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DXOMARK has long been a trusted authority in the evaluation of smartphone camera quality. Over the years, the global leader in camera evaluation has rigorously tested hundreds of devices, observing firsthand the rapid evolution of imaging technology. In 2024 alone, 50 smartphones were assessed across multiple price segments, ranging from the entry-level market to ultra-premium devices over $800. This comprehensive testing gives consumers valuable insights into the camera performance of devices at various price points, making DXOMARK’s assessments a key resource for anyone in the market looking for a new smartphone.
DXOMARK’s standard Gold, Silver, and Bronze labels, introduced a few years ago, provide a fast and straightforward indicator of the performance of devices.
In today’s rapidly evolving market, consumers are faced with an overwhelming number of product choices. As segments continue to advance and products improve, identifying the best option can be challenging. DXOMARK is proud to introduce a new label, the Smart Choice label, to provide clarity and guidance in this landscape, helping consumers quickly and confidently select high-quality, well-developed products. Highlighting devices that offer exceptional camera performance for their price range, the Smart Choice label gives consumers the confidence to make an informed and enduring purchasing decision.
To better understand how this new label was established and the rules we put in place, let’s have a look at how price segments have recently evolved.
Main evolutions in imaging quality per segment in 2024
Over the past year, the smartphone camera landscape has experienced remarkable advancements, redefining photography standards across various price segments. While the Ultra-Premium category led the charge with superior performance, significant strides were also made in the Premium ($600–$800) and High-End ($400–$600) segments. These mid-tier categories have seen marked improvements across all key camera features narrowing the gap with their Ultra-Premium counterparts.
When we examine the evolution of quality within each segment, it becomes evident that disparities are diminishing over time. This trend highlights how OEMs are aligning their offerings with the specific needs and expectations of users within each price bracket. As a result, a clear “quality standard” has emerged within each segment, setting a baseline for features. However, some standout devices continue to diverge from this standard by delivering exceptional quality that exceeds the segment’s norms, establishing themselves as references and raising the bar for what users can expect in terms of smartphone camera performance.
We’ll detail below the evolution we observed for each segment in 2024.
Ultra-Premium
The substantial evolution was especially visible in the Ultra-Premium category. Ultra-Premium smartphones continue to push the boundaries of camera technology, but the pace of improvement has slowed compared to previous years.
A significant factor contributing to this was the influx of foldable and flip smartphones in 2024. These devices, while impressive in their form factor, have shifted the focus of innovation toward design and functionality, rather than pushing the boundaries of camera quality.
Despite this, candy bar-style devices have continued to evolve, showing significant improvements in their overall image quality, with a notable increase of 8 points from 2023 to 2024. This increase, although lower than the 12-point jump seen from 2022 to 2023, demonstrates steady progress in smartphone camera capabilities.
With regards to functionalities and quality evolution, video quality has seen fewer enhancements, while photo capabilities have improved, with a particular emphasis on portraiture and skin tone rendering. Despite these advancements, capturing the perfect moment in sports photography or other fast-moving scenes remains a challenge for these devices.
Zoom, however, is where Ultra-Premium smartphones have made the most progress, with many now offering telephoto lenses that deliver much improved zoom performance.
The introduction of features like ultra-zoom (up to 100x in some cases) has further differentiated this category from others.
Interestingly, individualization and signature styles—where brands are incorporating unique camera features, AI-powered photo editing, and distinct imaging characteristics—have become an emerging trend.
Among the devices that we’ve evaluated, the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is an example of best-in-class performance, providing top-notch performance in nearly all key imaging features.
Meanwhile, devices in the High-End and Premium categories have experienced impressive gains in their imaging features, including significant improvements in photo, video, and particularly zoom performance, and narrowing the gap with Ultra-Premium models.
Premium
Premium devices have advanced more rapidly than Ultra-Premium ones in the last year, with a marked improvement in the average camera score, which rose by 9 points compared to 2023. The gap between Premium and Ultra-Premium smartphones has narrowed, particularly in photo and video performance, though Zoom remains the key differentiator, with Premium devices still lagging behind their Ultra-Premium counterparts.
In the Premium segment, we identified devices that offer a performance way above their class. Notably, Premium devices are now incorporating similar camera modules to those found in Ultra-Premium models. Devices providing an outstanding experience in the Premium price range include the Google Pixel 9, which shows strong performance in photo, video, and zoom quality, challenging the upper-tier flagships. Apple’s iPhone 16 is another strong contender in the Premium category, excelling in photo and video capabilities, though still falling short in zoom performance when compared to Ultra-Premium devices.
High End
The High-End segment has seen some of the most dramatic changes in camera technology in 2024. Historically, zoom quality has been a feature that sets Ultra-Premium smartphones apart, as they are typically equipped with one or two telephoto lenses. However, even lower-priced devices, especially in the High-End segment, are improving their zoom capabilities, often with the inclusion of a dedicated telephoto sensor.
With advancements in photo and zoom performance, many High-End devices are now challenging the quality of both Premium and Ultra-Premium smartphones. Video quality has also improved, though at a slower pace compared to other features.
One trend that has emerged in this segment is the increasing presence of refurbished flagship models at competitive prices. These devices, typically 1-2 years old, can offer near-flagship quality at a lower price point, giving consumers more options in terms of camera performance.
In terms of evolution, High-End devices are catching up with premium models, providing similar photo quality, enhanced zoom capabilities, and faster, more responsive cameras, especially in good lighting conditions. For example, the Honor 200 Pro and Google Pixel 8a are two good contenders in their class. The Pixel 8a shows an outstanding performance for its class, providing excellent performance in photo and video for its price segment, even competing with devices from the higher price segments.
However, considering the disparity in performance in this segment, these types of devices have further identified the need to qualify devices performing way above their class.
Entry level: Advanced and Essential
While the Essential and Advanced categories have seen some improvement, they still lag significantly behind higher-end devices. Essential devices, with an average score of 68, offer a user experience reminiscent of smartphones from over a decade ago. Zoom quality in these devices remains poor, and there is no standout performer in this category.
In 2024, devices in the Advanced segment did not show exceptional quality improvements. Quality within the segment was very close, but still far from the average quality provided by High-end devices from 2023. These devices struggle to compete with slightly pricier models in terms of photo and zoom capabilities.
Introducing the Smart Choice label
While image quality has steadily improved across all smartphone segments, choosing the best device for your budget remains a complex task. Although narrowing, significant performance gaps still exist between the lowest- and highest-quality devices, and it is sometimes challenging to identify the best option for your needs.
To address this challenge, DXOMARK has introduced the Smart Choice label, which highlights devices that deliver exceptional imaging experience within their segment and that rival the performance of higher-tier devices. These products are designed to stay relevant over time, ensuring enduring value and competitive image quality even as new models emerge.
Consumers can easily identify Smart Choice devices on DXOMARK’s website through product pages and a dedicated Smart Choice label section, making it easier to make informed, budget-conscious decisions.
Our Smart Choice label is built on well-defined thresholds, ensuring that only products meeting specific performance criteria receive the label. We established the Smart Choice label thresholds using 2024 data from DXOMARK-tested products launched worldwide. These thresholds focus exclusively on candybar form-factor devices, as other form factors have distinct performance goals and cannot be directly compared. This approach ensures accurate, segment-specific quality benchmarks for consumers.
Specifically, which devices will qualify?
Eligible products must either match or exceed the average performance of the upper segment from the previous year.
By introducing the Smart Choice label, we aim to simplify purchasing decisions while encouraging brands to meet higher standards. This initiative not only benefits consumers by offering transparency but also motivates manufacturers to innovate responsibly, ultimately raising the overall quality of products in the market.