The Galaxy S25 Edge’s digicam is complicated, and I perceive if it’s placing you off shopping for one. In spite of everything, the specification consists of the large 200-megapixel predominant digicam from the Galaxy S25 Extremely, but it surely doesn’t have a telephoto just like the Galaxy S25 Plus, making it an odd in-between mannequin.
I used to be involved the dearth of a telephoto would harm the S25 Edge’s versatility, so have been busy taking zoom photographs with the telephone to search out out for those who can reside with it, or if it’s a severe draw back to the best, thinnest smartphone we’ve seen shortly.
Optical vs optical high quality
Samsung hasn’t put a telephoto digicam alongside the S25 Edge’s 200MP predominant digicam and 12MP wide-angle digicam, but it surely does say you’ve obtained a 2x “optical high quality” zoom, enabled by the 200MP digicam. It means the digicam takes a full decision photograph and crops it within the sensor itself, with out resorting to the pixel enhancement and digital cropping it might use if you snap photographs at 4x or 10x zoom within the app. The outcome needs to be a purer, natural-looking zoom photograph.
No matter Samsung’s technical efforts to persuade us in any other case, optical high quality zoom pictures will virtually all the time, in our heads, sound like a compromise. Digital camera followers will hanker after the true optical high quality telephoto digicam on the again of the Galaxy S25 Plus or the Galaxy S25 Extremely, and contemplating the S25 Edge’s $1,100 worth, assume the telephone deserved one anyway.
Area might be the primary purpose it doesn’t have one. Samsung needed to cut back the dimensions of the 200MP digicam module by 18% with a view to match it within the S25 Edge, which was seemingly no simple job, and likewise proof there’s little or no spare room contained in the telephone in any respect. Large sensors and engineering aptitude don’t matter to digicam followers after they’re confronted with “optical high quality” telephoto pictures although. However is that this stance backed up by the photographs it takes?
First S25 Edge zoom photographs
I’ve been out capturing photographs with the Galaxy S25 Edge for the final week, and have paid particular consideration to the 2x optical high quality zoom shortcut within the digicam app. Whereas it’s not fairly as versatile as a 3x telephoto, zooming in at 2x does nonetheless assist body photographs in an attention-grabbing manner, introduce extra depth of subject, and focus on particular particulars which may get misplaced in a normal 1x photograph.
I spent a day with the Hyundai Kona Electrical, and captured a number of the putting particulars on this unusual-looking automotive with the S25 Edge’s 2x zoom. The principle 2x shot of the automotive is superb, with correct white steadiness and simply sufficient depth of subject to make the topic pop. Crucially, there’s virtually no noise in any respect if you crop the picture once more, though there may be some haloing if you look very carefully.
Haloing is the primary concern, and whereas it does present up in some 2x photographs, it’s not all the time there and should rely upon the lighting situations. It’s additionally doable it’ll be fastened in future software program updates. The shot of the dashboard taken between the sweeping door body reveals lots of element, with textual content on the buttons and display screen staying sharp and clear, and with little noise at midnight footwell. The close-up of the entrance gentle and wing exhibit the nice white steadiness once more, with none haloing this time, and wonderful element ranges on the tire and inside the sunshine unit.
Extra close-up pictures
Now spring has arrived, bees are gathering on blooms. How does the Galaxy S25 Edge’s digicam cope taking photographs right here, because it has to deal with small topics, fairly shut up. I like to make use of telephoto cameras for pictures like these, and have been pleasantly shocked by the S25 Edge’s efficiency.
I took dozens of photographs, and you may see one of many higher pictures right here. It’s not a fault of the digicam I took so many, however extra of a problem with the bees not staying nonetheless for lengthy. The deal with the flower is sharp, but it surely has additionally captured the bee in flight successfully. There’s some movement blur, however that is to be anticipated, and it doesn’t damage the photograph. Consider this isn’t an optical zoom, and was taken handheld with the digicam in auto mode, it’s first rate.
However what about exterior the optical high quality 2x mode? The excellent news right here, and the place I additionally underestimated the digicam, is the 3x zoom could be very usable, regardless of Samsung not selling it as optical high quality. The second photograph of the bee was taken at 3x, so a digital zoom, and the standard is superb. There’s loads of element, sturdy colours, and a lovely depth of subject. The 3x mode is much better than I anticipated it to be, maybe much more so than the 2x mode.
Underestimating the Galaxy S25 Edge’s digicam
This isn’t an entire overview of the Galaxy S25 Edge’s digicam, however as the choice to not embrace a real telephoto digicam triggered some controversy, even when it wasn’t that sudden given the telephone’s design, it was much more more likely to be a barrier for buy than anything.
I underestimated the Galaxy S25 Edge’s zoom digicam mode, and in doing so additionally underestimated simply how good Samsung’s optical high quality zoom has grow to be. I ought to have had extra religion, given I has the identical issues in regards to the Galaxy S24 Extremely’s 10x hybrid zoom, after the swap over from the Galaxy S23 Extremely’s 10x optical telephoto. It additionally turned out to be superb.
It doesn’t should put you off the telephone, or to really feel shortchanged in comparison with the Galaxy S25+ for those who select it as an alternative. It’s very succesful, even at 3x zoom, and a superb instance of methods to use know-how to resolve the issue of merely not having the ability to squeeze one other digicam into the physique. I’ve actually loved the Galaxy S25 Edge thus far, and adore the fantastic portability and very good ergonomics of the 5.8mm thick case. Should you’re tempted by it, however apprehensive about it having solely two cameras on the again, you’ll be able to tick that concern off your checklist.