I put this digicam beast subsequent to the S25 Extremely, and the outcomes stunned me

Ask anybody proper now what smartphone they’d choose for the perfect digicam, and likelihood is they’re going to identify a Google Pixel, an iPhone, or the newest Samsung flagship. And actually, it is no shock. These are probably the most recognizable premium smartphone manufacturers within the US, and so they genuinely ship wonderful digicam efficiency.

However here is the factor: within the US, we’re lacking out on an entire lineup of aggressive flagship telephones from manufacturers like Huawei, Vivo, and OPPO — gadgets which can be out there in different elements of the world at comparable worth factors and with equally (if no more) spectacular specs.

I lately received my fingers on the Pura 80 Extremely, Huawei’s new flagship smartphone with a beefy digicam module and a few spectacular new digicam tech. However does it actually provide one thing higher than what we have already got? To seek out out, I put the Pura 80 Extremely head-to-head with the Galaxy S25 Ultra in a digicam comparability check. And to my shock, the outcomes weren’t precisely what I anticipated.

A more in-depth take a look at the digicam {hardware}

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely brings one thing new to the desk

Huawei has persistently stayed forward of different Android OEMs on the subject of new digicam tech in smartphones. The corporate’s P30 Pro was the primary to introduce 5x optical zoom in a smartphone — an entire yr earlier than Samsung did it with the Galaxy S20 Extremely. And, even earlier than its US ban, Huawei was genuinely shaping as much as be the model to beat in cellular pictures.

As anticipated, the Pura 80 Extremely brings extra progressive digicam tech to the desk. The primary sensor is a 50-megapixel unit with a variable aperture (f/1.6–f/4.0), coupled with a 40-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a 1.5-megapixel spectral digicam for improved coloration accuracy. However the actual magic lies within the zoom lenses.

Huawei is utilizing a brand new switchable periscope system, the place a mechanical prism contained in the module bodily shifts between two lenses, permitting for lossless zoom. The corporate is utilizing this tech as a result of the Pura 80 Extremely makes use of a single massive sensor for each the zoom lenses beneath, permitting it to seize extra mild. When it comes to the lenses, you get a 50-megapixel 3.7x optical zoom and a 12.5-megapixel 9.4x optical zoom lens.

In distinction, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra encompasses a extra acquainted digicam setup: a 200-megapixel major sensor with f/1.7 aperture and OIS, a 10MP 3x optical zoom, a 50-megapixel 5x zoom lens, and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide. On paper, Huawei appears to have the sting with its unified sensor setup for zoom, however does that translate into higher real-world outcomes? Let’s discover out.

Associated

5 One UI 7 features that make me stop missing my iPhone

One UI 7 is packed full of recent options that made it well worth the wait.

The rear digicam showdown

Which smartphone has the higher digicam?

Earlier than we start, there are a few issues to notice. First, this comparability is proscribed to pictures taken by the rear cameras, not the selfie cameras. Secondly, all of the images under have been taken in easy tap-and-shoot mode, not Professional mode, as that is how most individuals sometimes seize images.

Major cameras

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam check

Proper off the bat, you will discover a major distinction in coloration science and picture processing between the 2 smartphones. Each cameras favor vibrant and punchy colours, however they differ barely in white stability. The Huawei Pura 80 Extremely produces hotter tones, whereas the Galaxy S25 Extremely leans towards a cooler tone.

For instance, within the shot above, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely retains the pure coloration of the picket body across the portray taken at Burj Khalifa, whereas the Pura 80 Extremely renders the picket brown end with a noticeably yellowish tone. The Galaxy S25 Extremely additionally retains pictures a bit sharper, whereas Huawei’s cellphone tends to melt the main points barely.

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam check

The same distinction in picture processing and white stability is seen within the shot above, with the Pura 80 Extremely making use of a stronger yellowish tone, whereas the Galaxy S25 Extremely maintains a cooler tone, extra precisely reflecting what was really on the scene.

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam check

Nevertheless, Huawei pulls forward on the subject of dealing with HDR stability. Within the restaurant picture above, the buildings behind the bay window are a lot clearer within the Pura 80 Extremely’s shot, whereas the Galaxy S25 Extremely blurs them barely, dropping the sense of how excessive the restaurant really is.

Apparently, on this occasion, Huawei opts for a cooler tone, whereas the Galaxy S25 Extremely shifts barely hotter.

Zoom photographs

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam check (30x)

Now, looking on the zoom photographs, and that is the place the Huawei Pura 80 Extremely begins to drag forward, due to the big sensor beneath its prism-shifting lenses. The picture above of the EMAAR constructing in Dubai was taken at 30x, and you may clearly see how that enormous sensor makes a distinction.

The picture from the Pura 80 Extremely is extra vibrant and retains spectacular sharpness even at this zoom stage. In the meantime, the shot from the Galaxy S25 Extremely, although nonetheless strong, lacks that punch — colours look washed out, and the picture seems a bit delicate.

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam check (50x)

At 50x, this turns into much more obvious. The Pura 80 Extremely retains extra element, just like the flap-like concrete components behind the EMAAR emblem and the tile traces on the terrace. Shade replica can also be noticeably higher on the Pura 80 Extremely, due to its bigger sensor, in comparison with the Galaxy S25 Extremely.

Night time and indoor images

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam check

Shifting on to nighttime photographs, and that is the place issues get even nearer. These two pictures of the Ain Dubai at evening clearly spotlight the variations in picture processing between the Galaxy S25 Extremely and Huawei Pura 80 Extremely.

The picture from the S25 Extremely has a extra pure tone and handles publicity extra gracefully. The lights across the Ferris wheel are cleaner, with out the over-bleeding seen within the Huawei Pura 80 Extremely’s shot. Have a look at the background buildings too — on the S25 Extremely, window outlines and signage stay clear, whereas the Pura blows them out barely with aggressive HDR.

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam check

Nevertheless, looking at this shot up shut of a mosque, and the Pura 80 Extremely’s aggressive HDR actually is useful. The textures on the partitions and the intricate lattice patterns are noticeably extra outlined, and the shadows across the corners are higher lifted. The Pura 80 Extremely additionally nails the white stability with a cleaner, hotter tone that feels extra correct.

The Galaxy S25 Extremely does a fantastic job with pure lighting and avoids over-processing, nevertheless it finally ends up dropping finer element and depth within the darker areas.

This shot at AYA Universe actually reveals how every cellphone handles colours and lightweight. The Pura 80 Extremely’s picture is cleaner and extra balanced, with higher white management and fewer spotlight clipping. The Galaxy S25 Extremely seems a bit blown out, particularly on the ground, dropping texture in brighter areas that flip white.

Shut-up photographs

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam check

This meals shot highlights how in another way the 2 telephones course of coloration and texture. Not like different photographs from the first digicam, the Pura 80 Extremely delivers a cooler tone, whereas the Galaxy S25 Extremely opts for a hotter white stability. Each pictures are sharp and detailed, however the Pura 80 Extremely pulls barely forward — simply take a look at the truffle mushroom under the egg yolk and the black pepper on the egg white.

Quick-moving topic check

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam check

Now, looking at this shot of two otters, the Pura 80 Extremely pulls forward with noticeably higher depth and sharpness. The fur texture is extra refined, and there is a lovely separation between the topics and the background. Whereas the Galaxy S25 Extremely does a greater job controlling highlights, it loses a number of the finer particulars that make the Pura’s shot stand out on this tough lighting.

Associated

The one thing your phone camera actually needs isn’t more megapixels

Big sensors look good on paper, however will not essentially make you a greater photographer.

Which digicam is best?

Now, coming to the primary query — which digicam is definitely higher? In 2025, Android telephones have improved tremendously in digicam efficiency, and so they’re nearer than ever, with each telephones excelling in several eventualities.

The Galaxy S25 Extremely’s 200MP major sensor handles day-to-day photographs higher, with barely extra natural-looking tones whereas maintaining a punchy vibe. The Pura 80 Extremely leans towards a hotter tone, which I am not a fan of. Nevertheless, low-light and zoom photographs are noticeably higher on the Pura 80 Extremely, with the sensor managing mild properly and retaining extra element.

If I needed to choose one digicam for a live performance or trip, I would want the Pura 80 Extremely, because it handles low mild, zoom, and fast-moving topics higher than the S25 Extremely. That mentioned, the Galaxy S25 Extremely remains to be arguably the best choice you should purchase within the US, however Samsung clearly must undertake the brand new zoom tech with a mixed sensor for each zoom lenses.

Model

Samsung

SoC

Snapdragon 8 Elite

Show

6.9-inch

RAM

12GB

Storage

256GB, 512GB, 1TB

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely is probably the most refined flagship from the model but. It comes with an enormous 6.9-inch edge-to-edge AMOLED panel, the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and a quad-camera setup with as much as 5x optical zoom and 100x digital zoom.