Night skies punish small sensors and auto modes—the wrong phone turns the Milky Way into mush. This guide is for mobile shooters and pros who want a pocketable backup with manual exposure control, native RAW/DNG, a big 1‑inch‑type sensor, true astro modes, and a sharp telephoto for the Moon. Choose well and your phone becomes a tripod-friendly night camera, not a noise‑reduction experiment.
We analyzed and ranked 4 products and compared manual control, 30s+ shutters, RAW pipelines, sensor size, stacking behavior, and tele reach. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra earned 99/100, while another Galaxy S25 Ultra trim posted 88/100. We also call out specialized picks for Milky Way landscapes, handheld star fields, and budget-friendly backup bodies.
Expect clear guidance by use case, budget, and experience level, plus practical settings for noise control. We explain which phones deliver trustworthy manual 30s exposures, how each astro mode handles stacking, and when to lean on that long telephoto for lunar shots.
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Top Picks
Best Smartphones for Astrophotography 2026: 4-Phone Night-Sky Showdown
| Specifications | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 99/100 | 88/100 | 83/100 | 80/100 |
| Year | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Primary Camera Resolution | 200 MP | 200 MP | 48MP | 48MP Pro Fusion camera system |
| Storage | 1 TB | 512 GB | 1 TB | 256 GB |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB | 8 GB | 12 GB LPDDR5X |
| Screen Size | 6.9 inches | 6.9-inch | 6.9 inches | 6.9-inch |
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Enthusiasts who want a pocketable, high-end flagship that doubles as a capable night/astrophotography backup — great for quick Milky Way frames, wide-field nightscapes, and handheld lunar snaps when you need results without swapping to your mirrorless gear.
- Flagship performance (Snapdragon 8 Elite) and Samsung imaging pipeline — strong for computational night modes and fast RAW processing
- Massive 1TB storage + 12GB RAM — keeps many RAW/DNG files and long-session captures on-device without filling up quickly
- Large, high-quality display and unlocked international model make reviewing images and editing on-device convenient
- No sensor-size specification provided — very likely smaller than a true 1-inch type sensor that serious astrophotographers prefer
- Unclear support for manual exposures longer than 30s (critical for some deep-sky work); phone’s native long-exposure limits may be restrictive
Want a pocketable backup for unplanned night shoots or a quick lunar grab? You get a flagship-level camera pipeline, Expert RAW-friendly storage, and the processing power to shoot and edit a lot of RAW night frames on the go. The tradeoff: you won’t get the same faint-detail capture as a dedicated 1-inch-sensor camera or a mirrorless body with a long telephoto—so expect excellent wide-field and handheld lunar shots, but bring a tripod and your main kit when you need deep-sky or high-resolution lunar detail.
Overview & Ranking:
As our #1 pick, this model brings pocketable imaging power to mobile shooters and pros who want a dependable backup. The Samsung camera pipeline and Snapdragon 8 Elite keep capture and edits fast — a combination that earned it a near‑perfect score in our tests.
Mobile Imaging & Low Light:
Expect clean night frames thanks to night shooting tuned by computational processing and a 200MP main camera with supportive 50MP ultra-wide and tele modules. For RAW workflow, capture DNG in Expert RAW and keep long sessions on-device with 1TB storage and 12GB RAM. Versatile framing lets you move from wide-field nightscapes to handheld lunar snaps without changing lenses.
Standout Features & Value:
On-device review is a pleasure on the 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (120Hz) display, so culling and editing feel natural in the field. Expert RAW, Android 15, and the fast Snapdragon 8 Elite deliver responsive stacking, denoising, and export, while the 5000 mAh battery keeps you shooting longer. With an international GSM unlocked build, it travels well and offers excellent value as a premium backup that lightens your kit.
Who It’s For:
Who is this for? Mobile photography enthusiasts and working shooters who want a capable pocket backup for night work and travel. Perfect for: wide-field nightscapes, handheld lunar snaps, travel and scouting.
Our Verdict:
Final recommendation: Choose this model if you want flagship-level imaging with room to shoot and edit many RAW files on the go. It offers a strong price-to-performance ratio for a backup that complements your main camera kit, and it earns our confidence for unplanned night shoots and quick lunar grabs.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Hobbyists who want a pocketable, high-end phone that reliably captures RAW frames for stacking and delivers solid lunar shots without carrying extra optics; also good as a portable backup for pros on short outings.
- Top-tier flagship hardware: Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm), 12GB RAM and generous storage — plenty of headroom for raw capture, stacking apps and on-device processing.
- Very capable camera system: 200MP main + 50MP ultrawide + 50MP periscope (5× optical) + 10MP tele — gives flexible framing from wide to moderate tele for lunar shots.
- Full RAW/DNG support and mature Samsung camera app ecosystem — you can capture RAW frames for stacking and finish in third-party astro apps.
- Sensor size is not a 1-inch type — despite the 200MP count, the native sensor is significantly smaller than dedicated 1″ astro sensors, limiting native dynamic range and low-light photon capture.
- Optical reach capped at 5× periscope — good for cropy lunar detail but not as definitive as higher-power periscopes (8–10× optical) or dedicated telephoto optics for fine lunar crater detail.
Want a pocketable backup for planned or impromptu night shoots? You get a flagship phone that captures RAW frames you can stack and process to pull out stars and lunar detail — and a 5× periscope that helps you get closer to the Moon without lugging a scope. The tradeoff: you won’t match a 1″ sensor or a very long optical zoom, so expect to rely on stacking/processing rather than single long-exposures to reach your best deep-sky results.
Why It Ranks #2:
This phone brings pro-ready mobile imaging and dependable backup power for shoots. It comes in at #2 with a strong 88/100 thanks to its flexible camera setup, fast processing, and all-day endurance that suits field work.
Camera & Night Shooting:
The 200MP main camera records detailed RAW files you can stack to reveal stars, while the 50MP ultrawide frames sweeping skies and city scenes. A 50MP 5x periscope plus 10MP tele gives you crisp lunar compositions without extra optics. With RAW/DNG capture and a mature app ecosystem, you can shoot, stack, and finish your images on the phone.
Performance, Display & Battery:
The Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12GB RAM keeps stacking apps and edits smooth when you are on the move. You get 512GB for RAW sequences, a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen for clean night previews, and a 5000 mAh battery that powers late sessions. Standout features like periscope telephoto, RAW/DNG support, and the bright display add real field value with a strong price-to-performance ratio.
Who It’s For:
Perfect for: mobile astrophotography, lunar photos, travel backup on pro jobs. If you prefer stacking multiple RAW frames rather than single long exposures and want a pocketable safety net when you leave the main kit behind, this model fits your workflow.
Our Verdict:
Final recommendation: Choose this model if you want a capable phone that shoots clean RAW, reaches to the Moon at 5x, and runs your processing apps without slowdown. It offers excellent value and sits just behind our top pick for its blend of image quality, speed, and portability. Who is this for? Enthusiasts and working shooters who need a reliable, pocketable backup that delivers real results between locations or on quick scouting runs.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
photographers needing a pocketable flagship that captures high-quality low-light images and decent lunar shots when you want quick, reliable results without hauling mirrorless gear.
- Flagship hardware: A18 Pro, large 6.9″ 120Hz OLED, 8GB RAM and 1TB storage give fast processing and plenty of room for ProRAW files.
- Camera system well-rounded: 48MP main with Apple ProRAW support, a 5x periscope telephoto (good for lunar detail), ultrawide and LiDAR for focusing/stacking assistance.
- Strong market signals: high recent sales, solid rating and large review base indicate current, mainstream reliability and support.
- No 1-inch-type sensor — the main sensor is smaller than the 1″ class many hobbyists prefer for low-noise, single-exposure astrophotography.
- True manual long exposures (native single-shot exposures >30s) are limited — Apple relies on multi-frame Night-mode stacking rather than exposing single 60–180s frames.
Want a pocketable backup that actually gets you usable night-sky frames and good moon detail when you don’t have your mirrorless? You’ll get reliable low-light shots, ProRAW files you can tone down in post, and a true 5x periscope for closer lunar detail — all in a phone that fits in your pocket. The tradeoff: you won’t get the single-exposure, high-SNR images a 1″ sensor and 60–180s native exposures deliver, so plan to shoot ProRAW + stacking or use third-party apps if you want more control.
Why It Matters:
Power in your pocket — this iPhone brings flagship imaging and fast performance to your backup kit when you leave the big camera at home. It ranks #3 in our guide with a strong 83/100, giving you a dependable, pocket-sized partner for travel and event coverage.
Mobile Imaging & Low Light:
The 48MP main camera captures detailed frames in ProRAW you can fine-tune later, while the 5x periscope reaches distant subjects like the moon without mushy digital zoom. With LiDAR aiding focus and stacking, you get cleaner night cityscapes and indoor shots when you need quick, reliable results.
Performance, Screen & Capacity:
The A18 Pro chip and 8GB RAM keep shooting, editing, and app switching smooth, so your workflow stays responsive. A big 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display with 120Hz ProMotion makes culling and checking focus easy, and 1TB storage leaves room for days of ProRAW stills and long 4K clips.
Standout Features & Value:
You get photographer-friendly tools like ProRAW, LiDAR, and a true 5x telephoto that produce usable night and lunar frames when you are traveling light. This unlocked model pairs a premium screen (Super Retina XDR) with A18 Pro power and 1TB headroom, delivering a strong price-to-performance ratio for a flagship you can depend on.
Who It’s For:
If you want a reliable mobile backup that handles low light, quick edits, and distant details without extra gear, this choice fits right in. Perfect for: travel backup, event coverage, night and lunar snaps.
Our Verdict:
Final recommendation: Choose this if you want fast processing, ample 1TB storage, and a versatile camera system that delivers share-ready low-light results in a pocketable form. Who is this for? Photographers and creators who need a premium, portable companion with strong imaging tools and a balanced feature set.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
photographers needing a pocketable, high-end phone that doubles as a capable night-sky shooter and RAW backup when you don’t want to carry mirrorless/DSLR gear.
- Flagship-level camera system and software lineage (expected ProRAW/DNG support and advanced Night/Astro computational modes).
- Unlocked renewed unit at a flagship price point — fits the stated $999–$1,800 budget and is convenient for travel/backups.
- Good market signals: strong recent sales and a solid 4.3-star rating, plus renewed battery health guarantee (>=80%).
- Likely lacks the large 1-inch-type sensor many enthusiasts prefer for cleaner high-ISO astrophotography (no sensor size listed).
- Native manual control for very long exposures (30s+) is limited on iPhone hardware/software compared with dedicated cameras — true 30s+ exposures and single-frame long exposures are constrained.
Want a pocketable system that gets you great Milky Way and lunar photos on short notice? You’ll get a flagship phone that shoots excellent computational low-light and ProRAW files you can edit later — perfect as a travel or emergency backup to your mirrorless/DSLR. The tradeoff: you sacrifice the cleaner high-ISO performance and single-frame long-exposure control of a 1-inch sensor camera or a dedicated astro setup, but you gain convenience and reliable, shareable night-sky images without lugging extra gear.
Portable Audio Capture:
This pick provides clean, on-the-go recording for creators who want a dependable backup rig in their pocket. It comes in at #4 with an 80/100 score thanks to reliable everyday sound, simple setup, and unlocked flexibility for travel and location work.
Recording Quality & Connectivity:
Strong recording quality from the built-in stereo mics gives you clear dialogue and natural ambience. Flexible connectivity over USB-C lets you plug in digital microphones and interfaces, supporting up to 48 kHz/24-bit capture in compatible apps. With 256GB on board and iOS 26, you can store long sessions and move files quickly when time is tight.
Standout Features & Value:
You get USB-C digital audio, a clear stereo microphone array, practical voice isolation modes for cleaner speech, and Bluetooth audio monitoring for quick checks with wireless earbuds. As a renewed, unlocked unit, it balances premium features with strong value and offers travel-ready convenience for mobile creators.
Who It’s For:
Who is this for? Mobile photography enthusiasts and working pros who want a compact recorder that also handles communication, backups, and fast sharing. Perfect for: field interviews, voiceover recording, ambient sound beds when you need dependable audio without carrying extra boxes.
Our Verdict:
Final recommendation: Choose this model if you want a pocket-friendly recorder that integrates seamlessly with modern apps and accessories, while giving you enough storage for serious sessions. It earns its #4 spot by pairing everyday recording reliability with flexible I/O and a strong price-to-performance ratio for creators on the move.
Your Perfect Phone Camera: Final Picks by Use Case
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G
SAMSUNG Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G
Apple iPhone Pro Max
Apple iPhone Pro Max
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