topic Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras in Samsung Lounge

S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

Glenntech — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:21:44 GMT

So this is a little comparison on my experience with my Galaxy S25 Ultra and my Google Pixel 10 Pro.

Been a few inquiries to my thoughts and in a post I can be a bit more comprehensive with the analysis.

But because the S25 Ultra can do more, I just kept this as a general thing to what most might find.

Also I haven't edited any of the photos. Straight from the cameras.

Also its another one of those long posts that I can only put 30 images as that's the limit.

I could have gone on longer 😅

S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro

The way Samsung and Google have done the camera setup is noticeably different.

Samsung tends to bias the cameras more optically. Which currently I have a preference for. For now.

Where as Google are reliant on the AI software. Which is a different take on doing things.

Ever since the first Google Pixel came out, theres always been a hype around them. Many saying they were the best cameras etc. Well with photos anyway as videos always left a lot to be desired.

For me though the over contrasted look and boosted HDR really wasn't my thing. Great for low resolution social media sites. But I always had to edit them to be a bit more pleasing to eye. Well my eyes anyway.

The Pixel 10 Pro has changed from that now.

Still terrifically detailed images, but more muted in colours in the newer software.

As you can see from the photos below.

First one is the Pixel and second is the S25 Ultra.

General photos

Pixel 10 Pro

S25 Ultra

Both have good details, with colours noticeablly different. The real colour was a little less red than the S25 Ultra.

Generally the results are consistent with those photos throughout.

Couple more examples below.

Pixel 10 Pro

S25 Ultra

The Pixel does have a warmer look as well over the slightly more cooler blue on the S25 Ultra.

Details in both images are pretty much the same. Both nice and sharp.

Low Light Photos

Night and low light photos are where both phones do great. One of the things I look for is lens flare.

Where light is reflecting off the camera lens glass.

The S25 Ultra does great and for the most part does the Pixel 10 Pro.

S25 Ultra

Pixel 10 Pro

The photos even in low light situation like this really turned out well.

Bit of lens flare with the Pixel 10 Pro to the right of the left hand rigging

Pixel 10 Pro

S25 Ultra

Pixel 10 Pro

Portrait Mode

This is always a challenge for developers to get right.

Now traditionally this is where Pixel phones have always been probably the best at.

Though not my favourite as I shall elaborate.

Edge detection occasionally for the S25 Ultra can sometimes not quite make it with bits of edge detection.

But focus just right and the results are pretty good.

Pixel 10 Pro

Though i will say that the Pixel has a cut out effect. This is the result of the AI that just defines the edges more than I like.

To be honest I sometimes just quite like the natural Bokeh from setting the Aperture to its lowest setting in Expert RAW. For me it gives a nicer look.

S25 Ultra in Expert RAW and Aperture set to 1.7

Pixel 10 Pro in Portait Mode

Zoom Cameras

Well so this is where things get very different.

Now I like the S25 Ultra Zoom. Not so much when you get beyond 10X so much.

But this is where the AI really kicks in with the Pixel 10 Pro.

Its important to remember at this point that with the Pixel. They are no longer the photo you took. Its an AI representation of the image you took with software alterations.

At first they can look fantastic, but looking a bit more and the quality as well as what the AI has interpreted has changed things.

Well let's start with a couple of the first photos I took with the Zoom.

Its of the roof at Wembley Stadium which was a couple of miles away.

Pixel 10 Pro

S25 Ultra

Now as far as I can tell, the Pixel did a bang on job. With some editing I'm pretty sure I can get the S25 Ultra to be quite similar.

As you might expect, I was really looking forward to seeing more.

So the Pixel does save the file before the AI post processing.

Before the AI post processing the images are quite poor quality, and this probably explains somewhat the mistakes it makes.

Below are before and after photos.

Pixel 10 Pro

As you can see a fair bit of work is needed, and some of the other photos I've taken are worse before the AI post processing.

It looks good until you zoom into the image just a bit and there's some strange stuff going on.

I took this of some stair rails on a roof very close by.

Pixel 10 Pro

The AI has interpreted the sunlight shining off the metal rails as what look like fluorescent light fittings, and changed the rails from metal tubes to wooden frames by the looks of it.

Another that I think I used 100X zoom on both for.

Its of Hardy's Monument in Dorset from the bay in Weymouth. Must be a good 8 miles away.

S25 Ultra

Pixel 10 Pro

In these two you can see from the S25 Ultra how it should look.

But the AI in the Pixel one, although bought out the Monument quite well.

Its turned the white brickwork on the building into columns.

I believe that if Google worked on getting a better pre processing photo. The AI would be much better.

Its not all bad though.

Pixel 10 Pro

As you can see from zooming into the rigging on a tall ship, captured a great image that it got the details quite well.

I just feel that with the S25 Ultra, you can work with the images to improve them with colours and sharpening etc.

The AI images from the Pixel you cannot do anything with.

Astro Photos

Now this is something I have an interest in, as some of you know from previous posts.

We've all seen and had a go with the 100X zoom moon photos.

So here goes another couple 😁

First is the S25 Ultra

Second and third is the Pixel 10 Pro before and after AI processing

S25 Ultra

Pixel 10 Pro after AI processing

Pixel 10 Pro before AI Processing

Again the AI processing does ok from a distance, but does have a grainy look to it all.

Again the before image is quite poor quality.

Both phones have astro modes. So just a couple of images of how they look before I apply one of my presets to photos like these.

S25 Ultra

Pixel 10 Pro

I can't really complain about either of these.

In fact if I could post more than 30 photos I would have posted edited ones. As that's when both really shine.

But as I'm posting non edited images in this post and can't post enough images. Maybe another post will have to be done.

Macro Photos

First off as you expect, both phones do very well. Though sometimes the S25 Ultra needs a bit more time.

But they both have great details.

Pixel 10 Pro

S25 Ultra

In Conclusion

Well it's going to be no surprise that I prefer the S25 Ultra. Its just a better all round phone camera. One I can edit photos with and a better RAW camera.

That said I'm impressed by the quick point and shoot nature of the Pixel. Not as many features, but that's what a lot would be happy with.

One thing I get from the Pixel is a future feel to the software.

The AI genie is well and truly out, and you get a this is where smartphone photography is heading.

Samsung use AI with the S25 Ultra. But its to tidy up an image or sharpen up lettering etc.

But I'm looking forward to seeing this what the Pixel uses in the future of our smartphones.

I know some won't like it, but it will make available to anyone, to capture great pictures.

I'm sure software updates will refine things further over time.

But for now the S25 Ultra is still the best all round set of cameras for me.

Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

Obsydian — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:28:20 GMT

Am I allowed to say the Pixel crushes the S25 Ultra 🤔

Great comparison and i do prefer nearly every Pixel 10 Pro image

Re: Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

Glenntech — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:40:39 GMT

Definitely doesn't crush as with the issues I said in the post.
But theres a lot of potential
Just the AI post processing software needs work
Plus if I was to edit the photos of the S25 Ultra
I think the S25 Ultra would be better overall

Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

lminvti — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:40:39 GMT

1st of all id say thank you for detailed review.

2nd id prefer most of the pixel photos over the s25U but not all of them for example portrait mode its better and more saturated, with shadows coming more to reality.

3rd. Zoom ones are better one the pixel ones

Still love how the S25 Ultra performs, but I have to say the pixel shows some impressive results.

Need to keep in mind the pixel was released later this year as they always do so they have some time to tweak some settings if necessary because all other major brands already released their flagship phones, really hope samsung steps up next year.

Re: Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

Glenntech — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:43:43 GMT

Think if I would edit the S25 Ultra. Be a different story
But its straight from the cameras
Just frustrating you can only post 30 pictures

Re: Re: Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

Obsydian — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:50:39 GMT

Just saying what I see 🙏

Re: Re: Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

lminvti — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:56:47 GMT

Yes thats true, but point and shoot comes out really great on pixel.

In regards of the 30 picture limit ypu can create new post of #2 version of this post 🙏

Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

Star_girl — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:05:26 GMT

Very good and detailed compariso as I was also wondering.

I find myself sticking with the S25 Ultra, however I like the night photography of the Pixel 10.

I noticed with the Samsung Ultra both last two models, night photography makes the sky too bright and the stars yellow, it should be black like the picture of the Pixel 10 and the stars white.
I know I took the pictures in a city among blocks though, but I can see the Pixel 10 Pro picture looks much better assuming both pictures are taken in the same environment.

On the Moon Pictures I don't know what are those things sticking out of the Moon 🤔. Pixel 10 Pro.

As regarding AI editing, it's still awful in most cases on both phones when zoomed is used; on the Pixel is making up detail and on the Ultra it makes the image look like oil painting.

Yesterday I was taking macro shots with the S 25 Fe and the macro pictures looked more accurate to the colours and details until the AI stepped in for every single picture and blurred out all the nice details, this happened also on the Ultra and I felt it's quite pointless to attempt macro photography because of this and there is no way to disable the AI. Auto HDR was disabled so it wasn't that.
Generally I prefer the Samsung's photography than Pixels. With the Portrait mode, you gotta play with it a little and you get what you want.

Re: Re: Re: Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

Glenntech — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:37:42 GMT

Have a feeling that I will have to
Yeah when the Pixel gets it right, it's great
Maybe I will do a post on edited v AI results

Re: Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

Glenntech — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:43:04 GMT

Yeah I agree with you
Glad you noticed things like the Google AI creating extra stick out bits on the moon
The Pixel phones for the last few years do have a good look with nightsky photos.
But they process and stack the images where Samsung you do long exposure
Easy enough to post edit, I even made a preset for it

Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

Ferenc75 — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:52:11 GMT

@Glenntech Thank you for your comparison.
Great work 👏
Some of pics are fantastic 👏.
About the business 😂
For me only at the portrait mode had disappointment other than overall S25U isn't question to me.
S25U is a beast really is.
My reason cos the Ultra colours is more natural and more has options to make more better with edits or play with camera setups.
Love techs especially anything is camera related 😂. I researched about the new pixel phone and if I am right most of the picture by AI-POWERED.
Maybe I am wrong.
End yes if S25U pictures going to treat with some fine edits then the results is can be surprisingly good

Re: Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

Glenntech — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:06:14 GMT

Yes tbe Pixel rely heavily on the AI
The real problem with the Pixel is that the AI gets various things wrong and completely changes what's actually there at times

The Portrait Mode on the S25 Ultra I've noticed seems to be not as good as when I first got the phone.
Earlier Portrait photos are better than it is now. Somewhere a software update has made it somewhat inconsistent annoyingly

But yeah I do prefer the S25 Ultra
Like I said in my post. You can still edit the S25 Ultra photos.
AI processed ones you really can't. Partly because it reduces the resolution and Partly because the AI makes stuff up you can't change
It does save the photo before processing. But the resolution is quite poor

Re: Re: Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

Star_girl — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 20:10:02 GMT

Oh right! So different way of taking nightsky photos 📸 for both of them! Some users on here have posted some really impressive pictures in the past taken with the S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra in the right environment for nightsky pictures.📸

It's quite weird the Pixel 10 Pro added those bits on the moon, it's annoying to the eye lol

I also think the Pixel boat picture at night is better than the S25 Ultra but the S25 Ultra is way better at night mode pictures than the S24 Ultra thanks to a new sensor in their camera.

Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

JAMES4578 — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 20:19:08 GMT

Certainly a detailed analysis ,good to see the comparisons. Whilst the Pixel comes out well in a number of cases not exclusively and think it would be different with ediiting. There will be further advancements with the Samsung cameras in any case.

Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

SlimFan — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 21:17:06 GMT

s25 ultra wins it for me 🔥 dope post i can tell u worked rly harrd on this too bro ❤️ 😜keep it up

Re: Re: Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

Chappell101 — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:04:39 GMT

I presume the Samsung night sky image was taken on the Astro mode in ExpertRaw to be of comparison. They both use the same stacked technique just the stacked exposure frame lengths might be slightly different (Google just has better alignment and auto's to a better WB from when I've played with one in the past with a friend at night)

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

Chappell101 — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 03:08:10 GMT

I think the AI zoom while very annoying in making up elements so not really usable to me is definitely hinting at the future. When it's right it's really impressive. I'm just glad it's marked as generated in the exif data as it's not fair to call it a image.

I agree with you Google strong HDR can make most images seem flatter and look mobile by lighting the dark areas more (still visible on the berry image and the boat chain) To many this makes the camera seem better in the dark but to me it looses depth which is the first thing I consider when taking/editing a photo.

I also prefer the more subtle bokeh from ExpertRaw's virtual aperture but the portrait images aren't terrible on Pixel the deeper blur works still on the key image. Just a creative choice.

Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

Chappell101 — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:08:19 GMT

Thanks for the really detailed post. I appreciate the effort put in here.

If you do end up doing a part 2 I think it would be important to include a couple of shots comparing one of the key differences between the 2 phones and the only tempting feature of Google for me. The Samsung sensors capture hardware processing is enabled for 3rd party apps who fully utilise the Camera2api like Lightroom Mobile's RAW camera or MotionCam Pro's RAW video stream on the Pixel but not on OneUI. So things like DCG (Dual Conversion Gain) work on the RAW stream for a 12bit image, This drastically helps reduce noise in darker areas in third party apps and refine colour detail in foliage ect.

Unfortunately Samsung gatekeep sensor hardware enhancements like this currently on their own phones to their own camera apps which is a tad less consumer friendly choice considering they invented the hardware process for the sensors to sell as a feature. While most 3rd party camera apps are tad poop, there are a handful of good ones out there that deserve to use the phones sensors properly (Ignoring the binned image 12.5MP cap)

Probably work on ProShot's RAW and maybe Open Camera's RAW as well but the other 2 you could test free anyway and I'd imagine you already have Lightroom installed it's hard to pass up on.

Re: Re: S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro Cameras

Chappell101 — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:41:38 GMT

Definitely some further benefits on Samsung still but if ExpertRaw and Goodlock didn't exist I wouldn't put Samsung results ahead from experience. I can't value the 2 enough.

Googles native camera setup is more straightforward but a 14bit HDR image in ExpertRaw is going to draw me first simply as it's going to hold a more accurate colour detail range which is just as important as resolution for me as it adds midtone shadow depth.