Looking for the best camera smartphone under $300? In 2025, you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a phone with excellent camera quality. Many budget smartphones now offer high-resolution cameras, night mode, AI enhancements, and multiple lenses for capturing stunning photos.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top budget camera smartphones that deliver amazing photography at an affordable price.
📷 What to Look for in a Camera Phone Under $300?
Before choosing a budget smartphone, consider these key camera features:
✅ Megapixel Count – Higher MP doesn’t always mean better quality, but a 48MP+ sensor usually captures sharp details.
✅ Multiple Lenses – Ultra-wide, macro, and depth sensors improve versatility in photography.
✅ Night Mode – Enhances low-light shots for clearer, brighter images.
✅ AI & HDR Features – AI-powered image processing and HDR mode enhance colors and contrast.
✅ Video Recording – Look for 4K recording or at least 1080p @ 60fps for smooth videos.
📌 Best Camera Smartphones Under $300 (2025 Edition)
Here are the top budget smartphones that offer excellent camera performance without exceeding the $300 price range.
1️⃣ Google Pixel 6a – Best AI Camera 📱
Google Pixel 6a Specifications
| 🚀 Overview | |
|---|---|
| Google Pixel 6a is a compact and powerful smartphone with Google's Tensor chipset, premium camera features, and 5G connectivity. | |
| 📅 Launch Details | |
| Announced | 📢 May 2022 |
| Status | ✅ Available (July 2022 Release) |
| 📱 Display | |
| Type | 🖥️ OLED, HDR |
| Size | 📏 6.1 inches |
| Resolution | 🔍 1080 x 2400 pixels (~429 ppi density) |
| Refresh Rate | 🔄 60Hz |
| Protection | 🛡️ Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| ⚡ Performance & OS | |
| OS | 📲 Android 12 (upgradable to Android 14) |
| Chipset | ⚙️ Google Tensor (5nm) |
| CPU | 🚀 Octa-core (2x Cortex-X1, 2x Cortex-A76, 4x Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | 🎮 Mali-G78 MP20 |
| 📸 Camera Setup | |
| Rear Camera | 📌 12.2 MP (wide), 📌 12 MP (ultrawide), 🎞️ Night Sight, HDR+ |
| Front Camera | 📌 8 MP (wide), 🎥 1080p@30fps |
| 🔋 Battery & Charging | |
| Battery Type | 🔋 Li-Po 4410 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | ⚡ 18W wired |
| 💾 Memory Options | |
| Storage | 📦 128GB UFS 3.1 |
| RAM | 🛠️ 6GB |
| Expandable Storage | ❌ No microSD slot |
| 📡 Network & Connectivity | |
| 5G Support | 🌍 ✅ Yes |
| Wi-Fi | 📶 Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 🔵 v5.2 |
| USB Type | 🔌 USB-C 3.1 |
| NFC | ✅ Yes |
| 📏 Body & Build | |
| Dimensions | 📐 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm |
| Weight | ⚖️ 178 g |
| Colors | 🎨 Chalk, Charcoal, Sage |
| 💰 Expected Price | |
| USA | 🇺🇸 $299 |
| India | 🇮🇳 ₹29,999 |
✅ Why Choose It?
✔️ Google’s AI-powered camera with HDR+ & Night Sight
✔️ Best portrait mode with natural background blur
✔️ Superb low-light performance
2️⃣ Samsung Galaxy A54 – Best Overall Camera 📷
Samsung Galaxy A54 Specifications
| 🚀 Overview | |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A54 ek mid-range smartphone hai jo AMOLED display, powerful Exynos processor, aur 50MP camera setup ke sath aata hai. | |
| 📅 Launch Details | |
| Announced | 📢 March 2023 |
| Status | ✅ Available |
| 📱 Display | |
| Type | 🖥️ Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Size | 📏 6.4 inches, ~82.9% screen-to-body ratio |
| Resolution | 🔍 1080 x 2340 pixels (~403 ppi density) |
| ⚡ Performance & OS | |
| OS | 📲 Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Chipset | ⚙️ Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| CPU | 🚀 Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | 🎮 Mali-G68 MP5 |
| 📸 Camera Setup | |
| Rear Camera |
📌 50 MP (wide), PDAF, OIS 📌 12 MP (ultrawide) 📌 5 MP (macro) 🎞️ LED flash, HDR, panorama 🎥 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Front Camera |
📌 32 MP (wide) 🎥 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| 🔋 Battery & Charging | |
| Battery Type | 🔋 Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | ⚡ 25W wired fast charging |
| 💾 Memory Options | |
| Variants | 📦 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Storage Type | 🚀 UFS 2.2 |
| 📡 Network & SIM | |
| SIM | 📱 Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| 5G Support | 🌍 ✅ Yes |
| Bands | 📶 GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 📏 Body & Build | |
| Dimensions | 📐 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm |
| Weight | ⚖️ 202 g |
| Build | 🏗️ Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Colors | 🎨 Lime, Graphite, Violet, White |
| 💰 Expected Price | |
| India | 🇮🇳 ₹38,999 (Expected) |
| USA | 🇺🇸 $280 (Approx) |
| Pakistan | 🇵🇰 PKR 79,999 (Expected) |
| UAE | 🇦🇪 AED 1,099 (Expected) |
✅ Why Choose It?
✔️ Large 50MP sensor for ultra-clear photos
✔️ Super steady mode for smooth videos
✔️ Long battery life for all-day photography
3️⃣ OnePlus Nord N30 – Best for Portraits 🤳
OnePlus Nord N30 Specifications
| 🚀 Overview | |
|---|---|
| OnePlus Nord N30 5G is a mid-range smartphone offering from OnePlus, featuring a large display, smooth refresh rate, and a powerful Snapdragon processor for everyday performance. It combines affordability with decent specs for a great user experience. | |
| 📅 Launch Details | |
| Announced | 📢 June 2023 |
| Status | ✅ Released |
| 📱 Display | |
| Type | 🖥️ IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Size | 📏 6.72 inches |
| Resolution | 🔍 1080 x 2400 pixels (~391 ppi density) |
| Protection | 🛡️ Not officially specified |
| ⚡ Performance & OS | |
| OS | 📲 Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Chipset | ⚙️ Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| CPU | 🚀 Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| GPU | 🎮 Adreno 619 |
| 📸 Camera Setup | |
| Rear Cameras |
📌 108 MP, f/1.7 (wide), PDAF 📌 2 MP, f/2.4 (depth) 📌 2 MP, f/2.4 (macro) 🎞️ LED flash, HDR, panorama 🎥 1080p@30fps |
| Front Camera |
📌 16 MP, f/2.4 (wide) 🎥 1080p@30fps |
| 🔋 Battery & Charging | |
| Battery Type | 🔋 Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | ⚡ 50W wired fast charging |
| 💾 Memory Options | |
| Variants | 📦 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Storage Type | 🚀 UFS 2.2 |
| 📡 Network & SIM | |
| SIM | 📱 Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| 5G Support | 🌍 ✅ Yes |
| Bands | 📶 GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 📏 Body & Build | |
| Dimensions | 📐 165.5 x 76 x 8.3 mm |
| Weight | ⚖️ 195 g |
| Build | 🏗️ Plastic frame & back, glass front |
| Colors | 🎨 Chromatic Gray |
| 💰 Price | |
| India | 🇮🇳 ₹19,999 |
| USA | 🇺🇸 $299 |
| Pakistan | 🇵🇰 PKR 84,999 |
| UAE | 🇦🇪 AED 999 |
4️⃣ Moto G Stylus 5G – Best for Creators 🎨
Moto G Stylus 5G Specifications
| 🚀 Overview | |
|---|---|
| Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) ek mid-range smartphone hai jo stylus support, 50MP camera, aur Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset ke sath aata hai. | |
| 📅 Launch Details | |
| Announced | 📢 May 2023 |
| Status | ✅ Available |
| 📱 Display | |
| Type | 🖥️ IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Size | 📏 6.6 inches, ~86.5% screen-to-body ratio |
| Resolution | 🔍 1080 x 2400 pixels (~399 ppi density) |
| ⚡ Performance & OS | |
| OS | 📲 Android 13 |
| Chipset | ⚙️ Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| CPU | 🚀 Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | 🎮 Adreno 710 |
| 📸 Camera Setup | |
| Rear Camera |
📌 50 MP (wide), PDAF, OIS 📌 8 MP (ultrawide) 🎞️ LED flash, HDR, panorama 🎥 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Front Camera |
📌 16 MP (wide) 🎥 1080p@30fps |
| 🔋 Battery & Charging | |
| Battery Type | 🔋 Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | ⚡ 20W wired charging |
| 💾 Memory Options | |
| Variants | 📦 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Storage Type | 🚀 UFS 2.2 |
| 📡 Network & SIM | |
| SIM | 📱 Nano-SIM |
| 5G Support | 🌍 ✅ Yes |
| Bands | 📶 GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 📏 Body & Build | |
| Dimensions | 📐 162.6 x 73.8 x 9.3 mm |
| Weight | ⚖️ 202 g |
| Build | 🏗️ Plastic frame, plastic back |
| Colors | 🎨 Cosmic Black, Rose Gold |
| 💰 Expected Price | |
| India | 🇮🇳 ₹26,999 (Expected) |
| USA | 🇺🇸 $399 |
| Pakistan | 🇵🇰 PKR 99,999 (Expected) |
| UAE | 🇦🇪 AED 1,470 (Expected) |
✅ Why Choose It?
✔️ Stylus support for creative editing
✔️ Ultra-wide camera for scenic shots
✔️ Big display for easy photo editing
🚀 Recommended for You
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G Price & Specs – Best Budget 5G Phone?
🔥 Must-Read Article
Infinix Note 30: A Powerful Budget Smartphone with Premium Features
💡 Conclusion: Which One is Best for You?
The best camera smartphone under $300 depends on your needs:
📌 Best AI Camera: Google Pixel 6a (AI-enhanced Night Sight)
📌 Best Overall Camera: Samsung Galaxy A54 (50MP OIS + Ultra-Wide)
📌 Best for Portraits: OnePlus Nord N30 (108MP AI camera)
📌 Best for Creativity: Moto G Stylus 5G (Stylus & big display)
👉 Final Pick: If you want the best camera performance overall, go for the Samsung Galaxy A54. If you love Google’s AI photography, the Pixel 6a is unbeatable.
Which one will you choose? Let us know in the comments! 🚀
🛒 Where to Buy?
Check out the best deals on Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart for the latest discounts on these phones.