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5 Ways Galaxy S25 Ultra's Camera Might Outshine iPhone 16 Pro Max
2024-12-07
At this juncture, we possess a comprehensive understanding of the Galaxy S25 Ultra's cameras, especially in light of the latest Galaxy Unpacked rumors suggesting a January 23 date for Samsung's significant event. This rumored launch date is fast approaching, raising a crucial question: Can the Galaxy S25 Ultra outshine the iPhone 16 Pro Max?

Unleashing the Potential of the Galaxy S25 Ultra's Camera

Upgraded 50MP Ultrawide Camera with Brighter Lens

Among the numerous camera rumors surrounding Samsung's forthcoming phones, the most likely upgrade for the Galaxy S25 Ultra's ultrawide camera stands out. Leaker Ice Universe recently shared details on X, indicating that the ultrawide camera on the new S25 Ultra will be upgraded to a 50MP 1/2.52" sensor with 0.7µm pixels. Additionally, it will feature an f/1.9 aperture lens. This significant upgrade makes it a force to be reckoned with compared to the S24 Ultra's current 50MP shooter with a 1/2.55″ sensor, 1.4µm pixels, and f/3.4 aperture. When compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max's 48MP ultrawide camera with an f/2.2 aperture, the Galaxy S25 Ultra's ultrawide camera is poised to deliver sharper images and enhanced low light performance. The f/1.9 aperture lens allows the Galaxy S25 Ultra to gather more light at lower ISO levels, reducing noise in the process.

This enhanced ultrawide camera capability will enable users to capture stunning wide-angle shots with exceptional clarity and detail, especially in low light environments. It opens up a world of creative possibilities for photographers and enthusiasts alike.

Imagine capturing breathtaking landscapes or group photos with the Galaxy S25 Ultra's upgraded ultrawide camera. The increased pixel count and improved aperture will ensure that every detail is preserved, making the images truly remarkable.

4K 120fps with Instant Slo-Mo

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has established itself as a superior video camera with its native 4K 120fps shooting capability. It gives the phone the advantage of applying a slow motion effect later on. It is only logical for the Galaxy S25 Ultra to follow suit, and it has the potential to outshine its rival with the help of Galaxy AI.

As seen on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Samsung introduced its Instant Slow-Mo feature, which uses Galaxy AI to generate additional frames and convert any video into slow motion. With the Galaxy 25 Ultra, it is highly possible to produce 4K video shot at 240fps using this process. This will allow users to capture fast-moving scenes with incredible smoothness and detail.

The combination of high frame rates and slow motion capabilities makes the Galaxy S25 Ultra a powerful tool for video enthusiasts. Whether it's capturing a sports event or a thrilling moment, the Galaxy S25 Ultra's video capabilities will surely impress.

Video Object Eraser

Although rumors have not explicitly mentioned this feature, we can infer from the announcement of the Snapdragon 8 Elite that Samsung may incorporate a video object eraser as part of its Galaxy AI package. Qualcomm has detailed how this is possible with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, leveraging the AI ISP of the chipset to deliver Magic Editor-style capabilities to video.

This feature would require significant processing power to inspect each frame and isolate the object before using algorithms to intelligently remove and blend the background. It would be a game-changing addition to the Galaxy S25 Ultra's camera, making it more appealing than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Imagine being able to effortlessly remove unwanted objects from your video footage, creating a seamless and professional-looking final product. The video object eraser would open up new creative avenues for content creators and vloggers.

Turbocharged Photography

While the rest of the camera hardware on the Galaxy S25 Ultra appears similar to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Samsung can enhance camera performance by exploiting the features of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Not only does it offer helpful features like AI-enhanced autofocus, auto exposure, and auto white balance, but Qualcomm has stated that the Snapdragon 8 Elite can record from three 48MP sensors simultaneously.

Samsung could optimize this by providing photographers with more utility. By capturing and processing images from the main, ultrawide, and telephoto cameras, photographers can choose the best photo from the bunch without worrying about capturing the shot at the right moment. This burst shooting mode will enhance the overall photography experience and increase the chances of getting the perfect shot.

The turbocharged photography capabilities of the Galaxy S25 Ultra will empower photographers to capture a wide range of scenes with ease and precision. It will be a valuable tool for both amateur and professional photographers.

Better Low Light Recording Performance for Video

Finally, the Galaxy S25 Ultra camera has the potential to beat the iPhone 16 Pro Max in low light video recording performance. We have seen how the night mode on the Galaxy S24 Ultra enhances detail in low light situations, and the same method can be applied to video recording with the S25 Ultra.

Thanks to Qualcomm's claim that the Snapdragon 8 Elite will support low light video capture at 4K 60fps, the Galaxy S25 Ultra can achieve remarkable results in low light conditions. Typically, video shot at this resolution tends to be soft and noisy, but the S25 Ultra can tweak the video locally without the need to upload it to the cloud for processing, similar to how the Pixel 9 Pro XL currently does with Video Boost mode.

This improved low light video recording performance will allow users to capture clear and detailed videos in challenging lighting conditions, making it ideal for shooting in dimly lit environments or at night.

Bottom line: These are just some of the ways that the Galaxy S25 Ultra could surpass the iPhone 16 Pro Max in terms of camera performance. A lot depends on AI and the hardware advantages of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which the S25 Ultra is rumored to be powered by. With a possible announcement around the corner, depending on when Galaxy Unpacked takes place, all eyes will be on how Samsung improves the cameras on its premium phone.
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