Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs OnePlus 15: The Camera Face‑Off That Went Down to the Wire

The battle of the Android flagships has always been about more than just specs on paper—it’s about how those specs translate into real‑world moments. Adam Doud of ZDNET took the OnePlus 15 and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra to a South Korean amusement park to see which phone could truly capture the chaos of a carnival, the glow of Halloween decorations, and the fine detail of a 500‑foot‑tall flag.

"I’ve been testing the OnePlus 15 for several weeks, and it’s a great shooter, but the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra still pulls ahead in most use cases, especially when it comes to raw detail," Doud writes.

Hardware Foundations

The OnePlus 15’s partnership with Hasselblad has ended, but the phone still carries a refined color science that has earned it praise. Samsung, on the other hand, leans heavily on its 200‑MP sensor and dual‑telephoto lineup to capture more detail in a single shot.

Daytime Showdown

Main Camera

In bright light, the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 200‑MP sensor captured a texture‑rich image of a carnival wall that was “more accurate” than the OnePlus’s smoother, slightly over‑processed photo. The extra megapixels meant more detail in the grit and grime of the wall, giving the Samsung image a sense of realism that the OnePlus image missed.

Ultra‑wide

The OnePlus 15’s 50‑MP ultra‑wide outperformed Samsung in detail preservation. While Samsung’s wider field of view showed more of the surrounding scenery, the OnePlus image retained sharper foliage and architectural features, making it the clear winner for full‑frame shots.

Nighttime Performance

When the lights dimmed, the OnePlus 15’s night mode shone. It produced an over‑sharpened but readable image, whereas the Samsung photo was “a tad blurry.” The OnePlus’s ability to keep text legible in low light—such as the “Warning: Keep out” sign—demonstrated its strength in challenging lighting.

Telephoto and Extreme Zoom

10× Telephoto

The OnePlus 15’s 10× telephoto, though not a native resolution, delivered sharper contrast and depth compared to Samsung’s over‑processed 10× shot. The OnePlus image captured the texture of a pumpkin man’s face more vividly.

100×–120× Zoom

Both phones pushed the limits of AI‑enhanced zoom. Samsung capped at 100×, while OnePlus offered 120×. In a test of a 528‑foot‑tall flag on a 330‑foot tower, the OnePlus photo was clearer, with legible lettering, whereas Samsung’s result was garbled. This win underscores OnePlus’s prowess in extreme optical scenarios.

Verdict

Both flagships excel in their own right. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra dominates when raw detail matters—especially in daylight—thanks to its massive 200‑MP sensor. OnePlus, however, outshines in high‑pressure situations: its AI‑driven zoom, balanced color science, and night‑mode clarity give it an edge when the scene demands it.

For developers and photography enthusiasts, the takeaway is clear: choose Samsung for maximum pixel density and detail, or pick OnePlus for versatility across lighting conditions and extreme zoom.

Source: ZDNET, Adam Doud, Contributing Writer