10 Smartphones with Best Night Photography

Not all smartphones can take great 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. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

According to DxOMark testing, Google Pixel 9 Pro XL achieves a remarkable score of 132 in low light capability. This phone is also dependable for recording videos in dim environments due to to its effective exposure, white balance, and color rendering.

Furthermore, it ensures swift focus acquisition and minimal artifacts (unwanted visual elements) when shooting in low light.

The device has a versatile triple-camera system on the rear, which features a main camera, an ultrawide camera, and a 5x optical zoom telephoto camera. On the front, the ultrawide lens in the selfie camera allows for capturing broader perspectives.

Importantly, every camera is equipped with autofocus and can record videos at up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. The main camera even elevates this capability to 8K resolution at 30 frames per second.

For content creators, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is capable of recording video in 10-bit HDR format that can enhance dynamic range and color depth. To ensure consistently sharp imagery, it utilizes Multi-zone Laser AF technology to enable rapid and precise focus locking.

Powering these features is the Google Tensor SoC that's well-regarded for its robust artificial intelligence and image processing capabilities. Lastly, to add a unique health-focused feature, this phone includes a sensor to detect skin temperature.

However, when shooting in low light, textures may appear less defined, and some noise may become noticeable in images. In portrait mode using the front camera, the background blur effect can sometimes be inconsistent.

Additionally, when recording videos while walking, occasional instability in dynamic range and sharpness can occur. In extremely low-light situations, colors might sometimes be rendered with slight underexposure.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers impressive low-light performance, scoring 129 in DxOMark-style tests for both photos and videos. It does a much better job than the iPhone 15 Pro Max at reducing artifacts like flare, ghosting, and ringing effects.

Focus speed and video stabilization remain excellent even in low light, making it one of the best in its class.

Color accuracy, including skin tones, is impressive in low-light conditions, and the camera captures better details than its predecessor while also improving noise reduction. The main and periscope telephoto cameras use sensor-shift OIS to ensure smoother stabilization.

The 48 MP ultrawide camera offers four times the resolution of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, resulting in better low-light performance. All cameras, including the front camera, can record 4K at 60 fps. The device also supports ProRes video recording with minimal compression, making it a favorite among video editors.

However, the telephoto camera sometimes produces inconsistent details, especially at 2x and 5x zoom. The shallow depth of field can cause background elements to appear out of focus in photos with multiple subjects.

Compared to competitors, it still struggles with flare and ghosting in challenging lighting conditions. Additionally, the screen may dim when taking photos in low light.

9. Apple iPhone 16 Pro

In tests similar to those conducted by DxOMark, Apple iPhone 16 Pro achieved a score of 129 for its low light performance in both photos and videos. This score indicates a strong ability to perform well in dim lighting.

One notable improvement over the iPhone 15 Pro Max is its ability to reduce unwanted visual effects like flare, ghosting, and ringing. These distracting artifacts are minimized significantly in the iPhone 16 Pro.

Furthermore, the iPhone 16 Pro maintains excellent focus speed and video stabilization even when recording in low light. Its performance in these areas is considered among the best in its class.

Color quality, including how skin tones are reproduced, is also quite good in low light. Details in photos are captured more effectively compared to the previous iPhone model, and the phone also handles image noise better, resulting in clearer pictures.

The main camera and the periscope telephoto camera both utilize sensor-shift Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This technology helps to keep the image steady, resulting in smoother and less shaky photos and videos.

The ultrawide camera has been upgraded to 48 megapixels, which is four times higher than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This increase in megapixels leads to improved low light performance for the ultrawide camera.

All cameras on the iPhone 16 Pro, including the front-facing camera, are capable of recording video in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second.

For video creators, the iPhone 16 Pro supports recording in ProRes format. This format uses minimal compression, which is beneficial for video editing and maintaining high video quality.

However, the telephoto camera on the iPhone 16 Pro can sometimes produce inconsistent detail. Specifically, when zooming in at 2x and 5x magnification, the level of detail may be reduced.

Another point to consider is that the depth-of-field in photos can be narrow. This means that when taking pictures with multiple people or objects, the background might appear less in focus than desired.

Compared to some competing phones, the iPhone 16 Pro still has room for improvement in reducing flare and ghosting, especially in challenging lighting situations. Lastly, users might notice that the screen brightness sometimes decreases automatically when taking photos in low light environments.

10. Google Pixel 9

Google Pixel 9 delivers solid low-light performance, scoring 128 in the DxOMark test. Noise handling has improved compared to the Pixel 8, and details remain clear indoors, even under lamp lighting. Macro photography is also decent. The camera maintains good target exposure and offers a wide dynamic range.

Video stabilization works well in various situations, and autofocus is fast and accurate, quickly adjusting when lighting changes during recording. Colors appear natural with a neutral white balance, even when using the ultrawide camera.

All cameras support 4K at 60 fps video recording, along with the 10-bit HDR format, which is useful for content creators. The front camera features an ultrawide lens, making it great for group selfies. Powered by Google Tensor, the device benefits from advanced image processing and AI capabilities.

However, color rendering in low light or backlit situations can look slightly unnatural. The Pixel 9 lacks a telephoto camera, meaning there's no optical zoom.

The dynamic range isn’t always consistent in both photos and videos. While the stabilization feature is effective, it can cause differences in sharpness, especially when recording while walking in low light. In very dark conditions, some details may be lost.