Best Camera Phone of 2026
We test each phone in real-world scenarios, focusing on its features, design, performance, cameras, battery life and overall value. We document our results in an initial review that is periodically updated in case of new software updates, or to compare them to new phones from competitors such as Apple, Samsung, Google and OnePlus.
CNET’s Andrew Lanxon documents himself testing the Pixel 10 Pro’s selfie camera.
Photography
Photography is a major focus for most phones these days, which is why we take photos and videos of various subjects in a variety of settings and lighting scenarios. We try out all the new camera modes, such as ProRes Log video with genlock that debuted with the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max, or the Camera Coach tool powered by Gemini launched with the Google Pixel 10 series.
Battery life
Battery tests are performed in different ways. We evaluate how long a phone lasts during a typical day of use and rate its performance during more focused sessions of video calling, media streaming, and gaming. We also perform a video playback test as a simple, repeatable measure of pure battery life, which is not always included in the initial review but sometimes added later in an update.
We test phone features all over the world.
Performance measurement
We use benchmarking apps to measure each phone’s performance as well as our own anecdotal experiences using the phone for our review. Most notable are the appearance of the graphics and animations. Are they smooth? Or are they late or stuttering? We also look at how quickly the phone switches between horizontal and vertical orientations, as well as how quickly the camera app opens and is ready to take a photo.
We perform CPU-intensive tasks like editing photos, exporting videos, and playing games. We evaluate whether a newer version of a particular phone includes enough features to warrant an upgrade from older models.
Read more: How we test phones
