Best Overall
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Better image stabilization.
Great low-light capabilities.
Expensive.
Best For Quiet Shooting
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Quiet shooting.
High-quality image stabilization.
Takes longer to charge.
Best For Shooting Grip Use
Sony Xperia Pro-I
Option to include a shooting grip.
Anti-distortion shutters.
Not great for point-and-shoot.
Vlogging your life or specific parts of your life is one of the best ways to start earning some money. While it might not happen right away, you might even be able to quit your full-time job and make vlogging part of your primary source of income.
Taking up vlogging doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy a super-expensive camera. You can easily start vlogging with a smartphone. Not all smartphones are created equal, so I’ve rounded up the best vlogging phone for every budget.
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Best Vlogging Phone for every budget
Smartphones are some of the most popular electronics worldwide, so it’s no surprise that there are dozens to choose from. Whether you plan on vlogging your life, live streaming, or doing both, here are five of the best vlogging phones.
1. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Best Overall
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
As one of the newest phones from Apple, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is one of the best vlogging phones money can buy. It has one of the best cameras on the market and the best camera of all the iPhones currently available.
With this phone, you get a front-facing camera and then three cameras on the back. With the new and improved iOS for the 14 Pro Max, you get far better image stabilization, so your videos will come out smoother than ever, even without a tripod or mount.
When recording with this phone, it has fantastic low-light capabilities, so even if you’re working with less-than-ideal lighting, you’ll still be able to (hopefully) get a great shot. For those who enjoy recording footage that has more action, they offer an action mode that other phones don’t.
The front camera, as does the rear video, has 4K/60fps for video. It’s lightweight, with 128GB, 248GB, and 512GB storage options and a 4,323mAh battery.
Pros
It comes in four colors.
Four GB size options.
48MP main camera.
Cons
It’s one of the most expensive options.
2. Google Pixel 7 Pro
Best for Quiet Shooting
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Next, we have the Google Pixel 7 Pro. This is an innovative phone that many people rely heavily on for photos and videos thanks to the high-quality cameras. To compete with the iPhone Pro Max, they’ve implemented a Cinematic Mode that allows you to step up your recording game.
The cinematic mode helps blur the background of whatever you’re filming so that the focus is solely on the subject. You’ll be able to use computational photography with the Google Pixel 7 Pro, which will help sharpen up all your footage to provide a clearer video.
Something I love about this phone is how quiet the shooting is. When recording, it reduces the amount of background noise it picks up, so you don’t have a noisy video where your viewers can’t concentrate on what you’re saying.
Both cameras have 4K/60fps, which is comparable to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. You get 8-12GB of RAM and a 5,000mAh battery. The only potential issue is that it can take a little longer to reach a full charge than other phones.
Pros
Quiet shooting.
High-quality image stabilization.
4K/60fps on front and back cameras.
Cons
It takes longer to charge than other vlogging phones.
3. Sony Xperia Pro-I
Best for Shooting Grip Use
Sony Xperia Pro-I
The one thing I love about the Sony Xperia Pro-I is that it finds ways to compete with other vlogging phones while still setting itself apart. It has a more boxy form, which looks different than others on the market.
This phone was designed for video and picture recording. It has a specific button that allows you to open the camera app and three other buttons to switch between the three recording modes.
You have the option for expandable memory if you’re filling up your phone with amazing videos. You get full manual controls, subject tracking, image stabilization, and the ability for the phone to switch from f2 to f4 as needed.
I love that you can purchase the phone with a shooting grip that was explicitly designed for it. While the phone has excellent stabilization, the grip will only improve that and make recording easier. The front camera has 1080p/40fps, and the rear video has 4K/120fps. As for the battery, it’s 4,500mAh.
Pros
Option to include a shooting grip.
1644 x 3840 pixels.
Anti-distortion shutters.
Cons
It is not great for point-and-shoot.
Overhyped product.
4. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung’s phone, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, is pretty new. It came out in February of 2023 and has already made a name for itself as one of the best vlogging phones. Several cameras on the phone offer great image and video quality, but the ultra-wide lens appeals to the masses.
This camera has 8K video recording with up to 30fps, which is faster than the phones before this one. My favorite feature of the S23 is that it comes with a Director’s View mode in the camera.
They made this specifically for YouTube creators and vloggers so you can create enhanced videos while recording simultaneously from all the cameras on the phone. The videos recorded on this camera come out crispy and clear due to the image stabilization features.
I love the Nightography mode for shooting at night because it helps create clear and bright videos even in darker settings. You get between 128GB and 512GB of storage with this phone and a 5,000mAh battery.
Pros
Most affordable option.
8K super steady video shooting.
Nightography and portrait mode.
Cons
The screen size is only 6.6 inches.
5. Sony Oppo Find X5 Pro
Working with the Sony Oppo Find X5 Pro is excellent for giving images and videos with higher detail, color depth, and low noise. There are several cameras on the phone. There are three on the back and then one front-facing camera.
The primary camera can record up to 4K/60fps, which is comparable to the other vlogging phones on this list. The FullHD video can take up to 240fps, which is perfect for taking slow-motion videos.
AI powers the advanced noise-reducing feature and helps scan each frame of your video for noise. It goes pixel by pixel to reduce any grainy footage that can look low-quality to you and your viewers.
There is a limited zoom on this phone, though, so if you want a phone with the ability to zoom in super far, this isn’t the one for you. The storage capacity for this phone is either 256GB or 513GB, which allows for quite a bit of video storage and a 5,000mAh battery.
Pros
5G technology.
Lightweight.
K/60p video at 240fps.
Cons
Memory storage could be larger.
How To Choose the Best Vlogging Phone
As you browse through the different phones you can use for vlogging, there are some specific features or considerations you’ll want to consider before making your decision. Some of these primary considerations are:
High Camera Quality
You’ll want a phone that has at least 1080p resolution, image stabilization, low-light performance, and a front-facing camera.
Audio Quality
A video is only as good as the audio you record with it. You’ll want to ensure that the microphone is high-quality and possibly has noise-canceling properties. Also, having an external microphone input so you can use a different microphone is vital.
Connectivity Features
When a phone has 5G, it can enhance your video-sharing capabilities. It also usually means you’ll have a vibrant display to help you review footage and frame your shots.
Battery Life
A strong battery life is necessary when vlogging. You likely won’t only be using your phone for recording, so having a phone that has a strong battery life can ensure it does die too quickly while recording or editing footage.
The Operating System
Many people have a particular operating system for their phone and stick to it. If you prefer or use software for editing compatible with only one operating system, then you might want to stick with it.
Considering the five factors above will help you choose the best vlogging phone for your lifestyle and goals.
What Are the Advantages and Benefits Of a Vlogging Phone?
Many people struggle between choosing to get a digital camera for vlogging or using a smartphone. Both have their advantages, but I personally think a vlogging phone has a lot more benefits. Some of the biggest advantages that a vlogging phone offers people are:
- They’re convenient to bring with you anywhere.
- They’re portable, and you can capture spontaneous footage without additional equipment.
- They often come with built-in editing tools.
- You can easily upload the footage to social media or share it via text and email.
- They’re efficient
- They’re generally user-friendly.
Things To Look for That Differentiate These Products
You’ll find a lot of different phones that people use to record videos on, and while they’re all similar in many ways, some features will set them apart from one another.
Things like the battery life, camera resolution, whether it has a front-facing camera or not, and app availability are just a few of the things that will differentiate these products from one another.
What’s the Best Way To Use a Vlogging Phone?
While many phones are great for vlogging on their own without additional hardware and tools, there are some things you can do to make the most of your vlogging phone. Here are some helpful tips I’ve found to help you use your vlogging phone in the best way possible:
- Utilize Lighting Techniques: You’ll want to place your subject facing the light source if possible so you can get the clearest and well-lit shot possible.
- Buy an External Microphone: Even if your videos have good sound quality with the internal microphone, using an external microphone can enhance the audio quality and improve your vlogs overall.
- Use a Tripod: A tripod or other stabilizing product can help ensure you’re getting the smoothest shot. They’re also great for filming yourself without holding the phone or when you don’t have someone with you.
- Stay Up-To-Date With OS Updates: You need to stay on top of any software updates or operating system updates the phone needs. Doing this will keep your camera and all other video features working as best as possible.
Beyond that, you’ll want to continue to practice. The more comfortable you get filming and using your vlogging phone, the better your vlogs will ultimately turn out. That, combined with editing software comfortability and being passionate about whatever you’re filming, will be the best way to use your vlogging phone.
Prerequisites for Using a Vlogging Phone
The plus side of using a phone to vlog rather than a digital camera is that there aren’t any prerequisites for using it. Most people know how to operate a smartphone nowadays, so as long as you know how it works, you’ll be okay.
Each vlogging phone is a little different, so taking the time to get accustomed to using the phone where the camera feature is and how to adjust any settings is something you might need to do. Fortunately, it shouldn’t take very long to get used to the device and start seeing how it creates videos and what settings you prefer.
One prerequisite that you need to think about when getting a new vlogging phone is if you’re switching from an iPhone to an Android and vice versa. They have different operating systems, and while they’re not necessarily tricky to use, you might need to research some basics if you’re switching to an entirely new one.
what next?
If you’re looking for the best vlogging phone for every budget, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is your best bet. It comes with a world-class camera and a slew of other features that you could want in a camera and a phone.
The camera is precise, clear, and more stable than many other phones. Beyond the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the four other phones are fantastic options to consider as well, especially if you prefer to stick to an Android or non-iPhone cellphone.
Regardless of which phone you choose to record videos, you’ll have a high-quality phone with an excellent camera to create vlogs with.
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