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

Ask anybody proper now what smartphone they’d decide for the most effective digital camera, and likelihood is they will identify a Google Pixel, an iPhone, or the most recent Samsung flagship. And truthfully, it is no shock. These are essentially the most recognizable premium smartphone manufacturers within the US, they usually genuinely ship wonderful digital camera efficiency.

However here is the factor: within the US, we’re lacking out on a complete lineup of aggressive flagship telephones from manufacturers like Huawei, Vivo, and OPPO — gadgets which can be obtainable in different components of the world at related value factors and with equally (if no more) spectacular specs.

I not too long ago acquired my arms on the Pura 80 Extremely, Huawei’s new flagship smartphone with a beefy digital camera module and a few spectacular new digital camera tech. However does it actually supply 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 digital camera comparability take a look at. And to my shock, the outcomes weren’t precisely what I anticipated.

A better have a look at the digital camera {hardware}

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely brings one thing new to the desk

Huawei has constantly stayed forward of different Android OEMs relating to new digital camera tech in smartphones. The corporate’s P30 Pro was the primary to introduce 5x optical zoom in a smartphone — a complete 12 months 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 cell images.

As anticipated, the Pura 80 Extremely brings extra progressive digital camera tech to the desk. The principle 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 digital camera for improved colour 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 giant sensor for each the zoom lenses beneath, permitting it to seize extra gentle. 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 includes a extra acquainted digital camera 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 latest options that made it well worth the wait.

The rear digital camera showdown

Which smartphone has the higher digital camera?

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

Major cameras

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digital camera take a look at

Proper off the bat, you may discover a major distinction in colour 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 colour 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 photographs a bit sharper, whereas Huawei’s cellphone tends to melt the main points barely.

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digital camera take a look at

An analogous 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 truly on the scene.

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digital camera take a look at

Nonetheless, Huawei pulls forward relating to 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 truly is.

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

Zoom pictures

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digital camera take a look at (30x)

Now, looking on the zoom pictures, and that is the place the Huawei Pura 80 Extremely begins to tug 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’ll 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 degree. 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 tender.

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digital camera take a look at (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 strains on the terrace. Colour replica can be noticeably higher on the Pura 80 Extremely, due to its bigger sensor, in comparison with the Galaxy S25 Extremely.

Evening and indoor photographs

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digital camera take a look at

Shifting on to nighttime pictures, and that is the place issues get even nearer. These two photographs 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 digital camera take a look at

Nonetheless, looking at this shot up shut of a mosque, and the Pura 80 Extremely’s aggressive HDR actually turns out to be 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 an important job with pure lighting and avoids over-processing, however 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 light-weight. The Pura 80 Extremely’s picture is cleaner and extra balanced, with higher white management and fewer spotlight clipping. The Galaxy S25 Extremely appears a bit blown out, particularly on the ground, dropping texture in brighter areas that flip white.

Shut-up pictures

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digital camera take a look at

This meals shot highlights how in another way the 2 telephones course of colour and texture. In contrast to different pictures from the first digital camera, the Pura 80 Extremely delivers a cooler tone, whereas the Galaxy S25 Extremely opts for a hotter white stability. Each photographs are sharp and detailed, however the Pura 80 Extremely pulls barely forward — simply have a look at the truffle mushroom under the egg yolk and the black pepper on the egg white.

Quick-moving topic take a look at

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digital camera take a look at

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 themes and the background. Whereas the Galaxy S25 Extremely does a greater job controlling highlights, it loses among 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 digital camera is best?

Now, coming to the primary query — which digital camera is definitely higher? In 2025, Android telephones have improved drastically in digital camera efficiency, they usually’re nearer than ever, with each telephones excelling in numerous eventualities.

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

If I needed to decide one digital camera for a live performance or trip, I would choose the Pura 80 Extremely, because it handles low gentle, zoom, and fast-moving topics higher than the S25 Extremely. That stated, 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 essentially the most refined flagship from the model but. It comes with a giant 6.9-inch edge-to-edge AMOLED panel, the most recent Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and a quad-camera setup with as much as 5x optical zoom and 100x digital zoom.