if you’re looking for the best optical zoom camera phones to buy in 2024, this guide will help you navigate the top contenders, explaining the differences in zoom technologies and offering recommendations based on your needs. In 2024, smartphones have become more powerful than ever, with camera systems that rival dedicated cameras. A key trend in this evolution is the growing focus on telephoto and periscope zoom lenses, offering remarkable zoom capabilities that enhance mobile photography.
Understanding Zoom: Digital, Optical, and Hybrid
Before diving into the list of top phones, it’s essential to understand the types of zoom technologies you’ll encounter: digital, optical, and hybrid zoom.
Digital Zoom
Digital zoom simply enlarges the image by cropping and stretching a portion of the frame, which often leads to reduced quality. However, newer phones such as the iPhone 16 and Google Pixel 9 have improved this by using advanced sensor cropping. For example, even if a sensor has a 48 MP resolution, it can digitally crop in and still deliver a crisp 12 MP image without too much loss in quality.
Optical Zoom
Optical zoom is the gold standard because it is lossless, meaning there’s no quality reduction. On phones, optical zoom works differently compared to DSLR cameras, as smartphones switch between multiple cameras with different focal lengths. This allows for zoom without the need for moving lens parts.
However, true optical zoom only works at specific focal lengths. For instance, if your phone has a 5x zoom lens, you’ll get lossless zoom only at 5x. Anything between 1x and 5x is likely to be digital zoom, which is not as sharp.
Hybrid Zoom
Hybrid zoom combines optical and digital zoom along with computational photography. While hybrid zoom can achieve impressive levels like 50x, 100x, or even 120x, it’s important to know that these numbers often come with a compromise in image quality, especially at extreme zoom levels.
Top 12 Optical Zoom Camera Phones in 2024
With these basics in mind, let’s explore the best optical zoom camera phones you can buy in 2024, offering a mix of high-end photography performance and great features.
1. HONOR Magic6 Pro
The HONOR Magic6 Pro stands out with its exceptional zoom capabilities. The 180 MP zoom lens with 2.5x optical zoom is the star of the show, backed by a large 1/1.49” sensor, autofocus, and optical image stabilization (OIS). This camera also excels in portrait photography due to the shallow depth of field provided by the telephoto lens. Its versatile 50 MP main and ultra-wide cameras round out a robust camera system.
Key Specs:
- Optical Zoom: 2.5x
- Rear Camera: 50 MP + 180 MP + 50 MP
- Front Camera: 50 MP
- Battery: 5,600 mAh, 80W fast charging
2. Xiaomi 14 Ultra
Xiaomi’s 14 Ultra takes zoom photography to the next level with its dual periscope lenses. One offers 3.2x optical zoom while the other delivers 5x optical zoom, perfect for capturing distant subjects without loss of detail. The 50 MP primary camera with a 1” sensor ensures high-quality photos, even in low-light conditions.
Key Specs:
- Optical Zoom: 3.2x and 5x
- Rear Camera: 50 MP + 50 MP + 50 MP
- Front Camera: 32 MP
- Battery: 5,900 mAh, 90W fast charging
3. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Galaxy S24 Ultra remains a top choice for zoom enthusiasts, featuring dual intermediate zoom lenses that offer 3x and 5x optical zoom. Samsung’s innovative periscope lens provides up to 100x digital zoom, but the real value is in its lossless zooming at 5x. The 200 MP main camera delivers superb detail, making it a solid all-around performer.
Key Specs:
- Rear Camera: 200 MP + 50 MP + 10 MP + 12 MP
- Front Camera: 12 MP
- Battery: 5,000 mAh, 45W fast charging
4. iPhone 16 Pro
Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro is equipped with a 5x optical zoom using its innovative tetraprism telephoto lens. The 12 MP telephoto sensor is designed for capturing sharp, lossless images at a distance. This phone also shines in portrait photography, thanks to its natural bokeh and dual-pixel autofocus.
Key Specs:
- Optical Zoom: 5x
- Rear Camera: 48 MP + 12 MP + 48 MP
- Front Camera: 12 MP
- Battery: 3,582 mAh, 25W wireless charging
5. iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 16 Pro Max shares the same camera setup as the iPhone 16 Pro but comes with a larger display and slightly better battery life. With its 5x optical zoom, it offers lossless zooming, making it a great option for those who prioritize photography.
Key Specs:
- Rear Camera: 48 MP + 12 MP + 48 MP
- Front Camera: 12 MP
- Battery: 4,000 mAh, 25W wireless charging
6. vivo X100 Pro
The vivo X100 Pro is built for photography lovers, featuring a 4.3x optical zoom with its 50 MP periscope telephoto lens. The large 1” sensor in the main camera ensures excellent image quality across all lighting conditions.
Key Specs:
- Rear Camera: 50 MP + 50 MP + 50 MP
- Front Camera: 32 MP
- Battery: 5,000 mAh, 120W fast charging
7. vivo X100
The entry-level vivo X100 delivers great zoom capabilities for its price, with 3x optical zoom via its 64 MP periscope lens. The camera system is further enhanced by a 50 MP main lens and ultra-wide camera, making it a solid choice for photography on a budget.
Key Specs:
- Rear Camera: 64 MP + 50 MP + 50 MP
- Front Camera: 32 MP
- Battery: 5,400 mAh, 120W fast charging
8. OnePlus 12
The OnePlus 12 brings 3x optical zoom with its 64 MP telephoto camera, providing clear, detailed images even when zooming in. Its 50 MP main camera and 48 MP ultra-wide lens make it a versatile device for all kinds of photography.
Key Specs:
- Optical Zoom: 3x
- Rear Camera: 64 MP + 50 MP + 48 MP
- Front Camera: 32 MP
- Battery: 5,400 mAh, 100W fast charging
9. OnePlus Open
The OnePlus Open is a foldable phone that doesn’t compromise on camera quality. It mirrors the OnePlus 12’s 64 MP periscope lens, delivering 3x optical zoom with stunning clarity. Its foldable design makes it a unique option for users looking for something different.
Key Specs:
- Optical Zoom: 3x
- Rear Camera: 64 MP + 48 MP + 48 MP
- Front Camera: 20 MP + 32 MP
- Battery: 4,800 mAh, 67W fast charging
10. vivo X Fold3 Pro
For users who prefer foldable devices, the vivo X Fold3 Pro stands out with its 64 MP periscope telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom. This phone combines innovative design with high-end camera features, making it perfect for photography on the go.
Key Specs:
- Optical Zoom: 3x
- Rear Camera: 50 MP + 64 MP + 50 MP
- Front Camera: 32 MP
- Battery: 5,700 mAh, 100W fast charging
11. Google Pixel 9 Pro
Google’s Pixel series is known for its computational photography, and the Pixel 9 Pro adds a powerful 5x optical zoom lens to its camera setup. This device excels in low-light conditions, making it one of the best zoom cameras for night photography.
Key Specs:
- Optical Zoom: 5x
- Rear Camera: 50 MP + 48 MP + 12 MP
- Front Camera: 12 MP
- Battery: 4,900 mAh, 30W fast charging
12. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
If you’re searching for a larger phone with a greater battery, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is ideal. With autofocus, OIS, and a 5x optical zoom, it has the same 48 MP periscope telephoto lens (113 mm, f/2.8, 1/2.55″ sensor) as the Pixel 9 Pro.
The ultrawide is a 48 MP (12 mm, f/1.7, 1/2.55″ sensor) with autofocus, and the main is a 50 MP lens (f/1.7, 25 mm, 1/1.31″ sensor, autofocus, OIS). As with the Pixel 9 Pro, you have a 42 MP (f/2.2, 17 mm) ultra-wide camera with autofocus for selfies.
Key Specs:
- Optical Zoom: 5x and 10x
- Rear Camera: 50 MP + 48 MP + 48 MP
- Front Camera: 42 MP
