Key Takeaways
1. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra ranks first in DxOMark’s display rankings but is only 24th in camera performance with a score of 146.
2. The device excels in zoom capabilities, exposure management, and natural skin tones in bright lighting, producing well-balanced images and videos.
3. Key issues include autofocus stability, inconsistent exposure in video mode, and noticeable noise in low-light conditions.
4. Samsung upgraded only the ultrawide camera this year, while competitors are implementing new imaging technologies in their flagship models.
5. The Galaxy S25 Ultra uses an older 10MP telephoto lens, contributing to noise issues, and there is hope for future adoption of Samsung’s ALOP lens technology to improve camera performance.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has achieved the top spot in DxOMark’s display rankings, but it’s only 24th in the camera test with a score of 146. This flagship model from Samsung is trailing behind competitors such as the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra, which scored 163 points, and both the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and Honor Magic 6 Pro, each earning 158 points.
Camera Performance Overview
DxOMark highlighted the Galaxy S25 Ultra for its impressive zoom abilities, maintaining a fair amount of detail. The device shines in managing exposure and dynamic range under bright lighting, which results in well-balanced images and videos. In straightforward scenarios, skin tones appear natural, and the color rendering in videos remains true-to-life, with a neutral white balance both indoors and outdoors.
Areas for Improvement
However, there are several areas where the camera did not meet expectations. It appears that the device faces challenges with autofocus stability and adapting exposure in video mode, which leads to an inconsistent experience. Additionally, noise becomes apparent in low-light situations for both images and video content. High-contrast scenes in dim lighting exacerbate the issue, sometimes resulting in odd white balance casts. The bokeh mode can also fail to engage at times, making the camera system less dependable compared to many rival devices. You can see all the pros and cons illustrated in the image below.
Upgrades and Innovations
This year, Samsung only upgraded the ultrawide camera, while many smartphone brands from Chima have been incorporating the latest imaging technologies into their flagship models. On the contrary, Samsung continues to use an older 10MP, 1/3.52″ sensor for its 3x telephoto lens. The newer 5x telephoto and main sensors are also relatively small compared to those found in Chinese flagship phones, which likely contributes to the noise issues.
Last year, Samsung unveiled its ALOP lens technology, which reportedly allows larger sensors to fit within the phone without increasing the camera module’s protrusion. It remains to be seen when Samsung’s smartphone division will adopt this technology for its Galaxy flagships. We hope this occurs soon, as it would not only enhance the Galaxy line but also amp up competition among all brands in the market.
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