Review
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Camera Review: 200MP Meets Dual Telephoto
Samsung's dual-telephoto strategy — 3x and 5x prime focal lengths — plus a 200MP main sensor make the S25 Ultra the most versatile zoom phone you can buy.
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What it is
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is Samsung's 2025 flagship and the company's most camera-focused phone to date. According to Samsung's published specs, it carries a 200MP main, a 50MP ultrawide, a 10MP 3x telephoto, and a 50MP 5x periscope telephoto, driven by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy and Samsung's ProVisual Engine.
Who it's for
This phone is built for buyers who want maximum optical and hybrid zoom reach in a phone, Android power users who use S Pen and DeX, and hybrid shooters who want 8K capture and Log video without a dedicated camera. Buyers who only shoot wide and ultrawide will not extract full value from the dual-telephoto system.
Key specs and how they compare
According to manufacturer specs, the S25 Ultra shoots 200MP stills (pixel-binned to 12MP or 50MP), 8K30 video, and 4K120 with Log profile. The dual 3x + 5x telephoto layout gives more flexibility than the single 5x on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro, and the 200MP main enables genuine 10x and 30x crops that hold up at social-media sizes. Industry consensus indicates the S25 Ultra leads current flagships on telephoto versatility.
What reviewers and buyers are saying
Published reviews from DXOMARK, Tom's Guide, and Android Authority converge on the S25 Ultra being the most flexible flagship camera system of its generation, with notable improvements in low-light telephoto and reduced over-sharpening versus the S24 Ultra. Buyers report that Galaxy Log video is the biggest pro-creator addition, while the ultrawide remains the weakest of the four lenses.
Value for the price
At $1,299, the S25 Ultra is $300 more than the iPhone 16 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro and $200 under the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. For buyers who actually use the long telephoto and S Pen, the premium is defensible. Buyers who shoot mostly main-lens stills can get 80% of the experience from a Pixel 9 Pro at $300 less.
What we love
- ✓Two optical telephoto lengths
- ✓200MP main delivers real cropping room
- ✓Best zoom range in any phone
- ✓Excellent OIS across all lenses
Where it falls short
- –Color processing still warmer than neutral
- –Heavy and large
- –f/3.4 periscope needs light
FAQ
Do you really need both 3x and 5x telephoto?
For portraits, 3x (70mm equivalent) is the classic flattering length. For wildlife or events, 5x (115mm) gets you closer without digital crop. Having both prevents the in-between-focal-length compromise.
Is 200MP useful day-to-day?
Not for most shots — the 12MP binned output is what you'll share. But for landscape or anything you'll crop, the raw 200MP file gives you real headroom.
How is night mode vs Pixel?
Closer than ever, but Pixel still pulls slightly more detail from very dark scenes. S25 Ultra wins on telephoto night shots thanks to the brighter sensors.
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