Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: Camera King of 2025?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has arrived, and with it comes the question: does its camera system make it the undisputed photography champion of 2025? As Samsung’s flagship device, the S25 Ultra promises cutting-edge technology, a refined design, and a camera setup that aims to compete with the best in the industry. In this review, we’ll dive deep into its camera performance, explore its strengths and weaknesses, and determine whether it truly deserves the title of "Camera King" in 2025.

Camera Hardware: Familiar Yet Upgraded

The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s camera system builds on the foundation laid by its predecessors, the S24 Ultra and S23 Ultra, with some notable upgrades. The rear camera array consists of:

• 200MP Wide Camera (f/1.7, 24mm, 1/1.3” sensor, PDAF, OIS): The main sensor remains unchanged from the S24 Ultra, delivering high-resolution images with excellent detail and dynamic range.
• 50MP Ultra-Wide Camera (f/1.9, 120° FOV): A significant upgrade from the 12MP ultra-wide sensor in the S24 Ultra, promising better low-light performance and sharper details.
• 50MP Telephoto Camera (f/3.4, 5x optical zoom, 10x optical quality zoom): A periscope lens that excels at long-range shots.
• 10MP Telephoto Camera (f/2.4, 3x optical zoom): Provides versatility for mid-range zoom.
• 12MP Selfie Camera (f/2.2, autofocus): A reliable front-facing camera for selfies and video calls.

The most notable change is the 50MP ultra-wide camera, which replaces the older 12MP sensor. This upgrade aligns with industry trends, as competitors like Apple have also boosted their ultra-wide sensors to higher resolutions. Additionally, the S25 Ultra features a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which enhances computational photography through Samsung’s AI-powered Next Gen ProVisual Engine.

Photo Quality: A Step Forward, but Not a Leap

Daylight Performance

In bright conditions, the S25 Ultra’s main 200MP camera shines, capturing images with exceptional detail, vibrant colors, and a wide dynamic range. The high-resolution sensor allows for crisp shots, even when zooming in or cropping. Colors are well-balanced, striking a sweet spot between vivid and realistic, avoiding the oversaturation that plagued earlier Samsung models. The ultra-wide camera, now at 50MP, delivers sharper images than its predecessor, though some reviewers note that the default 12MP output can appear slightly softer compared to the S24 Ultra. Switching to the full 50MP mode yields noticeably better detail, especially for landscapes or group shots.

The telephoto lenses perform admirably, with the 5x periscope lens standing out for long-range shots. At 10x and beyond, the AI-enhanced 100x Space Zoom ensures surprisingly clear results, outperforming competitors like the iPhone 16 Pro Max in extreme zoom scenarios. However, some testers observed minor highlight clipping in high-contrast scenes, which slightly affects dynamic range in bright light.

Low-Light and Night Photography

Samsung’s Nightography features have been a focal point of their marketing, and the S25 Ultra delivers solid low-light performance. The main camera captures well-exposed images with minimal noise, preserving details in shadows without overly brightening the scene. The upgraded ultra-wide camera shows improved clarity in dim conditions compared to the S24 Ultra, making it a great choice for nighttime cityscapes or indoor shots.

However, low-light performance isn’t flawless. Some reviewers noted occasional white balance shifts, resulting in slight color casts (e.g., pink or purple hues) in challenging lighting. Noise can also be noticeable in high-contrast or very dark scenes, and noise reduction can be inconsistent across consecutive shots. While Nightography has improved, it doesn’t quite match the low-light prowess of competitors like the Google Pixel 9 Pro or Vivo X200 Ultra.

Portrait Photography

The S25 Ultra excels in portrait photography, thanks to its versatile lens options and AI enhancements. The shallow depth of field creates a pleasing bokeh effect, with accurate edge detection that separates subjects from backgrounds effectively. Skin tones are natural in most conditions, though some tests revealed colder hues (pink or purple) in mixed lighting, which can affect the natural look of portraits. The camera’s responsiveness has improved, with a shorter shutter delay compared to the S24 Ultra, making it better for capturing fast-moving subjects like kids or pets. However, in group shots, the shallow depth of field can sometimes leave faces out of focus, requiring careful framing.

Video Performance: Strong but Not Perfect

The S25 Ultra offers robust video capabilities, supporting up to 8K at 30fps and 4K at 120fps. The new 10-bit HDR recording captures richer colors and greater dynamic range, while the Galaxy Log feature allows for flat video profiles ideal for post-production color grading. Stabilization is excellent, with minimal shake even when walking or panning, though it doesn’t quite match the smoothness of the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

In bright light, videos are detailed with accurate exposure and vibrant colors. However, in low-light conditions, noise becomes more apparent, particularly in shadows, and autofocus/exposure instabilities can occur. While the S25 Ultra’s video performance is strong, it falls slightly short of the S24 Ultra in sharpness for 4K video, possibly due to software processing that needs refinement.

AI Features: A Mixed Bag

Samsung leans heavily into AI with the S25 Ultra, integrating features like intelligent scene recognition, enhanced low-light processing, and tools like Audio Eraser and Circle to Search Music. The Next Gen ProVisual Engine optimizes settings for lighting, contrast, and color, which is particularly helpful for casual photographers. The new Virtual Aperture setting in Expert RAW mode offers more control over depth of field, and AI editing tools allow for seamless object removal or background adjustments.

However, some AI features feel overhyped. For instance, the ability to perform cross-app actions using voice commands is innovative but occasionally clunky, requiring both Google and Samsung accounts for full functionality. Additionally, some users have reported that AI processing can lead to over-smoothed textures or inconsistent color rendering, particularly in portrait mode.

Design and Other Highlights

Beyond the camera, the S25 Ultra is a premium device. Its 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is vibrant, bright (up to 2600 nits), and sharp, with an anti-reflective coating that enhances outdoor visibility. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset ensures blazing-fast performance, handling everything from gaming to multitasking with ease. The 5000mAh battery lasts up to two days with moderate use, and the device supports 45W wired charging (though Qi2 wireless charging requires a compatible case).

The design is sleeker than the S24 Ultra, with flat sides, rounded corners, and a titanium frame. At 7.69 ounces, it’s slightly lighter than its predecessor, but some users find the edges too sharp for prolonged use. The S Pen, while still included, no longer supports Bluetooth, removing the ability to use it as a remote shutter trigger—a disappointing omission for photographers.

How Does It Compare?

The S25 Ultra faces stiff competition in 2025. The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers smoother video stabilization and better low-light consistency, though it lags in zoom capabilities. The Google Pixel 9 Pro excels in computational photography and low-light performance but lacks the S25 Ultra’s lens versatility. The Vivo X200 Ultra, with its Zeiss-co-engineered optics, poses a strong challenge for telephoto and portrait photography, while the Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s 1-inch sensor delivers superior dynamic range in some scenarios.

In PhoneArena’s Camera Score, the S25 Ultra tops the charts with 158 points, surpassing the S24 Ultra (156 points), iPhone 16 Pro Max (154 points), and Pixel 9 Pro XL (151 points). However, DXOMARK ranks it lower, at 24th place with a score of 146, behind even the older Google Pixel 8. This discrepancy highlights the S25 Ultra’s strengths in specific areas (zoom, daylight photography) but also its limitations in consistency compared to the best-in-class.

Verdict: Camera King or Close Contender?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a powerhouse for mobile photography, with a versatile camera system that excels in daylight, zoom, and portrait photography. The upgraded 50MP ultra-wide camera and AI enhancements add value, and the 200MP main sensor delivers stunning detail. However, issues like occasional white balance shifts, noise in low-light conditions, and inconsistent HDR processing prevent it from claiming the undisputed crown.

Is it the "Camera King of 2025"? Not quite. While it’s a top performer, especially in the U.S. market, competitors like the Vivo X200 Ultra and Google Pixel 9 Pro offer stronger low-light performance and more consistent results in challenging conditions. For users prioritizing zoom versatility and daylight performance, the S25 Ultra is a fantastic choice, but those seeking perfection in every scenario might look elsewhere.

Pros

• Exceptional zoom capabilities (up to 100x Space Zoom)
• Vibrant, detailed daylight photos
• Improved ultra-wide camera with 50MP sensor
• Robust video recording with 10-bit HDR and Galaxy Log
• Premium design with a stunning 6.9-inch display

Cons

• Low-light performance lags behind some competitors
• Occasional white balance shifts and noise issues
• Video sharpness in 4K slightly softer than S24 Ultra
• S Pen lacks Bluetooth functionality
• High price ($1,299 for 256GB)

If you’re a Samsung fan or need a phone that does it all—photography, performance, and battery life—the Galaxy S25 Ultra is a compelling choice. But the title of "Camera King" might still be up for grabs in 2025.

Sources: DXOMARK, PhoneArena, The Guardian, CNET, Samsung