Samsung’s Galaxy S25 smartphones launched at the moment, however relating to the all-important cameras, the corporate leaned on AI reasonably than making any significant adjustments. There may be one welcome addition, although. Samsung lastly caught as much as to rivals like Honor by introducing log video to permit extra exact colour grading. Different key updates embody improved low-light functionality on all fashions, the brand new “ProVisual engine,” a “virtual aperture” and a a lot greater decision ultrawide digicam on the high-end Extremely.
Final yr the Galaxy S24 Extremely’s massive promoting level was the 200MP digicam, which made the 12MP ultrawide look weak as compared. Samsung remedied that with the Galaxy S25 Extremely by greater than quadrupling that sensor to 50MP. That additionally helps Samsung match up higher towards Google’s Pixel 9 Professional and its 48-megapixel ultrawide digicam.
With that, the Extremely now has a formidable suite of cameras: a 200MP broad, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto and 50MP 5x tele. Nonetheless, that makes the extra mainstream Galaxy S25 and S25+ look a bit weak as compared. These solely include a 50MP broad, 12MP ultrawide and 10MP 3x tele, identical to the final two fashions. All telephones have a entrance 12MP selfie digicam with as much as 4K 60p video.
Samsung additionally rectified a weak level we addressed in our critiques on the S24: sub-par low-light efficiency. With Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, Samsung says the brand new cameras can analyze noise extra successfully utilizing a brand new “spatial-temporal filter,” that may detect shifting and static objects extra exactly. That in flip permits for cleaner video, notably with shifting objects in dim environments. The draw back is that making use of stronger noise discount can generate bizarre artifacts, one thing we’ll take a look at additional in upcoming critiques. Actually, throughout Samsung’s presentation, I could not assist however discover an odd separation between the shifting topic and background.
Different key new digicam options are additionally out there throughout the S25 lineup. Crucial one for content material creators is Galaxy Log, which lastly allows log video to enhance dynamic vary and permit extra correct colour grading. That is a much-requested function for Galaxy telephones that was solely out there beforehand with third-party apps. It additionally information with 10-bits of colour just like the HDR mode. Nonetheless, the brand new function nonetheless falls wanting the power to seize ProRes log video on the most recent iPhones.
I examined go browsing Honor’s Magic smartphone sequence and it could actually meaningfully enhance video by boosting dynamic vary in tough lighting conditions (a backlit topic or sunny day, for example). The issue is that remodeling log into common footage requires an modifying app and a few data about issues like LUTs — so whether or not it will catch on with customers will depend on how Samsung implements it.
Samsung additionally enabled 10-bit HDR video seize by default, which lets you shoot extra colourful and detailed photos. Nonetheless, bear in mind that such content material won’t show correctly on apps and units that do not help HDR (different smartphones, PCs, TVs, and so forth.).
To deal with images after you’re taking them, Samsung enhanced Portrait Studio with new options like personalised avatars with extra true-to-life facial expressions. It additionally added new analog filters for a extra film-like aesthetic for images and movies.
There are two different new tips: Audio Eraser and Digital Aperture. Although all of the cameras have a set aperture, the latter simulates having an adjustable one identical to mirrorless cameras. Nonetheless, the feat is completed by means of computational tips, so it is prone to look a bit synthetic.
Audio Eraser, in the meantime, is an AI-powered noise discount system designed to chop out background sounds in busy environments when capturing video, little doubt impressed by Apple’s Audio Combine and the Audio Magic Eraser on Pixel units. Through the demo, Samsung confirmed the way it might reduce various kinds of noises like wind, waves and nature.
The Galaxy S25 Extremely’s new digicam is nice in case you can afford that $1,300 mannequin, whereas the improved low-light dealing with, Galaxy Log and AI ought to present good, however not spectacular, advantages. All instructed, Samsung did not deliver as a lot to the desk because the iPhone 16 with its Digicam Management button, or the Pixel 9 (Video Enhance, Add Me, Auto Body). For extra on how the Galaxy S25’s cameras work in the actual world, try our hands-on checks and keep tuned for full critiques.
