If you plan to capture more than just candy and costumes this Halloween, you’ll need a smartphone camera that performs well in low light, avoids grainy photos, and never misses the perfect shot.
The best phones of 2025 are practically tailor-made for this, offering pro-grade camera hardware, AI-assisted scene detection, and advanced software features that make them feel less like phones and more like pocketable photo studios.
Here are five of the best smartphones for Halloween photography this year, whether you’re taking portraits of carved pumpkins, filming haunted house scenes, or just trying to document your costume in cinematic quality.
1. iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max
The iPhone 17 Pro series takes low-light and portrait photography to an entirely new level, and that’s saying something, considering the bar set by the iPhone 15 and 16 Pro models. Both the Pro and Pro Max come with three 48MP sensors: wide, ultra-wide, and a telephoto that uses a next-generation tetraprism design with a massive sensor upgrade. The 100mm 4x optical zoom is ideal for framing those eerie, distant subjects, while the 200mm 8x zoom delivers the longest optical-quality reach ever on an iPhone.
It also helps that Apple’s new A19 Pro chip and redesigned vapor chamber keep things cool during extended 4K Dolby Vision shoots. The new 18MP square-shaped front camera supports Center Stage with AI-based framing, making it great for selfies that include everyone, even in motion. Add in the triple-layer scratch resistance and glare reduction from Ceramic Shield 2, and it’s clear this iPhone is ready for a night of haunted action.
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iPhone 17 Pro 256 GB: 15.93 cm (6.3″) Display with Promotion up to 120Hz, A19 Pro Chip,… | Check Price on Amazon |
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2. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra is the only device here that pairs a 200MP main camera with a pair of high-resolution 50MP zoom sensors, one ultra-wide and one periscope, and delivers consistent 10-bit HDR video. The telephoto setup with 5x optical zoom and 100x Space Zoom remains an asset when you’re trying to photograph the full scale of a haunted house or pick out mysterious figures in the background.
Samsung’s mDNIe-powered image engine helps manage dynamic range at night without aggressive noise reduction, and new AI editing features like Virtual Aperture and Audio Eraser let you fine-tune your Halloween memories after the fact. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and a larger vapor chamber ensure you’re not thermally throttled while shooting extended 8K clips. For anyone serious about mobile photography, it’s a true Halloween-ready flagship.
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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G Smartphone with Galaxy AI (Titanium Silverblue, 12GB RAM, 256GB… | Check Price on Amazon |
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3. Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
The Pixel 10 Pro XL leans hard into computational photography, as expected from Google. But this year, it’s backed by the custom-built Tensor G5 chip and the new Gemini AI-powered Camera Coach. Whether you’re framing a foggy cemetery or a dimly lit porch, the Pixel 10 Pro XL can help suggest optimal settings and angles, acting as your night photography assistant.
The 48MP main, ultra-wide, and periscope sensors might not sound drastically different from the Pixel 9 series, but Google’s scene interpretation, HDR stack, and Night Sight algorithms are sharper and faster than ever. It even supports simultaneous dual-camera recording and 8K video. Magic Cue and Auto Best Take make sure that even your busy group photos turn out clear and well-framed.
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4. OnePlus 13
The OnePlus 13 might just be the underdog Halloween hero. Its Hasselblad-tuned triple 50MP camera setup includes an ultra-wide and an upgraded tri-prism periscope telephoto that is both lighter and faster to focus than its predecessor. Its 2K+ BOE display offers excellent clarity even when reviewing night shots in the field, and the camera delivers balanced exposure with high dynamic range.
What sets it apart is how fast it shoots, processes, and saves. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, paired with UFS 4.0 and up to 24GB of RAM, gives it a speed advantage in handling 4K or 8K Halloween videos with minimal lag. Its IP69 rating and ceramic glass build also mean you can shoot in rain or fog without concern.
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OnePlus 13| Smarter with OnePlus AI (12GB RAM, 256GB Storage Midnight Ocean) | Check Price on Amazon |
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5. iPhone 17
If you don’t need the Pro camera setup but still want Apple’s best low-light tech in a compact body, the iPhone 17 is a solid pick. It now has a 48MP main and 48MP ultra-wide camera, and the front 18MP Center Stage camera has all the software enhancements found in the Pro model, like AI framing and Dual Capture.
It might miss out on the extra zoom flexibility, but for most Halloween needs, from night-time street photos to 4K cinematic clips, it delivers beautifully. And with ProMotion finally on the base model and a 3,000-nit outdoor display, you won’t be squinting to review your dark and dramatic highlights.
| Preview | Product | |
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iPhone 17 256 GB: 15.93 cm (6.3″) Display with Promotion, A19 Chip, Center Stage Front Camera for… | Check Price on Amazon |
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