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

Ask anybody proper now what smartphone they’d decide for the perfect digicam, and chances are high they will title 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, they usually 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 might be obtainable in different components of the world at related value factors and with equally (if no more) spectacular specs.

I lately received my arms 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 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 digicam comparability take a look at. And to my shock, the outcomes weren’t precisely what I anticipated.

A better have 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 in terms 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 cell 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 contains 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.

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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 photographs taken by the rear cameras, not the selfie cameras. Secondly, all of the images beneath had been taken in easy tap-and-shoot mode, not Professional mode, as that is how most individuals sometimes seize images.

Main cameras

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam take a look at

Proper off the bat, you may discover a big distinction in coloration science and picture processing between the 2 smartphones. Each cameras favor vibrant and punchy colours, however they differ barely in white steadiness. 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 telephone tends to melt the small print barely.

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam take a look at

The same distinction in picture processing and white steadiness 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 take a look at

Nonetheless, Huawei pulls forward in terms of dealing with HDR steadiness. Within the restaurant photograph 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 pictures

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

Now, having a look on the zoom pictures, and that is the place the Huawei Pura 80 Extremely begins to tug forward, due to the massive sensor beneath its prism-shifting lenses. The photograph 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 comfortable.

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam 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 parts behind the EMAAR brand and the tile strains on the terrace. Colour copy can also be noticeably higher on the Pura 80 Extremely, due to its bigger sensor, in comparison with the Galaxy S25 Extremely.

Evening and indoor images

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam take a look at

Transferring on to nighttime pictures, 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 photograph 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 take a look at

Nonetheless, having a look 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 steadiness with a cleaner, hotter tone that feels extra correct.

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

This shot at AYA Universe actually reveals how every telephone 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 digicam take a look at

This meals shot highlights how otherwise the 2 telephones course of coloration and texture. In contrast to different pictures from the first digicam, the Pura 80 Extremely delivers a cooler tone, whereas the Galaxy S25 Extremely opts for a hotter white steadiness. Each pictures are sharp and detailed, however the Pura 80 Extremely pulls barely forward — simply have a look at the truffle mushroom beneath 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 digicam take a look at

Now, having a look 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 stunning separation between the topics 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.

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Which digicam is healthier?

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

The Galaxy S25 Extremely’s 200MP major sensor handles day-to-day pictures higher, with barely extra natural-looking tones whereas preserving 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 mild properly and retaining extra element.

If I needed to decide one digicam for a live performance or trip, I would desire the Pura 80 Extremely, because it handles low mild, 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 probably the most refined flagship from the model but. It comes with a giant 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.