Smartphones aren’t just for landscapes and portraits; they’re excellent tools for macro photography too. Thanks to powerful zoom capabilities and computational photography, achieving stunning macro shots on smartphones has never been easier.
While external lenses can make any phone capable of macro shots, in this article, we’ll focus on how to do macro photography and the best smartphones for it in 2025. Some phones excel with telemacro lenses, while others use ultra-wide macro features. Let’s dive in.
How Today’s Smartphones Do Macro Photography

Macro photography is about capturing tiny subjects up close, and smartphones achieve this using two techniques: ultra-wide macro and telemacro.
Ultra-wide Macro
Ultra-wide macro lets you get extremely close (2 to 3cm), especially if your smartphone’s ultra-wide camera has AF (autofocus). It uses computational photography to crop the image automatically for a macro shot.
So, while it’s great for close-ups, it has its flaws—distortion, unnatural bokeh, and difficulty with insects that don’t like you getting too close.


Telemacro
Telemacro solves many of these issues by allowing you to take shots from 5 to 35cm away while allowing you to get close using the optical zoom. This means less distortion, better natural compression, and beautiful bokeh, ideal for insects or fragile subjects.


However, some periscope lenses with high minimum focusing distances (like 50cm) aren’t suitable for telemacro. Devices like the OPPO Find X8, OnePlus 13, and realme GT 7 Pro, despite having periscope lenses, aren’t ideal for telemacro because of the 50cm focusing distance.
In India, the vivo X200 Pro is a great option with a 15cm minimum focus, while the Xiaomi 14 goes even closer at 10cm, though it’s not as good because of the shorter focal range and a different lens type.
Phones like the Huawei Mate 70 and Pura 70 go as close as 5cm, but these are only available in select markets and not India. Meanwhile, devices like the OPPO Find X8 and realme GT 7 Pro, despite having periscope lenses, aren’t ideal for telemacro.
So, here’s what to look for in a smartphone for macro photography
For ultra-wide lenses:
- Sensor size: Larger than 1/2.6 inches.
- Minimum focusing distance: 2–3 centimeters.
- Aperture: f/1.8 or larger (avoid f/2.0 or f/2.2 for better results).
- Autofocus: Essential for sharp and detailed shots.


For telephoto or periscope lenses:
- Check the minimum focusing distance: Ideal range is 5-25cm.
- Avoid lenses with a focusing distance above 35cm.
- Stability is key to avoid blurry shots.


How to take telemacro shots:
- Get as close to the subject as possible (as close as the lens allows; minimum focusing distance).
- Zoom in digitally to frame the subject.
- Capture the photo once you’re satisfied with the result.
- Maintain steady hands for clear telemacro shots, particularly at longer zoom ranges.


ALSO SEE: 10 Best phones with optical zoom cameras in 2023
Best Phones for Macro Photography
We’ll be focusing on the best smartphones for macro photography that money can buy. Macro photography on smartphones is often seen as a bonus but I think that every smartphone beyond ₹25,000 should come with good macro capabilities. On flagships, it should be a common basic feature. That said, here are the best smartphones for macro photography in 2025:
1. vivo X200 Pro
It’s no mystery that the vivo X200 Pro has the best telemacro in India. It has a 200 MP Samsung HP9 periscope telemacro lens at 85mm or 3.7x, which allows you to get as close as 15cm. After that, you can crop in using the macro mode or without. It delivers some incredible results.
vivo X200 Pro Specifications
Display: 6.78” OLED 0.1-120 Hz | Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9400 | RAM: 16 GB | Storage: 512 GB | Software: Funtouch OS 15 | Rear camera: 50 MP + 200 MP + 50 MP | Front camera: 32 MP | Battery: 6000 mAh with 90W wired charging/30W wireless
Price: INR 94,999; Buy Now
2. vivo X200
The vivo X200 brings a 3x (70mm) periscope telemacro lens with a 1/1.95-inch sensor, offering exceptional macro shots. The sensor size is notably larger than the vivo X100 Pro’s periscope and comparable to main sensors in ₹30,000 phones. Whether in macro mode or zoomed in, the level of detail is impressive.
vivo X200 Specifications
Display: 6.67” OLED 120 Hz | Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9400 | RAM: up to 16 GB | Storage: up to 512 TB | Software: Funtouch OS 15 | Rear camera: 50 MP + 50 MP + 50 MP | Front camera: 32 MP | Battery: 5800 mAh with 90W fast charging
Price: INR 65,999; Buy Now
3. OPPO Find X8 Pro
The OPPO Find X8 Pro’s macro mode relies on the ultrawide lens, which offers average results. For better macros, switch to the periscope lens at 135mm (6x) and zoom in at 300mm or 600mm for detailed shots. However, the f/4.3 aperture limits low-light performance. Overall, macro capabilities are impressive in good lighting.
Some macro shots I took using the OPPO Find X8 Pro:




OPPO Find X8 Pro Specifications
Display: 6.78” OLED 1-120 Hz | Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9400 | RAM: 16 GB | Storage: 512 GB | Software: ColorOS 15 | Rear camera: 50 MP + 50 MP + 50 MP + 50 MP | Front camera: 32 MP | Battery: 5630 mAh with 80W wired charging/50W wireless
Price: INR 99,999; Buy Now
4. Pixel 9/9 Pro/9 Pro XL
The Google Pixel 9 series features a 1/2.55-inch ultra-wide sensor with an impressive f/1.7 aperture, allowing for excellent light intake. Macro shots deliver incredible detail, though you must get as close as 3cm to the subject. Cropping in at 2x or 3x is generally okay. Here are some samples (most of them at 2x) using the Pixel 9:






Google Pixel 9 Pro Specs
Display: 6.3” LTPO OLED 120Hz | Processor: Tensor G4 | RAM: 16 GB | Storage: 9 to 1 TB | Software: Android 14 | Rear camera: 50 MP + 48 MP + 48 MP | Front camera: 42 MP | Battery: 4,700mAh, 27W fast charging, 21W/12W wireless
Price: INR 79,999; Buy Now (Pixel 9)
5. Xiaomi 15/14
The Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 15 feature 1/2.76-inch Samsung JN1 and JN5 sensors, respectively, with 60mm floating telephoto lenses and a 10cm focusing distance, gives out excellent macro results.
Display: 6.36” LTPO AMOLED 120 Hz | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | RAM: up to 16 GB | Storage: up to 512 TB | Software: HyperOS 1.0—Android 14 | Rear camera: 50 MP + 50 MP + 50 MP | Front camera: 32 MP | Battery: 4,610 mAh, 90W wired, 50W wireless
Price: INR 49,999; Buy Now
6. Xiaomi 14 Ultra
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra steps it up with 3x and 5x lenses, both with impressive macro capabilities. So, the 3x lens, which is paired with a 1/2.51-inch sensor has a minimum focusing distance of 10cm and the 5x lens has a minimum focusing distance of 30cm. Both are incredible for telemacro.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra Specs
Display: 6.73” LTPO AMOLED 120 Hz | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | RAM: up to 16 GB | Storage: up to 1 TB | Software: HyperOS 1.0—Android 14 | Rear camera: 50 MP + 50 MP + 50 MP + 50 MP | Front camera: 32 MP | Battery: 5,000 mAh, 90W wired, 80W wireless
Price: INR 99,999; Buy Now
7. OnePlus 12
The OnePlus 12, with its 3x 70mm telephoto lens, features a 64MP 1/2.0-inch sensor and a 20cm minimum focusing distance, making it great for macro shots. It also has OIS for stable, high-zoom photography. In contrast, the OnePlus 13 has a 50 m focusing distance, which isn’t ideal for macros.
OnePlus 12 Specifications
Display: 6.82” LTPO AMOLED 120 Hz | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 RAM: up to 16 GB | Storage: up to 1 TB | Software: Oxygen OS 14– Android 14 | Rear camera: 50 MP + 64 MP + 48 MP| Front camera: 32 MP | Battery: 5,400mAh, 100W fast charging, 50W wireless
Price: INR 64,999; Buy Now
8. OnePlus Open
The OnePlus Open shares the same telemacro capabilities as the OnePlus 12. It features a 3x 70 mm telephoto lens with a 64MP 1/2.0-inch sensor and a 20cm minimum focusing distance, making it excellent for macro photography. There’s also OIS and AF.
OnePlus Open Specifications
Display: 7.82” Foldable LTPO AMOLED 120 Hz, 6.31” Flat LTPO AMOLED 120 Hz | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | RAM: 16 GB | Storage: up to 1 TB | Software: OxygenOS 14—Android 14 | Rear camera: 48 MP + 64 MP + 48 MP | Front camera: 20 MP + 32 MP | Battery: 4,805 mAh battery with 67W fast charging
Price: INR 99,999; Buy Now
9. vivo X Fold3 Pro
The vivo X Fold3 Pro features a 64MP 70mm 3x optical zoom lens with a 15cm minimum focusing distance, making it an excellent macro shooter for a foldable device. It’s on par with the OnePlus Open, with a dedicated macro mode for ease of use. If you’re into foldables and need strong macro capabilities, the vivo X Fold3 Pro is a top choice.
vivo X Fold3 Pro Specifications
Display: 8.03” Foldable OLED 120 Hz, 6.53” Flat OLED 120 Hz | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | RAM: 16 GB | Storage: 512 GB | Software: Funtouch OS 14 | Rear camera: 50 MP + 64 MP + 50 MP | Front camera: 32 MP + 32 MP | Battery: 5700 mAh with 100W fast charging, 50W wireless
Price: INR 1,59,999; Buy Now
10. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The minimum focusing distance of the S24 Ultra’s 5x lens is unknown, but I’ve seen some good macro shots from the device, so I can definitely recommend it. Some sources suggest it’s around 25mm, which is decent. As for the 3x lens, I’m unsure, but you can still get good shots with the 5x.
Galaxy S24 Ultra Specifications
Display: 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED (120Hz) | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | RAM: up to 12 GB| Storage: up to 1 TB | Software: One UI 6 – Android 14 | Rear camera: 200 MP + 50 MP + 10 MP + 12 MP | Front camera: 12 MP | Battery: 5000 mAh, 45W fast charging
Price: INR 1,24,999; Buy Now
ALSO READ: How to Take Macro Photos with Any Phone (No External Lens)
10 Best Phones for Macro Photography
1. vivo X200 Pro
2. vivo X200
3. OPPO Find X8 Pro
4. Pixel 9/9 Pro/9 Pro XL
5. Xiaomi 15/14
6. Xiaomi 14 Ultra
7. OnePlus 12
8. OnePlus Open
9. vivo X Fold3 Pro
10. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
So, these are all the phones with the best macro capabilities. Personally, I’d pick the Vivo X200 Pro as my macro shooter, but you can’t go wrong with any of these options. I’d suggest opting for a telephoto macro lens instead of an ultrawide, although I’ve included ultrawides in the list as well. If you have any other recommendations or know of any other devices that take great macros, feel free to let me know in the comments below.
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