The best smartphones for music videos and social content

As social media promotion becomes more vital for indie, up-and-coming, and established musicians, the most convenient way to get on top of the music social content game is by having a smartphone with excellent camera capabilities, ready to whip out from your pocket. Sure, you can get a dedicated camera for filming your own DIY music videos and content. But smartphone camera technology has advanced so rapidly that many phones now directly rival the dedicated cameras out there. And when it comes to having photos and videos in your phone library ready to directly upload to Instagram, TikTok, and the rest, having one of the best phones for music videos is by far the most convenient way to go about things.

So, answer the call to this Headliner guide of the best phones for music videos, as we look at the very best options from leading brands, including Samsung, iPhone, the Google Pixel, and more. We’ll start with the best available budget options and build up to the most premium music content machines. Stay tuned to the end for a top tip on how to save a big chunk of cash on your smartphone filmmaking, and some ideas on how to mindfully go about this without adding extra screentime to your day.

Samsung Galaxy A56 5G

Pro: Includes Optical Image Stabilisation and 4K recording

Con: Lacks flagship computational video features

If you thought getting one of the best phones for music videos meant spending at least £/$500, here’s some stupendous news for you. Samsung’s budget edition of their outrageously popular Galaxy range, the A56 5G, is a fantastic option for those looking to only spend a little above £/$200. You can safely place your trust in its vibrant 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display and a large 5,000mAh battery for all-day use. Content creators will appreciate its ability to capture excellent 4K video from both the rear 50MP main camera and the 12MP front-facing camera, making it a strong option for music videos, vlogging, and social media music content. It doesn’t feel cheap in the slightest, with a premium-feeling metal and glass design.

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iPhone 13

Pro: Has the same powerful A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 14, providing fast performance and longevity

Con: Lacks the dedicated zoom camera found on Pro models

Here’s one more excellent budget option to consider as we work our way through the best phones for music videos, also offering great news for those who have their heart set on Apple, but feared this meant splashing an inordinate amount of cash on the latest iPhone model. iPhones are such excellent camera phones that, even the iPhone 13, which is four generations behind the current iPhone 17, is a compelling option for those looking to spend between £/$200-300. Your best bet is to go for a refurbished iPhone 13, see our link below.

It still has powerful and capable filming and photography thanks to the A15 Bionic chip — the same processor as the iPhone 14. It has a stunning 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display and a great dual-camera system with Cinematic mode. It is a fantastic option on the refurbished market, offering years of continued iOS support without requiring the premium cost of a brand-new model.

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Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

Pro: Superior low-light video, AI-enhanced detail/resolution

Con: Video can look over-processed or less natural due to heavy AI.

Instead of Googling what the best phone for music videos is, why not go for Google’s best phone for content creators instead? If you are intent on going with Android, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is powered by the advanced Tensor G5 chip and is seriously powerful. Both the standard Pro and the larger Pro XL model support up to 8K video recording (at 30fps) via Google’s cloud-based Video Boost technology, which enhances clarity, colour, and stability, particularly in low light with the aid of Night Sight Video. The new enhanced stabilisation module provides the smoothest handheld footage to date. The AI-powered editing tools like Pro Res Zoom (up to 100x) offers incredible detail in far-off shots, and Magic Editor for on-device creative video refinement.

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Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

Pro: Industry standard for pro workflows

Con: Battery/thermal issues during prolonged high-bitrate recording.

At the other end of the Apple spectrum is the decidedly not budget option from the smartphone OGs themselves. However, if you do want to save a bit of cash, it’s worth pointing out that the regular iPhone 17 is still a phenomenal phone for music videos. But if you want the ultimate smartphone for filmmaking experience, the iPhone 17 Pro Max builds on the 16 series' excellent foundation by adding true professional cinema tools, specifically becoming the first smartphone to support ProRes RAW recording and Genlock for frame-accurate multi-camera sync. Video creators will have in their hands a post-production powerhouse, with the new Apple Log 2 colour profile and the ability to record 4K Dolby Vision up to 120fps. The camera hardware gets a serious upgrade across all lenses, including a new 48MP Telephoto camera with 8x optical-quality zoom, while a new A19 Pro chip and cooling system ensure optimal performance.

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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Pro: Powerful performance from Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset

Con: No microSD slot for storage expansion

It’s time to go to the Galaxy and beyond with Samsung’s most premium phone for content creators. The most notable camera upgrade is the Ultrawide lens, which is boosted from 12MP to a higher-resolution 50MP sensor. Overall performance sees an intergalactic leap with the move from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 to the more powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The S25 Ultra also features a slightly larger 6.9-inch display and a lighter, more durable titanium frame, while sticking with the S24 Ultra's 5,000mAh battery and 8K video capability.

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HONOR Magic 7 Pro

Pro: Telephoto main sensor with optical zoom and advanced AI stabilisation

Con: No US availability unless imported

The HONOR Magic 7 Pro is built for creators who want cinematic-level quality without reaching for a dedicated camera. Its 50 MP main and 200 MP telephoto sensors deliver sharp, richly detailed footage with smooth stabilisation, even during handheld or fast-moving shots; ideal for music video shoots and behind-the-scenes content. Take into account the vibrant 6.8-inch OLED display, lightning-fast Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and HONOR’s proprietary silicon-carbon battery tech for longer shooting sessions, and the Magic 7 Pro becomes a powerhouse for artists and social creators who want to shoot, edit, and share polished content directly from their phone.

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Sony Xperia 1 VII

Pro: Unmatched cinematic control with dedicated manual apps (Cinema Pro/Video Pro).

Con: Very high price point, manual-first approach can be inconsistent for casual users.

With Sony being the film production company besides franchises such as Spider-man and 28 Days Later, you know you can count on their own smartphone for filmmaking lending a brilliant cinematic experience. The Sony Xperia 1 VII is a creator-focused flagship, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, which ensures professional-grade performance and advanced AI features like AI Camerawork and Auto Framing for video. This latest model delivers a new, larger 48MP ultrawide sensor and the unique 85-170mm continuous optical zoom telephoto lens, all capable of recording 4K video at 120fps. The phone maintains its dedicated audio focus, featuring the 3.5mm headphone jack and WALKMAN-inspired audio enhancements, alongside a bright 6.5-inch 120Hz OLED display with a cinematic 19.5:9 aspect ratio. Essential features for professionals, such as a 5,000mAh long-lasting battery and expandable microSD storage up to 2TB, complete this tasty package.

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Refurbished phones for music videos: the best way to save a chunk of money, but still get a smartphone in great condition

If buying a phone second hand puts the fear in you and has you worrying you’ll get some dusty old brick that’s falling apart inside, we’re here to tell you that’s not always the case. The refurbished market is a fantastic way to get a phone for music videos that’s as good as new, and you can potentially save hundreds of pounds, dollars, or euros.

One of the safest ways is to use a reputable refurbished phone service like Back Market for peace of mind. There are plenty of physical shops that sell refurbished phones — just make sure you use one that you trust or has great reviews. eBay is certainly an option; however, read the description of the smartphone for filmmaking very carefully, and only consider eBay users with reviews that are as close to 100% positive as possible.

How to stockpile content without increasing your daily screen time with smartphone filmmaking

The downside to taking your pictures and films with your phone for music videos rather than a camera or camcorder is spending more time on your phone than you already are. But, with a mindful approach, you absolutely don’t have to make this another daily chunk of screen time. A lot of content creators will set aside an hour or two, or even the best part of a day, to do a load of filming and photo-taking, so that they have loads of videos and content ready to post as and when it’s needed.

Read more: The best cameras for DIY music videos and content: go pro with your visuals