When buying a smartphone today, the camera has become one of the most important deciding factors. Earlier, professional photography required bulky DSLR cameras, but rapid advances in smartphone camera technology have narrowed that gap significantly. For years, many users believed that iPhones offered the best camera experience. However, the latest rankings from DXOMARK have challenged that long-held perception.

According to the global camera rankings, Apple’s iPhone no longer holds the top position. In fact, it doesn’t even make it into the top two.

Huawei Pura 80 Ultra: The New Camera King

Topping DXOMARK’s list is the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra, which has emerged as the most powerful camera phone in the world right now. The phone’s dominance comes from its advanced hardware and imaging technology.

It features a 50-megapixel primary camera with a large 1-inch sensor, allowing it to capture exceptional detail and dynamic range. The inclusion of a variable aperture gives photographers greater control over light intake and depth of field, delivering results closer to DSLR-level photography.

In addition, the device includes:

• A 40-megapixel ultra-wide camera

• A dual periscope telephoto system offering 3.7x and 9.4x optical zoom

This combination gives the phone unmatched versatility across wide-angle, portrait, and long-range photography.

Vivo Takes Second Place

The second spot on the list goes to the Vivo X300 Pro. Vivo has equipped this model with a triple rear camera system tuned by Zeiss, focusing heavily on zoom performance.

Its standout feature is a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto lens, capable of 3.7x optical zoom and up to 100x digital zoom. Vivo also offers a special telephoto extender accessory, pushing mobile zoom photography to new limits.

Oppo Secures Third Position

At number three is the Oppo Find X8 Ultra. Oppo has taken a unique approach by incorporating a five-sensor camera system, including two periscope lenses with 3x and 6x zoom.

The phone also features a dedicated chroma sensor, which helps maintain accurate and natural color reproduction. Despite its impressive camera hardware, this model is currently not available in the Indian market.

iPhone Slips to Fourth Place

Apple fans may be surprised to see the iPhone 17 Pro placed fourth on the list. While the phone offers a strong 48-megapixel triple-camera setup and 5x optical zoom, it falls slightly behind Chinese competitors in terms of sensor size and zoom range.

That said, the iPhone continues to dominate video recording, where Apple remains the industry benchmark. Priced at around ₹1,34,900 in India, the iPhone 17 Pro excels in computational photography and video stability, even if it no longer leads in pure camera hardware.

Fifth Place: Vivo X200 Ultra

Rounding out the top five is the Vivo X200 Ultra. It features a 200-megapixel Samsung HP9 telephoto sensor paired with Sony’s LYT-818 sensor, delivering strong low-light performance. Gimbal stabilization further enhances image and video clarity.

What This Ranking Shows

This latest DXOMARK list highlights a clear shift in smartphone photography. Sensor size, optical zoom, and hardware innovation are now more important than brand reputation alone. Chinese smartphone brands are pushing the boundaries of mobile imaging, forcing even industry giants like Apple to play catch-up.