital processing, resulting in more natural and in-depth images.

Xiaomi didn't just innovate hardware, but also introduced a new concept called the Professional Photography Kit, a set of accessories such as a grip, buttons, and manual aperture control to give users a photography experience similar to that of professional cameras.

This trend demonstrates that smartphones are going beyond being everyday tools to becoming true visual production tools.

Apple: Betting on integration rather than numbers Despite companies' attempts to improve their phone cameras, Apple remains a leader in stabilization. While the iPhone series' cameras have never been the highest-spec on paper, they deliver real-world results in all lighting conditions.

The secret lies in the integration between the phone's hardware and software, such as iOS, which enables fast and accurate image processing. With each update, Apple continues to improve the camera's artificial intelligence , develop Smart HDR, and provide long-term support that makes the user experience more stable and continuous.

However, criticism remains directed at the company for its slow development of optical zoom or interchangeable lenses, unlike Chinese phone companies, which love experimentation and adventure. Apple appears more conservative in its hardware innovations in favor of a complete software experience.

Samsung: Temporary Decline or the Beginning of the End of Leadership? For a decade, Samsung has been synonymous with high-performance phone cameras, particularly with the Galaxy S series, but today it faces fierce competition from Chinese companies that have become more aggressive in design and testing.

In recent ratings such as DxOMark, the Galaxy S' cameras have slipped to 21st place, a sign of mounting competitive pressure, yet Samsung maintains a consistent level of strength in dynamic color and night shots thanks to its advanced software.

The real challenge for Samsung is to reclaim the element of wonder. It has the resources and expertise, but it must redirect innovation towards what appeals to professional photographers, not just ordinary users.

China is reshaping the visual future of mobile phones. What's happening today in the world of smartphone cameras is a strategic shift, not just a technical improvement. Chinese companies are no longer copycats, but leaders in areas such as computational photography, interchangeable lenses, and full manual control over settings.

The use of artificial intelligence to analyze scenes and estimate lighting has made phones capable of producing images that rival those of mid-range standalone digital cameras.

The global demand for these brands reflects a new awareness among consumers that the value of a camera is not measured by the brand, but by the quality of the experience.

In the coming years, this competition is expected to expand to broader areas, including cinematic-quality video capture and support for new sensors based on LiDAR and hyperspectral vision technologies.

What's next for the smart camera market? Market trends indicate that the criteria for the best smartphone camera will continue to change rapidly.

Vivo and Oppo focus on professional lenses and color grading, while Xiaomi focuses on a comprehensive experience for amateurs and professionals. Apple and Samsung, in turn, remain competitive thanks to system integration and software strength.

Ultimately, it seems the future of smartphone cameras will be a combination of artificial intelligence and specialized design.

Phones will no longer be mere communication devices, but rather integrated photography tools capable of producing professional-level creative content. Ironically, what was once a luxury for professional photographers is now in every user's pocket.

Thus, it can be said that what we are witnessing today is a true visual revolution led by Asian companies , proving that innovation does not always require years of leadership, but rather the vision and courage to break old rules.

Whether you're an iPhone enthusiast, a longtime Samsung user, or someone drawn to the prowess of Vivo and Xiaomi, the upcoming photography experience will redefine the boundaries of what smartphone cameras can offer in the world of visual creativity.