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

Abstract

• The Huawei Pura 80 Extremely makes use of a bigger sensor, giving it an edge in sharpness at larger zoom ranges
• The Huawei Pura 80 Extremely captures higher low-light and zoom photographs than the Galaxy S25 Extremely.
• Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Extremely delivers extra pure colours and element in daytime and HDR photographs.

Ask anybody proper now what smartphone they’d choose for one of the best digicam, and likelihood is they will title a Google Pixel, an iPhone, or the newest Samsung flagship. And truthfully, it is no shock. These are essentially the most recognizable premium smartphone manufacturers within the US, they usually genuinely ship glorious digicam efficiency.

However this 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 — units which can be obtainable in different components of the world at comparable value factors and with equally (if no more) spectacular specs.

I not too long ago obtained 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 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 Extremely in a digicam comparability check. 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 the case of new digicam tech in smartphones. The corporate’s P30 Professional 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 modern digicam 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 digicam for improved shade accuracy. However the true 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 Extremely incorporates a extra acquainted digicam setup: a 200-megapixel main 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.

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 photographs under have been taken in easy tap-and-shoot mode, not Professional mode, as that is how most individuals usually seize photographs.

Pictures on the left have been captured utilizing the Huawei Pura 80 Extremely, whereas these on the best have been taken with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely.

Main cameras

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam check

Proper off the bat, you will discover a big distinction in shade 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 shade 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 photos a bit sharper, whereas Huawei’s telephone tends to melt the main points barely.

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam check

An identical 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 check

Nonetheless, Huawei pulls forward in the case of dealing with HDR steadiness. 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, shedding 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, having a look on the zoom photographs, and that is the place the Huawei Pura 80 Extremely begins to drag forward, because of the massive 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 degree. In the meantime, the shot from the Galaxy S25 Extremely, although nonetheless stable, 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 brand and the tile strains on the terrace. Coloration replica can also be noticeably higher on the Pura 80 Extremely, because of its bigger sensor, in comparison with the Galaxy S25 Extremely.

Evening and indoor photographs

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam check

Transferring on to nighttime photographs, and that is the place issues get even nearer. These two photos of the Ain Dubai at night time 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

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 shedding finer element and depth within the darker areas.

This shot at AYA Universe actually reveals how every telephone 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, shedding 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 a different way the 2 telephones course of shade 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 steadiness. Each photos 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 check

Huawei Pura 80 Extremely vs Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam check

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 themes and the background. Whereas the Galaxy S25 Extremely does a greater job controlling highlights, it loses a few of the finer particulars that make the Pura’s shot stand out on this difficult lighting.

Which digicam is best?

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 main sensor handles day-to-day photographs higher, with barely extra natural-looking tones whereas protecting a punchy vibe. The Pura 80 Extremely leans towards a hotter tone, which I am not a fan of. Nonetheless, low-light and zoom photographs are noticeably higher on the Pura 80 Extremely, with the sensor managing mild effectively and retaining extra element.

If I needed to choose one digicam for a live performance or trip, I would choose 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.