In a market where more than ~1000 phones are released every year, consumers need a way to quickly know about the performance of smartphone cameras, the #1 feature that affects purchase decisions according to OEMs we talked to.

To quickly guide potential buyers, we communicate our Camera HW (hardware) and Camera IQ (image quality) scores with a series of color-coded logos and awards.

Ultimate mobile cameras: the best of the best

MASTER_TITLE ULTIMATE YYYY-MM mobile UBER CAMERA IQ BEST
ULTIMATE YYYY-MM mobile UBER CAMERA IQ BEST PillarSpecific category being considered
ULTIMATE YYYY-MM mobile UBER-G SCORE CAMERA IQ 123 TOP

The best performing smartphone cameras are labeled “Ultimate” because they are the best, no matter the price point. As ~$500+ smartphones increasingly challenge high-end handsets, a “Premium” ($450-$600) phone can challenge a “High-end” phone ($600-$1200+) in one or many aspects of mobile photography.

Color-coded market segments

Because of the way people shop (based on budget), smartphones are typically promoted by retailers, carriers, and OEMs within specific market price-segments, so we will use a color code for users to have a feel for a camera’s market positioning.

Image-quality (IQ)

123Image Quality score UBERScoring/ranking system name IQImage-Quality based scoring system CAMERA Brand DeviceDevice brand and name Below $xyzCategory based on price YYYY-MMDevice launch date
123Image Quality score UBERScoring/ranking system name IQImage-Quality based scoring system CAMERA Brand DeviceDevice brand and name Below $xyzCategory based on price YYYY-MMDevice launch date
123Image Quality score UBERScoring/ranking system name IQImage-Quality based scoring system CAMERA Brand DeviceDevice brand and name Below $xyzCategory based on price YYYY-MMDevice launch date
123Image Quality score UBERScoring/ranking system name IQImage-Quality based scoring system CAMERA Brand DeviceDevice brand and name Below $xyzCategory based on price YYYY-MMDevice launch date

Hardware (HW)

123Image Quality score UBERScoring/ranking system name HWImage-Quality based scoring system CAMERA Brand DeviceDevice brand and name Below $xyzCategory based on price YYYY-MMDevice launch date
123Image Quality score UBERScoring/ranking system name HWImage-Quality based scoring system CAMERA Brand DeviceDevice brand and name Below $xyzCategory based on price YYYY-MMDevice launch date
123Image Quality score UBERScoring/ranking system name HWImage-Quality based scoring system CAMERA Brand DeviceDevice brand and name Below $xyzCategory based on price YYYY-MMDevice launch date
123Image Quality score UBERScoring/ranking system name HWImage-Quality based scoring system CAMERA Brand DeviceDevice brand and name Below $xyzCategory based on price YYYY-MMDevice launch date

The market segments are based on the launch price, not the current retail price, to avoid confusion as the device price go lower.

Mobile Camera Awards

Top Awards

TOP _TOPX Award dateYYYY-MM UBERScoring/ranking system name IQImage-Quality based scoring system CAMERA Below $xyzCategory based on price YYYY-MMDevice launch date Brand DeviceMobile device brand and name

Each market segment has a Top 3/5 mobile cameras based on their HW or IQ scores. Because so many phones are coming out, each award is labeled with a year/month. It is the equivalent of being Olympic Champion of a specific year and discipline.

Best Awards, per category

MASTER_TITLE BEST PillarSpecific category being considered YYYY-MMAward date UBERScoring/ranking system name IQImage-Quality based scoring system CAMERA Below $xyzCategory based on launch price YYYY-MMDevice launch date Brand DeviceDevice brand and name

To add some nuance, we highlight when mobile cameras are the “overall best,” or lead in one of the score Pillars like night photos, zoom, etc.

Summary

The Camera IQ score visuals provide quick, relevant, and nuanced information about cameras that have been rated with our rating system. At any time, consumers can consult the most updated Camera HW or Camera IQ scores, and read our full mobile Camera IQ reviews when available.

Filed in Cellphones >Photo-Video..