Optical zoom remains one of the most sought-after features for mobile photography enthusiasts. In 2026, the market offers several truly outstanding options—from periscope modules to mirror-based systems that let you capture distant subjects without quality loss. Here’s a roundup of the top five smartphones with the best telephoto cameras available today.

HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra — Record 9.4× Optical Zoom

The HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra continues to lead in optical magnification. It has a single telephoto lens, but thanks to a movable mirror, it can shoot at both 3.7× and an impressive 9.4× optical zoom. This allows highly detailed shots even at long distances.

Images at maximum zoom are slightly weaker in light capture and detail compared to daytime shots, but for street and portrait photography, the capabilities are more than sufficient. The camera also excels at macro photography, producing shots so detailed that it’s hard to believe they were taken on a smartphone.

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max — 5× Periscope with Secondary Screen

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max features a single 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 5× optical zoom. High resolution and quality optics deliver sharp and detailed images.

A standout feature is the secondary screen on the back, which can serve as a viewfinder for the rear cameras, including the telephoto lens. This is convenient for portraits when taking selfies or photographing someone with the main module while monitoring the frame via the rear display.

Processing algorithms can occasionally over-enhance details, especially on text, but overall the camera remains one of the strongest in its segment.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra — Two Telephoto Lenses for Maximum Flexibility

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra keeps its status as a photography flagship with two telephoto lenses: 3× and 5× optical zoom. This provides flexibility—3× performs better indoors and in low light, while 5× offers maximum detail at distance.

Samsung removed the 10× optical zoom from the S23 Ultra but kept the marketing term “10× optical-quality zoom,” which refers to digital zoom with acceptable sharpness. In real-world scenarios, 5× remains the most practical and delivers the best results.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL — Benchmark for Software Processing

The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL has a 48MP periscope telephoto with 5× optical zoom. As always with Pixel phones, the real strength lies in post-processing algorithms. The camera delivers excellent detail, natural colors, and a superb astrophotography mode for the Moon and stars.

Photos can be saved in RAW, a feature valued by professional photographers. Even without the largest optical zoom, the Pixel 10 Pro XL remains one of the top choices for zoom photography.

iPhone 17 Pro — 4× with “8× Optical-Quality Zoom”

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro features a 48MP telephoto lens with 4× optical zoom. Marketing initially mentioned 8× optical zoom but was later adjusted to “8× optical-quality zoom.”

In practice, 4× delivers very solid results: excellent detail, natural colors, and strong performance in challenging lighting conditions. The iPhone remains a video powerhouse, but with zoom photography, the 17 Pro now keeps pace with the top contenders.

In Brief

In 2026, the best smartphones with optical zoom are:

  • HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra — record 9.4× zoom
  • Xiaomi 17 Pro Max — 5× quality zoom
  • Google Pixel 10 Pro XL — 5× with excellent software processing
  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra — dual telephoto 3× + 5× for versatility
  • iPhone 17 Pro — stable 4× with outstanding processing

Your choice depends on priorities: maximum magnification—HUAWEI, software magic—Pixel, versatility—Samsung, video and ecosystem—iPhone, balance of price and zoom—Xiaomi. All of these models can capture distant subjects without noticeable quality loss.