Quad cameras in smartphones are no longer exclusive Apple — today even budget Android devices equipped with four or more modules, imitating the functionality of flagship iPhone. But not all multi-cameras are equally useful: some provide a real improvement in the quality of pictures, others work as a marketing ploy. In this guide, we will look at what Android smartphones 2026–2026 offer four cameras with real benefits, how to configure them correctly and which shooting modes are hidden from most users.

Let's compare not only technical characteristics, but also practical results: from shooting in low light conditions to macro photography. Let’s also answer the main question: do you need four cameras at all, or are two well-optimized ones enough? Spoiler: in 80% of cases, users actively use only main and ultrawide modules.

Why Android smartphones copy the iPhone camera design

After the release iPhone 11 Pro in 2019 with three cameras (and later iPhone 13 Pro - with four, including LiDAR), manufacturers Android began a race for the number of modules. Today, even smartphones for 20–25 thousand rubles offer:

  • 📸 Main camera (48–200 MP) - for most pictures
  • 🌌 Ultrawide module (12–50 MP) - for landscapes and architecture
  • 🔍 Telephoto (8–12 MP) - for zoom without loss of quality
  • 🎨 Additional module (macro, monochrome, ToF or depth) - for specific tasks

However, not everything is like that rosy: many budget models save money, which is why the pictures turn out worse than those with three cameras. The key difference is in the optimization of algorithms software processing, because of which the pictures turn out worse than those iPhone with three cameras. The key difference is in the optimization of algorithms HDR, Night Mode and Deep Fusion, where Apple still leads.

📊 How often do you use all 4 cameras on your smartphone?
Constantly, every shooting
Only main and ultra-wide
Rarely, for specific tasks
Never, one is enough

Top 5 Android smartphones with 4 cameras in 2026 year

We have selected models where four cameras are not just “for show”, but provide real benefits. We took into account image quality, software optimization and price:

Model Main camera Ultrawide Telephoto Extra. module Price (2026)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 200 MP, f/1.7 12 MP, f/2.2, 120° 10 MP, 3x zoom
10 MP, 10x zoom		 ToF (3D scanner) from 110,000 ₽
Xiaomi 14 Pro 50 MP (1"), f/1.4–f/4.0 50 MP, f/2.2, 115° 50 MP, 3.2x zoom 50 MP (macro) from 85,000 ₽
OnePlus 12 50 MP, f/1.6 48 MP, f/2.2, 114° 64 MP, 3x zoom Depth module from 75,000 ₽
Realme GT 6 Pro 50 MP, f/1.8 50 MP, f/2.2, 112° 50 MP, 2.7x zoom Microscope (up to 120x) from 55,000 ₽
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra 50 MP, f/1.6 50 MP, f/2.0, 121° 64 MP, 3x zoom ToF + laser autofocus from 65,000 ₽

Leader in price/quality balance — Xiaomi 14 Pro: thanks to the same 50-megapixel sensors in all modules (except macro), it provides predictably high quality at any zoom. But Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra wins in 100x Space Zoom, but loses in price.

⚠️ Attention: Characteristics of cameras may vary depending on the region (for example, Samsung sometimes simplifies modules for Asian markets. Before purchasing, check the specifications on the manufacturer's official website.

How to set up 4 cameras on Android for maximum quality

Even flagship smartphones take mediocre pictures out of the box. To unlock the potential of a quad camera, follow these steps:

☑️ Optimizing the camera on Android

Done: 0 / 5

Pay special attention Pro mode (most smartphones have it). There you can manually set:

  • 📐 Exposure (for shooting motion or night scenes). data-i="132">(manually for macro or portraits)
  • 🎯 ISO (sensitivity to light, but not higher than 3200 - there will be noise)
  • 🔄 White balance (automation often makes mistakes in artificial lighting)
  • 📏 Focus (manual for macro or portraits)

For Samsung Galaxy we recommend turning on Scene Optimizer (scene optimizer) in the camera settings - it automatically selects the best parameters for 20+ types of frames. owners Xiaomi should activate Ultra Night Mode even during the day: it improves detail in the shadows.

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If your smartphone supports the format RAW, shoot in it for subsequent processing in Lightroom But remember: RAW files take 5-10 times more. places!

Secret shooting modes you didn't know about

Manufacturers hide useful functions deep in the menu. Here's something worth trying:

  • 🌙 Astrophotography (available in Google Pixel i Xiaomi): allows you to shoot the starry sky from shutter speed up to 30 seconds. To activate, you need to go to Night mode → Settings → Astro.
  • 👁️ Double exposure (in Samsung i OnePlus): superimposes two frame in one (for example, portrait + landscape). Look for More → Double exposure.
  • 🎭 Clone mode (in Huawei i Honor): allows you to shoot one person in several poses on the same background. Works through Multiple exposure mode.
  • 📦 Shooting documents (in all flagships): automatically straightens the perspective and removes shadows. Turns on through More → Document.

On Realme GT 6 Pro there is a hidden mode Microscope (microscope) - it allows you to shoot objects with a magnification of up to 120x. To find it, open the camera, swipe up on the screen and select Micro. This is the only Android smartphone with such a magnification on the market in 2026.

How to shoot the Moon without a telephoto?

Use the main camera with maximum digital zoom (up to 30x), but only under ideal conditions: clear sky, tripod and manual settings (ISO 100, shutter speed 1/200). The result will be worse than on telephoto, but better than on most budget cameras.

Comparison with iPhone: who shoots better?

In tests of 2026 iPhone 15 Pro Max still leads in video shooting (thanks to Cinematic Mode and ProRes) And night pictures. But Android smartphones bypass it in:

  • 🔍 Zoom: Samsung S24 Ultra gives more detailed frames at 10x and 30x than iPhone.
  • 🎨 Settings flexibility: on Android you can shoot in RAW, manual mode and with external microphones without restrictions.
  • 💰 Price: flagship Android with 4 cameras is cheaper iPhone by 20–30%.

The main disadvantage of Android is unstable quality between modelsFor example, Google Pixel 8 Pro it takes pictures better than many. Android flagships, but has only three cameras. Sony Xperia 1 V with four modules it loses in processing, but it offers unique functions for video (for example, 4K 120fps).

⚠️ Attention: In 2026 Apple may introduce iPhone 16 Ultra with a fifth module (periscope zoom). If a long-term upgrade is important to you, consider waiting or buying an Android flagship with a supply of hardware.

Frequent problems with 4 cameras and how to fix them

Multi-cameras on Android often suffer from software bugs. Here are the most common problems and solutions:

  • 🚫 One of the cameras does not work: clear the application cache Camera in the settings (Applications → Camera → Memory → Clear cacheIf that doesn’t help, reset the camera settings to factory settings.
  • 📉 Poor quality on ultra wide: this is a feature of most smartphones (except iPhoneTry shooting in RAW and processing manually.
  • 🔋 Fast battery drain: disable background photo processing in the camera settings. On Samsung this is done in Camera settings → Energy saving.
  • 📱 The camera application crashes: update the firmware and disable third-party camera modules in Settings → Advanced → Camera modules.

If after updating the software the quality of the pictures has deteriorated, try rolling back to the previous version firmware (instructions are on the forums) data-i="218">Before buying a smartphone with 4 cameras, check reviews about a specific model on 4PDA or XDA-Developers). On Xiaomi And Realme sometimes it helps to switch the firmware region to Global or EEA.

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Before purchasing a smartphone with 4 cameras, check reviews for a specific model on DxOMark or GSMArena - often budget quad cameras are inferior even to two modules of flagships of previous years.

You can Is it possible to add a fourth camera to a smartphone that does not have one?

No, it is impossible to physically install an additional module - this requires changing the design of the case and the motherboard. However, you can use external lenses (for example, from Moment or Xenvo), which are attached with a magnet or a clip. They will give an effect. telephoto or macro, but the quality will be worse than the built-in module.

Which camera is used by default when you launch the application?

Always activated by default main camera (with the highest resolution) To quickly switch to ultra-wide or zoom, swipe. swipe left/right on the screen or tap the icon 0.5x/2x/10x (depending on the model). On some smartphones (for example, Samsung) you can assign double press the power button to quickly launch the camera.

Is it true that four cameras drain the battery faster?

Yes, but not significantly. data-i="239">or image processing (especially in modes HDR, Night Mode or Portrait).For example, an hour of active shooting on Xiaomi 14 Pro consumes ~15-20% of the charge, while a simple photo on the main camera consumes only 2-3%. settings. AI optimization And auto-HDR in the settings.

Which smartphone with 4 cameras is better for video?

For video shooting in 2026, the best options:

  1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra —due to 8K 30fps and stabilization Super Steady.
  2. Sony Xperia 1 V —unique settings for filmmakers (for example, S-Log3).
  3. OnePlus 12 —the best balance of price and quality (supports Dolby Vision).

If important to you) data-i="254">, pay attention to models with stabilization, pay attention to models with hybrid stabilization (optical + electronic), for example, Vivo X100 Pro.

Is it worth buying a smartphone because of four cameras?

Only if you:

  • 📷 Are professional photographers and need zoom or macro.
  • 🎥 Shoot videos from different angles (ultra-wide + telephoto).
  • 💼 You travel and photograph landscapes/architecture (ultra-wide will come in handy there).

In all other cases, a smartphone with two cameras (main + ultra-wide), but well optimized, will suffice. data-i="267">or Google Pixel 8 or iPhone 15 take better pictures than many Android devices with four modules.