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The importance of a strong long-distance zoom in smartphone photography cannot be overstated. Modern Android smartphones provide a variety of zoom capabilities, influenced by factors like zoom levels, lens apertures, and sensor sizes, each contributing to unique photographic abilities. For instance, owning a device with a 5x periscope camera does not guarantee identical performance among models.
To fully understand the differences in zoom capabilities, we examined the Pixel 9 Pro, Galaxy S25 Ultra, OPPO Find X8 Pro, and Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Each of these flagships presents distinct specifications: the Xiaomi boasts an impressive megapixel count, while the Find X8 Pro features the longest optical zoom capability. The offerings from Google and Samsung fall between these extremes.
What follows is a detailed comparison of these smartphones’ zooming capabilities, especially their periscope specifications.
Periscope Zoom Comparison
Aperture
Pixel 9 Pro XL: f/2.8
Galaxy S25 Ultra: f/3.4
Find X8 Pro: f/4.3
Xiaomi 15 Ultra: f/2.6
Sensor Size
Pixel 9 Pro XL: 1 / 2.55
Galaxy S25 Ultra: 1 / 2.52
Find X8 Pro: 1 / 2.51
Xiaomi 15 Ultra: 1 / 1.4
Megapixels
Pixel 9 Pro XL: 48MP
Galaxy S25 Ultra: 50MP
Find X8 Pro: 50MP
Xiaomi 15 Ultra: 200MP
Focal Length
Pixel 9 Pro XL: 113mm
Galaxy S25 Ultra: 111mm
Find X8 Pro: 135mm
Xiaomi 15 Ultra: 100mm
Zoom Factor
Pixel 9 Pro XL: 5x
Galaxy S25 Ultra: 5x
Find X8 Pro: 6x
Xiaomi 15 Ultra: 4.3x
From a technical standpoint, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra emerges as a frontrunner with its large sensor and wide aperture. In contrast, the Find X8 Pro, despite its extended optical zoom, has a narrower aperture, which might limit its performance. Nonetheless, the 6x zoom could offset this disadvantage, depending on the shooting conditions.
Let’s delve into the actual image performance through examples, with a focus on close-up details captured at 100% crops to help differentiate quality amongst the devices.
Moderate Zoom Performance
Our initial test involved capturing a semi-macro image in bright outdoor lighting, an environment ideal for evaluating camera performance. The Galaxy S25 Ultra exhibited some haloing around the flower’s edge, suggesting possible lens aberration or issues with multi-frame processing. Furthermore, its details appeared somewhat muddied, with noticeable noise at darker transitions. The Pixel 9 Pro XL mirrored these issues with noise similar to the Galaxy’s, resulting in reduced contrast.
OPPO’s performance was less than stellar upon close examination, revealing excessive smoothing in well-lit conditions. While color saturation was vibrant, the white balance was imperfect. In contrast, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra showcased accurate detail, capturing fine textures without noticeable noise or oversharpening, earning it the title of best image among the group.
As we increased the zoom to capture more distant subjects, differences became pronounced. The Galaxy S25 Ultra struggled considerably with detail and exhibited significant edge aberration, while the Pixel 9 Pro fared slightly better but still lacked crispness, especially in distant features.
The OPPO Find X8 Pro managed a decent performance with commendable dynamic range, despite its aperture limitations. However, it leaned heavily on sharpening, leading to some artifacts. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra consistently produced robust details, showcasing impressive contrast and color retention.
Long-Distance Capabilities
Taking the zoom challenge further, we tested each phone’s ability at 30x magnification. The results revealed challenges associated with such extreme zoom levels. In detailed assessments, both the Pixel 9 Pro and Xiaomi 15 Ultra exhibited softness in image rendering with the former struggling significantly with legibility in small text.
Interestingly, the OPPO Find X8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra came out better, especially in text recognition. The OPPO’s sharper processing allowed for the edges of text to be more visible, whereas the Galaxy’s output was somewhat soft and washed out.
During a high-dynamic range test featuring a church scene, both the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra again struggled with softness and a lack of contrast. The OPPO managed a slightly better image, but it was the Xiaomi 15 Ultra that stood out, balancing sharpness, color accuracy, and minimal distortion effectively.
Concluding Assessments
Ultimately, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra distinguishes itself as the superior option for long-range photography. It demonstrates consistent quality across various lighting scenarios, delivering captivating details even from significant distances. Although not flawless—often presenting underexposed images—the unit excels where it counts, impressively utilizing its 4.3x optical zoom for effective 30x shots.
Consumer Preferences in Long-Range Photography
In a recent survey regarding the best long-range photography capabilities among smartphones, results indicated the following:
- Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: 23%
- OPPO Find X8 Pro: 18%
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: 17%
- Xiaomi 15 Ultra: 42%
The OPPO Find X8 Pro also outperformed expectations in bright conditions, which raises questions about how its specifications translate to real-world performance, especially given its narrower aperture. It appears that while a wide aperture facilitates more light entry, it does not necessarily contribute to superior detail resolution due to inherent lens diffraction.
This nuanced understanding of camera functionality not only underscores the commitment to good hardware but also emphasizes the interplay between specifications and processing capabilities.
In the grand scheme, long-range zoom is just one component of a smartphone camera’s versatility. For everyday photography, particularly of people and animals, a zoom of around 70mm is sufficient, typically achieved with 3x optical zoom on smartphones. Fortunately, devices like the Find X8 Pro, Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and Galaxy S25 Ultra excel in this capacity as well.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra
Impressive cameras
Extended battery life
Swift universal charging
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Top-tier specifications
Stunning display
Years of software support
Source
www.androidauthority.com