To help you find the best selfie camera phone to capture amazing portrait shots, we spent hours sifting through customer reviews for over 30 different options. While we performed our research and started ranking smartphones, we identified the top three features to consider during your research. These features include high-quality camera arrays, sharp displays, and long-lasting battery life. We recommend purchasing a camera with a combination of all these things. You should also consider durability and processor performance when making your decision.
After ranking the different smartphones based on these features, we chose the Apple iPhone 11 Pro as the best selfie camera phone. Keep reading to learn more about this powerful selfie camera phone and the other best smartphone options available today.
Top 10 Best Selfie Camera Phones
#1 Apple iPhone 11 Pro Selfie Camera Phone
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Apple has done everything right with this selfie camera phone. With a new and improved camera that features an innovative Night Mode, a blazing-fast processor, and a durable overall design, this smartphone will take your selfie game to a whole new level.
- Excellent low light performance
- Intuitive, user-friendly interface
- Long-lasting battery life
- Limited storage options
- Limited color options
The Apple iPhone 11 Pro improves upon years of cutting-edge smartphone technology to bring you the best selfie camera phone your money can buy. First, let’s take a look at the iPhone’s camera setup. The rear-facing camera features three lenses, each with a different purpose. You’ll get a 12MP wide lens, 12MP ultra-wide lens, and 12MP telephoto lens. You’ll also get a stunning 12MP selfie camera on the front of the phone. Each of these lenses provides sharp, detailed image quality. Plus, with the new Night Mode, low light photography is made even better.
The iPhone 11 Pro also leaps and bounds forward with the new A13 Bionic process, which is made in-house at Apple. This processor and incredibly fast, giving more than enough power to the phone’s camera software for image enhancement and performance. This is especially true with the iPhone’s Night Mode for low light shots and Portrait Mode with a bokeh effect. Not only will you be pleased with the camera setup here, but you’ll also be blown away by just how easy the iPhone is to use, which is a staple of every generation. The iPhone 11 Pro also features one of the longest-lasting batteries yet in Apple history, which is a huge plus for those extra-long selfie-taking sessions. For these reasons, the iPhone 11 Pro is the best camera phone your money can buy. It’s also a great option if you’re looking for the best phones for vlogging.
#2 Samsung Galaxy A70 Selfie Camera Phone
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This premium selfie camera phone has a lot to offer, from its amazing Super AMOLED display to its sleek design aesthetic. It also offers a fine-tuned processor that powers the impressive 32-megapixel front camera and responsive user interface.
- Stunning AMOLED display
- Fine-tuned, fast processing power
- Premium design and aesthetics
- Back cover is prone to scratching
- Large bottom bezel
The Samsung Galaxy A70 is a premium mid-range smartphone with a proverbial treasure trove of high-end features to watch out for. For starters, the Galaxy A70 is one of the highest megapixel front camera phones available today, with an impressive 32-megapixel selfie camera. You’ll immediately notice the improved quality that this hardware brings to the table as soon as you take your first selfie with the A70. Shots are crisp and detailed, and you’ll even get the option for taking wide-angle shots on the front camera, as well. The rear camera is just as good, with a triple-lens array that also features a maximum resolution of 32 megapixels and a wide-angle lens. More importantly, the Samsung Galaxy A70 features a host of software enhancements that will improve the quality of your selfies, including improved image stabilization and a night mode for low light photography.
Overall performance with the Samsung Galaxy A70 is also good. The phone features a reliable Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 processor. This isn’t the same level of quality as high-end flagship phones, but it powers the phone well, providing a lag-free experience. We were also really impressed by the Samsung phone’s overall design quality and aesthetic. You’ll get a bright Super AMOLED display that measures in at 6.7 inches. Plus, with the large 4500 mAh battery, the A70 provides all-day performance. You’ll even get 128GB of onboard storage, with the option of expanding up to 512GB with the included microSD card slot.
#3 Huawei P30 Pro Selfie Camera Phone
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: This premium flagship phone offers the best when it comes to design, display, and camera quality. With a next-gen camera array on both the front and back of the phone, you’ll be able to take the best selfie photos and video with ease.
- Premium design is attractive
- Amazing 120Hz motion handling
- Powerful, long-lasting battery
- User interface could use some work
- Only Full HD display resolution
There’s nearly nothing negative to say about the Huawei P30 Pro selfie camera phone. It’s designed incredibly from the inside out, which is visibly apparent as soon as you unbox the phone. Featuring a sleek design aesthetic with a metal frame, glass back, and extra-large display, the P30 Pro looks very aesthetically pleasing. The image quality on the display is what propels the P30 Pro’s design ahead, though. This curved display features OLED lighting technology and full HD resolution. The resolution is a little disappointing, but the phone still produces an amazingly clear and detailed image quality. Colors are bright, vivid, and accurate on the display, which makes reviewing your selfies even easier, especially as you’re making sure you’ve got the best shot. This is due to the phone’s HDR, or high dynamic range, color support.
Speaking of selfies, the Huawei P30 Pro smartphone also offers an incredible photography experience here. The rear-camera array features three different lenses and a Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor. The main camera features 40 megapixels of resolution. However, you’ll also get a stellar 32-megapixel selfie camera on this phone. It takes excellent photos and video recordings, making the P30 Pro the best front camera video phone, as well. The phone also includes a wide variety of software enhancements and optical image stabilization to make sure you get the best shot every time.
#4 LG V60 Selfie Camera Phone
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Award: BEST UNIQUE DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: This selfie camera phone offers one of the most unique designs you can find in a smartphone today, due to its ability to add an extra display with the Dual Screen phone case. On top of that, the phone features a solid camera array and an extra-large battery.
- Unobtrusive display notch
- Slim horizontal rear camera array
- Innovative Second Screen design
- Clunky user interface with bloatware
- Display is only 60Hz
The best thing about the LG V60 is an incredibly unique design. At first glance, you may think this is a pretty standard smartphone. It’s got a large, bright display and sleek overall aesthetic. However, it features a truly innovative additional functionality that can greatly increase the phone’s overall performance. With the addition of the Dual Screen phone case, you can create a smartphone with two displays. This second 6.8-inch OLED display allows you to multitask and improve efficiency without any effort at all.
Of course, the LG V60 also provides a stellar camera array on both the front and back of the phone. The rear camera setup forms a slim, horizontal row of lenses. It features a minimal camera bump, much smaller than other flagship phones, which is a huge plus. The main rear-facing camera offers 64 megapixels of quality for high-quality images and video. The front-facing selfie camera is pretty good as well, with a 10-megapixel resolution sensor. This may seem lower on paper than you may be used to seeing, but the LG’s camera uses software to enhance the picture and give you a bright, colorful, and detailed selfie pic.
#5 Huawei Honor 8X Selfie Camera Phone
Award: BEST EASE OF USE
WHY WE LIKE IT: This impressive selfie camera phone is incredibly easy to use, especially when it comes to the camera software with its AI-powered enhancements. Plus, it’s designed incredibly well with a nice-looking two-tone glass finish and stunning edge-to-edge display.
- AI enhancement for better photos
- Smooth performance with Kirin 710 chipset
- Edge-to-edge FullView display
- No USB-C
- Not water resistant
The Huawei Honor 8X selfie camera phone is packed full of performance and functionality, which is why it’s so surprising to find that it’s also an extra-affordable phone. We were most impressed by the Honor 8X’s overall user experience, which is smooth, responsive, and really user friendly. This is especially true for the phone’s camera software, which uses AI to automatically detect the scene and make the appropriate settings adjustments for you. This results in extra-clear and sharp selfies. The physical hardware shouldn’t be forgotten here either. The Honor 8X features a 20-megapixel lens and a 2-megapixel depth sensor on the back of the phone. You’ll also get a 16-megapixel sensor for the selfie camera.
The Huawei Honor 8X also features a high-quality form factor with a large and stunning display. This LCD display features 6.5 inches of real estate and 1080p picture resolution. What’s more impressive, though, is the fact that the display goes edge to edge for an immersive experience. With these slim bezels, the display looks really good. We were also impressed by the Honor 8X’s internal chipset. It features the powerful Kirin 710 chipset, which is more than enough power to power all of the software enhancements you’ll find throughout the phone’s operating system. Plus, with a long-lasting 3750 mAh battery, you’ll be able to enjoy the smooth experience of the Huawei Honor 8X for many hours to come.
#6 Samsung Galaxy S8 Selfie Camera Phone
Award: BEST EDGE-TO-EDGE DISPLAY
WHY WE LIKE IT: With a stunning OLED infinity display, powerful Snapdragon 835 processor, and enhanced front-facing camera, this selfie camera phone is a wonderful choice for anyone who wants a good-looking phone. Plus, it offers long-lasting battery life and a premium design aesthetic.
- Premium OLED lighting
- Powerful Snapdragon 835 processor
- Excellent low-light selfie performance
- Biometric security features are annoying
- Disappointing camera zoom
The first thing you’ll notice about the Samsung Galaxy S8 is its impressively premium design aesthetic. The phone features a 6.2-inch infinity display with edge-to-edge screen real estate. Plus, with OLED lighting and a stellar 2960 x 1440 pixel resolution, you’ll be blown away by the quality of anything you view on the display. The smartphone also features Corning Gorilla Glass on the display for added shatter resistance and durability. Everything on the Samsung Galaxy S8 is powered by an extra-responsive Snapdragon 835 processor, which gives you plenty of room for resource-heavy applications, gaming, and camera functionality.
When it comes to the Galaxy S8’s camera, you’ll be surprised at how many improvements Samsung included in this interaction. The dual-camera setup features a 12-megapixel sensor and the front camera features an 8-megapixel sensor. While on paper these seem a little disappointing, Samsung has included a ton of software enhancements to sharpen up every shot or video you take. Most notably, Samsung’s multi-image photo processing will capture multiple pictures when you click the shutter button. Then, the camera takes the best shot from that bunch and enhances it with details from the rest of the photos. The result comes in the form of an excellent selfie, every single time. It’s a nice option if you want one of the best-rugged smartphones with great selfie capabilities.
#7 Sony Xperia XA1 Selfie Camera Phone
Award: BEST COMPACT DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you need a compact smartphone for taking your selfies on the go, then this is the best option for you. With a small, 6-inch display, slim form factor, and powerful rear- and front-facing cameras, this selfie camera phone is a great choice.
- Excellent 23-megapixel camera
- Display is extra bright
- USB-C charging
- 720p display resolution
- Disappointing battery life
You may not see many Sony smartphones around these days, but the Sony Xperia XA1 is not a phone that should be forgotten. For starters, this is one of the most compact selfie camera phones you can get today, without sacrificing overall performance and camera quality. It features a 6-inch edge-to-edge LCD display with accurate colors and good brightness. Unfortunately, the display is only 720p for resolution, however, we recognize the tradeoffs required to get such a compact size.
The next best part about the Xperia XA1 is its surprisingly good camera. The rear camera setup features a powerful 23-megapixel sensor that takes excellent photos. The front camera setup features an 8-megapixel sensor. All in all, selfies and other images look good. The Sony smartphone also uses pretty aggressive enhancement software to up the sharpness and detail of every photo you take, which is a nice plus to have. The phone features a disappointing 2300 mAh battery, which means a smaller overall battery life. However, with the best portable chargers, you’ll be able to juice the phone up more quickly than ever before.
#8 Samsung Galaxy A20 Selfie Camera Phone
Award: BEST BATTERY LIFE
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you find yourself constantly running out of battery after long selfie photoshoots, then you’ll be impressed with this selfie camera phone and its excellent 4000 mAh battery. Plus, it features a compact design that looks great, with a bright, colorful AMOLED display.
- Ergonomic, compact design
- Excellent Live Focus camera mode
- Expandable storage up to 512GB
- Performance can get a little laggy
- Plastic scratches easily
The Samsung Galaxy A20 brings Samsung’s high level of attention to detail and premium display aesthetic to the table at an extra-affordable price point. This selfie camera smartphone looks great with its large, bright AMOLED display with slim bezels. Plus its overall compact design fits comfortably in the hand, enabling you to take selfies without fear of dropping the phone. The one area we wish we could improve with the Galaxy A20 is with its processor. The included Exynos 7904 is a little disappointing when it comes to performance, and you might experience some lagging while using the phone, but this is to be somewhat expected at a budget price point.
Fortunately, the Galaxy A20 makes up for its disappointing processing power with a high-quality camera array and stellar battery life. The camera is a quad-lens setup with a 16-megapixel main camera sensor. You’ll also get ultra-wide, depth, and macro lenses for even greater versatility. The selfie shooter features an 8-megapixel sensor that takes clear and detailed shots for your portraits. The Samsung Galaxy A20’s battery is another worthy feature, coming in at 4000 mAh of power and all-day longevity, you’ll be able to take selfie after selfie without fear of losing power. If you’ll be shooting in low-lit areas, our best low-light camera phones guide has some additional options as well.
#9 Motorola Moto G7 Play Selfie Camera Phone
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you need a high-quality selfie camera phone without spending an arm and a leg for it, then look no further than this option. This compact budget smartphone offers long-lasting battery life, an excellent camera with software enhancement, and an extra-durable design.
- High-quality front speaker
- Extra durable design
- Amazing battery life
- No NFC functionality
- Disappointing processor performance
The hallmark feature of the Motorola Moto G7 Play smartphone is its affordability. When combined when its overall performance and battery life, this phone’s budget price point is a very attractive proposition for anyone wanting to save some cash. Of course, there are some tradeoffs to be had here, but they are fairly minimal in the bigger picture. For starters, the Moto G7 Play has a compact form factor that fits easily in pockets and bags. It’s got a 5.7-inch display with full HD+ resolution at 1512 x 720 pixels.
We were really impressed by the Moto G7 Play’s battery life. On paper, the 3000 mAh battery doesn’t look too impressive, but you’ll get tons of battery life out of this powerful little phone. This is due in part to the efficient Snapdragon 632 octa-core processor and simplified user interface. Unfortunately, the processor doesn’t do great with resource-heavy apps like mobile games or work applications. The Moto G7 Play also features a pretty good camera system. At such a budget price point, you can’t expect professional-level quality, but the selfie shooter does well enough for most people’s needs.
#10 Blu Vivo XL4 Selfie Camera Phone
Award: BEST FAST CHARGING
WHY WE LIKE IT: This affordable and compact selfie camera phone offers a powerful high-capacity battery and excellent fast-charging capabilities. You’ll also get a decent AI-powered camera that automatically enhances your selfies for you.
- AI-powered reproduction functionality
- Large 4000 mAh battery
- Affordable performance
- 720p display resolution
- Limited internal storage space
The Blu Vivo XL4 is another budget selfie camera phone that offers surprisingly good quality for its affordability. As per other budget smartphones, you’ll find that the Blu makes some trade-offs when it comes to processor performance and display quality, but we think those sacrifices are worth it to get the other features and functionalities that this phone has to offer. When it comes to design quality, the Vivo XL4 offers a 6.2-inch curved glass display with HD+ resolution. It’s bright and colorful, but the 720p resolution is noticeable on videos.
We were most impressed by the Blue Vivo XL4’s powerful camera array. On the rear, it features a dual-camera setup with a max 13-megapixel sensor resolution. The selfie camera on the front of the phone offers an impressive 13 megapixels as well. However, the best part about this camera is the AI software enhancements it will automatically make for you. The result is sharp and detailed selfies that are sure to please even the pickiest model. We were also surprised at how well the Helio P22 processor handled overall functionality. You’ll rarely experience lagging or stuttering on the Blu Vivo XL4 selfie camera phone. For international travelers, you may also want to check out our best dual SIM phones buying guide.
How We Decided
As we started ranking the best selfie camera phones, we of course focused the bulk of our efforts on determining the quality of the front-facing camera. Ultimately, we only included phones on our list if they allowed you to take high-quality selfies without requiring a ton of manual settings adjustment or an inhumanly-stable hand. Taking a selfie should be effortless and still provide you with a sharp, bright, and detailed picture to highlight your best features. We ranked phones higher if they provided additional photo enhancements via software and AI.
Next, we considered each phone’s overall performance. We ranked options higher if they included fast and reliable processors. Since all of the software enhancements on your camera system are powered by the processor, you’ll want something responsive and snappy. We also ranked smartphones higher if their camera user interfaces were easy to use and easy to learn. Again, taking a selfie should be easy, and that ease of use should be reflected in the best selfie camera phones’ interfaces.
Finally, we ranked phones based on additional features like battery life and durability. The camera functionality can quickly drain your phone’s battery, especially if you’re taking a lot of selfies or using the flash. This is why we awarded bonus points to phones with bigger and longer-lasting batteries. We also looked at each phone’s overall durability. Anytime you take a selfie, there’s a greater risk of dropping your phone. As such, we scored phones with shatter-resistant screens higher. We also preferred phones with some kind of water and dust resistance so you can even take your selfies in the pool without fear.
Best Selfie Camera Phone Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Front-facing Camera Quality
If you’re purchasing a camera phone to take excellent selfies, then the first consideration to make is the quality of the front-facing camera on the phone you get. The higher the megapixel resolution you can get on your selfie camera, the better it will perform. However, you should also consider the type of enhancement software the phone provides to enhance overall image quality, which is essential for front-facing cameras. - Rear-facing Camera Quality
Of course, you’ll also want to consider the quality of the rear camera setup, as well. While selfie cameras are a quick and convenient way to take portraits, they’re by no means the only way. You may also want to use your rear camera to take a portrait of you or your friends. The same qualifications apply to the rear camera as they do with the front-facing camera. Consider an option with a high megapixel count and some kind of image enhancement via software to get the best overall experience. - Night Mode and Low Light Performance
Another feature you should consider when it comes to camera quality is some kind of night mode functionality. If a selfie camera phone has a night mode, you’ll be able to take better shots in low light conditions. Night mode can also help you take selfies in pitch blackness, as long as the phone also has a decent flash. Most modern smartphones are starting to include some version of night mode on their camera. If you take a lot of selfies in dark places like the club, then a night mode is an important feature to have. - Phone Display
Taking a good selfie depends on the quality of the camera and the quality of the phone’s display. Since you’ll be seeing your face on the display while using the front-facing camera, you’ll want to be sure you purchase a phone with a high-quality display so you can get the best selfie possible. Look for phones with at least full HD high resolution and bright, vivid color reproduction. - Phone Performance
As with all smartphones, you’ll definitely need to consider each option’s overall performance. This factor comes into play mostly when you look at the phone’s internal processor, which powers the entire phone. More powerful processors will make everything in your phone run faster and with more smoothness. This way, you’ll be able to access all your apps and run your selfie camera without experiencing any lagging or stuttering in the user interface. - Battery Life
We recommend also looking for a selfie camera phone with good battery life. Having a long-lasting battery is essential because it allows you to take more photos over extended periods of time. You should also consider fast charging capabilities and wireless charging capabilities. If your phone has fast charging, you won’t need to wait nearly as long to get a full charge. And if it has wireless charging, you won’t need to physically plug the phone into a charger, which increases overall flexibility.