Best Android phones for taking selfies (October 2019)
The term “selfie” has only been around for a few years, believe it or not. In that time, it’s become a phenomenon, with pretty much every person with a smartphone taking at least one at some point. But what are the best phones for selfies you can get?
If you’re looking for the answer to that question, you’re in the right place!
Nearly every smartphone on the market has a selfie camera, so you would literally need to wade through every device released over the past year to figure out which one is the best phone for selfies. We’ve done all the work for you below by rounding up the eight phones with the best camera hardware and/or software to take your self-portraits to the next level.
Best phones for selfies:
Editor’s note: We’ll be updating this list of the best phones for selfies regularly as new devices launch.
1. Asus Zenfone 6
Without a doubt, the Asus Zenfone 6 is the best phone on the market for taking selfies. This is especially remarkable considering the Zenfone 6 doesn’t have a selfie camera!
If you’re confused, allow us to explain. The Zenfone 6 has a unique flipping camera which brings the rear camera system to the front of the device whenever you need it. That means you get the same high-quality shots from the phone’s rear camera even when you’re taking selfies!
Related: Asus Zenfone 6 review
That rear camera is a dual-lens system with a 48MP primary sensor (ƒ/1.8) paired with a 13MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.4). Those are some of the best modern sensors you can get, so your selfies are going to be of the highest quality. The ultrawide lens will also help you get a wider shot, which is perfect for group selfies or selfies where you want a lot of background imagery.
Outside of the camera, the Zenfone 6 is an awesome 2019 flagship, with tons of RAM, plenty of internal storage, the latest Snapdragon 855 processor, a huge 5,000mAh battery, and Android 9 Pie.
The Asus Zenfone 6 is just now becoming widely available in the United States, so it might be tricky to find. Keep in mind that it is a GSM-only device, so it won’t work on Sprint, Verizon, or any of their MVNOs or subsidiaries.
Asus Zenfone 6 specs:
- Display: 6.4-inch, FHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 855
- RAM: 6, 8, or 12GB
- Storage: 64, 128, or 512GB
- Rear cameras: 48 and 13MP
- Front cameras: Same as rear
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
2. Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus stands out from the rest of the 4G Galaxy S10 family by having two selfie cameras on the front. In some cases, less is more, but in the case of smartphone selfies more is more: the more cameras, the better!
Those two selfie cameras are a 10MP primary sensor (ƒ/1.9) paired with an 8MP secondary (ƒ/2.2). The two lenses working together can get you some terrific shots and make the Galaxy S10 Plus one of the best phones for selfies ever. Additionally, it’s really nice that both cameras are housed in a display cutout at the top right of the phone’s screen, which means there’s no notch and very slim bezels all around the device.
Related: Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus review
Outside of those selfie cameras, the Galaxy S10 Plus also has a triple-lens rear camera setup that is one of the highest-rated on the market right now. It also maxes out at 12GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage, which is incredible. Pair all that with the Snapdragon 855 processor, Android 9 Pie, and an enormous 4,100mAh battery, and you have quite possibly the best phone released in 2019.
The Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus is easy to get pretty much everywhere in the world and will work on every major US carrier. Click below to grab one!
Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus specs:
- Display: 6.4-inch, QHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9820
- RAM: 8 or 12GB
- Storage: 128GB, 512GB, or 1TB
- Rear cameras: 16, 12, and 12MP
- Front cameras: 10 and 8MP
- Battery: 4,100mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
3. Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL
The Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are a year old at this point, but don’t let that fool you: these are still selfie-taking powerhouses. Google’s Pixel line is renowned for its industry-standard photography features, and the Pixel 3 family is still, as of this writing, the top-of-the-line Pixel experience.
On the front of both devices, you’ll find a pair of 8MP sensors that work together to get you the best selfie shots possible. The first 8MP sensor is a wide-angle lens (ƒ/1.8) and the second is an ultrawide (ƒ/2.2). That second lens will allow you to get some nice wide-angle selfie photos so your group shots can include everyone.
Related: Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL review
The real star of Pixel devices that makes them some of the best phones for selfies is the phone’s software. Google wrote the book on using AI smarts to make photos really pop, and the Pixel line is where the company puts all those features. In other words, not only are you getting terrific camera hardware out-of-the-box with the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, but you’re also getting the software to take your photos to the next level.
What’s more, is that Google constantly updates that software and you’ll always be the first to receive the latest Android updates each year.
The Google Pixel 3 family is easy to get in many countries and will work on any US-based wireless carrier.
Google Pixel 3 specs:
- Display: 5.5-inch, FHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 845
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64 or 128GB
- Rear camera: 12.2MP
- Front cameras: 8 and 8MP
- Battery: 2,915mAh
- Software: Android 10
Google Pixel 3 XL specs:
- Display: 6.3-inch, QHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 845
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64 or 128GB
- Rear camera: 12.2MP
- Front cameras: 8 and 8MP
- Battery: 3,430mAh
- Software: Android 10
4. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10 Plus are the newest devices on this list. Unlike all the other phones we’ve seen on the list thus far, the Galaxy Note 10 line only has one selfie camera on the front. Don’t let this fool you though — these are still selfie monsters.
The single selfie lens is a 10MP shooter (ƒ/2.2) with a wide field-of-view. This won’t get you quite the same results as something like the Google Pixel 3 line which uses a secondary ultrawide lens to really bring in the background, but it’s still good.
Related: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus review
In our review for the Note 10 Plus camera, we noted that the software tends to use beautification algorithms a bit too heavily. This gives selfies — especially the subject’s skin — an unnatural look. Luckily, it’s easy to turn this off before you take the picture, which we would advise doing (you can always add filters after the fact).
Don’t forget that on the back of the Galaxy Note 10 Plus is a whopping four camera sensors: a 12MP wide-angle, a 12MP telephoto, a 16MP ultra-wide, and a time-of-flight sensor. The four sensors put together will get you some of the best photos a smartphone can get. The vanilla Galaxy Note 10 has the same setup without the ToF sensor.
Of course, the Galaxy Note 10 line is very expensive, so get your wallet ready. The phones are easy to find though, with wide availability throughout the world and support for all major US carriers.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 specs:
- Display: 6.3-inch, FHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9825
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Rear cameras: 16, 16, and 12MP
- Front camera: 10MP
- Battery: 3,500mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus specs:
- Display: 6.8-inch, QHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9825
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256 or 512GB
- Rear cameras: 16, 16, 12MP + ToF
- Front camera: 10MP
- Battery: 4,300mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
5. Huawei P30 and P30 Pro
This year hasn’t been the best for Huawei, but that doesn’t mean the company can’t make an amazing smartphone. In fact, the Huawei P30 Pro — which launched along with the Huawei P30 in the Spring of 2019 — held the record as the best overall smartphone camera until it was dethroned months later by the Galaxy Note 10 Plus, according to DxOMark. That’s no small feat!
As with the Galaxy Note 10 family, the P30 line only has a single selfie camera on the front. However, it’s a massive 32MP sensor (ƒ/2.0) in both phones so it will get you some amazing shots.
Related: Huawei P30 Pro review
Huawei’s “P” series has always been about bringing the best photo capabilities possible to a smartphone, and the P30 Pro specifically is — as of right now — the apex of that ambition. We were so blown away by the P30 Pro’s photo capabilities that we said it was one of the best camera systems we’ve ever tested. What more is there to say?
Keep in mind that the P30 and the P30 Pro have the same front-facing sensor (so selfies will be pretty much the same with either device) but the rear setup is slightly different. The vanilla P30 lacks the P30 Pro’s periscope zoom as well as the ToF sensor.
Of course, you might be wary of buying a Huawei phone right now because of the troubles the company faces. However, since the P30 line came out before the US government ban began, the devices will continue to receive support and Android updates for the foreseeable future, so you don’t have much to worry about there.
Unfortunately, the phones won’t come with a warranty if you import one to the United States, and they will only work on GSM carriers (such as T-Mobile and AT&T). Click below to grab yours!
Huawei P30 specs:
- Display: 6.1-inch, FHD+
- SoC: Kirin 980
- RAM: 6 or 8GB
- Storage: 64, 128, or 256GB
- Rear cameras: 40, 8, and 16MP
- Front camera: 32MP
- Battery: 3,650mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
Huawei P30 Pro specs:
- Display: 6.5-inch, FHD+
- SoC: Kirin 980
- RAM: 6 or 8GB
- Storage: 128, 256, or 512GB
- Rear cameras: 40, 8, 20MP + ToF
- Front camera: 32MP
- Battery: 4,200mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
6. LG V50 ThinQ 5G
The LG V50 ThinQ 5G has the distinction of being the only 5G-capable device on this list. Being able to connect to 5G networks doesn’t help with selfie-taking at all, but there is no 4G variant of the LG V50, so 5G is what you get!
5G might not matter for selfies, but the dual-sensor selfie setup on the front of the V50 certainly does. The first lens is a standard 8MP sensor (ƒ/1.9) and the second sensor is a 5MP wide-angle (ƒ/2.2). Paired together, these sensors deliver some top-notch photos, making the V50 ThinQ one of the best phones for selfies on the market.
Related: LG V50 ThinQ review
In our review for the phone, we found the five cameras (there are three on the back of the phone) delivered some incredible shots, almost on par with other devices on this list, such as the Galaxy S10 Plus and the Huawei P30 Pro. We especially loved the wide-angle lens on the front which once again helps get more scenery into your frame during a selfie shoot.
Unfortunately, as of right now the LG V50 ThinQ is a bit tricky to get. It’s still technically a Sprint exclusive, which means you can’t walk into any other carrier shop besides Sprint’s to buy one. However, you can buy an unlocked model by clicking the button below, and that device will work on all major carriers.
LG V50 ThinQ 5G specs:
- Display: 6.4-inch, QHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 855
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Rear cameras: 12, 12 and 16MP
- Front cameras: 8 and 5MP
- Battery: 4,000mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
7. OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro
OnePlus has always had a rough time with its camera systems. On one hand, its cameras usually aren’t as good as other big brands such as Google, Samsung, and Huawei. On the other hand, a OnePlus smartphone will almost always cost much less than a flagship from any of those companies, so you’re giving a little to a get a little.
The OnePlus 7 Pro, though, has something no other smartphone on this list has: a pop-up selfie camera. When you are using the phone as normal there is no selfie camera visible, even if you’ve got the camera app open. Once you switch the camera app into selfie mode, though, the pop-up mechanism works its magic and you’re ready to snap selfies to your heart’s content.
Related: OnePlus 7 Pro review
That selfie shooter is a 16MP wide-angle sensor (ƒ/2.0), so it’s going to deliver some great shots. The OnePlus camera app has made leaps-and-bounds recently, too, so you’ll have plenty of control over advanced shooting modes. You can even tweak the beautification settings as much as you like (or turn them off completely).
If you want to save some cash, the OnePlus 7 is slightly less expensive and features the same front-facing camera hardware (although it does not have the same rear hardware). The OnePlus 7 is not available in the United States, however, so keep that in mind.
The OnePlus 7 Pro will work on all major US carriers and you can buy one at any T-Mobile store, too. If you’re on Sprint, you can also buy the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, which has the same camera sensors and other features. The OnePlus 7 will work on most carriers outside of the United States.
If you’re looking to buy unlocked, just click the button below!
OnePlus 7 specs:
- Display: 6.4-inch, FHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 855
- RAM: 6 or 8GB
- Storage: 128 or 256GB
- Rear cameras: 48 and 5MP
- Front camera: 16MP
- Battery: 3,700mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
OnePlus 7 Pro specs:
- Display: 6.7-inch, QHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 855
- RAM: 6, 8, or 12GB
- Storage: 128 or 256GB
- Rear cameras: 48, 8, and 16MP
- Front camera: 16MP
- Battery: 4,000mAh
- Software: Android 10
8. Samsung Galaxy Note 9
The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is the oldest phone on this list. It launched in August of 2018 and has been superseded by the Galaxy Note 10 Plus (which is also on this list). However, the Note 9 still can deliver a powerful selfie even though it’s a bit older.
In fact, according to DxOMark, the Galaxy Note 9 is still the sixth-best phone for selfies on the market, which is saying a lot considering it’s been a whole year for companies to one-up it. DxOMark gave it a score of 92 for selfies, the same score as the Google Pixel 3. That’s nothing to sneer at!
Related: Samsung Galaxy Note 9 review
The selfie shooter on the front of the Note 9 is an 8MP wide-angle lens (ƒ/1.7), so it’s going to give you some great results. The dual-lens setup on the rear will also deliver some great shots. Overall, we found the Note 9 to be the best phone of 2018 overall, so this is a solid investment no matter how you slice it.
Since the Galaxy Note 9 is a bit old, you can find it for very cheap online if you’re willing to do some digging. The button below will take you directly to Samsung’s site, but feel free to shop around to find the best deals.
The Galaxy Note 9 will work on pretty much any wireless carrier.
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 specs:
- Display: 6.4-inch, QHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 845 or Exynos 9810
- RAM: 6 or 8GB
- Storage: 128 or 512GB
- Rear cameras: 12 and 12MP
- Front camera: 8MP
- Battery: 4,000mAh
- Software: Android 9 Pie
These are our picks for the best phones for taking selfies you can get, although there are a lot of other options out there as well. We’ll be sure to update this post once new models hit the market.
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