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Periscope camera phones in 2025 offer high-quality zoom without bulk, with brands like Samsung, Apple, Vivo, and Xiaomi pushing the limits.
Zoom innovation spans all price ranges, from ₹32,999 to ₹1,59,900, offering something for everyone.
AI, sensor shift, and optical tech define this year’s smartphone photography, setting new standards in clarity, low-light, and stabilization.
This year continues to see smartphone photography being pushed to its greatest limits. Periscope camera phones now stand out as the ultimate tool for anyone who values zoom photography without sacrificing clarity.
This lens technology uses mirrors and prisms to stretch focal lengths, making it possible to zoom without making phones bulky. Here’s a look at the best choices in 2025, known for sharp long-range photography, smooth stabilization, and strong low-light performance.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra leads with a 50MP periscope lens and 5x optical zoom. The Pro Visual Engine and AI-powered scene optimization offer unmatched stability and clarity, even in tough lighting.
This model supports 8K video, a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and has options up to 1TB of storage. In India, prices start at ₹1,29,999 for the 256GB variant.
Apple steps up with the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, bringing periscope zoom to both models for the first time. A 12MP tetra-prism lens provides 5x optical zoom through a 120mm equivalent lens.
Apple's A18 Pro chip ensures crisp image processing, and 3D sensor-shift stabilization makes handheld zoom photography smoother. Prices are expected to start around ₹1,34,900 for the Pro and ₹1,59,900 for the Pro Max.
Vivo X200 Pro follows with a massive 200MP periscope lens offering 3.7x optical zoom. Built with Zeiss optics and powered by the V3 imaging chip, it performs exceptionally well in low light and portrait shots. Expected to cost around ₹89,999, it blends advanced hardware with style.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra features Leica-engineered optics and a 200MP periscope lens with 4.3x zoom. It includes custom Leica Vibrant and Authentic color profiles and offers excellent performance across all zoom levels. Xiaomi’s focus on detail makes it a strong pick, priced around ₹84,999.
With its dual periscope cameras, Oppo Find X8 Ultra puts forth the very notion of innovation. Optical Zoom at 3X and 6X courtesy of the HyperTone Camera System with cinematic mode and steadicam operation, price range being approximately ₹94,999 for what looks to be a flexible powerhouse.
Sony Xperia 1 V adds a twist with continuous zoom between 3.5x and 5.2x, thanks to a moving lens. It comes with a 4K HDR OLED display and microSD support, offering professional-level control and presentation. Priced around ₹1,24,999, it targets photography professionals and content creators.
Google Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro Max keep the tradition. A 48MP periscope lens provides 5x optical zoom with the help of AI tuning, and an LTPO OLED display makes sure no details escape. Starting at a rough price of ₹99,999, these remain upper choices in AI-based imaging.
Vivo X Fold 3 Pro gets extreme zoom for foldable phones. A 64MP lens with 10x optical zoom tries to place foldables at par with flagship devices in zoom and details. Coupled with a price tag of around ₹1,49,999, it offers a premium foldable design and high-end camera.
The Realme 14 Pro+ winds up the list. It has a 64MP periscope camera with 3x optical and 6x in-sensor zoom. Being cheaper at approximately ₹32,999, it ticks multiple boxes for zoom ability and design in a rather stylish way.
These models come to the fore when it comes to authentic long-range photography on a smartphone. Whether it is the AI magic of Samsung, the sensor-shift magic of iPhone, or the Zeiss magic of Vivo that tilts the balance differently. Periscope camera phones have raised the new bar for mobile photography in 2025 with something for every budget and requirement.
Also Read – Best Camera Phones Under Rs 40,000
