We’ve all noticed that many people gain immense popularity through live streaming content on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and others.
Live Streaming has become so popular that almost every social media platform out there allows users to stream content live.
If you’re looking to become an “online streamer” or are just interested in exploring this part of the digital world, it’s crucial to find the best equipment possible without breaking the bank.
So before you run out and buy some fancy camera equipment, we’ve rounded up the best live streaming phones for you to consider:
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Aside from being a flagship product of California tech giant Apple, iPhones are known to have excellent camera quality. Every new model that comes out has an upgraded camera that makes your photos and videos look even more professional.
2021’s iPhone 13 line is no exception. The best model out of the three variants, the iPhone 13 Pro Max, boasts a 12 megapixel (MP) camera system that comes with unique features such as telephoto, wide, and ultrawide lens.
The picture quality can capture videos up to 1080p without high-dynamic-range imaging (HDR). The smartphones of today can take pictures at a quality level never seen before. So you don’t need to spend $5,500 on a new camera when a smartphone can capture high quality images, fit in your pocket, and not completely break the bank.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max also offers HDR video recording with Dolby Vision that can capture up to 4K at 60 fps. Talk about sharp and lag-free videos! Worried your live stream might be shaky? This smartphone’s camera has cinematic video stabilization for videos with 720p to 4K.
Huawei P30 Pro
Of course, Apple has competitors that are doing their best to compete with Apple’s high quality products. One such company is Huawei. With their P30 Pro, you get triple lenses equipped with Superzoom, 40MP sensor camera, and 20MP wide-angle lens.
You don’t have to miss a thing with this unit’s brilliant camera. They coupled its high-quality camera with a big screen, so you can see everything that’s happening!
Today’s phones boast excellent battery capacity and Huawei made sure not to forget this feature in the Huawei P30 Pro. This beefy battery capacity of 4200 mAh will make sure your live stream does not suddenly end without allowing you to say goodbye to your viewers.
Plus, you’ll have no problem live streaming videos in low-light with this phone. Huawei cameras are known for performing well even in bad lighting conditions.
You can record up to 4K at 30fps with this well-rounded Android-powered unit. What’s more, it costs significantly less than Apple’s iPhone 13 Pro Max.
So if you’re looking for a high-quality and affordable (at least when compared to the 13 Pro Max), Huawei’s P30 Pro line is worth looking into.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra, released January 2021, can’t be left out. It’s currently Samsung’s best smartphone camera, with a 108Mp rear camera and 3 other rear lenses that have up to 12MP of clarity. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra will take your live streaming to the next level.
Worried about the resolution of your livestream video with this phone? You don’t have to be. It can take up to 8K at 24fps! That’s the highest resolution on our list, and if you love razor-sharp videos, the S21 Ultra is definitely for you.
If you want to ensure your live streams have high-quality and are lag-free, then you can record 4K at 30fps videos without a problem.
The length of your stream shouldn’t be a problem with Samsung’s newest phone. It has a 5000 mAh non-removable battery that can let you stream videos for as long as your heart desires.
All in all, it may not be as cheap as our Huawei P30 Pro contender, but the price increase is definitely worth paying for if you want high quality livestream videos.
Google Pixel 5
If you don’t follow tech news, you might not be aware that Google isn’t just a search engine. It’s also a smartphone manufacturer -- and a good one at that.
While the competition in the smartphone market is tough, Google surely benefits from its household popularity. Their smartphones have undeniably high quality standards, and that shows with the Google Pixel 5.
The Google Pixel 5 is a lightweight and comfortable smartphone with an ultrawide 16MP main camera. You can record up to 4K at 60fps with this Google smartphone. That quality will allow for clear livestream videos, especially if you want all the details in the frame captured perfectly.
It also has a 4080 mAh battery that will ensure that your livestream sessions are not cut off too soon.
Google may not be the first brand that pops in your mind when you think of the best smartphone cameras, but they’re worth a look.
OnePlus 8 Pro
One of the Chinese tech company’s most well-rounded and popular smartphones, the OnePlus 8 Pro, packs a powerful main camera that lets you shoot at 48MP or 12MP.
It also has a 119-degree field of view, which should be wide enough for your wide-capture livestream video. We know this is important when you want to stream landscapes.
You also don’t have to worry about the battery capacity of the OnePlus 8 Pro. It has a 4510 mAh battery that offers wireless charging! If that beefy battery isn’t enough for your livestream and interactions with your viewers, then the wireless charging feature should help.
What else should you consider when looking for a phone for live streaming?
Aside from the image quality of your live streams, one thing you also have to consider is the size of the screen, storage space, and battery capacity.
Battery capacity
There are numerous smartphones out there packed with cameras powerful enough to produce lag-free clarity, but in order to produce those kinds of videos to your viewers, battery life takes a hit.
So in looking for a smartphone for live streaming, it’s important to consider the battery capacity of the cell phone you want to use and if they offer convenient charging features such as fast and wireless charging.
We all know it’s not easy to livestream if you constantly have your phone plugged into a power bank or a wall socket.
Storage
If you’re streaming on a social media platform, you might think storage isn’t a factor for the device you’re using to live stream. But it actually is.
Your phone needs to store temporary data or you may also want to save your live stream in real-time so you can play it back for review, edit it for another video, or to save for future use.
Since your videos will be high quality, that means they’ll take a lot of space on your smartphone. That’s why you need a large storage capacity or you could run the risk of losing a recording when the cell phone’s free space runs out.
Screen size
Another thing that’s notable with today’s popular smartphones is the screen size. With every release, the viewing area gets larger and larger.
But not every phone with an excellent live streaming camera comes with decently sized screens.
You need your screen to see what you’re currently showing in your livestream and to also see what your viewers are saying in the comments section. If you’re not using another phone to view comments and reactions, you definitely need a smartphone with a big screen for streaming content.
Takeaways
We all see thousands of people sharing their daily lives online. There are people who prefer perfectly curated photos, videos, and there are the ones who like to stream content live.
The best phone for streaming with good resolutions can vary depending on what your other needs are aside from sharp image quality. Your budget, activity, and the content you want to stream will be major factors in searching for the perfect phone for live streaming.
Don’t grab the phone that only has the highest MP. You might risk suffering from mediocre battery life, small screen size, and small storage capacity that’ll make your live streaming experience difficult.
Look for a smartphone that has the right balance of image quality, battery life, and storage space. Make sure to look around for brands that sell phones with the specifications perfect for your needs and don’t be afraid to try new brands!
Who knows? You might find the live streaming community’s next best smartphone for livestream videos.
