The photographic capabilities of mainstream camera phones have seen notable advancements this year. A range of exceptional smartphones, priced under Rs 35,000, hit the market in 2023, delivering camera performance on par with flagship counterparts. The Indian Gadget Awards return for another edition, featuring a panel of 35+ esteemed jury members, spanning 35+ award categories, and showcasing over 200 nominees. Now, let’s reveal the winner among the six nominees for the Best Camera Phone of 2023 (Mainstream).
Best Camera Phone of 2023 (Mainstream)
Winner: Vivo V29
The Vivo V29 had a good IGA 2023 as it not only won the Best Selfie Phone of 2023 in the Mainstream category but also the Best Camera Phone of 2023 (Mainstream). The phone boasts an impressive camera setup, featuring a 50MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 2MP depth camera. Captured images are social media-ready, showcasing vivid colours, sharp details, and excellent dynamic range. Noteworthy camera-centric features include Smart Aura Light, which enhances image quality more effectively than traditional night mode.
Beyond its outstanding cameras, the handset excels in design and the viewing experience. The Vivo V29 showcases a vibrant 6.78-inch 3D AMOLED screen with Full HD+ resolution (2,800×1,260). The display includes a centre-aligned hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera, HDR10+ support, a 120Hz refresh rate, and an impressive peak brightness of 1,300 nits. Powering the device’s performance is the Snapdragon 778G SoC.
Take a look at the rest of the nominees for the Best Camera Phone of 2023 (Mainstream).
Best Camera Phone of 2023 (Mainstream) nominees
Realme 11 Pro+ 5G
The Realme 11 Pro+ 5G was at the forefront of camera smartphones under Rs 35,000 this year, introducing a remarkable 200MP camera that captures outstanding images. Additionally, the camera’s dynamic range is comparable to that of flagship devices.
OnePlus Nord 3 5G
In optics, the OnePlus Nord 3 5G packs a 50MP Sony IMX890 primary camera with OIS, accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide sensor and a 2MP macro unit. The inclusion of an autofocus (PDAF) sensor adds to the reliability of the camera system. The images captured by these cameras exhibit exceptional quality, particularly in well-lit daytime conditions.
Samsung Galaxy F54 5G
For photography, the Samsung Galaxy F54 is equipped with a triple camera setup at the back, which consists of a 108MP primary sensor with OIS. It is accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide sensor and a 2MP macro sensor. The camera performance of the phone is reliable, especially in well-lit environments.
Vivo V29e
The Vivo V29e showcases impressive camera capabilities, with a 64MP main sensor that incorporates OIS, along with an 8MP ultra-wide shooter. For selfies and video calling, it boasts a 50MP front-facing camera.
OPPO Reno10 5G
The OPPO Reno10 5G cameras deliver satisfactory results for the most part. The handset sports a triple camera setup, comprising a 50MP Sony IMX890 OIS primary sensor, an 8MP 112-degree field of view (FoV) ultra-wide sensor, and a 32MP telephoto lens.
Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G
The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G captures images with ample details and sharpness, especially with its 200MP primary camera. The phone’s 8MP ultra-wide and 2MP macro cameras are also quite capable.
iQOO Neo 7 Pro
The iQOO Neo 7 Pro delivers impressive image quality with well-metered exposure levels, vibrant and saturated colours, and a commendable dynamic range. This is made possible by its proficient 64MP ISOCELL GW3 primary sensor, complemented by an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro lens.
Motorola Edge 40
The Motorola Edge 40 snaps reasonably good photos that are rich in detail and offer a wide dynamic range, with its 50MP dual-rear camera setup.
Infinix Zero 30 5G
The Infinix Zero 30 5G boasts an impressive camera setup, featuring a 108MP primary camera, a 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro unit. These cameras excel in capturing likeable images with colours that are nearly accurate and details that are highly respectable.
POCO X5 Pro 5G
The POCO X5 Pro 5G packs triple rear cameras, which are more or less on par with its competitors. The handset boasts a 108MP Samsung ISOCELL HM2 primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro sensor, while the front camera is a 16MP shooter.
Tecno Camon 20 Premier 5G
The Tecno Camon 20 Premier 5G boasts an advanced camera setup, spearheaded by a 50MP primary RGBW sensor. It further includes a whopping 108MP ultra-wide camera with f/2.2 aperture and PDAF, complemented by a dedicated 2MP portrait sensor.
