Short answer — among recent launches the OPPO Find X8 Ultra is widely regarded as the new phone with the best overall camera performance, with the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra, Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max close behind depending on what you prioritize (zoom, low‑light, video, or color). (thegigwire.com)

Why OPPO Find X8 Ultra is my top pick

• Independent lab rankings (DXOMARK summaries reported in recent roundups) place the Find X8 Ultra at the top (score cited as ~169), largely because of its sensor size, image detail, and class‑leading zoom and low‑light performance. (thegigwire.com)

Other strong contenders (and when to pick them)

• Huawei Pura 70 Ultra — excellent detail and low‑light photography; scores very highly in lab rankings. Note: Huawei phones may still have limited official availability and Google services restrictions in the U.S. (Gizchina.com)
• Google Pixel 9 Pro XL — superb stills and AI image processing (colors, detail, editing tools); one of the best for point‑and‑shoot results. (Gizchina.com)
• Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max — top choice for video (color consistency, cinematic modes, ProRes/LOG workflows) and excellent all‑round stills; great if you value video capture and ecosystem. (thegigwire.com)

A few practical notes

• “Best camera” depends on use: for zoom-heavy work pick phones with large periscope optics (some OPPO/Samsung/Huawei models); for point‑and‑shoot stills and editing, Pixels and Huawei excel; for pro video workflows, iPhones often lead. (TechRadar.com)
• Availability, price, and U.S. carrier support may rule out some top‑ranked models (notably some Huawei phones). If you want help choosing the best camera phone for your exact needs (Instagram shots, travel/zoom, vlogging, low‑light/night photography), tell me which use cases matter most and I’ll recommend 2–3 specific models and where they beat each other.