In this article, I will discuss the best phones for astronomy, which are particularly suited for capturing stunning night sky images.
I am talking about features such as advanced AI, great camera sensors, long exposure modes, and RAW support.
This means these devices can come in handy for easily stargazing and photographing the night sky.
Key Point & Best Phones For Astrophotography List
| Phone | Key Feature Highlights |
|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 14 Pro / Pro Max | A16 Bionic chip, Dynamic Island, 48MP main camera, Always-On display, ProRAW, 120Hz ProMotion OLED. |
| Google Pixel 7 Pro | Tensor G2 chip, advanced AI photography, 50MP + 48MP telephoto, 120Hz LTPO OLED, 5x optical zoom. |
| OnePlus 11 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Hasselblad-tuned cameras, 120Hz AMOLED, 100W fast charging, premium design. |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra | Integrated S Pen, 108MP camera, 10x optical zoom, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/Exynos 2200, 120Hz AMOLED. |
| Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | A15 Bionic chip, ProMotion OLED, Cinematic mode, exceptional battery life, ProRAW support. |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | 108MP quad-camera, 10x optical zoom, Snapdragon 888/Exynos 2100, 120Hz AMOLED, S Pen support. |
| OnePlus 10 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, 80W fast charging, Hasselblad cameras, 120Hz AMOLED, strong performance. |
| Google Pixel 6 | Tensor chip, 50MP main camera, AI photo editing, 90Hz OLED, budget-friendly flagship. |
| Apple iPhone 14 | A15 Bionic chip, improved thermal performance, enhanced cameras, crash detection, vibrant OLED. |
| Google Pixel 9 | Not yet released; features and specifications are unconfirmed as of now. |
10 Best Phones For Astrophotography 2025
1. Apple iPhone 14 Pro / Pro Max
Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are the best for night sky enthusiasts and astrophotography aficionados.
The rear 48MP lens and computational photography are their key components. Night mode and Deep Fusion technology assist in mapping the sharp celestial images taken in low light conditions.
Support for ProRAW format makes heavy editing easier at the post-processing stage, and the A16 Bionic chip is handy at the processing stage.
These models also serve great battery life and accessory compatibility for the users.
2. Google Pixel 7 Pro
Due to its 50MP night vision lenses, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is a master at capturing the beauty of distant stars in astrophotography. It also provides a vigorous, colorful contrast due to enhanced HDR.
It is equipped with AI Night Sight and senderi state of the art computational photography that ensures handling of astrophotography by the phone’s astrophotography mode.
Supporting RAW format, PXL 7 PRO is designed specifically for editing astrophotos and interfaces that meet user expectations alongside impressive cosmic views.
3.OnePlus 11
The OnePlus 11 shines in astrophotography thanks to its advanced 50MP Sony IMX890 main sensor incorporated with Hasselblad tuning.
Through its Nightscape mode, the camera has better low-light shooting capabilities and captures clear, colorful night sky images.
It also has an option for long exposure and RAW format for better editing options. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has been a huge help in advancing the smooth process of taking and editing celestial images alongside the OnePlus 11 design, making it look sleek.
4. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has a 108MP primary sensor with a strong astrophotography appeal.
The additional Nightography software also produces stellar, clear, and detailed images, even in dark openings.
Pro mode allows the user to manually set the ISO and shutter speed, which is crucial for taking photos of celestial objects.
After a few enhancements with AI, the S22 also supports RAW formats and is compatible with astrophotography apps, allowing anyone to appreciate the night sky.
5. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple’s flagship smartphone, the iPhone 13 Pro Max, is a great choice for night sky photography. Its amazing technological features, such as its Night Mode setting and triple camera system, make it ideal for this task.
The device’s larger sensor normalizes the intake of light, making the details in a night’s image clearer.
It supports ProRAW, which means images can be elaborately edited afterward using programs, all thanks to the A15 Bionic processor.
With its long-lasting battery life and compatibility with photo and video shooting applications, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is a good option when taking night shots of the skies.
6. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
For us, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra easily takes the number one spot for astrophotography as its primary sensor has the capability of 108MP along with a Night Mode functionality to ensure low light captures are done quite nicely.
Its Pro mode enables manual adjustments for ISO and shutter speed, enabling the capture of intricate details of the night sky.
It has AI enhancements and RAW format support which means that you will get quality and options. Thanks to the strong performance of the S21 Ultra, coupled with its multipurpose camera systems, you can take dazzling celestial images.
7.OnePlus 10 Pro
The OnePlus 10 Pro is a decent option for astrophotography. Its 48MP primary camera includes a Nightscape mode that can be useful at night.
Its color tuning, done in collaboration with Hasselblad, allows for many details in pictures of the sky.
The phone comes with a few creative options with and not limited to offering manual control over exposure settings plus support for RAW, the OnePlus 10 Pro would still be considered a high end astrophotography device.
other than its astrophotography features, I would say that for those who enjoy stargazing, the smartphone is a good investment, considering its reliance on a strong performance and its powerful battery.
8. Google Pixel 6
The Google Pixel 6 presents itself as a very good option for astronomy. It features a 50MP main sensor and Night Sight mode that works beautifully in low-light conditions.
Especially its astrophotography, which aids in taking pictures of the night sky.
Its performance includes features like AI enhancements and support for RAW editing to allow for beautiful night sky images. Its interface and conversion are designed perfectly to fit astrophotography.
9. Apple iPhone 14
The Apple iPhone 14’s main sensor is 12MP, and it has an advanced night mode, which makes it highly effective for astrophotography.
It also has a smart hdr 4 and deep fusion to enhance clarity and color accuracy. For more editing-enabled details, ProRAW format is used.
The iPhone 14’s Standout feature is Night mode. It uses an A15 Bionic chip, which guarantees seamless performance. With this amazing device, astronomy has become great.
10. Google Pixel 9
Astrophotography is one of the main features of the Google Pixel 9. Thanks to AI capabilities in the Night Sight feature, the Pixel 9 can capture amazing images of the night sky with little to no noise.
There’s a 12.2MP sensor that captures the night sky without any hiccups in clarity and detail. Dedicated astrophotography Star and constellation mode make it possible to point and shoot while supporting RAW format for enhanced editing.
Powerful software and an intuitive interface mean the Pixel 9 is perfect for astrophotography aficionados.
Why Choose the Best Phones For Astrophotography
High camera Sensors: Megapixels with high brightness and powerful larger apertures are required for lower light settings, especially for taking photos of the night sky.
AI-Enabled Night Mode: Phones or devices with night mode or AI are likely to make starry images sharper and brighter.
Phone with custom setting options: Phones with ISO, shutter speed, and focus settings give users more options for photography.
Phones with a long exposure range can capture a faint star or celestial trail.
Optical Image Stabilization: A slight hand shake can make a long exposure shot useless, OIS cuts that down.
High Dynamic Range: HDR improves contrast allowing blurs and silhouettes to come off against the darker night sky.
Devices with proven testing and results: Look for pages that have completed their research on devices such as Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy Ultra, or iPhone Pro models specifically for astrophotography.
Research for kit compatibility: Search for tripods or clip-on telescopic lens devices that can work alongside your chosen device for astrophotography.
Battery: With a stronger battery life, prolonged outdoor shoots become possible.
RAW files: Devices that take photos in raw files allow many options for editing and allow more details to be kept in the photo.
Conclusion
Finally, the best phones for astrophotography combine a wide range of cameras, long exposure, and smart processing features to obtain beautiful night sky pictures.
In addition, if you are a professional or petitionary, functions such as manual controls, optical image stabilization, and support for the RAW format are enough for you to harness the beauty of the cosmos.
There is a great advantage in buying a smartphone designed especially for astrophotography as it allows it to broaden your vision of the universe without any hassle, and ease and imagination are at your fingertips
