No digital camera upgrades is my largest disapointment with the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus

The brand new Samsung Galaxy S24 collection is a little bit of an odd duck; a showcase for each Samsung’s progressive facet and up to date complacency. On the one hand, Galaxy AI and 7 years of updates are altering the best way we take into consideration smartphone software program. Conversely, the Galaxy S24’s design and inside {hardware} are nearly unchanged from the Galaxy S23 and even the S22 collection.

Nowhere is that this extra obvious than within the digital camera division. The Samsung Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus sport precisely the identical digital camera {hardware} as not simply the non-Extremely Galaxy S23 collection, however the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus (bar a minor selfie improve). Three generations, no significant adjustments to what’s alleged to be a best-in-class flagship collection and pin-up for Android smartphones.

This isn’t to broadly bemoan the picture high quality you’ll obtain on the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus. A great digital camera doesn’t instantly change into dangerous simply because one thing newer comes alongside and Samsung’s newest software program has nudged the needle a tad. Nonetheless, if you evaluate the telephones to the competitors and weigh up what to purchase, Samsung’s stagnant cameras wrestle to chop by means of. Pictures is a large a part of a contemporary smartphone’s attraction, in any case, and it’s a selected sore spot for me that the newest Galaxy collection doesn’t do extra to face out.

The dearth of adjustments is maybe extra excusable within the $800 Galaxy S24, which nonetheless boasts a 3x telephoto digital camera that you just gained’t discover on equally priced rivals just like the Apple iPhone 15 and Google Pixel 8. Though it wouldn’t damage to increase this lead. Nonetheless, the $1,000 Galaxy S24 Plus has to deal with the mighty Pixel 8 Professional, Xiaomi 14 Professional, iPhone 15 Professional, and some others which have been onerous at work innovating within the digital camera division. With greater sensors, cutting-edge AI touch-ups, and highly effective zoom applied sciences, these rivals are, for probably the most half, extra aggressive with Samsung’s Extremely than the Plus, but price much less. Whereas having the premium S24 Extremely push boundaries is nice, the extra inexpensive fashions deserve their very own improvements and upgrades, too — particularly with the Extremely line receiving a value hike.

My actual downside with the S24 and S24 Plus is that they’re very competent however removed from good. It wouldn’t take a lot to iron out the inconsistencies and make these cameras so significantly better. Generally, it nearly seems like sheer laziness that’s stopping the collection from reaching a better degree.

Take the movement points we’ve highlighted in each our Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely evaluation and S24 Plus evaluation, ensuing from a very lengthy shutter velocity to collect extra gentle. Mild is necessary, however not on the expense of sharpness, particularly when few different telephones wrestle to the identical diploma. Rivals just like the iPhone 15 Professional and Pixel 8 Professional proceed to make use of bigger major sensors, which maybe holds the important thing. Nonetheless, the difficulty with the S24 Extremely suggests that is equally a software program downside.

Equally, the telephone’s Evening Mode is admittedly highly effective, however attempt taking a low-light snap in a rush, and the outcomes are much more blended. Particularly with shifting topics. The noise versus blur trade-off nonetheless feels very actual, and the frankly tiny 1/3.94-inch 3x telephoto actually doesn’t maintain up notably properly in low gentle, both. Even a modest improve to the identical 1/3.52-inch telephoto because the Extremely can be one thing.

Talking of zoom cameras, the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus supply restricted zoom capabilities. In comparison with the Pixel 8 Professional’s 5x digital camera, there’s no query that Google’s telephone takes higher photos at lengthy vary. A lot of my Samsung samples got here out a swampy mess. However even at 3x, the place we’d anticipate the S24’s optical zoom to win out, the distinction isn’t night time and day between the 2. The Pixel’s progressive picture fusion know-how makes the distinction, giving the telephone higher flexibility general.

However it’s not simply the dearth of long-range upgrades that holds the collection again. Selfies, as an example, look nice a variety of the time, and the Galaxy S24 is definitely one of many higher flagships when it comes to publicity and HDR management. Nonetheless, too most of the portraits I took skewed pores and skin tones into purple hues that spotlight blemishes you merely don’t see on different telephones.

I nonetheless can’t get on board with Samsung’s overreliance on heavy shade and sharpness processing that lends some photos, notably portraits, a cartoonish pop. In comparison with the extra putting profiles you’ll see from manufacturers like OPPO and Sony, Samsung’s shade science seems to be caught within the final decade.

Likewise, portrait photos and hit-and-miss. Samsung depends on the 3x telephoto sensor for default portraits to take advantage of the flattering 70mm focal size, however the tiny sensor once more struggles to extract a excessive degree of element in something however good lighting. You’ll be able to fall again to 1x or 2x for barely higher noise ranges, however you then’re taking pictures with a much less flattering 24mm lens. Consistency is once more the Galaxy S24’s Achilles’ heel and makes the telephone look miles off the tempo in comparison with the market innovators.

I don’t anticipate an absolute bleeding edge digital camera setup in Samsung’s extra inexpensive fashions, so I’m not holding out on a revolution in digital camera tech with subsequent yr’s Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus. Nonetheless, closing the hole on the Extremely is a should if the broader Galaxy S collection is to retain a fame as a pictures powerhouse.

If I have been Samsung, I’d overhaul the ultrawide and zoom cameras. Bigger sensors can be the very best place to start out, even when it means marginally bigger digital camera bumps on these telephones. OPPO’s Discover X6 Professional and Discover X7 Extremely supply a blueprint for achievement, utilizing equally giant sensors and specs throughout the digital camera array, guaranteeing a lot higher consistency in picture high quality throughout the lenses.

The Galaxy S24 doesn’t want three or 4 gargantuan sensors such as you see in these super-expensive telephones. Simply three sensors bigger than 1/2 inches can be a stable begin for a greater steadiness of element, low-light, and shade seize capabilities throughout its triple digital camera array.

Tremendous long-distance taking pictures nonetheless isn’t obligatory right here; medium-range zoom and a give attention to portrait focal lengths are simply superb at this value level. Nonetheless, Samsung might be extra adventurous in its {hardware} and software program to attain higher outcomes. Excessive-resolution sensor crops (akin to Google’s Tremendous Res Zoom) present decent-looking lossless zoom from optical zoom components. Samsung may use comparable strategies for lossless 2x, 3x, and 6x zoom just by upgrading its 3x telephoto digital camera to a better decision sensor.

Sadly, early rumors recommend the Galaxy S25 digital camera array may stay the identical because it’s been for the reason that S22 collection. I can solely hope they’re unsuitable.