My Favorite New Camera (That Also Makes Phone Calls)
Yes, a cell phone camera for photography – I have a new camera. In fact, it might just be my favorite—at least, it’s the one I’m using the most lately. And believe it or not, it also makes phone calls.
That’s right—I upgraded my phone. If you haven’t guessed it already, I’ve reached that inevitable point when my old device starts falling behind, and it’s time for something new. While I try not to buy into the idea of constant upgrades, I’ll admit I get excited about the camera improvements with each new model.
This time, I picked up the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, and I’m loving what it can do.
A Long History with Mobile Cameras
I’ve used cell phones for as long as they’ve existed. From the early “brick” Motorola models to the flip phones of the 2000s, I’ve carried some form of mobile communication for decades. I remember when cameras first showed up on phones—it was a novelty at best. The image quality was terrible: tiny, blurry, and grainy. Certainly nothing that made me believe that a cell phone camera for photography was useless.
Back then, point-and-shoot cameras were still the go-to for quick snapshots. Today, most people don’t even own a compact camera, because their phones have replaced them entirely.
Cell Phone Camera Quality Today
To put it in perspective, my first phone camera produced a 484 x 364 pixel image—a tiny 14 KB file. My new phone captures 9000 x 12000 pixel images at 14 MB each. That’s enough resolution to print a 30″ x 40″ photo with ease.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra features a 108MP primary camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and two telephoto lenses at 3x and 10x optical zoom. It even has a 40MP front-facing camera. When you zoom in, you’re not just enlarging pixels—you’re using a real lens to magnify the scene, keeping details crisp and sharp.
Manual Controls and RAW Capability
Another game-changer is Pro Mode. It allows full manual control—adjusting shutter speed, ISO, and saving in RAW format. This gives you control over your exposure and editing process, just like with a DSLR. You can even process your photos using apps directly on your phone.
It’s no longer just about snapping quick pics. Today, your phone can be a serious creative tool.
Why You Still Need a Camera
You might wonder, “If my phone can do all this, do I still need a camera?” The answer is yes—and here’s why:
It’s all about sensor size, not just megapixels. Phone sensors are small—about 8mm, compared to 35mm full-frame sensors in pro cameras. That difference matters in low light. Larger sensors collect more light, resulting in sharper, cleaner images. In night mode, phones use a trick called pixel binning to simulate better performance, but it’s not quite the same as having large, native pixels.
Still, the results in good light are nothing short of impressive.
Incredible Video Capabilities
I haven’t even touched on the video features—they could be a blog post all their own. This phone can record 8K video, and up to 120 frames per second at 1080p, which gives you the ability to create stunning slow-motion footage. For a device that fits in your pocket, that’s wild.
Final Thoughts
I’m genuinely excited about what this phone can do. It doesn’t replace my professional cameras—but it absolutely replaces all the point-and-shoots and small video cameras I’ve collected over the years. It’s inspiring me to be more creative on the go and to take mobile photography more seriously than ever before.