Real talk
Most people buy an expensive phone just for the "best camera" and then take generic selfies and blurry dog photos. It's a waste. I've been a photographer for ten years and honestly, I use my phone for 80% of my shots now. Why? Because it's always in my pocket.
You don't need to be an expert. You just need to know which buttons to press.
The Golden Rules
Wipe the lens. Seriously. I see so many blurry photos that are just fingerprint oil. Give it a quick rub with your shirt before you hit the shutter. It'll save you a lot of headache.
Don't zoom too much. If you're on a $1,300 S26 Ultra, 10x is fine. If you're on a $500 Pixel 9a, don't go past 2x. Digital zoom is just a crop. It's ugly. Just walk closer to the subject if you can. It's better for the photo.
Pro Tips
I think the biggest mistake I see is people just tapping and shooting. Tap your subject and then slide the little sun icon down. It'll lower the exposure. Your photos will look "moody" and professional. It's a tiny change but it makes a huge difference.
In my experience, "Portrait Mode" is a bit of a lie. It's fake blur. It looks fake if you're too close or too far. Stay about 4 feet away from your subject. Give the AI some room to breathe.
My Gear Recommendations
You don't need a tripod. Just brace your elbows against your ribs when you shoot. It's a free stabilizer.
If you want to edit, I think Snapseed is still the king of mobile apps. Adobe Lightroom is great but $10 a month? No thanks. Snapseed is free and it does everything you need.
The Bottom Line
Honestly, just take more photos. You'll get better the more you do it. Your phone is basically a supercomputer. Use it.