I didn’t give enough credit to the Galaxy S25 Edge’s camera. Here’s why you should think twice before underestimating it.

      The camera on the Galaxy S25 Edge can be quite perplexing, and I understand if it's deterring you from making a purchase. The specifications feature the impressive 200-megapixel main camera from the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but it lacks a telephoto lens like the Galaxy S25 Plus, making it an unusual middle-ground option.

      I was initially worried that the absence of a telephoto lens would limit the S25 Edge’s versatility, so I have been actively taking zoom photos with the device to determine if it's manageable or if it poses a significant drawback for the sleekest and thinnest smartphone we've encountered in some time.

      Optical vs. optical quality

      Samsung has not included a telephoto camera alongside the S25 Edge’s 200MP main camera and 12MP wide-angle camera; however, they do claim that there is a 2x “optical quality” zoom made possible by the 200MP camera. This means the camera captures a full-resolution photo and crops it directly from the sensor without relying on pixel enhancement or digital cropping when taking photos at 4x or 10x zoom in the app. The outcome should ideally be a more authentic, natural-looking zoom shot.

      Despite Samsung’s technical assurances, optical quality zoom images tend to evoke a sense of compromise in the minds of photography enthusiasts. Many would prefer the true optical telephoto capability found on the back of the Galaxy S25 Plus or the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and at the S25 Edge’s price of $1,100, it feels like the phone should have included one.

      Space constraints are likely the primary reason for its absence. Samsung had to decrease the 200MP camera module's size by 18% to fit it into the S25 Edge, which was likely a challenging endeavor and indicative of the very limited space inside the device. Camera aficionados might not be swayed by the impressive engineering feats when faced with the reality of “optical quality” telephoto images. But does this perspective hold true when examining the photos taken with it?

      First S25 Edge zoom photos

      During the past week, I have been out photographing with the Galaxy S25 Edge, giving special emphasis to the 2x optical quality zoom feature in the camera app. While it's not as versatile as a 3x telephoto lens, utilizing the 2x option does add a creative framing element, enhances depth of field, and allows for a focus on specific details that might be lost in a standard 1x shot.

      I spent a day with the Hyundai Kona Electric and used the S25 Edge’s 2x zoom to capture some striking details of this uniquely designed vehicle. The main 2x shot of the car turned out remarkably well, with a precise white balance and just the right depth of field to highlight the subject. Importantly, cropping the image still results in minimal noise, although some haloing is visible upon close inspection.

      Haloing is a notable concern, and while it does appear in some 2x images, it is not always present and may vary based on lighting conditions. There is a chance it could be addressed in future software updates. The photo of the dashboard framed by the sweeping door displays an abundance of detail, with text on buttons and screens remaining sharp, and the dark footwell showing little noise. The close-up shot of the front light and wing again showcases excellent white balance, this time without any haloing, and reveals impressive detail on both the tire and the interior of the light unit.

      More close-up shots

      With the arrival of spring, bees have been buzzing around the flowers. I wondered how the Galaxy S25 Edge’s camera would perform in capturing such small subjects at close range. I typically prefer telephoto lenses for these types of shots, and I was pleasantly surprised by the S25 Edge's performance.

      I took numerous photos, and you can see one of the better images here. The abundance of shots was not due to any fault of the camera but rather the bees’ reluctance to stay still. The focus on the flower is sharp, successfully capturing the bee in flight, although there is some motion blur, which is to be expected and does not detract from the photo. Considering this was taken with digital zoom while handheld and in auto mode, it turned out reasonably well.

      3x zoom

      What about dimensions beyond the optical quality 2x mode? The good news is that I also underestimated the camera’s performance in 3x zoom mode, which, albeit promoted as digital zoom by Samsung, delivers impressively usable results. The second bee photo was captured at 3x, and despite being a digital zoom, it offers excellent quality. The image is rich in detail, vibrant in color, and displays a pleasing depth of field. The 3x mode surpassed my expectations, possibly even outshining the 2x mode.

      Underestimating the Galaxy S25 Edge’s camera

      While this is not a complete review of the Galaxy