10 Best Telescope With Smartphone 2026 in the United States

The Odyssey - UNISTELLAR Smart Telescope is designed with ease of use and modern tech integration in mind, making it a great choice if you want to explore the night sky using just your smartphone or tablet. Its 85mm aperture and 320mm focal length offer decent light gathering and magnification for observing planets, the Moon, and many deep-sky objects. The motorized Alt-Azimuth mount with one-click GoTo functionality means you don't have to fuss with complicated alignments—just power on, connect your device, and start observing within minutes.

Since it has no eyepiece and relies on app-only viewing, it’s perfect for group experiences or sharing images instantly but might feel a bit unusual if you prefer traditional eyepiece views. The built-in autofocus and onboard camera with 64GB storage allow you to capture and export high-quality images, including RAW files for more advanced processing. Portability is reasonable with a total weight around 6.5 kg plus a sturdy tripod, making it suitable for outdoor use though not ultra-lightweight for backpacking. Battery life of up to 5 hours supports extended sessions away from power sources.

The optical quality is enhanced by the digital system, providing clear images with a limiting magnitude of 17.2, which is quite good for this class of telescope. If you enjoy citizen science projects or want to contribute to real astronomical discoveries, this scope offers built-in access to NASA and SETI campaigns, adding unique value. The lack of a traditional eyepiece might disappoint users who enjoy direct visual observation without a screen. Also, the reliance on a smartphone app means a compatible device and Wi-Fi connection are essential. This telescope suits beginner to intermediate stargazers who value convenience, digital imaging, and collaborative astronomy but may be less suited for purists who prefer classic viewing methods.

The Vaonis Vespera Pro is a smart telescope designed to blend advanced astrophotography capabilities with user-friendly smartphone control. It features a 12.5MP Sony Starvis2 sensor that excels in capturing colorful, detailed images of faint celestial objects, even in low light. Its custom optics and field corrector ensure sharp and clear photos across the wide field of view, which is a big plus for those aiming to explore wide sky areas or take panoramic shots using its exclusive CovalENS live panorama technology.

The telescope automates many tasks like focusing, tracking, and calibration, making it approachable for beginners while still offering expert controls through the companion app that lets you tweak exposure and download RAW images for detailed editing. On portability, it weighs around 11 pounds and has a compact design, which might be a bit bulky for casual travel but still manageable for dedicated stargazers. It uses a remote control system via the app rather than a traditional mount, which is excellent for smartphone integration but may not suit those who prefer manual controls or simpler mounts.

This telescope is ideal for users who want a high-tech, app-driven experience with strong imaging capabilities, especially if smartphone compatibility and automated operation are top priorities. It may be less straightforward for those looking for a lightweight, purely manual telescope or who prefer clear aperture size information.

The Celestron Starsense Explorer 12" Dobsonian Telescope boasts a large 12-inch aperture, which is excellent for capturing faint and detailed images of deep-sky objects. The parabolic primary mirror with XLT coatings enhances optical quality, making it a strong contender for those interested in astrophotography or detailed space observation.

The telescope's smartphone compatibility and the StarSense Explorer app, powered by SkySafari, simplify the process of locating celestial objects, which is a great feature for beginners and intermediate users. The Altazimuth mount allows for smooth manual adjustments, adding to the ease of use. However, this telescope is quite heavy at 83.6 pounds, which could hinder portability. Setting it up in a mobile-friendly environment might be challenging for some users.

The included reflex finderscope aids in initial alignment, but the manual focus might require some getting used to. The telescope requires a CR2032 battery for the smartphone adapter, which is conveniently included. This product is well-suited for amateur astronomers who are primarily stationary and looking to observe a range of celestial phenomena with the added benefit of smartphone assistance. Portability and ease of transport are its primary drawbacks, so it may not be the best choice for those needing a lightweight, portable option.