In 2025, smartphone photography has evolved from a nice-to-have feature into a must-have for many Malaysians. Whether it’s capturing breathtaking landscapes in the Cameron Highlands or recording TikTok moments with friends, the right phone can make all the difference. Let’s explore the best photography phones that Malaysians can get their hands on this year.
Samsung’s S25 Ultra continues to lead the pack with its versatile camera setup. It offers a high-resolution 200MP main sensor, improved ultra-wide and dual telephoto lenses, and better low-light performance than previous models. In real-world use, that means you get more detail when zooming in—especially useful for concert shots or distant landscapes — and more reliable results when shooting at night or indoors without needing to tinker with settings.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn’t deviate far from Apple’s usual formula, but it refines it in meaningful ways. The upgraded 48MP ultra-wide camera offers noticeably sharper results, and the new physical camera button makes it quicker to launch and shoot. Video features like 4K at 120fps and ProRes recording remain strong points, making it a solid choice for users who value consistency across both photos and videos — especially when editing within the Apple ecosystem.
With the Pixel 9 Pro XL, Google continues to lean into computational photography. The hardware is solid—featuring a 50MP main sensor and dual 48MP lenses — but it’s the software where it stands out. Features like Photo Unblur, Magic Editor, and Night Sight make casual shots look more polished with minimal effort. It’s especially good for street and lifestyle photography where lighting and timing aren’t always ideal, but you still want a clean final image.
Xiaomi’s 15 Ultra, equipped with Leica lenses and a large 1-inch sensor, is built with photography enthusiasts in mind. It offers more manual control than most other phones, including LOG video recording and pro-level settings. For users who enjoy shooting in RAW or adjusting exposure and focus manually, this phone provides the tools. It also performs well in complex lighting, like cityscapes at dusk or scenes with strong contrast.
As a mid-range option, the realme 14 Pro offers a respectable camera experience at a lower price point. Its 50MP main sensor delivers solid results in good lighting, and features like dual-view video and a dedicated street photography mode give it some creative flexibility. While it won’t compete with the flagships in low light or advanced zoom, it handles everyday shots — food, portraits, casual outings — very well for the price.
The vivo X200 Pro puts a strong emphasis on portrait photography, thanks in part to its partnership with ZEISS. It includes a 200MP periscope telephoto lens and two other 50MP sensors, offering a lot of range without sacrificing quality. The colour tuning tends to be more natural, especially for skin tones, and the background blur in portrait mode looks closer to what you’d get with a DSLR. It’s a good pick if you often shoot people, whether for social media or personal use.
Often shoot in low light or need strong zoom?
- The Galaxy S25 Ultra handles both with confidence, making it great for concerts, city nights, or travel.
Prefer clean, consistent results without much effort?
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers sharp photos and smooth video with minimal tweaking.
Rely on smart tools to clean up or enhance your shots?
- The Pixel 9 Pro XL is strong on AI-powered edits and fixes that help improve casual, everyday photos.
Like manual controls or experimenting with framing and settings?
- The Xiaomi 15 Ultra gives you room to get creative, especially if you’re into pro-style photography.
Looking for solid camera performance without spending too much?
- The realme 14 Pro offers decent image quality and fun features for the price.
Mainly take portraits or people shots?
- The vivo X200 Pro does well with skin tones and background blur, especially for close-up portraits.
No matter your photography style or budget, there’s a phone in 2025 that fits the way you shoot. The best camera, after all, is the one that’s always with you — and now, it’s also smart enough to help you get the shot, wherever you are.
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