Wait, are you using the front camera or the back one? The front camera on most phones is way worse in low light, it just makes everything a grainy mess.
Start by checking if your phone has a dedicated astrophotography mode under the camera settings, it can make a huge difference. @faithb74 your blurry smudge problem might also come down to using a tripod or setting a timer to avoid any tiny shake when you tap to take the photo. I've gotten results on a midrange phone just by propping it steady on a wall and using a long exposure, your mileage may vary though.