10 Best 4K Video Recording Camera Smartphones To Replace Your DSLR

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Smartphones are quickly replacing DSLRs now. They provide a ton of features and can be even carried inside pockets. Most of the shots come better with the phone as compared to cameras, especially for beginners.

But what about videos?

Well, when it comes to video recording, smartphones are already way ahead of DSLR cameras.

You will have to invest a lot if you want to shoot a 4K resolution video through a camera whereas, at a cheaper price, you can get a smartphone which does the same job with extra added benefits.

Let’s look at the best 4K video recording camera smartphones.

In A Rush? Here Are Our Picks

Our Choice
OnePlus 6 A6003 Dual-SIM (64GB Storage | 6GB RAM) (GSM Only, No CDMA) Factory Unlocked 4G Smartphone...
Runner Up
Apple Simple Mobile Prepaid - Apple iPhone X (64GB) - Silver
Motorola Moto G5S Plus XT1805 4G LTE Unlocked GSM 32GB 4GB RAm Octa Core Dual 13MP International...
LG G6 – 32 GB – Unlocked (AT&T/T-Mobile/Verizon) – Black – Prime Exclusive
OnePlus 6 A6003 Dual-SIM (64GB Storage | 6GB RAM) (GSM Only, No CDMA) Factory Unlocked 4G Smartphone...
Apple Simple Mobile Prepaid - Apple iPhone X (64GB) - Silver
Motorola Moto G5S Plus XT1805 4G LTE Unlocked GSM 32GB 4GB RAm Octa Core Dual 13MP International...
LG G6 – 32 GB – Unlocked (AT&T/T-Mobile/Verizon) – Black – Prime Exclusive
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Amazon Prime
Our Choice
OnePlus 6 A6003 Dual-SIM (64GB Storage | 6GB RAM) (GSM Only, No CDMA) Factory Unlocked 4G Smartphone...
OnePlus 6 A6003 Dual-SIM (64GB Storage | 6GB RAM) (GSM Only, No CDMA) Factory Unlocked 4G Smartphone...
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Runner Up
Apple Simple Mobile Prepaid - Apple iPhone X (64GB) - Silver
Apple Simple Mobile Prepaid - Apple iPhone X (64GB) - Silver
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Motorola Moto G5S Plus XT1805 4G LTE Unlocked GSM 32GB 4GB RAm Octa Core Dual 13MP International...
Motorola Moto G5S Plus XT1805 4G LTE Unlocked GSM 32GB 4GB RAm Octa Core Dual 13MP International...
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LG G6 – 32 GB – Unlocked (AT&T/T-Mobile/Verizon) – Black – Prime Exclusive
LG G6 – 32 GB – Unlocked (AT&T/T-Mobile/Verizon) – Black – Prime Exclusive
Amazon Prime

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the 2024-03-18 and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on TechUntold at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Samsung Galaxy S9+ Dual SIM Smartphone - Midnight Black - GSM Only - International Version
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro (64GB, 6GB) 6.53", 64MP Quad Camera, Helio G90T Gaming Processor, Dual SIM...
Samsung Galaxy S8+ 64GB GSM Unlocked Phone - International Version (Midnight Black)
OnePlus 5 A5000 - Gray - 6GB RAM + 64 GB - 5.5 inch - International Version - No Warranty (Gray)
Samsung Galaxy S9+ Dual SIM Smartphone - Midnight Black - GSM Only - International Version
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro (64GB, 6GB) 6.53", 64MP Quad Camera, Helio G90T Gaming Processor, Dual SIM...
Samsung Galaxy S8+ 64GB GSM Unlocked Phone - International Version (Midnight Black)
OnePlus 5 A5000 - Gray - 6GB RAM + 64 GB - 5.5 inch - International Version - No Warranty (Gray)
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Samsung Galaxy S9+ Dual SIM Smartphone - Midnight Black - GSM Only - International Version
Samsung Galaxy S9+ Dual SIM Smartphone - Midnight Black - GSM Only - International Version
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Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro (64GB, 6GB) 6.53", 64MP Quad Camera, Helio G90T Gaming Processor, Dual SIM...
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro (64GB, 6GB) 6.53", 64MP Quad Camera, Helio G90T Gaming Processor, Dual SIM...
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Samsung Galaxy S8+ 64GB GSM Unlocked Phone - International Version (Midnight Black)
Samsung Galaxy S8+ 64GB GSM Unlocked Phone - International Version (Midnight Black)
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OnePlus 5 A5000 - Gray - 6GB RAM + 64 GB - 5.5 inch - International Version - No Warranty (Gray)
OnePlus 5 A5000 - Gray - 6GB RAM + 64 GB - 5.5 inch - International Version - No Warranty (Gray)
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the 2024-03-18 and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on TechUntold at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Best 4K Camera Phones To Record 4K Videos From Your Smartphone

1. Pixel 2

No products found.

If you are looking for the best camera smartphone then Pixel 2 is the right choice. I have seen many Instagrammers using this phone only to produce some stunning images which are not even possible on DSLRs. But we are not here to talk about photography, are we?

Let us skip to the video section. Pixel 2 supports 4K recording of 2160p at 30fps. And usual 1080p video recording at 30 and 60fps. Videos recorded through this phone seems completely natural, unlike some Galaxy smartphones. This mobile phone also offers optical stabilization which helps in reducing hand shake movements while recording a video. There’s no downside to this phone’s camera but I do expect 60 fps 4K recording or even more in their upgrade.

2. OnePlus 6

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the 2024-03-18 and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on TechUntold at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

This is one of the leading smartphone brand worldwide. OnePlus is famous for giving advanced specifications. One Plus 6 was launched this year and has been a massive success. It supports 4K recording at 60 fps which is better than Pixel 2.

If you are looking for a good 4k recording phone then OnePlus 6 is definitely worth buying. Apart from 4k, this device is also good for super slow-mo videos. You can record 1080p videos at 240 fps and 720p at 480 fps.

3. Moto G5S Plus

Motorola Moto G5S Plus XT1805 4G LTE Unlocked GSM 32GB 4GB RAm Octa Core Dual 13MP International...
  • Will NOT work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon Sprint Boost Dual SIM International model phone, Does NOT have US warranty. Will...
  • Dual Nano Sim Bands 4G LTE (B1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41) 3G UTMS : 850/900/1900/2100 2G Quad Band

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the 2024-03-18 and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on TechUntold at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

This device supports 4K 2160p video recording at 30fps. If you look at the price range of this device, 30 fps is not bad at all. Smartphones like this give a relief that the upcoming mobile will also have 4k recording feature as well. Although the camera quality is not a great as those mentioned above, they are twice as costlier than Mogo G5S. Overall, this is a decent phone and supports stock Android which makes the user interface smooth and easy.

4. LG G6

LG G6 – 32 GB – Unlocked (AT&T/T-Mobile/Verizon) – Black – Prime Exclusive
  • Pre-installed selection of Amazon apps, including the Amazon Widget, provide Prime members with easy access to daily deals, Prime...
  • First smartphone in the US to feature 5.7" QHD Plus FullVision display with 18:9 aspect ratio

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the 2024-03-18 and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on TechUntold at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Although it is an old device now, still one of the best out there. This mobile phone supports 4K recording at 30 fps. Apart from 4K video, stereo audio recording is also provided which is great for Vloggers. LG G6 provides the dual camera with one wide angle lens of 1.4 aperture and another super wide angle of 2.4 aperture. And it also has laser-assisted autofocus which is quite rare in smartphones. Even the front camera provides a 100-degree angle view. To sum up, this is a great phone for the camera and video recording.

5.  iPhone X

No products found.

iPhone has been a favorite among photographers and cinematographers for a while. And iPhone X took their popularity to a whole new level. This 4k video smartphone is as good as any DSLR out there. It offers 4K recording at 24,30 and 60 fps. And it is definitely the best device on this list. This phone performs exceptionally well during low light conditions also. Even the iPhone 8 also offers similar features in terms of video recording. But the front camera is much better in the X version.

6. Samsung Galaxy S9+

Samsung Galaxy S9+ Dual SIM Smartphone - Midnight Black - GSM Only - International Version
  • Super Speed Dual Pixel Camera
  • Infinity Display: edge-to-edge immersive screen, enhancing your entertainment experience

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the 2024-03-18 and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on TechUntold at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

S9+ has everything a vlogger or a photographer loves. It provides 4K resolution video recording at 30 as well as 60 fps. And users can even choose between the video formats which are H.264 and HEVC. Optical image stabilization is also there along with video stabilization but only for the videos at 30 fps. Everything comes out great when recording a video from color depth to contrast. Details are well captured and footage hardly records any noise which makes clip quality picture perfect. You will never face any focus issues using S9+.

7. Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro (64GB, 6GB) 6.53", 64MP Quad Camera, Helio G90T Gaming Processor, Dual SIM...
  • 6.53 inches 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density), Corning Gorilla Glass 5, HDR - Fingerprint (rear-mounted)
  • 64GB + 6GB RAM - microSD, up to 256 GB (Takes SIM Slot 2) - MediaTek Helio G90T Octa-core - Non-removable Li-Po 4500 mAh battery -...

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the 2024-03-18 and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on TechUntold at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Xiaomi is quickly capturing customer’s attention by providing more hardware specifications. And Redmi Note 8 Pro is probably one of the hottest smartphones right now.

The camera captures some exceptionally well images and videos. It provides 4K recording at 30 fps. Although the video is not as stable as it should be while using freehand. But it works great when shooting in 1080p resolution.

You can only shoot up to 8 minutes of 4K video while OnePlus 6 offers 6 minutes of 4K recording time.

8. Samsung S8 Plus

Samsung Galaxy S8+ 64GB GSM Unlocked Phone - International Version (Midnight Black)
  • Infinity Display: a bezel-less, full-frontal, edge-to-edge screen. Default resolution is Full HD+ and can be changed to Quad HD+...
  • Camera resolution - Front: 8 MP AF, Rear: 12 MP OIS AF

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the 2024-03-18 and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on TechUntold at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

This is a similar version but comparatively less advanced as compared to S9. This phone supports Bezel-less display, revolutionary 12 MB dual pixel rear camera, an iris scanner, and many more features. But for me, the highlight of this phone was awesome 4K recording videos. Video quality is great and the camera doesn’t lag anywhere.

9. iPhone 8

No products found.

This is also an affordable version if you do not want to invest in iPhone X. It is a great smartphone and will not disappoint you when it comes to image and video quality. It supports 4k recording at 30 fps and 60 fps as well. But for this price, I think they should have included 120 fps 4k recording also. Still, 120 fps is available at 1080p HD recording sessions.

10. OnePlus 5

OnePlus 5 A5000 - Gray - 6GB RAM + 64 GB - 5.5 inch - International Version - No Warranty (Gray)
  • OnePlus 5 A5000 , Display: 5.5 inches Optic AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors | Dual 16 MP, f/1.7, EIS (gyro) + 20 MP,...
  • LTE: Band 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/17 / 18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/66, TDD LTE: Band 38/39/40/41, TD-SCDMA: Band 34/39, UMTS (WCDMA): Band...

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the 2024-03-18 and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on TechUntold at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Another affordable version if you didn’t like the pricing of One Plus 6. I personally loved the camera features of this phone. It has a 20 MP rear camera with portrait mode, professional mode, smart capture, fast autofocus and a brilliant 16 MP front camera. Video recording is easy and it preserves some vibrant colors and the details while doing so. Make sure to check it out before going for the upper version.

4K Video Recording Camera Smartphones Buying Guide

Making professional home videos has never been easier! 

You can now shoot 4K video recordings without a high-end DSLR camera. No need to buy the most expensive phone in the world, either. 

What you need is the best phone for video recording, which you can pick from this list. But if you aren’t sure how to choose one, keep on reading. My buyer’s guide is here to help! 

Here are the features to look for in a 4K camera smartphone:

4K Camera

If you are looking to buy the best phone for video recording, it is only right to pick one with a 4K camera

A 4K camera lets you record in 4096×2160 resolution with a 16:10 aspect ratio. Your videos will pick up details that Full HD 1920×1080 format can’t. 

Pick a phone with multiple rear cameras, like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro . A dual, triple, or quad camera has better depth perception and a wider shooting angle than a single-lens camera.

Make sure your smartphone has lots of different camera settings, like the Samsung Galaxy S9+ . It offers multiple shooting modes, like auto, pro, panorama, slow-mo, hyper-lapse, and more. It also has a stabilization setting, which minimizes the effects of shaking hands.

YouTube player

In order to be able to edit 4k videos, you’ll need video editing software that supports this resolution. You can take a look at iSkysoft Video converter for your converting needs or at VideoProc if you need to edit your video files. Both support 4k videos.

Storage Space

4K format takes up more storage space. A one-minute-long HD video uses about 100 to 200MB of storage. The same video in 4K will take up 300 to 600MB.

If you are planning on filming lots of videos, you should find a smartphone with plenty of storage space so you won’t run out of it. The Samsung Galaxy S9+  offers 64GB of storage, which you can expand with a microSD card up to 400GB

Processor

Shooting in 4K resolution requires more processing power than in 1080p. You will have to buy a phone with a fast CPU so it won’t lag or overheat while recording.  

Fortunately, you don’t need to do much searching since newer phones are up to date with the latest CPU technology

The best processors from my list are:

  • 2.8 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, as seen in the Samsung Galaxy S9+ .
  • 2.39 GHz Apple’s A11 Bionic, as seen in the iPhone X  and No products found..

Check out this video to see how they perform against each other:

YouTube player

Battery Life

You will need a battery that can keep up with your 4K camera usage. You don’t want your phone dying in the middle of the shoot. 

A battery with a capacity of 3000 to 6000mAh should be sufficient. The bigger this number is, the longer your phone will last on a single charge. A fast-charging unit that can be fully powered within an hour is also a big plus. 

The Oneplus 6  meets both criteria. Its 3300 mAh non-removable battery charges to 100% in about a 1h 15min
You can always upgrade your phone with a battery phone case:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the 2024-02-22 and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on TechUntold at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

It may make your phone look bulky, unlike totallee phone cases, which are super slim, but at least you will have a lifeline on you.

So Which One Is The Best 4K Smartphone?

OnePlus 6   is arguably the best 4K recording Smartphone in the list. It is comparatively cheaper in general compared to gigantic brands like Samsung and Apple and still provides similar features.

And if budget is not an issue, no one can beat iPhone X .

So, which one are you going to get? Share your thoughts below.

About The Author

  • Ayush Karanwal

    Indian Adrenaline junkie who loves trekking, long bike rides, clicking pictures and sharing his travel stories.

Photo of author

Ayush Karanwal

Indian Adrenaline junkie who loves trekking, long bike rides, clicking pictures and sharing his travel stories.

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