Best Phones for Taking Selfies (2018)

In this buying guide we’ll share a list of the best phones for taking selfies. These days smartphones have excellent cameras, but not all of them have good front-facing cameras. So, whether you’re looking for portrait mode, wide-angle shots and more, we have a few worth considering.

If you’re looking to step up your selfie game in 2018 you’ll want a phone with a great front-facing camera. We’ll explain what each phone has to offer, why the megapixel rating doesn’t matter, and even recommend a phone with a front-facing LED flash.

Read: 10 Best Photo Gallery Apps for Android

Our phone recommendations also have software improvements specifically for selfies. Some of those include Snapchat-style filters and effects, Beauty modes, face-thinning, airbrush, and even wide-angle shots. By combining a great camera with software enhancements you’ll get great looking selfies every time.

Best Phones for Talking Selfies

These are the best smartphones for taking selfies. We have your Portrait mode iPhone X, phones with tons of software features, or great selfie phones for those on a budget. There’s a little of something for everyone here. So, take your pick.

Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL

When it comes to taking photos with the front-facing camera Google’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are two of the best. The biggest reason for this is Portrait mode, which is all the rage right now.

Both phones have an impressive 8 Megapixel front camera with a large 1.4-micron sensor and a fast f/2.4 aperture. This means they take great photos, even at night or with poor light conditions, and focus incredibly fast.

You’ll get great shots no matter what. However, the big thing here is Portrait mode. One of the only Android phones that give you Portrait mode with the front camera is Google’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. All other devices only offer this on the back.

This means you can awesome Portrait mode photos with the front camera or just regular selfies. It’s up to you. Google uses software and machine learning to blur the edges, giving you stunning crisp and clear photos with nice bokeh effects. And while Google might not deliver tons of software options, the raw camera output makes it one of the best phones for selfies.

Buy a Pixel 2 from the Google Store, or at Verizon.

iPhone X

Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without one of the best selfie phones overall. We’re talking about the impressive new iPhone X. While the Animoji’s are neat, it’s the Portrait mode you’re probably interested in.

With the iPhone X, the 7 Megapixel front camera uses the new TrueDepth sensors to take improved photos. It’s not just for FaceID unlock. The TrueDepth system includes an infrared camera, sensors, and light projectors capable of perceiving depth. This is what makes the Portrait mode selfie photos turn out so great.

And yes, both the iPhone X and iPhone 8 have the same 7 Megapixel front-facing camera setup. However, you don’t get the TrueDepth sensors on the iPhone 8. As a result, the X is the best iPhone for taking selfies.

It’s also worth stating that the iPhone X has small bezels around the big 5.8-inch display. It’s a smaller phone and easier to hold while you’re trying to snap photos at those weird selfie angles.

Buy the iPhone X from Apple, or get one of these iPhone X deals.

Samsung Galaxy S8 or Note 8

Next on our list is the Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, and the Galaxy Note 8. And honestly, these three are probably the best overall phones for taking selfies. That’s because Samsung delivers great camera hardware and neat software to combine for the best results.

Samsung’s phones all have 8 megapixel front-facing cameras with auto-focus, which most other phones don’t offer. This means you’ll always get great selfies that are in focus. Additionally, that 8MP camera has a blazing fast f/1.7 aperture lens for improved photography at night or indoors. Even with poor lighting conditions, they take great photos.

The Galaxy S8 and Note 8 both have Portrait mode too, even on the front, but it’s not quite as powerful as the Pixel 2 or iPhone X.

Here’s why Samsung’s phones are the best though. They have tons of software to go along with the camera hardware. Beauty mode lets you airbrush and smooth out skin tone, make your eyes bigger, and even slim out your face. So, if you want to take portrait style selfies and look like a model, you can.

Samsung also offers Snapchat-style filters, effects, and stickers, on top of plenty of other unique software options. We like the wide-angle selfie mode, where you can pan from left to right and fit in an entire crowd in a matter of seconds. It blends multiple photos together for one wide selfie shot.

Buy the Galaxy S8 from Samsung, or check out these best Galaxy S8 deals.

OnePlus 5T or HTC U11

Next, we’re bundling two different Android smartphones into one group for potential buyers. Here’s why. Both of these phones have extremely capable 16 Megapixel front-facing cameras. So while they might not have tons of crazy filters or options, you’ll get good selfies no matter what.

The OnePlus 5T takes Portrait mode photos with the rear camera, so you do have that option if you’d like. However, as for the front-facing selfie camera, you’ll enjoy nice 16 Megapixel photos. And while that doesn’t mean it’s instantly better than the iPhone X or Galaxy S8, you do have more room to crop and edit photos on the fly. More megapixels means you can zoom in and crop without losing quality.

We also like the electronic image stabilization and Auto HDR mode with the front-facing camera on the OnePlus 5T. The HTC U11 is a pretty great phone too, and it has a similar camera setup with a 16 Megapixel front shooter. Both of these phones should output great selfie photos.

The OnePlus 5T is half the price of the iPhone X, mind you, starting at just $499.

Moto Z2 Force

Another phone worth considering is the Moto Z2 or the Moto Z2 Force from Verizon Wireless. For starters, this is one of the only phones with a front-facing LED flash to ensure you get great selfies, even at night.

The Moto Z2 Force only has a 5 Megapixel camera on the front, but that two-stage LED flash should really help the photos turn out good. Additionally, the 5.5-inch screen is P-OLED, which stands for plastic. That means if you accidentally drop your phone trying to take the perfect selfie, the screen won’t break. In fact, this phone has a “shatterproof” screen according to Motorola.

You’ll also enjoy two 12MP rear cameras if you want to turn it around and take higher quality selfie photos, tons of Moto Mod accessories, and they sell a 360-degree camera if you really want to take some crazy selfies.

Buy it today at Motorola or Verizon Wireless

Huawei Honor 9 Lite

Last but not least, for now, is the budget-friendly Honor 9 Lite smartphone. If you’re looking to take some pretty great selfies, but can’t afford $800-$100 for a Galaxy S8 or iPhone X, consider this phone.

the Honor 9 Lite comes with four cameras, and it’s only $199. It packs a 13 and 2 Megapixel camera setup on the back, and the same dual 13+2MP setup on the front. This means you’ll be able to take great photos, neat selfies, and really good portrait photos. That second front-facing lens helps with depth of field, for the perfect blur effects on your selfies.

This phone delivers a well-rounded package with slim bezels, a premium design, and good cameras all for one low price. The company also offers a regular Honor 9 that’s a bit more powerful, albeit more expensive at the same time.

Final Thoughts & What’s Next

These are the best phones for taking selfies that are available now, and more are coming in 2018. As the year progresses we’ll continuously update this list with the best phones.

We’re expecting an impressive new Galaxy S9 within the first few months of the year, a new LG G7, Motorola phones and more. As each new phone comes out in 2018 expect this list to grow, expand, or change. For now, though, these are the phones you’ll want to consider if you love taking selfies. Then, before you go, take a look at these 5 best selfie sticks for Phones.