Summary

• Multi-camera setups are now standard, but many users would benefit more from a single high-quality camera.
• Accessories like clip-on lenses provide flexibility and cost savings compared to integrated secondary cameras.
• Multi-camera systems should be limited to high-end "Ultra" phones due to their higher budgets.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t actually use all the cameras on my phone. Sure, a telephoto, ultra-wide, and macro sound impressive, but in reality, I mostly stick to the main camera. Why then, is it so difficult to find a new phone without these extras?

Rarely Using Secondary Cameras on My Phone

Over the years, I’ve taken countless photos, but I’ve never been particularly passionate about photography. My goal is simple: capturing significant or memorable moments. Whether it’s a peaceful stroll through the woods or snapshots from my wedding day.

Most of the time, the main camera on my phone suffices. It delivers superior image quality, so naturally, I prefer it over secondary lenses like the ultra-wide.

One issue I have with secondary cameras is that they often produce inferior results. While the ultra-wide lens helps fit everyone into a group shot, its shortcomings—poorer color accuracy, reduced dynamic range, and less sharpness compared to the main camera—outweigh the advantage of a broader field of view.

This disparity occurs because manufacturers allocate most of the camera budget and software optimization efforts to the primary camera. Additionally, it boasts a much larger sensor, capturing more details, especially in low light.

Another lens I seldom use is the telephoto. It enables zoomed-in shots of distant subjects thanks to its extended focal length. However, in practice, unless I’m photographing something I can’t get closer to, such as moving vehicles or wildlife, I can just step forward and use the main camera.

Another common addition to multi-camera setups is the macro lens. My phone uses its ultra-wide for macro photography instead of a dedicated macro lens—a tactic many manufacturers employ. Although the resulting images can be acceptable, I rarely feel inclined to take extreme close-ups of fabrics, insects, flowers, or random objects. This type of photography doesn’t appeal to me, though I understand why others enjoy it.

Generally, I don’t use any of the secondary cameras on my phone. The only time I do is when I first purchase a new device. After the initial novelty wears off, I rarely touch them again.

In fact, I’ve noticed that most non-photography enthusiasts feel similarly. When I asked my parents and spouse whether they used the various cameras on their phones, the response was unanimous: no—unless the phone switches lenses automatically without their knowledge.

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Posts A Single Great Camera Can Handle It All ----------------------------------------

A single high-quality camera is versatile enough to outperform multi-camera setups in many everyday situations. Its larger sensor captures significantly better photos than an ultra-wide lens, so if I want to include more of a scene, I’d rather just move a few steps back.

Even the telephoto zoom can be mimicked. If getting closer isn’t feasible, I can digitally zoom in with the main camera and, if needed, use AI enhancement to refine the blurry result into a usable image. While this isn’t ideal, it meets my requirements.

Actually, many phones already rely on the main camera for zooms up to 2x or 3x before switching to the telephoto lens. Although the telephoto provides clearer images at higher magnifications, how often do I really need to take heavily zoomed photos? For me, hardly ever.

Beyond substituting the secondary lenses, the main camera excels across a range of scenarios, including landscapes, portraits, night shots, and close-ups reminiscent of macro photography.

Consider Google’s Pixel phones as an example. Renowned for their consistently excellent cameras, they’ve topped the charts in the industry for years. Both the flagship Pixel 9 and its budget-friendly sibling, the Pixel 9a, feature just two lenses: a main camera and an ultra-wide.

##### Google Pixel 9a

SoC

Google Tensor G4, Titan M2 Security Coprocessor

Display

6.3-inch, 1080 x 2424 pOLED, 60-120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass 3

The latest Pixel boasts advanced cameras, excellent battery life, and durability—all for $499.

$499 at Best Buy$499 at T-Mobile$499 at Google Store Expand Collapse Pixel’s success demonstrates that quality trumps quantity when it comes to smartphone cameras, and I hope other Android makers follow suit.

I Can Always Add a Lens to the Main Camera

If you’re serious about photography, you likely already own a dedicated camera—and if not, it’s something worth considering, since no phone can fully replace one.

For everyone else who enjoys casual experimentation with different lenses, a phone equipped with a single great camera and some clip-on lens attachments could offer greater flexibility than relying solely on built-in options.

Clip-on lenses come in various types, such as fisheye, macro, wide-angle, and telephoto. Admittedly, the image quality isn’t always on par with dedicated built-in cameras, but it’s sufficient for casual use.

This approach could help reduce smartphone costs. Unlike built-in lenses, clip-ons remain with you when upgrading phones. If I ever decided to explore wildlife photography using a telephoto, I’d much prefer purchasing a clip-on telephoto over investing in a multi-camera system I might never utilize on every new device.

Clip-on lenses aren’t much more cumbersome than built-ins—they’re compact and easy to carry in a separate pocket or bag. Having them around can serve as a tangible reminder to use them more frequently.

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Posts Multi-Camera Systems Should Be Reserved for High-End Phones ------------------------------------------------------------

Given that multi-camera setups often add little value, especially on budget devices, and can detract from more critical features, it might make more sense to restrict them to “Ultra” models, where the higher price point and expectations can justify their inclusion.

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That’s substantial.

PostsI cited the Pixel 9 and 9a as instances of phones with solid dual-camera configurations, but Google also offers a pricier variant, the Pixel 9 Pro, which enhances the ultra-wide’s hardware and introduces a telephoto.

This premium model commands a higher price, but the increased budget allows the manufacturer to craft and optimize the secondary cameras, narrowing the gap in quality between them and the primary lens. That’s the kind of multi-camera setup that makes sense.

While we can’t pinpoint exactly how much extra we’re paying for these multi-camera setups, it’s reasonable to assume they aren’t free. Personally, I’d rather see that expense directed toward a single high-quality camera or perhaps toward another feature altogether, like a more potent processor or superior display.

A prime example of a phone falling short on both fronts is the Motorola Razr 2025, featuring a MediaTek chip instead of a Snapdragon 8 Elite and two subpar cameras. I’m not suggesting it needed to deliver top-tier performance and exceptional cameras at its $700 price tag, but delivering either would’ve been preferable to sacrificing both.

##### Motorola Razr 2025

SoC

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