14 Best Optical Zoom Camera Phones To Buy in 2024

By Mehtab Ansari • Updated On Dec 19, 2024

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Stacking wide-angle, depth, and zoom cameras on phones is the trend, but unless we’re talking premium flagships, these extra lenses can feel more like afterthoughts. The good news? Camera quality is getting a major boost, thanks to smarter image processing and chipsets that effortlessly manage these computational tasks.

Among the various lenses in 2024 phones, the telephoto/periscope lens—or zoom camera—is hands-down the most practical and exciting. Whether you’re zooming in on distant scenes or capturing details from afar, this feature adds real value.

Most primary cameras use wide-angle lenses, so a bit of zoom or crop is necessary to match what your eyes naturally see. Before we dive into the top phones with zoom cameras, let’s break down the different types of zoom and the limitations of optical zoom today.

Digital vs Optical vs Hybrid Zoom: Which one is better?

There are basically three types of zoom technologies on phones that you as a consumer would come across: Digital, Optical, and Hybrid.

Digital Zoom

Digital Zoom cuts out the sides and stretches a certain image portion across the full frame in order to magnify it, and this naturally results in a loss of quality. Some phones, like the iPhone 16, Pixel 9, and others, can deliver digitally zoomed images without compromising on resolution.

To do so, they use an in-sensor crop. So, if the actual resolution of the sensor is 48 MP, you can still crop in and get a 12 MP shot, which is the default resolution of most smartphone cameras.

Optical Zoom

Optical zoom is generally considered to be the best since it is lossless. But, optical zoom on phones is not at all the same as optical zoom on DSLR cameras.

Optical zoom on phones is actually multi-camera zoom. For real optical zoom, the lens assembly needs to move back and forth to change the field of view. Smartphones nowadays, however, switch to a second, different focal length camera to get an optically zoomed image.

Apple's New Periscope Camera Explained! | by Youssef Mohamed | Mac O'Clock | Medium

This means, that if your phone has 5X zoom, you will get optical or lossless zoom only at 5X. All other zooms, say, 3x, 3.5x, and 4.5x, will still be merely digital zoom.

Achieving higher magnification for optical zoom is very tricky. The lens will need to have a larger focal length. This is to say that the space between your camera sensor and lens assembly has to be increased, thus resulting in a bigger bump.

Manufacturers have been able to go as high as 5X, but that mandates the use of a periscope-style lens that helps increase the spacing horizontally rather than vertically. Some brands, like Samsung, have achieved a zoom of 10x using this very method in the past with the Galaxy S22 Ultra and the S23 Ultra.

Oppo Find X7 Ultra review: first phone with 2 periscope lenses takes zoom photos that leave iPhone 15 Pro Max and Google Pixel 8 Pro in the dust | South China Morning Post — OPPO Find X7 Ultra

However, the focal isn’t the only factor to consider when looking for the best optical zoom. Sure, it’s what matters the most, but the sensor size and the aperture of the zoom lens also have a huge impact on the final output.

Currently, the best zoom lens that you can buy on a smartphone is the Samsung ISOCELL HP9 with up to 4x optical zoom and a large sensor size of 1/1.4”. That’s about as large as the main sensor on the Galaxy S24 Ultra (1/1.3”) and the iPhone 16 Pro Max (1.1/28”).

Zoom isn’t all that the telephoto lens on our phones is used for. Due to the shallow depth of field, telephoto lenses are also better for portrait shots with blurred backdrops. That’s why you will see a lot of phones zoom in on the subject while transitioning from Auto to Portrait mode, some digitally and some optically.

Hybrid Zoom

All the 50x, 100x, and 120x zoom numbers that you see are the prime examples of hybrid zoom. It is a clever combination of optical zoom, digital zoom, computational photography, and AI. Beyond a certain zoom range, this starts to look distorted and unnatural.

Sure, if you need to zoom in on something far away, it can be helpful in a pinch. But it’s important to remember that no matter how advanced it gets, hybrid zoom can never fully match the crispness and detail of true optical zoom. It’s not even close.

Limitations of Optical Zoom in Phone Cameras

Here is what you need to know before you get too excited.

Optical zoom on phones works only for a single focal length. If your phone supports 5x zoom, only 5x will be lossless. Lower and higher magnifications like 3x, 4x, 4.5x, or 6x will only be digital zoom.
Most manufacturers don’t use the same sensor under the telephoto lens and primary lens, and hence what you will experience is not the same as zooming in on an image. just a closer image from a different sensor.
The focal lengths mentioned for telephoto lenses on phones are “Equivalent” focal lengths (actually, this is true for all lenses on phones). In reality, the focal length of the 2x telephoto lens is never 2x the focal length of the primary camera.
In low-light and indoor conditions, some phones do not use their telephoto lens but switch to digital zoom using the primary camera. This includes the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

List of Best Zoom Camera Phones

Let’s now list phones with impressive zoom cameras.

1. vivo X200 Pro

Undoubtedly, the vivo X200 Pro has the best zoom camera on any smartphone in India. It has a 200 MP ZEISS APO telephoto lens with 1/1.4” sensor (that is as large as the main sensors on some flagships). And not just that, the 200 MP sensor is paired with a 3.7x or 85 mm lens that is capable of focusing on subjects as close as 15 cm. Yes, 15 cm. The aperture is quite decent for such a high focal length at f/2.67.

The large aperture paired with the large sensor and the long focal range are simply unbeatable when it comes to any kind of photography—whether it’s distance landscapes, human portraits, animals far away, or animals (or rather insects) incredibly tiny. The main camera is also 50 MP with a large 1/1.28” sensor, f/1.6 aperture, and 23 mm focal length. It’s also got the ZEISS T* coating to reduce glare and reflections.

Both the main and telephoto lenses come with OIS and autofocus. There’s also a 50 MP ultra-wide lens (15 mm) with autofocus. Up front, you get a 32 MP selfie camera (f/2.0, 20 mm). This is a feature-packed setup for anyone serious about mobile photography or simply anyone who wants to have the best camera smartphone in India.

vivo X200 Pro Specifications

2. OPPO Find X8 Pro

The OPPO Find X8 Pro flexes India’s first and only dual periscope system. First, there’s a 50 MP, 73 mm telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, f/2.6 aperture, OIS, and AF. The sensor size is 1/1.95”, with a minimum focus distance of 50 cm. Then, there’s the second periscope—a 50 MP, 135 mm lens with f/4.3 aperture and a smaller 1/2.51” sensor. It also has AF but a minimum focus distance of 35 cm.

That’s not all. The main 50 MP camera has a large 1/1.4-inch sensor and f/1.6 aperture, same size as the vivo X200 Pro’s telephoto. The 50 MP ultra-wide lens (15 mm, f/2.0) takes it further with a jaw-dropping 120x zoom. Add Hasselblad color calibration, and it’s a complete camera package.

OPPO Find X8 Pro Specifications

3. OPPO Find X8

The OPPO Find X8, the younger sibling to the Find X8 Pro, features a single periscope lens, much like other flagships in the segment. It features a 50 MP, 73 mm W periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, f/2.6 aperture, OIS, and AF. The sensor size remains solid at 1/1.95”.

For the main camera, there’s a 50 MP shooter with a larger 1/1.56” sensor, paired with a 24 mm f/1.8 lens, complete with AFand OIS. The 50 MP ultra-wide (15 mm, f/2.0) rounds out the setup, also by Hasselblad color calibration for accurate and vibrant tones. It’s a more compact yet powerful package.

OPPO Find X8 Specifications

4. vivo X200

The vivo X200 brings its own edge with a powerful 3x telephoto lens. It features a 50 MP sensor (1/1.95”) paired with a 70 mm lens, f/2.6 aperture, and 3x optical zoom. Thanks to the shorter minimum focusing distance and traditional periscope design, you can expect sharper images with better detail. AF and OIS are also there to help with the same.

The main camera boasts a 50 MP sensor (1/1.56”) with a 23 mm, f/1.6 lens, that can deliver bright and detailed photos. Meanwhile, the 50 MP ultra-wide (15 mm, f/2.0) completes the setup. With ZEISS optics, the ZEISS T* lens coating, and all the signature perks of vivo’s ZEISS collaboration, it’s a solid pick for camera enthusiasts.

vivo X200 Specifications

5. HONOR Magic6 Pro

The HONOR Magic 6 Pro packs a massive 180 MP zoom lens (f/2.6, 1/1.49” sensor), which is currently the second largest zoom lens you can buy in India. Autofocus, OIS, and 2.5x optical zoom also hold up incredibly well with digital zoom due to the large sensor and high resolution.

For the main camera, you’ve got a 50 MP lens with an adjustable aperture (f/1.4 to f/2.0, 1/1.3” sensor) and OIS, plus autofocus. The ultra-wide lens is 50 MP (f/2.2, 13 mm, 1/2.88” sensor), also with autofocus. On the front, you’ve got another 50 MP camera (f/2.0, 20 mm, 1/2.93” sensor) with autofocus.

HONOR Magic6 Pro Specs

6. Xiaomi 14 Ultra

Next, there’s the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, which comes with a dual optical telephoto system, giving it serious zoom capabilities. First, you’ve got a 50 MP (f/1.8, 75 mm) telephoto lens with 3.2x optical zoom, a 1/2.51” sensor, autofocus, OIS, and a 10 cm focus distance. Then, there’s a second 50 MP periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, f/2.5 aperture, 120 mm focal length, and a 30 cm minimum focus distance, also with a 1/2.51” sensor.

For the main camera, you have a 50 MP (f/1.6 to f/4.0, 23 mm) lens with a huge 1” sensor, autofocus, and OIS. The ultrawide camera is another 50 MP lens (f/1.8, 12 mm) with a 1/2.51” sensor. If you’re after versatility with large sensor sizes, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is great. Up front, there’s a 32 MP (f/2.0, 22 mm) wide-angle selfie camera with a 1/3.14” sensor.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra Specs

7. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is one of the best smartphones for zoom photography with its dual intermediate zoom lenses. The smartphone comes with 100x digital zoom along with dedicated 3x and 5x telephoto and periscope lenses for lossless zooming. All in all the device comes with a quad camera setup at the back including a 200 MP wide-angle camera, 50 MP periscope camera with 5x (111mm) optical zoom, 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x (67mm) optical zoom, and a 12 MP ultra-wide camera. It also has a 12 MP selfie camera that comes with Auto HDR and HDR10+ support.

Galaxy S24 Ultra Specifications

Other Samsung smartphones with the telephoto lens are Samsung Galaxy S24, S24 FE, and S24+, Samsung Galaxy S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, etc. You can find the last year models at a discounted price too.

8. iPhone 16 Pro

The iPhone 16 Pro comes with a tetraprism telephoto lens, giving you a 120 mm focal length and 5x optical zoom. This 12 MP f/2.8 lens also has good natural bokeh, perfect for portrait shots. The sensor is 1/3.06”, and it comes with sensor-shift OIS and dual-pixel autofocus—so you’re getting a reliable zoom.

The main camera is a 48 MP, 24 mm lens with an f/1.8 aperture, and the ultra-wide is 48 MP, 13 mm with an f/2.2 aperture. There’s also a LiDAR scanner for better depth detection. Up front, the 12 MP, f/1.9 selfie camera has both OIS and autofocus. Altogether, the iPhone 16 Pro is a great camera for zoom photography.

iPhone 16 Pro Specifications

9. iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has the same camera setup as the iPhone 16 Pro: a 48 MP main lens (24 mm, f/1.8, 1/1.28” sensor), a 12 MP telephoto lens (120 mm, f/2.8, 5x zoom, 1/3.06” sensor with OIS and autofocus), and a 48 MP ultra-wide lens (13 mm, f/2.2 with autofocus). On the front, you get a 12 MP selfie camera (f/1.9, 23 mm) with OIS, autofocus, and a 1/3.6” sensor size.

iPhone 16 Pro Max Specifications

10. vivo X Fold3 Pro

Vivo is a brand that is well known for its camera capabilities, even on foldables. It is brimming with lenses for all kinds of photography. The vivo X Fold3 Pro is a foldable device that’s packed with impressive zoom capabilities. It mirrors the Vivo X100’s 64 MP periscope telephoto lens (70 mm, f/2.6, 1/2” sensor) with 3x optical zoom, autofocus, and OIS for stable shots.

The main camera is a 50 MP wide lens (23 mm, f/1.7, 1/1.3” sensor) with autofocus and OIS. For ultra-wide shots, there’s a 50 MP lens (15 mm, f/2.0, 1/2.76” sensor) with autofocus. On the selfie front, it has a 32 MP camera (f/2.4) on the cover display and a 32 MP camera on the inner display.

Vivo X Fold3 Pro Specifications

11. OnePlus 12

Then there’s the OnePlus 12, equipped with a 64 MP telephoto lens (f/2.6, 70 mm, 1/2” sensor) offering 3x optical zoom, autofocus, and OIS for stable shots. The main camera is a 50 MP sensor (f/1.6, 1/1.43” sensor) with autofocus and OIS, providing strong low-light performance. For ultra-wide shots, this has a 48 MP lens (f/2.2, 14 mm, 1/2” sensor) with autofocus. Up front, the selfie camera is 32 MP (f/2.4, 1/2.74” sensor).

OnePlus 12 Specifications

12. OnePlus Open

Next up is the OnePlus Open, another solid foldable option. If you’re after a foldable with impressive cameras, this one’s a top contender. It shares the same rear setup as the OnePlus 12, with a 64 MP periscope telephoto lens (70 mm, 1/2” sensor, 3x optical zoom, f/2.6) with autofocus and OIS. The main and ultra-wide lenses are both 48 MP. For selfies, there’s a 20 MP (f/2.2, 20 mm) lens on the inner display, while the cover display houses a 32 MP (f/2.4, 22 mm) ultra-wide lens.

OnePlus Open Specifications

13. Google Pixel 9 Pro

Then there’s the Google Pixel 9 Pro, perfect if you’re after a compact device with 5x zoom. It sports a 48 MP periscope telephoto lens (113 mm, f/2.8, 1/2.55” sensor) with autofocus, OIS, and 5x optical zoom. The main camera is a 50 MP lens (f/1.7, 25 mm, 1/1.31” sensor) with autofocus and OIS.

For ultra-wide shots, you’ve got a 48 MP (12 mm, f/1.7, 1/2.55” sensor) lens. The front houses a 42 MP (f/2.2, 17 mm) ultra-wide selfie camera with autofocus. A great all-around camera setup for a compact flagship.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Specs

14. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

The Pixel 9 Pro XL is perfect if you’re looking for a larger phone with a bigger battery. It shares the same camera setup as the Pixel 9 Pro, so you get the 48 MP periscope telephoto lens (113 mm, f/2.8, 1/2.55” sensor) with autofocus, OIS, and 5x optical zoom.

The main camera is a 50 MP lens (f/1.7, 25 mm, 1/1.31” sensor, autofocus, OIS), and the ultrawide is a 48 MP (12 mm, f/1.7, 1/2.55” sensor) with autofocus. For selfies, again, you’ve got a 42 MP (f/2.2, 17 mm) ultra-wide camera with autofocus, just like the Pixel 9 Pro.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Specs

14 Best Phones with Optical Zoom Cameras

These are some of the phones that go the extra mile when it comes to zoom experience. Optical zoom is now a staple feature for mid-range and flagship phones and 2x telephoto lenses are extremely common. However, good-quality camera zoom is still very rare for non-flagship phones.

List of best phones with zoom cameras to buy in 2024:

vivo X200 Pro
OPPO Find X8 Pro
OPPO Find X8
vivo X200
HONOR Magic6 Pro
Xiaomi 14 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro Max
vivo X Fold3 Pro
OnePlus 12
OnePlus Open
Google Pixel 9 Pro
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

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Mehtab Ansari

Mehtab Ansari is the Assistant Editor – Features & Reviews at Smartprix, where he writes about smartphones, laptops, audio gear, and everything in between. A computer science student by degree but a tech nerd by heart, he’s been into consumer tech for years and started reviewing products professionally in February 2024. He’s especially into photography and audio, often spending more time testing a smartphone’s camera than he probably should. For him, tech isn’t just work, it’s what he’s always thinking about.

Expertise

Smartphones, laptops, tablets, monitors, smartwatches, photography, and audio gear. I’ve reviewed over 60 products across these categories on Smartprix in the past year and a half.

Education - Bachelor of Computer Applications – Nizam College, Hyderabad (2022–2025) | Joined Smartprix -February 2024 | Published Reviews & Stories - 723

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12 Comments

wiechciu

@wiechciu_hecepaxu

1 year ago

What about Huawei P40 Pro+? 10x optical zoom is a beast. Why nobody talks about this masterpiece?

Timothy Newman

@timothy_muxuwusu

1 year ago

What you call optical zoom is not what photographers call zoom - it's using multiple primes.

Sasha

Anonymous

2 years ago

Are there any models under 15k?

Elena

Anonymous

2 years ago

A telephoto lens should have a narrower field of view. The shorter the lens the wider the field of view.

Andrule kasiya

Anonymous

3 years ago

I was also wondering the huawei is always miles ahead, but they simply wanna see it dead

Sathish Kumar G

Anonymous

3 years ago

I really wonder why the Oppo Reno 10x did not make it to the list. Even though it is a 2019 model, it still has specifications to fight with the premium brands till date in the mid-range budget. When this article is specifically on the telephoto capability of the phones, I thought Reno 10x, Huawei P30 pro might still be out there somewhere in the list (even at the bottom) for their efforts in bringing the periscope zoom lens on mobile technology. And even the technological performance in other aspects of these optical/hybrid zoom veterans is still on par with mir-range budget phones of many premium brands.

Peter

Anonymous

3 years ago

This excellent article is helpful to all who need a phone with good camera capability and in particular, good zoom. I bought Samsung S21 Ultra for this reason and can confirm that the camera is superb. However in other respects, the phone is much poorer than the cheaper ones I formerly used. Its main downfall is its unstable platform that drops out of Apps annoyingly and won’t reconnect until you turn the phone off and on again. It also lacks an SD card slot and with the option of a 108mp camera, you need one as the images are about 36mp each. If Samsung provided an SD slot and used standard Android performance rather than their own version of things, this phone would be miles better than anything else currently available. I hope that other better phones like the Nokia latest offering, will soon emulate the S21 zoom ability and resolution.

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Maligaya

Anonymous

4 years ago

No realme x3 superzoom? Really? Rmx3sz has a 60x zoom even 10x zoom still a good shot in this phone.

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