Best Smartphone Cameras for Capturing 2026 Chinese New Year Moments

Capturing memories and precious moments has never been easier than it is today, thanks to smartphones. In an era where instant sharing and digital memories are the norm, having the best camera phone is paramount for perfectly recording a moment in time.

With the Chinese New Year fast approaching, there's no better time than now to upgrade your phone to one of these best camera phones for photography, which can capture the joyous atmosphere with your loved ones. Ditch the blurry snapshots and invest in a phone that can truly capture the season's magic.

From high-end flagships to budget-friendly gems, these are the best smartphone cameras that promise to enhance your photography experience and ensure that every moment is captured with absolute clarity and the vibrancy it deserves.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Samsung reigns supreme in smartphone photography and the S25 Ultra continues to set the benchmark for what an Android phone with the best camera should deliver. As one of the most advanced flagships available, this device represents the pinnacle of mobile photography technology.

Pushing the boundaries of mobile photography even further, the S25 Ultra comes with a quad camera setup, featuring a revolutionary 200MP lens with AI processing, an upgraded 50MP ultra-wide camera and 10MP 3x telephoto and 50MP 5x periscope telephoto lenses that deliver new levels of clarity and detail. The computational photography capabilities ensure that every shot—from vibrant reunion dinners to intricate decorations—is captured with stunning precision.

If you're looking for an Android phone with the best camera, the S25 Ultra truly delivers. The device excels in low light, making it perfect for capturing evening Chinese New Year celebrations and lantern displays. Pair your new S25 Ultra with Maxis Postpaid plans to enjoy seamless sharing and connectivity throughout the festive season.

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Apple is another leading smartphone brand that has dominated the scene ever since the very first iPhone was released. Today, the iPhone is synonymous with premium quality and beautiful photography. The best and latest iPhone model from Apple is the iPhone 17 Pro Max, available at Maxis. With its triple camera system featuring three 48MP cameras (wide, ultra-wide and periscope telephoto), every shot is elevated to professional-grade levels.

The main camera features a 48MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and sensor-shift OIS; the ultra-wide camera has a 48MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture; and the periscope telephoto offers 48MP with an f/2.8 aperture and 100mm with 4x optical zoom. This best smartphone camera delivers super-high-resolution photos, enhanced zoom capabilities and a cinematic 4K 120fps video mode that lets you capture every nuance of your festivities. Advanced computational photography ensures your Chinese New Year memories are preserved with exceptional detail and vivid colours that truly reflect the spirit of the celebration.

Add seamless AirDrop sharing between Apple devices and the iPhone 17 Pro Max becomes the ultimate tool for documenting and sharing your Chinese New Year celebrations with loved ones.

Google Pixel 10 Pro

Google has dominated many facets of technology over the years and the smartphone industry is certainly no exception. Enter the Pixel 10 Pro, available through Maxis: Google's cutting-edge phone, a photography powerhouse powered by AI that works behind the scenes to optimise every shot, regardless of lighting or scenario.

The phone features a triple camera system with a 50MP main camera (f/1.7, OIS), a 48MP ultra-wide camera (f/1.7) and a 48MP 5x periscope telephoto lens (OIS). Some notable features include Night Sight, which ensures your family reunion dinners remain bright even in dimly lit restaurants. This makes it the best camera phone for capturing those intimate indoor celebrations. For the ever-present photobombs, Magic Eraser can effortlessly remove unwanted distractions from your picture-perfect memories—perfect for those crowded Chinese New Year gatherings where someone inevitably walks into your frame.

Combine these features with a competitive price tag compared to other flagships and the Pixel 10 Pro becomes an alluring option for people looking for the best camera phone for photography during the Chinese New Year holidays. Check out flexible payment options through Maxis Zerolution plans.

Oppo Find X9 Pro

Ditch the awkward angles and unsteady tripods this Chinese New Year with the Oppo Find X9 Pro. This flagship phone for photography features an impressive triple camera system with Hasselblad colour calibration, including a 50MP main camera (f/1.5, 23mm, OIS), a 50MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.0, 120° FOV) and a groundbreaking 200MP periscope telephoto camera (f/2.1, 70mm) with 3x optical zoom and OIS. Prop it anywhere, capture overhead shots of your reunion feasts, hands-free family Boomerangs and unique firework shots—all with exceptional detail.

The Find X9 Pro doesn't skimp on quality either. Its impressive camera system ensures vibrant detail in every capture, from intricate embroidery to warm lantern glows. The massive 7,500 mAh battery ensures you can shoot all day without worrying about running out of power, with 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging to get you back to capturing memories quickly. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset and running Android 16 with ColorOS 16, the advanced camera capabilities let you get creative with angles and zoom levels, making it perfect for capturing festive decorations from unique perspectives.

Unleash your creativity and tell your story through captivating visuals with the Find X9 Pro. While it's not the most economical option, the Find X9 Pro is one of the best phones that stands out in the crowd for its innovative 200MP telephoto camera system and impressive photography capabilities. Explore options at the Maxis store.

Honor Magic8 Pro 5G

The HONOR Magic8 Pro 5G is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Octa-Core with 12GB/16GB RAM and 256GB/512GB/1TB ROM. It also has a large 6.71-inch LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an impressive 50MP + 200MP + 50MP triple rear camera setup. The standout feature is the massive 200MP periscope telephoto camera (f/2.6) with 3.7x optical zoom and OIS, accompanied by a 50MP main camera (f/1.6, OIS) and a 50MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.0). It supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, 4G LTE and 5G connectivity.

The massive battery capacity sets this device apart—packing a 7,100 mAh battery (Global version) with 100W wired charging and 80W wireless charging, ensuring all-day power for your celebrations. However, the battery capacity is different for China (7,200 mAh) and Europe (6,270 mAh). It runs MagicOS 10 (based on Android 16). Equipped with AI-powered motion sensing and photography modes that can elevate your shots, your precious Chinese New Year memories have never looked better!

The Magic8 Pro 5G ensures you miss nothing by automatically adjusting settings to optimise every capture, from vibrant fireworks displays to intricate lion dances. This Android phone with the best camera is an excellent choice—offering flagship features at a competitive price that won't break the bank during the festive season.

Why keep the memories to yourself? The Magic8 Pro's seamless compatibility with Maxis 5G postpaid plans makes it a must-buy this coming Chinese New Year—experience lightning-fast uploads to share your celebration photos with family and friends instantly.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G

If you're looking for serious value, then the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G available at Maxis won't disappoint. Don't let the price tag fool you—Xiaomi doesn't compromise on quality when it comes to this phone. The triple rear camera system features a flagship-level 200MP main camera with OIS and f/1.65 aperture, an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP macro lens that shoots photos and videos with surprising detail and clarity.

Imagine capturing the vibrant reds of lucky envelopes and the dazzling spark of firecrackers in crisp detail. The best smartphone camera doesn't always have to come with a premium price tag and the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G proves this perfectly. The colour accuracy and dynamic range are impressive for a budget device, ensuring your Chinese New Year photos look vibrant and true to life.

Thanks to its long-lasting battery (5,500mAh), you can keep celebrating and snapping memories all day long—from morning prayers to midnight festivities. So if you're on the lookout for the best camera phone that delivers excellent value, the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is the budget-friendly hero that you've been waiting for.

Capture the Magic of Chinese New Year with Maxis

Picking the right best smartphone camera is a decision that hinges on your preferences and priorities—whether it's a high-performance, high-resolution or a budget-conscious choice. Regardless of your choices, the perfect Android phone with the best camera awaits you. Browse the complete range of smartphones at the Maxis online store, where you'll find competitive pricing, flexible payment plans that make upgrading your device easier than ever.

Elevate this Chinese New Year to new heights with Maxis. Pair your new smartphone with our Maxis postpaid plans to make the most of your celebrations and share the joy with friends and loved ones on social media. With unlimited data, 5G connectivity and seamless coverage across Malaysia, you'll never miss a moment to capture and share the magic of this festive season.