Xioami has recently released the latest addition to its Redmi series, the Redmi 12 Pro+. While the series is climbing up the price ladder pretty swiftly, it is also bringing some big-spec numbers to the table. The highlight has been the megapixel count that comes with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+. The smartphone brings a whopping 200-megapixel main sensor which has suddenly led to everybody talking in megapixel terms again. Even though there is no guarantee that a greater megapixel count always results in brilliant pictures and video quality, there is no denying that megapixels matter.
If well used, more megapixels can produce images with greater detail, allowing you to zoom into images without losing too much detail. Plus a bigger megapixel count means you will end up with a higher resolution image which is usually more suitable for size printouts and posters. And it goes without saying that a high megapixel count obviously makes it a smartphone more lucrative option, making it easier to market.
This is why it might come as a surprise that the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is not actually the first device to have come with a high megapixel count. There are a number of smartphones that have three-figure megapixel counts across different price ranges.
So if you think you need more megapixels in your snaps — whether it is for detail or resolution — here are six phones that will deliver you snaps in more than 100-megapixel glory.
(Note: Make sure to activate the highest megapixel mode as most are set to shoot in lower resolutions by default — with hefty megapixels come hefty file sizes that gobble up storage space)
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra: The high-megapixel overlord
Price: Rs 1,09,900
It was Samsung’s flagship phone of 2022 and Samsung pushed its Galaxy S series envelope to accommodate a Note (pun intended). The brand literally took the most note-able feature of the Galaxy Note and pushed it in the Galaxy S series last year which resulted in us getting an S22 Ultra with an S Pen.
But that is not the reason why the Galaxy S22 Ultra made this list. Apart from bringing the Note’s soul to the Galaxy S Series, Samsung also decided to go all out with the megapixel count on the phone. It introduced a massive 108-megapixel main sensor on the Galaxy S22 Ultra, with PDAF and OIS.
While this is the same as the number we saw on the Galaxy S21 UItra, Samsung definitely took the image quality of the device up a notch. A lot of the credit for this levelled-up performance goes to the processor that runs the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s show – Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
The processor came with an upgraded image signal processor which allowed Samsung to do more with raw data and as a result, that high megapixel count captures more detail. Apart from the terrific main sensor, the phone also brings a brilliant 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor with a 120-degree field of view and two 10-megapixel telephoto sensors, one of which delivers a 3x and the other a staggering 10x optical zoom, a rarity on phone cameras. There is an impressive 40-megapixel sensor on the front as well.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra is definitely on the expensive side of the price equation but equally definitely has massive camera muscle to offer. What's more, it keeps getting regular updates that not only bring Android up to speed but often improve that already awesome camera.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra: The first mega megapixel phone
Price: Rs 54,999
The tech world may be going gaga over the newly launched Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and its 200-megapixel main sensor that was launched recently but there was a brand that did 200 megapixels on its phone camera, way before Xiaomi did.
As far back as the beginning of September 2022, Motorola released one of the most talked about smartphones of the year, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. The phone made headlines for many reasons, and one of them was the 200-megapixel main camera sensor on the back of the phone. It was the first phone in the country to come with a 200-megapixel sensor, making it the first mega-megapixel phone. The main 200-megapixel sensor came equipped with OIS and PDAF.
There are two additional sensors accompanying the main sensor — a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera with 114 degrees field of view and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens that offers 2X optical zoom.
The Edge 30 Ultra did not shy away from putting a big numbered sensor on the front as well and brought a massive 60-megapixel sensor for selfies and video calls. The very capable cameras on the Edge 30 Ultra can fetch tons of detail and texture.
To top that the phone is powered by the most powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon SoCs at that time – the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, which is actually better on paper than the chipset powering the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The phone also comes with a nearly stock Android experience, making it an absolute treat for those who love clean, uncluttered UIs.
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: Super three-figure performance for less
Price: Rs 41,999
Samsung is not into gatekeeping massive megapixel numbers. Even though its flagship phones come with 108-megapixel sensors, the brand has brought the big number to an upper mid-segment phone as well.
Launched last year, the Samsung Galaxy A73 is a typical Samsung upper mid-ranger which brings specs that fit the bill…with one exception. In the best Samsung tradition, you get a dynamic display and feature-rich UI.
Other than that the phone comes with a decent upper mid-segment Qualcomm 778 processor. But the one feature that is the biggest USP of the Galaxy A73 and makes the phone stand out from the usual crowd is the 108-megapixel main sensor on the phone's back.
While the megapixel count is the same, to say that the Galaxy A73’s camera prowess is on the same level as the Galaxy S22 Ultra would be a gross overstatement.
Still, the main sensor on the Galaxy A73 is very skilled in its own right and is capable of taking some very well-detailed images in well-lit environments and reproducing really punchy, vivid colours. Accompanying the 108-megapixel main sensor are two very nominal megapixel numbers. There is a 5-megapixel ultra-wide and 2-megapixel macro, both of which will not seem anywhere as impressive as the main sensor.
A pretty good 32-megapixel sensor on the front will help you take some great selfies.
Infinix Zero Ultra: 200 megapixels on a relatively tight budget
Price: Rs 29,999
This is the dark horse in the 200-megapixel camera race in the Indian market. After Motorola launched the Edge 30 Ultra, Infinix swiftly followed suit and launched the Infinix Zero Ultra which also featured a massive 200-megapixel main sensor with OIS.
Apart from the 200-megapixel monster, the rare camera setup also comes with 13 megapixel ultrawide and a 2-megapixel macro camera. The 200-megapixel sensor on the Zero Ultra is impressive and can take some really well-detailed shots in good light conditions. The phone also brings a 32-megapixel camera on the front for video calls and selfies, which can take social media-ready snaps.
Apart from its camera abilities, the Infinix Zero Ultra comes with 180 W fast charging support, which is the fastest in its segment. However, it is the 200-megapixel detail-capturing camera that is the real star of the show. Some might not be super impressed with the MediaTek Dimensity 920 that runs the phone, which is a mid-segment processor at best and can lag a little while processing the images and the availability of the device has also been kind of spotty, but the Infinix zero Ultra tries to bring 200-megapixel camera magic at a relatively reasonable price, which is a very big plus for the phone.
Realme 10 Pro Plus: New kid on the 108MP block
Price: Rs 24,999
If you are looking for the best mega-megapixel phone under Rs. 25,000 then perhaps your search will end with the Realme 10 Pro+. Recently launched, one of the phone’s biggest USPs is its 108-megapixel main sensor. Take the phone out for a casual stroll in a well-lit environment and it will not disappoint. It captures a very good amount of detail and the dynamic range would definitely colour you impressed (pun intended).
The main sensor is paired with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide and a 2-megapixel macro, both of which may seem very pale in front of the main sensor but you would be able to do quite a bit with the main sensor itself. The 16-megapixel selfie snapper on the front is somewhat inconsistent but can capture social media-worthy pictures most of the time. The phone is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chipset (similar to the one seen on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+) that will easily move through your every-day and some high-end needs well.
It also comes with a very beautiful curved display with a stunning design, which makes the phone quite an impressive deal under Rs. 25,000.
Redmi Note 11S: For those wanting lots of megapixels for cheap
Price: Rs 15,999
If your budget is not big but the need to have triple-digit megapixels on your phone is, then there is a phone that might be able to save the day. Xiaomi may have launched a 200-megapixel sensor on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ at a not-very Note-like price (it is the most expensive Redmi Note ever) but before the 12 there was an 11 which followed the ethos that made the Note range what it is today, to a T. We are talking about the Redmi Note 11S.
Launched last year, the Redmi Note 11S had one massive selling point— its 108-megapixel main sensor. The sensor is very capable of capturing good photographs with a decent amount of detail and serves up good colour reproduction in good light conditions when used to capture 108-megapixel shots. Just remember to keep your photographic expectations in check as compared to more expensive options. There are two other sensors by the main sensor’s side- an 8-megapixel ultrawide and a 2-megapixel macro.
While the 8-megapixel ultrawide is quite usable, the 2-megapixel would not impress many. The phone runs on MediaTek Helio G96 processor which can easily handle your everyday chores but is showing some signs of age now.
It still comes with Android 11 out of the box which is a big negative. There is also no 5G support on board which will be a disappointment to some but other than that, in the best Redmi Note tradition, the phone brings a big 5,000mAh battery along with support for 33W fast charging, a good AMOLED display and a not-so-heavy price tag, all of which make it a deal worth considering if all you want is megapixels on a less than mega budget.
