Just because you’re not running with the latest smartphone model and your device is a few years old, it doesn’t mean it still can’t take fantastic photos. While you can’t change the megapixels or lens setup, there are a few steps you can take to improve the camera’s quality.
Especially if you’ve been faithful to the same device for years, it’s easy to forget about all the dirt and dust that can build up on the lens. If you find that your photos are turning out blurry or foggy, it might be time for a clean. Other signs include:
-
You can see smudges (e.g., fingerprints) or dust on the camera lens
-
There are artifacts or specks on your photos
-
Your phone’s camera has trouble with autofocus
-
The camera app detects an issue with the lens
Giving your phone’s camera a proper clean with the right tools can make a world of difference. If you’re still experiencing issues, all is not lost. You might just have to manually configure your camera’s settings and/or use post-processing tools.
This article will cover everything you need to know about how to improve your smartphone camera quality. While most of the tips will be for older phone models, they can be applied to any device, regardless of age. It’ll also cover easy-to-learn photography techniques you can apply in your everyday life to improve your pictures. We’ll also be listing out which phones have the best cameras, and which devices to consider if you’re on a budget.
How To Improve Smartphone Camera Quality
Before delving into the nitty-gritty of camera settings and photography techniques, the first step should be cleaning your camera. The best way to clean your camera, as recommended by manufacturers, is:
-
Gently wipe your camera lens using a dry microfibre cloth.
-
Check for any dust, smudges, or fingerprints.
-
If they persist, gently clean the lens again with a damp cloth or apply a cleaning solution.
You want to make sure that you use a lens cleaning solution designed specifically for cameras. Anything stronger might damage the lens and permanently affect how it captures photos.
Beyond giving the lens a clean, if the improvements aren’t satisfactory, it’s time to open up your camera app and prepare yourself to dig into the settings. With just a few tweaks, you should be able to squeeze some better resolution and quality out of any phone camera.
Below, we’ve outlined the settings you should adjust to improve your camera’s quality. Keep in mind that the exact steps will depend on your phone’s operating software and camera app.
Resolution
If your camera setup allows for it, turn up the resolution to the highest option available. The higher resolution a photo is, the more detail it can hold, making it look more vibrant and sharp. Just keep in mind: higher resolution photos take up more storage space.
Enable HDR
If your camera supports it, enable High Dynamic Range (HDR). In particular, this setting is great for outdoor settings. It helps sharpen details and adds vibrancy to colours, giving a professional quality to photos.
Adjust the aspect ratio
While there is no right or wrong when it comes to the aspect ratio, it’s a setting you’ll want to adjust if you want to get the most out of your camera. The aspect ratio can play a role in how someone perceives a photo. For example, a 16:9 ratio is great if you want your photos to look wider and appear cinematic.
Manually adjust your ISO settings
On smartphones, the ISO setting is usually controlled automatically. Manually controlling the ISO will give you better control of the camera and contrast, which is especially useful for older phones where their camera sensors may not be functioning as well or the camera app is outdated.
Use manual focus
Especially on older phones with outdated camera apps, we recommend turning off autofocus. Wherever possible, use the manual focus option—this will give you better control over the camera and what elements are highlighted in your photos.
Experiment with shooting modes
Even older Android and iOS devices offer several specialised shooting modes as part of their camera functionality. For example, portrait mode and night mode. These modes are tailored for specific scenarios, and using them can help improve your photography.
Along with adjusting the settings and turning on manual controls, implementing photography skills into your shoots can help raise the quality. Sometimes what turns an average photo into an incredible one isn’t a higher megapixel count or AI post-processing—it’s how the photo is taken.
We recommend practising and implementing the following strategies when you’re taking photos:
-
The rule of thirds: While it isn’t really a rule, it’s a guideline to help people new to composition. When you take photos, you should always place the subject in the left or right third of the frame, leaving the other two-thirds open. This can help you take more well-composed shots.
-
Tell a story: A photo that tells a story is better than one that doesn’t. Above all, when you’re taking photos, make sure the picture tells a clear story. This can make it more impactful, even if you’re not necessarily increasing the megapixel count or quality.
-
Clip-on lenses: If you’re using an older iPhone or Android device that lacks the multi-lens setup newer models do—invest in clip-on lenses. They can provide any phone with wide-angle and telephoto views.
-
Get creative with editing: We can guarantee you that most of the best photos you’ve ever seen have been edited to some degree. Whether it’s just playing with the contrast or doing heavy edits, most amazing photos have also been edited to adjust the levels.
Which Refurbished Phones Have The Best Cameras
Despite common misconceptions, refurbished phones are the exact same as their brand-new counterparts. A refurbished iPhone 16 has the same camera setup as a new iPhone 16 fresh from the factory.
So, when we’re looking into which refurbished phones have the best cameras, the list features many newer models and flagships. As the refurbished phone market has been growing, it’s become more common to see high-end models available refurbished/secondhand soon after launch.
The main difference between buying a brand-new phone and a refurbished one is the cost savings. If you decide to purchase a high-end smartphone refurbished, you can get a massive discount off the original price.
If you’re considering purchasing a refurbished phone, we’ve listed the best ones for photography below.
iPhone 16 Pro/Max
When it comes to Apple, the best phone for its camera setup is the iPhone 16 Pro/Max models. Its three-lens configuration also features a Fusion sensor, which allows for 2x and 5x telephoto zoom. iOS is also renowned for its ease of use. The camera is easy to pick up and offers a high level of customisability with its settings.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Don’t be fooled by the megapixel count—the Pixel 9 Pro XL, like its predecessors, has one of the best cameras in the industry. The Google Pixel range has always been known for cutting-edge photography due to its artificial intelligence-powered post-processing. Although the camera itself might not be as technically impressive as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, it more than makes up for it with Google’s incredible suite of AI tools and post-processing software.
Good Quality Smartphone Cameras on a Budget
Just because you’re on a budget, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on having an incredible camera. Smartphone camera technology has evolved so much over the past few years, resulting in many budget-friendly and even mid-range phones having more-than-capable camera configurations.
Below, we’ve outlined the two best phones if you want a good-quality camera but are on a budget. They are:
Google Pixel 9a
This phone is the latest entry into the Pixel 9 series and is also positioned as the budget-friendly model. Despite being significantly cheaper than the rest of the Pixel 9 phones, the 9a still manages to deliver an incredible camera setup that’s backed by the latest Google AI-powered tools. Camera tests reveal that the Pixel 9a is a major improvement over its predecessor’s camera, the Pixel 8a. It’s also almost on par with the Pixel 9’s camera.
iPhone 16e
Apple’s spiritual successor to their budget-friendly SE range is the best option if you want a good-quality camera on an iPhone at a low price. The iPhone 16e is also the most budget-friendly iOS device that supports the new Apple Intelligence features, including the photo editing tools.
Buy Refurbished Smartphones at OzMobiles
At OzMobiles, we pride ourselves on our selection of refurbished smartphones. All the devices we sell go through an extensive refurbishment process, where a qualified technician puts the device through comprehensive testing to restore it to like-new condition.
Whether you’re looking for the latest iPhones refurbished or an Android device, we’ve got the phone for you. Many of our mid-range and high-end models are renowned for their camera quality and are perfect for photographers of all levels.
All the devices we sell, from our Apple products to our refurbished Samsung Galaxy phones, come with a free 12-month warranty and a 30-day risk-free return period. So if you have any concerns or the camera isn’t right, you can reach out to us for support.
If you have any questions about our refurbished phones or need assistance finding the right device, contact us today. The OzMobiles Customer Service team would love to hear from you.
