I took 500 photos with the two best Android camera phones – here’s the clear winner

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Oppo Discover X8 Extremely performs higher than its Samsung rival in virtually each state of affairs.
• The Galaxy S25 Extremely comes shut in ultrawide digicam comparability.
• Oppo’s flagship has distinctive options like XPAN mode, Hasselblad shade science, and Grasp mode.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra homes one of the crucial versatile digicam methods on a mainstream cellphone, due to its two telephoto cameras and an ultrawide sensor coupled with a 200MP major digicam.

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. OnePlus 13: I compared the best Android phones, and it was very close

However the Oppo Discover X8 Extremely is equally, if no more, versatile. It has greater sensors on the 4 50MP cameras on its again. Plus, the Oppo flagship is paired with a renewed Hasselblad partnership — for further options like XPAN mode, higher Portraits, and Hasselblad Natural Color Solution, re-engineered for cellular. 

I used to be confused about which cellphone to tackle my journey to Sweden, so I took each and in contrast the outcomes, that are… attention-grabbing.

Evaluating the digicam specs

Oppo and Samsung flagships are a few of the best phones of 2025. Each sport 4 rear cameras, however the Discover X8 Extremely homes greater sensors on three of these. It’s led by a 1-inch-type 50MP predominant sensor, which snaps higher high quality images than Samsung’s 200MP major digicam. 

But it surely’s the remainder of the sensors that assist it take the lead. The 10MP 3x optical zoom Samsung telephoto digicam stands no likelihood in opposition to Oppo’s 50MP 3x optical zoom supported periscope digicam, whereas it competes carefully in ultrawide photographs and 50MP secondary 5x (6x on Oppo) periscope zoom images.

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. OnePlus 13: I compared the best Android phones, and it was very close

There isn’t any doubt that the Discover X8 Extremely has a greater digicam bundle than the Galaxy S25 Extremely, due to its greater sensors and Hasselblad shade science. But it surely may also be inconsistent at occasions, giving the sting to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Extremely. This is how the 2 examine in my trip images.

It is all in regards to the shade science

The Oppo Discover X8 Extremely exposes the themes higher in most situations. It tends to brighten the topic in harsh lighting circumstances, making them look (virtually) synthetic, however I would nonetheless desire it over Samsung’s under-exposed photographs. For instance, within the above photographs, my face appears higher uncovered within the left picture than in Samsung’s 3x portrait. Samsung has a hotter undertone, whereas Oppo’s shot appears extra energetic.

Oppo can overdo the processing at occasions. Neither of the above photographs is ideal, however I might choose the Galaxy S25 Extremely photograph as a result of it would not look synthetic. 

Additionally: Own a OnePlus phone? I changed 10 settings to significantly improve the user experience

Whereas underexposed, it retains my pores and skin tone and appears extra actual, whereas Oppo blows out the highlights to an extent. It’s a type of inconsistent processing situations that occur on occasion, however it might probably destroy the vibe of the photograph if you have not snapped a backup shot.

The inconsistent processing is restricted solely to harsh lighting circumstances. In any other case, Oppo’s Discover X8 Extremely beats the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely in each state of affairs. It constantly shoots better-looking photographs in low gentle. Discover the bulbs on this lamp; Samsung could not get the small print, and the general shot has extra noise, whereas Oppo’s picture is sharper. 

This story continues on their respective periscope zoom cameras. Oppo’s 6x zoom captures extra particulars, pure bokeh, and no noise, even in low gentle. Samsung’s shot appears boring regardless of snapping a big quantity of particulars, whereas Oppo’s colours pop in comparison with the Galaxy S25 Extremely.

Samsung competes higher in ultrawide photos. Each telephones course of saturated colours with loads of particulars for a low-light shot. Outdoor, the Galaxy S25 Extremely and Oppo Discover X8 Extremely seize equally handsome photographs, however Oppo’s lively-looking shade science appeals extra to me.

Oppo takes the cake in Portraits

I might choose the Oppo Discover X8 Extremely over the Galaxy S25 Extremely for portrait photographs any day. Even at 6x, the portrait photographs look unbelievable, due to Hasselblad shade science. In brilliant lighting circumstances, it processes a natural-looking bokeh and adapts to the tone of its environment. 

For instance, the above two images have been taken close to the ocean, in order that they have a cooler tone, however a portrait taken throughout sundown can have a hotter tone. 

To check, Samsung’s shot appears much less energetic and tends to have aggressive blur across the edges of the topic, which makes a portrait shot look unnatural. Whereas it retains the colour of my shirt higher, Oppo’s photograph delivers the vibe of the place with its hotter tone in direct daylight.

Additionally: Samsung is giving these Galaxy phones a big One UI upgrade – here’s which models qualify

There are a number of issues — like 6x tele macro and XPAN mode — that you will solely discover on the Oppo Discover X8 Extremely. For the unaware, XPAN mode is accessible on OnePlus and Oppo flagship telephones. It’s impressed by Hasselblad’s XPan characteristic, which lets you seize panoramic photographs in a singular 65:24 facet ratio. 

I adore it as a result of how else would I have the ability to snap inventive ceilings in castles or panoramic-like views in scenic locations? Positively not with an everyday panorama mode. 

Backside line

Samsung will get lots of issues proper, like not including a Camera Control-like button, which hinders the panorama taking pictures expertise on my Oppo cellphone. Nevertheless, the South Korean big must work on tuning the colour science if it desires to problem the likes of Oppo Discover X8 Extremely. For now, I might fortunately choose the Oppo flagship over a Galaxy S25 Extremely for its Hasselblad colours, higher portraits, Grasp mode, and XPAN mode. 

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