Can budget Android phones take good night photos?

A budget phone doesn’t need to have budget features. It may seem like everything in the tech world is getting more and more expensive, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get a smartphone with great camera hardware at a great price. For those interested in night photography on an Android phone, there are still plenty of options available if you want to take photos on a budget.

Both Google and Samsung have specialized features for night photos, and both companies offer budget options to consumers. Scouring the web, users recommend the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9A as two affordable options, but the Samsung Galaxy A57 and Galaxy S24 also offer a good amount of photography features without stressing your wallet too much. Users may want to consider whether a Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy is better for night photography, but it’s possible to find a quality camera on an Android smartphone for as little as $300.

A camera’s specifications obviously play an important role in taking quality night photos, but how a photographer composes the photo also factors into the equation. Even though budget Android phones are capable of taking good night photos, it’s still up to the user to find the right composition. Many mistakes can make photos worse. With this in mind, as well as suggestions on cheaper phones, we also look at tips that can help you get the finer details in a night photo.

Best is subjective, but the Internet offers many options. The Google Pixel line, for example, has some solid offerings. Looking at recommendations on Reddit, for example, one user recommends the Google Pixel 8, and it’s not too difficult to find a refurbished model on the internet for under $300. Besides a 50 MP main camera and a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, the Pixel 8 also has Google’s Night Sight feature which focuses specifically on taking photos of the night sky (more on Night Sight here).

A Google Pixel 8 also has astrophotography, which also focuses on night photos, like taking long exposure photos while optimizing certain settings. However, if you’re willing to spend $500-$600 (give or take), the Google Pixel 9A is a bit newer and has a 48 MP wide lens, a 13 MP ultra wide lens, and up to 8x Super Res zoom. It also supports Night Sight and Astrophotography features.

Google’s flagship phones aren’t the only ones with these features and an economical price, as the Samsung Galaxy A57 is in a similar price range. In addition to a triple-camera system including a 50 MP OIS wide-angle lens, there are also 12 MP ultra-wide and 5 MP macro lenses. This device also includes Samsung’s Nightography technology which specifically focuses on optimizing night photos. A Galaxy S24 is also similarly priced if you don’t mind being refurbished. It features four front lenses, including a 200 MP wide lens, while also including night mode features.

As the Pixel 8 is the oldest phone on this list, it is still expected to receive security updates until 2030, so users are probably fine in terms of software support. However, an important aspect of getting quality night photos is making sure they are taken correctly in the first place. Aside from knowing how to properly use the Astro photo feature on Samsung phones, an important part of night photography is getting long exposures. Controlling your shutter speed can help you get more detail using longer exposures (they’re also fun for motion blur), as can making sure the lens remains steady while shooting.

It is also advisable to avoid zooming in on a night photo, as relying on digital zoom can impact the overall quality of the image. If possible, try to get closer to your subject for a better photo. If your camera has a brightness slider option, try adjusting that too. Experimenting with shadows can also help bring out details in a composition, so see if your smartphone camera will let you adjust settings like ISO, focus, and shutter speed.

The fun part about a smartphone camera is that you usually have plenty of storage space for experimentation. Since you don’t have to worry about film, you have plenty of opportunity to experiment with different lighting settings and options, as good night photos can take patience. A little out-of-the-box thinking can help take more dynamic photos, as can trying several different points of view for shots.