I really can’t go back to a phone without a zoom camera

I used to be Team Ultrawide, but telephoto cameras have become indispensable to me.

Apr 13, 2025 - 15:04
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I really can’t go back to a phone without a zoom camera
Camera bar on the Google Pixel 9 Pro.
Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority

You might be surprised to know this, but I hold on to my personal Android phones for as long as I can. I’ve had my Pixel 7 Pro since late 2022. Prior to that, I had the HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro since late 2018. Both devices were great camera phones, which was good news as photography is one of my top priorities.

However, I’ve grown to realize that there’s one major feature I can’t do without on all my future smartphones, and that’s a zoom camera. In fact, every time I have to review a phone without a zoom camera, I can’t wait to switch back to my personal Pixel or the vivo X200 Pro I’m currently using as my secondary device.