Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs S24 Ultra: Camera Shootout

Samsung is back with another flagship powerhouse—the Samsung Galaxy S25—and as expected, the camera system is getting all the attention. But how does it compare to its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 Ultra? Is the upgrade worth it, or is Samsung just fine-tuning the details? Let’s break it down in this in-depth camera shootout!
Camera Specifications Comparison
Primary Camera Sensor
The Galaxy S24 Ultra already impressed users with its 200MP primary sensor, offering stunning detail and clarity. The S25 Ultra retains the 200MP resolution, but Samsung has upgraded the sensor size, allowing for better low-light performance and improved dynamic range.
Ultra-Wide Camera
Both phones come with a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, but the S25 Ultra introduces a wider field of view and improved edge correction. Expect less distortion around the edges of your photos, making group shots and landscapes look even more natural.
Telephoto and Periscope Zoom
The S24 Ultra had an impressive 10x optical zoom, but Samsung has taken things further with the S25 Ultra by enhancing its periscope zoom lens. AI-driven sharpening ensures that details remain crisper even at extreme zoom levels.
Front Camera (Selfie Shooter)
The selfie camera remains at 12MP, but Samsung has worked on improving skin tones and edge detection, making portrait selfies sharper and more natural-looking.
Camera Features and Software Enhancements
AI-Powered Photography
Samsung is pushing AI enhancements harder than ever. The S25 Ultra’s AI engine is smarter in scene recognition, noise reduction, and real-time processing, making every shot automatically optimized for lighting and color accuracy.
Video Recording Capabilities
Both devices offer 8K recording, but the S25 Ultra features improved stabilization, thanks to Samsung’s AI-powered Super Steady Mode. This means smoother handheld videos and better motion tracking.
Pro Mode and Manual Controls
Samsung continues to cater to photography enthusiasts with Pro Mode. The S25 Ultra enhances RAW image support and allows greater control over ISO, shutter speed, and white balance.
Real-World Camera Performance
Daylight Photography
Both phones take stunning daylight shots, but the S25 Ultra captures slightly more detail and richer colors due to its improved sensor and AI tuning.
Low-Light and Night Photography
The S25 Ultra’s larger sensor and upgraded Night Mode result in less noise and brighter low-light images, making night shots noticeably better than those of the S24 Ultra.
Portrait and Bokeh Effect
The edge detection and background blur in portrait mode have been refined, offering more natural-looking depth on the S25 Ultra.
Special Camera Features
Astro Photography and Nightography
Samsung has further refined astrophotography settings, allowing better star tracking and long-exposure shots on the S25 Ultra.
100x Space Zoom: Is It Better?
The S25 Ultra improves the AI sharpening and stabilization, making its 100x zoom shots slightly more usable than the S24 Ultra.
User Experience and Camera App Interface
Both phones have an intuitive camera app, but the S25 Ultra features a faster AI processing engine, reducing shutter lag and post-processing time.
Battery Consumption During Camera Use
Despite its powerful camera, the S25 Ultra is more power-efficient, managing heat and battery drain better than its predecessor.
Price-to-Performance Ratio
If camera quality is your top priority, the S25 Ultra is a solid upgrade, but if you already own an S24 Ultra, the improvements may not be groundbreaking enough to justify an upgrade.
Conclusion
The Galaxy S25 Ultra takes everything great about the S24 Ultra and refines it further. The low-light performance, zoom capabilities, and AI processing have all improved, making it one of the best smartphone cameras on the market. However, if you already own an S24 Ultra, the differences may not be game-changing enough to warrant an immediate upgrade.
FAQs
- Which phone has a better night mode, S25 Ultra or S24 Ultra?
The S25 Ultra has improved low-light processing, making night shots brighter and sharper. - Does the S25 Ultra offer better video stabilization?
Yes! Thanks to AI-powered Super Steady Mode, the S25 Ultra handles shaky footage much better. - Are there any major differences in portrait mode?
The S25 Ultra offers improved edge detection and background blur, making portraits look more natural. - Is the 200MP sensor on the S25 Ultra significantly better?
While both phones have 200MP sensors, the S25 Ultra features a larger sensor for better light capture and details. - Should I upgrade from the S24 Ultra to the S25 Ultra for the camera alone?
If you’re serious about smartphone photography, the upgrade makes sense. Otherwise, the S24 Ultra still holds up well.