The best smartphones videos in the UK 2023

The technology in the field of cell phones continues to advance, so much so that it is now possible to make beautiful videos with a smartphone. Of course, the features are more advanced: more pixels, large sensors, etc.. The choice becomes more complicated when it comes to targeting the best camera. In our guide, we have selected the best video smartphones of the moment and some tips to help you find the one that will make you happy.

OnePlus 9 Pro 1
9/10

Best value for money

OnePlus 9 Pro

The best video smartphone in 2021

Satisfy your ultra HD video shooting needs from a smartphone with the OnePlus 9 Pro. Its main sensor delivers 4K images that are displayed on a large 6.7-inch screen.

575 £ on OnePlus

OnePlus 9 Pro is a real modern-day smartphone that runs on version 11 of the Android operating system. This technological gem has a 16-megapixel front camera and 4 back cameras of 2, 8, 48 and 50 megapixels. Apart from the different capture modes that this phone presents to you, it has an internal memory of 256 GB.

Through the trendy Li-Po mobile technology, OnePlus 9 Pro is powered by a powerful 4,500 mAh battery. This smartphone comes with a 65W wireless charger that provides fast charging through induction. You get other major innovations like an octa-core processor or 12GB RAM.

Google Pixel 6 5G 2
8/10

Best value for money

Google Pixel 6 5G

The best entry-level video smartphone

Google Pixel 6 is the latest model to be added to the series of smartphones produced by Google. It is well known for its excellent photo quality and allows you to create videos in 4K format.

519 £ on Boulanger

The Google Pixel 6 smartphone offers you the possibility to store your data with its 128 GB internal memory. Specially designed to scan and immortalize the highlights of a day, it has a front camera and 2 other back cameras. The only front sensor of Google Pixel 6 is 8 MP and the rear ones are 12 and 50 MP.

This generation of cell phone is based on the Android 12 system and works with a single or two SIM cards. Google Pixel 6 offers several connectivity options: WiFi, Bluetooth and a USB type C input. This smartphone guarantees impeccable viewing quality thanks to its 6.4-inch screen. It draws its power from its 8 GB RAM.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 Black 256GB 5G 3
9/10

Best value for money

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 Black 256GB 5G

The best high-end video smartphone

Samsung offers you Galaxy Z Fold3 which is the perfect marriage between image quality and device performance. This smartphone is ahead of other brands with its 7.6-inch widescreen display that is foldable.

1 439 £ on Boulanger

Even though Galaxy Z Fold3 is 2 meters under water, its waterproofness proves up to half an hour. This Samsung smartphone is equipped with a 10 MP front sensor and 3 back cameras of 12 MP each. With this trio of cameras, you can shoot 60 frames per second in 4K format. The network coverage of Galaxy Z Fold3 is 5G.

It is based on Android 11 system and its battery capacity is 4,400 mAh. The SIM cards of this phone are divided into two formats: a nano SIM and an eSIM. Take advantage of the 250 GB offered by Galaxy Z Fold3 to store your data. Its octa-core processor allows you to open multiple applications simultaneously without any bugs.

Apple iPhone 13 Midnight 128GB 5G 4
9/10

Excellent

Apple iPhone 13 Midnight 128GB 5G

The best alternative

Get better 5G network coverage and experience new things with this smartphone from Apple which is the iPhone 13 Midnight. Its 2 rear sensors of 12 MP allow you to obtain videos in 4 K format.

727 £ on Boulanger

For selfie enthusiasts, this smartphone has a 6.1-inch display and a 12 MP front camera. With a wireless charger, the 2,815 mAh battery of this iPhone 13 Midnight is charged by induction. Such a system allows a fast charge. This phone keeps its waterproofness up to 30 m if it is submerged to 1.5 m depth.

The iPhone 13 Midnight is a smartphone created to withstand usual less violent shocks. It remains intact after a fall not exceeding a distance of 1 m from the ground. Also, the landing must take place on a flat surface. With this new iPhone model, you can use a single nano-SIM or insert another smaller one, in eSIM format.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best smartphone video

Any specific needs?

The best video smartphone in 2021

The best entry-level video smartphone

The best high-end video smartphone

The best alternative

Your guide : Samuel

Rate this buying guide :
0/50 votes

By rating this buying guide, you are helping us to reward our best writers. Thank you!

Comparison table of the best smartphones videos

Top Inexpensive High-end Excellent
OnePlus 9 Pro 5
9/10
Google Pixel 6 5G 6
8/10
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 Black 256GB 5G 7
9/10
Apple iPhone 13 Midnight 128GB 5G 8
9/10
OUR SELECTION
OnePlus 9 Pro
Google Pixel 6 5G
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 Black 256GB 5G
Apple iPhone 13 Midnight 128GB 5G
Satisfy your ultra HD video shooting needs from a smartphone with the OnePlus 9 Pro. Its main sensor delivers 4K images that are displayed on a large 6.7-inch screen.
Google Pixel 6 is the latest model to be added to the series of smartphones produced by Google. It is well known for its excellent photo quality and allows you to create videos in 4K format.
Samsung offers you Galaxy Z Fold3 which is the perfect marriage between image quality and device performance. This smartphone is ahead of other brands with its 7.6-inch widescreen display that is foldable.
Get better 5G network coverage and experience new things with this smartphone from Apple which is the iPhone 13 Midnight. Its 2 rear sensors of 12 MP allow you to obtain videos in 4 K format.
Screen size
6.7" AMOLED FHD+
6.4" FHD+
7.2" Dynamic AMOLED
6.1" Super Retina XDR
Resolution/Sensor
48 mp, 4 sensors
50 Mp and 12 Mp
3 sensors of 12 Mp each
2 sensors of 12 Mp each
Storage
256 GB
128 GB
256 GB
128 GB
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Google Tensor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Bionic
RAM
12 GB
8 GB
12 GB
4 GB

Help us improve this table:
Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - smartphone video

Primary Item (H2)Sub Item 1 (H3)

Why can you trust us?

Why you can trust us
Our mission
How to support us
We do NOT accept any sponsored posts or advertising.

We spend thousands of hours each year studying the major specialized websites, analyzing products of hundreds of brands and reading user feedback to advise you on the best products.

Our mission is to simplify your purchasing decisions.

We are a product review company with a single mission: to simplify your buying decisions. Our research and testing helps millions of people every year find the best products for their personal needs and budget.

We are a small team of geeks and enthusiasts.

To support us you can: use our links to make your purchases (which often earns us a small commission), share our articles on social networks, or recommend our site on your blog. Thanks in advance for your support!

How to choose your smartphone video

Smartphones are devices with which you can do almost everything, including the ability to film. But how to choose the right model?

#1 - The quality of the video

If most smartphones can shoot movies in HD or Full HD, others offer 4K or even 8K. As a result, we find ourselves with images of incredible sharpness. Even if you zoom in on the image, it always remains very sharp. It will depend on your budget, but if you have the possibility, the best is to take a model with 4K or 8K resolution.

#2 - The stabilization

When filming with a smartphone, it can happen that the hand shakes or that there are movements. To prevent this from ruining the shot, there are systems to effectively stabilize the images. It is recommended to opt for an optical stabilizer as it is known for its effectiveness. But be aware that there are also digital stabilizers!

#3 - The night mode

Nowadays, the vast majority of smartphones include a night mode to help you shoot in low light. Depending on the model, this system does not always work the same way. Not only that, there are some that suggest more options in terms of setting. If you are fond of taking photos or videos at night, then you need to master the different features of this option.

#4 - The sound quality

Sound quality is also one of the major criteria to consider before buying a video smartphone. On this point, some manufacturers equip their model with technologies that are used in the world of cinema like Dolby Atmos. Apart from this, we can also mention the DTS:X technology! The goal here is to provide an immersive experience to all users.

#5 - The storage

Last but not least, storage is an element that should not be neglected when choosing a video smartphone. Indeed, everyone knows very well that videos require a device with a substantial internal memory. It is therefore advisable to look for models with a minimum storage capacity of 128 GB!

Tips for a successful video shot with a smartphone

If smartphones were just devices for surfing the internet and communicating, they have now become real tools for taking high quality videos and images. Many cell phones have cameras that can rival those of a digital camera or a basic camcorder. And this is indeed why smartphones are very popular among amateurs. Let's take a look at how to make videos worthy of a professional's work.

It is essential to prepare yourself before the shooting. To do this, make sure that your smartphone has all the right features such as a sufficient number of pixels, a good storage capacity, a good autonomy. After this check, you can proceed with the accessorization, such as the installation of a tripod or a mini microphone and an umbrella to optimize the lighting.

Once your camera is ready, you can then proceed to define the script of the video: the target, the tone adopted, the duration, etc.

Scouting the location is also important. From there, you can set up your camera to have a better angle of view and direct the actors according to the context of your video. Note that the landscape format should be prioritized when shooting. In addition, the use of autofocus can greatly improve the quality of your video. Thus, you will have a precise and clear image. Shooting in short sequences of a few seconds is also recommended so that your smartphone has time to recover. You can then edit the sequences with video processing software.

The different types of smartphones videos

On the market, we can meet different types of video smartphones namely HD video smartphones and 4K video smartphones. Let's see their strengths and weaknesses!

HD video smartphones

HD video smartphones offer quite a few advantages to their users. First, for your information, HD suggests a resolution of 1280 × 720p. The latter is one of the most widely used resolutions, especially on smartphones. It has the advantage of producing images of rather satisfactory quality! Indeed, the images are more or less sharp depending on the model you take.

On the downside, HD video smartphones may disappoint some demanding users. Indeed, when shooting short or long films with this type of device, you will quickly notice that it lacks a lot of details. If you expect to get rich details, you will be disappointed! This is the major limitation of HD video smartphones.

When asked who they are for, the answer is very simple. They're for users who don't spend most of their time filming or taking pictures with their smartphones. In a word, they don't require very high quality images, but settle for the minimum just like beginners.

4K video smartphones

For starters, 4K video smartphones are able to deliver images with a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels. Compared to HD, that's 4 times more pixels. The images produced are simply stunning. You will enjoy details that are very sharp and even if the user would zoom in, there is no visible impact on the images.

As for the negative points, 4K video smartphones are not without them! First of all, we can underline the considerable weight of the files. Indeed, they are all large and therefore require a device that is able to store all these files. Otherwise, your smartphone may be saturated and you won't be able to use it properly.

As you may have understood, 4K video smartphones can be very well suited for advanced users or even professionals in the field of images and shooting of feature films or short movies. Thanks to their technical features and functionalities, they can be considered as advanced tools to help pros exploit their talent to the fullest !

Video smartphone or digital camera?

Smartphone video

Compared to the digital camera, a video smartphone has undeniable advantages. There are a lot of features to make it easier to use. Then, you can share your achievements without worry. And this, in an instantaneous way! (you just need an internet connection) Something you can't do with a camera.

On the negative side, most smartphones do not have an optical zoom. So you can't take a close-up without compromising quality. In addition, this type of camera requires extra time to memorize a photo. Your shot will lack spontaneity! Regarding the speed, smartphones are well below.

Digital camera

DPAs or digital cameras are rather professional. If smartphones have made a leap forward in terms of lenses, they are not as powerful as cameras. They are also more advantageous in terms of sensor and stability. Digital cameras also offer many possibilities of adjustments.

However, a digital camera is more cumbersome, especially if you have to take a lot of lenses with you when you travel. It is also more difficult to handle if you don't know anything about photography. Also, the price can go up as the range goes up.

Verdict

Smartphone or digital camera? For video enthusiasts, the former is more practical, both in terms of price and options. A cell phone with high quality video is therefore more advisable if you are just starting out. You can then switch to a digital camera to improve the quality of your video. This will make the transition much easier.

Why buy a video smartphone?

To immortalize the good moments

What could be better than a video smartphone to keep intact the most precious moments such as a birthday, a birth or a promotion...! Once your films are edited, they will be safe for many years in digital format. Your descendants will even have the chance to watch them one day. And that's pretty cool, isn't it?

To learn how to shoot video little by little

Since they are quite easy to use, video smartphones (especially HD models) are an excellent way to learn how to shoot and manipulate images. Indeed, the manufacturers have made sure that their device includes the necessary features so that the use of the smartphone can not pose any concern.

To share your achievements with your friends

A video smartphone is not just for filming images in HD or 8K! Once you have finished editing your movies, this type of device gives you the possibility to share them easily with your friends and family! The technologies to achieve this kind of feat do exist on video smartphones.

To enjoy impeccable images

Nowadays, video smartphones can easily offer the same or even better performance than the most sophisticated cameras of the moment. This is due to the presence of advanced technology. One example is the Ultra Wide Angle lenses found on some models. The result is truly impeccable images that will make some people drool.

To film ideally even in low light

Video smartphones have systems that allow you to capture images even in the dark. This is the case of the famous "night" mode. By activating it, it helps you to film in good conditions despite the lack of light. In this way, you will make shots that you never imagined you could make!

The best brands of smartphones videos

In our opinion, the best brands of smartphones videos in 2022 are :

Huawei
Apple iPhone
Google Pixel
Samsung
OnePlus

If the Chinese firm was not known at the beginning, it is currently among the best brands of Smartphone. Its P range is a hit with video and photo enthusiasts thanks to its sensors and storage capacity. It offers various models of Smartphones ranging from the most basic to the most high-end to shoot high quality videos.

Apple iPhone : The apple brand has always been a reference in terms of high-tech products. Having its own operating system, its devices benefit from a very advanced technology and options that work wonders in terms of image and video capture.

The internet giant got into cell phones for one reason only, to satisfy all those who are looking for impeccable image quality. Google Pixel is now recognized worldwide and smartphones are snapped up like hotcakes. These are equipped with a powerful processor and sensors of a hundred megapixels.

Samsung has acquired such a good reputation since its existence that it is impossible not to cite it as one of the best cell phone brands of the moment. Its smartphones are known to be technological marvels, easy to use and compatible with many other devices.

This young Chinese company founded in 2013 has quickly made a name for itself among the world's leading smartphone providers. Its products are known for their performance in terms of storage, speed and especially image quality. The brand offers video smartphones featuring 4K quality.

What is the price for a smartphone video

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
100 £ to 600 £
Mid-range
600 £ to 1000 £
High-end
more than 1000 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Stabilize the phone before filming

Taking a video has certain rules that laymen must know before embarking on this adventure. It seems fluid to make movements by holding the camera in your hands and follow the movement of the subject filmed. It is always necessary to look for the stability of the camera and if possible, resort to the use of supports such as stabilizers.

Pay attention to framing

The particularity of videos is that they are intended to convey a message to the public, even without commentary or voice-over. To achieve this goal, mastering the techniques of framing and respecting the rule of thirds are essential. The framing of each of your videos must be consistent with the values of the shots so that the images speak for themselves.

Don't use the zoom lens

The art of videography does not recommend the use of zooming, but rather advocates bringing the camera and the filmed character closer together. This can be observed through the progressive disappearance of the zoom functionality of the new cameras present on the market. Zoomed images during shooting will be pixelated if you try to display them on a high resolution screen.

Charge your smartphone enough to maximize battery life

Shooting which is a crucial moment of video production must be well prepared and not interrupted. Very often, a discharging battery is the cause of this interruption that will force you to stop everything. It is therefore necessary to check the level of the battery or to charge it before planning a shooting.

Use editing software

In the world of the seventh art, the film is written 3 times: the writing of the script, the shooting and the editing. This principle relates the importance of using editing software, even for amateurs in video production. Editing allows you to take only the part of the rush that you consider good for the final rendering of your video.

FAQ

How to choose the best video smartphone?

When choosing a good video smartphone, it is essential to refer to two criteria: sensor and pixel. Know that these two elements are interdependent and can be studied separately. Together they create quality video content. The size of the sensor and the resolution provided by the pixel value contribute to a higher resolution video.

Is the number of sensors important?

The number of sensors on a video smartphone plays the same role as the different interchangeable lenses on a professional camera. If the millimeter is the unit of measurement used for lenses, the pixel is the one for smartphone sensors. Each sensor has its own specificity in terms of grip and range when shooting a video.

What is the right resolution?

In terms of video production, the right resolution for a video smartphone is one that corresponds to the 1,080x1,080 pixel format. With this reference, the images fill almost the entire screen and this will increase the quality or comfort when viewing. Note that the video file created with this format is quite large and occupies more space on the storage.

What is the ideal format for video on a smartphone?

Thesmartphone for video is increasingly used nowadays to connect to the internet and publish content. The ideal is to create with your phone, videos in the format that is compatible with all online platforms. Behind AVI is MP4 which is very often, the default format of videos taken from a smartphone.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information. See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
OnePlus 9 Pro 9
OnePlus 9 Pro
Google Pixel 6 5G 10
Google Pixel 6 5G
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 Black 256GB 5G 11
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 Black 256GB 5G
Apple iPhone 13 Midnight 128GB 5G 12
Apple iPhone 13 Midnight 128GB 5G

Lecteurs

Every month we help more than 1 000 000 people buy better and smarter.

Copyright © 2022 - Made with by buyingbetter.co.uk

Your reviews and buying guides 0% advertising, 100% independent!