10 Smartphones with Best Night Photography
Not all smartphones are great at taking pictures at night. Usually, only phones with advanced camera setups can handle it well. With the right features, these smartphones can capture amazing photos even in low-light settings, like during the night.
"Night mode" might sound complex, but it's basically just a setting that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to adjust for things like light levels, any movement of the phone, and movement of whatever you're trying to photograph.
Now, Carisinyal will share some of the best smartphones for night photography. This list could be a helpful guide if you're thinking about getting a phone with excellent night photography features. The ranking is based on DxOMark camera test scores and discussions as well as other reviews.
Interested in knowing which phones have the best night mode? Check out the list below.
1. Huawei Pura 70 Ultra

Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is known for taking great photos, especially in low light, where it scored 138 points in DxOMark tests. This phone has a 50MP main camera from Sony with a big 1-inch sensor.
Uniquely, the lens can extend to capture more light, which helps it take better photos in the dark. It also has a 50MP telephoto lens that can zoom in 3.5 times without losing image quality and has a feature to keep images stable.
For wider shots, there is a 40 MP ultrawide camera that automatically focuses and captures clear images. The phone can record high-quality videos in 4K and 1080p and has a special stabilization feature to keep videos smooth when you're moving. The front camera is also wide and has autofocus, great for group selfies or wide scenes.
The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra does really well in low light, showing clear details and keeping the bright and dark parts of the picture balanced. It also doesn’t show much noise in night photos.
However, it's not without its flaws. The texture rendering in night shots can appear less natural, and unlike some of its competitors, it does not support 8K video recording. Additionally, the lack of an external memory slot could be a limitation for users who need extra storage.
2. OPPO Find X7 Ultra

OPPO Find X7 Ultra is an impressive smartphone, especially for those who prioritize photography. It scored 135 points on the DxOMark test for low-light photos, which is an excellent performance.
The phone's design features a distinctive, centrally placed large round camera, setting it apart as a device focused on photography. It includes four 50 MP cameras, all offering flagship-grade quality. The main wide-angle sensor, a Sony LYT-900, has a 1-inch size and OIS to ensure bright photos under any conditions.
In addition to a standard telephoto lens, the Find X7 Ultra includes two periscope telephoto cameras, which is uncommon since most flagship phones typically have just one.
It also has a 50 MP ultra-wide camera with a 123-degree field of view, which is wider than most, and this camera supports autofocus to capture sharply detailed images effortlessly.
This model is well-suited for professional content creators, capable of recording 4K videos at 60 FPS, supporting Dolby Vision, and handling 10-bit video.
Photos and videos produced by this phone display finely textured details with minimal noise, even in low light, and the color rendering in video remains natural and accurate, presenting pleasing skin tones even under challenging lighting.
However, the phone does have some limitations. It does not support 8K video recording, lacks a 3.5 mm audio port, and does not have a slot for external memory.
The battery life is somewhat shorter compared to other flagship models. Additionally, the performance of the ultra-wide camera is not as strong as other cameras on the device.
3. Honor Magic6 Pro

Honor Magic6 Pro also has impressive camera features, particularly in low-light conditions. Its main camera, a 50MP Omnivision OVH9000, excels in night photography with effective optical image stabilization (OIS).
For distant shots, the 180MP Samsung ISOCELL HP3 telephoto periscope camera offers precision with support for phase detection autofocus (PDAF), OIS, and up to 2.5x optical zoom. The ultra-wide sensor, a 50MP Samsung S5KJN1, provides a 122-degree field of view and includes an autofocus feature.
The front camera uses a 50MP Sony IMX816 sensor with autofocus and electronic image stabilization (EIS), capable of recording 4K video at 30 frames per second. Additionally, the 3D ToF feature enhances portrait mode and face unlock.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, the phone benefits from Spectra’s advanced 18-bit Triple ISP, allowing support for up to 200MP resolution and producing low-noise photos with accurate exposure and a wide dynamic range.
However, it has a few shortcomings. In low-light conditions, details on the subject are not always preserved well, and HDR rendering can be unstable. The phone does not support 8K recording, and the front camera is limited to 30 FPS for 4K video recording.
4. Huawei P60 Pro

Huawei P60 Pro performs exceptionally well in low-light conditions, achieving a score of 132 in DxOMark tests. Its 48MP main camera features a variable aperture ranging from f/1.4 to f/4.0, along with PDAF, Laser AF, and OIS for clear and detailed shots.
The 48MP telephoto camera supports up to 3.5x optical zoom and is equipped with sensor-shift OIS for added stability. For wider shots, the 13MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus ensures better detail preservation.
Both the front and rear cameras support 4K video recording at 60 frames per second, with gyro-EIS providing stable footage even while moving.
The selfie camera’s ultra-wide feature is ideal for group photos, and the front camera's 4K recording capability makes it a great choice for vloggers.
This phone excels in capturing bright exposure in very dark conditions, with minimal motion blur and sharp details when zooming in during night video recording. Autofocus and stabilization also remain effective in low-light videos.
However, there are some drawbacks. Skin tones in nighttime videos can occasionally appear unnatural. The phone lacks 8K video recording, a 3.5mm audio port, and its battery capacity is slightly below average.
5. OPPO Find X6 Pro

OPPO Find X6 Pro excels in nighttime photography, earning 132 points in DxOMark's evaluation. Its 50MP triple camera system, featuring Hasselblad Color Calibration, produces vibrant and lifelike photos even in low-light settings. The Sony IMX989 main camera, with a 50MP resolution, all-directional PDAF, and OIS, captures sharp and stable images.
For long-range photography, the 50MP Sony IMX890 telephoto periscope camera delivers detailed results, complemented by autofocus and OIS.
Meanwhile, the 50MP Sony IMX980 ultra-wide sensor, with its 110-degree field of view and all-directional PDAF, retains intricate details in night shots. Video recording capabilities are comprehensive, supporting 4K resolution at 60 FPS, HDR, Dolby Vision, and 10-bit formats.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the phone integrates advanced features like Qualcomm Spectra 18-bit ISP, Always Sensing Camera, and compatibility with up to 200MP cameras. The front camera uses a Sony IMX709 sensor with 32MP resolution, enabling 4K video recording at 30 FPS and autofocus.
Whether in bright or dim settings, the camera produces images and videos with fine textures and minimal noise. Portrait shots stand out for their clarity and beautifully rendered bokeh effects, even in challenging lighting.
Low-light photography is a strong suit, as the device captures vivid colors and maintains clear details without blur, aided by shorter exposure durations compared to most flagship models.
That said, there are a few drawbacks. The narrow focus field requires some distance for group shots to keep all faces in focus. In specific scenarios, skin tones may appear slightly unnatural, and there is occasionally a disparity between the dynamic range seen in the viewfinder and the final captured image.
6. Huawei Mate 60 Pro+

Huawei Mate 60 Pro+ offers impressive camera capabilities, particularly in low-light settings, scoring 131 points in DxOMark's low-light performance test.
Its 48 MP main sensor delivers excellent results, supported by OIS and Laser AF. The device also features a 48 MP telephoto periscope camera with PDAF, OIS, and up to 3.5x optical zoom, as well as a 40 MP ultrawide sensor with a 120-degree field of view and autofocus.
The phone's recording capabilities include 4K resolution at 60 FPS, and its front-facing camera has an ultra-wide lens, perfect for group selfies without crowding. A 3D ToF sensor enhances the bokeh effect in portrait selfies.
Low-light photos are notable for their balanced exposure, preserved details, and minimal noise. Even when zooming in, photo quality remains high, with accurate color reproduction and white balance. The phone also excels in video performance, with fast and smooth autofocus transitions, even in dim lighting.
However, the device does have some drawbacks. Low-light video recording can lose some detail and contrast, and motion can introduce noticeable noise. In backlit scenes, face contrast and skin tones may not appear optimal. Additionally, the phone does not support 8K video recording.
7. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max performs impressively in low-light photography, earning 127 points in DxOMark's assessment. It is equipped with a 48 MP Sony IMX803 main camera with Dual Pixel PDAF that deliver some of the best photo results available.
The device also features a 12 MP Sony IMX913 telephoto camera and a 12 MP Sony IMX633 ultra-wide camera with a 120-degree field of view.
For enhanced bokeh effects, the phone includes a ToF 3D LiDAR Scanner, which also measures object distances for real-world applications, including augmented reality. It supports various video recording options, such as 4K at 60 FPS, ProRes, and Cinematic Mode for professional-quality videos.
iPhone 15 Pro Max can even record spatial 3D videos that's viewable on VR devices. Its 12 MP front camera comes with PDAF, OIS, and SL 3D for faster Face ID recognition.
All cameras provide stable video recording, thanks to gyro EIS, and maintain high detail levels in low-light conditions. Video recording in dim lighting ensures good light exposure with balanced, natural colors.
However, low-light photos can show noise, and the dynamic range in photos is slightly limited. Details can be inconsistent across different zoom levels, and the camera is less effective at capturing light sources, often producing artifacts like flare and ghosting.
8. Honor Magic5 Pro

Honor Magic5 Pro has been evaluated highly for its performance in low-light photography, achieving 127 points in DxOMark tests. It comes equipped with a 50MP main camera that includes all-directional PDAF, Laser AF, and OIS to ensure bright images even at night.
The phone also features a 50MP telephoto periscope camera that offers up to 3.5x optical magnification, OIS, and PDAF, along with a 50MP ultra-wide camera that has autofocus, providing detailed and blur-free images.
It supports up to 4K video recording at 60 FPS and adheres to HDR10 and 10-bit video standards. The addition of ToF 3D helps create stunning bokeh images.
In comparison to the Google Pixel 7 Pro, both the telephoto and ultra-wide cameras show superior performance in low-light conditions. The video and still image recording capabilities exceed those of the iPhone 14 Pro in similar settings, including faster shutter speeds. It also excels in long-distance shooting compared to its contemporaries.
However, the focus field is somewhat limited, which can make it challenging to lock focus on all subjects in group photos or complex scenes.
The focus can sometimes be unstable when shooting in bokeh mode. On certain occasions, the color tones may not appear entirely natural. Additionally, the dynamic range seen in the viewfinder can differ from that in the final photo.
9. vivo X100 Pro

vivo X100 Pro has received a DxOMark score of 126 for its low-light camera performance. It features a 50MP Sony IMX989 main camera that captures detailed and bright photos, supported by Laser AF, PDAF, and OIS.
Additionally, it has an Omnivision OV648 50 MP telephoto periscope camera with a 100 mm focal length and a focus range of 18 cm to infinity, along with OIS and PDAF. The device also includes a Samsung S5KJN1 50 MP ultra-wide sensor with a 119-degree field of view and autofocusing capability.
Thanks to ZEISS' T* Lens Coating, photos are free from flaring, making it ideal for capturing scenes with direct light sources like street lights or sunlight.
The high-quality main camera sensor produces textures with minimal noise in various lighting conditions, including low light. It also renders smooth skin textures effectively in close-up night portraits and offers excellent zoom capabilities in dark conditions due to its wide aperture. The telephoto camera captures detailed facial features well, even in low-light settings.
However, the autofocus can be slow in dark conditions, especially when compared to its predecessor, the vivo X90 Pro, and some competitors. Additionally, its dynamic range is somewhat limited, falling behind that of the vivo X90 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
10. Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Apple iPhone 15 Pro got 125 points from DxOMark for its camera's performance in dark places. It has a 48 MP main camera with good focus and stabilization features.
There is also a 12MP telephoto camera that can zoom in up to 3 times without losing quality, and a 12 MP ultra-wide camera that sees wider scenes. This phone includes a special ToF 3D LiDAR Scanner that makes augmented reality look more real.
It can record videos in 3D, use ProRes for high-quality videos, and has a Cinematic Mode for making movie-like videos.
The front camera is 12 MP and has features that make selfies look better, especially the background blur in portrait mode. You can make vlogs in 4K quality at 60 FPS.
Photos and videos look very bright and clear, especially on its HDR screen. The phone focuses very quickly and accurately and keeps videos stable in all light conditions.
However, there are some drawbacks. Photos taken in low light have some noise. The range of light and dark that the camera can capture at once is not very wide.
Sometimes, you can see unwanted effects like flaring and ghosting in the photos. Also, when taking pictures of far-away things, this phone does not do as well as other similar phones.