SamMobile has affiliate and sponsored partnerships. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
Last updated: July 22nd, 2022 at 22:14 UTC+02:00
Having both a zoom camera and an ultra-wide camera, in addition to a regular camera, is par for the course on flagship smartphones these days. Zoom cameras in particular continue to be mostly exclusive to flagship devices, though there are differences in just how far you can zoom in depending on which smartphone you pick up.
Samsung, for example, has gone all out since the past three years. It’s been putting zoom cameras on its flagships for nearly 6 years, and since its Galaxy S Ultra line of phones came out, Samsung’s been offering a whopping 100x zoom capability on its top-of-the-line phones. And as the Galaxy S Ultra vs Google Pixel 6 Pro debate rages on, I have to say the 100x zoom is a substantial differentiating factor between the two.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro features more or less the same optical zoom sensor as the Galaxy S20 Ultra – it’s got 4x actual optical zoom, while the rest is a mix of the sensor’s megapixel count, optical zoom, and digital zoom all in one. However, Google limits you to a maximum of just 20x magnification for some reason, while Samsung lets you go crazy with 100 times magnification using the same camera.
And I think that’s what separates Samsung’s best flagship phones from Google’s (current) best flagship phone. Yes, going past 20x zoom doesn’t exactly make a lot of sense most of the time, but having the option is better than not having it. And it’s not like going past 20x zoom doesn’t sometimes get you usable results – just check out our Galaxy S20 Ultra review or our Galaxy S22 Ultra review to find out.
It’s basically an example of the “all but the kitchen sink” approach that Samsung tends to take (though some might say that’s no longer the case, considering how Samsung actively cuts out features from its flagship phones, and they wouldn’t be wrong). Of course, Samsung also charges you a higher price for its Ultra phones, but it’s not like you aren’t getting some unique extras in exchange (like S Pen support on the 2021 and 2022 Galaxy S Ultra phones).
Some will point out that Samsung still can’t match the still picture quality that Google provides (again, while charging less money) with the main camera, but let’s not act like the differences are that huge. Samsung, in my opinion, provides a better balance of camera specs and features, and it’s something customers should keep in mind if they’re confused between picking up a Galaxy S smartphone or Google’s Pixel 6 Pro, despite the price difference.
Although Samsung has one of the best retail networks in the world and the best smartphone trade-in program among all other OEMs, chances are that many Samsung customers have had at least one unfavorable experience with the company’s support teams. Maybe a shipment got delayed, or the company didn’t want to repair your device under […]
Samsung has another Android OS beta program running behind closed doors. We learned about the internal One UI 5.0 beta for the Galaxy S22 series a couple of weeks ago, and now, Samsung appears to have launched a One UI 4.1.1 beta firmware for the Galaxy S21 Ultra in the UK. The One UI 4.1.1 […]
Samsung made the switch to display panels with Quad HD resolution on its flagship phones almost a decade back, and a few years later, the company introduced the option to change the display resolution on flagship Galaxy phones. Almost every flagship Galaxy phone since the Galaxy Note 4 has featured a Quad HD+ display panel, […]
Samsung is once again pairing its Neo QLED 8K TVs with the Galaxy S22 flagship phone series. This time, it’s for a UK promotion that effectively allows Neo QLED customers to get a Galaxy S22 Ultra for free. Samsung’s “Shoot in 8K, Watch in 8K” campaign starts today, July 20, and lasts until August 16. […]
Earlier today, Samsung published a cryptic tweet via its official Twitter handle. We think it is related to the South Korean firm’s upcoming star-studded launch event. The company is expected to launch two new foldable smartphones, two smartwatches, and new wireless earbuds next month. Samsung’s new tweet showcases three images and has the hashtag #SamsungUnpacked. […]
We exclusively revealed a few weeks ago that Samsung has canceled the Galaxy S22 FE. It won’t be releasing a “Fan Edition” of its 2022 flagship series. There are multiple reasons why the company took this decision. One of Samsung’s primary goals was to further increase the sales of the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Its top-of-the-line […]
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 5G
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ 5G
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra