Android Camera Battle Pixel 10 Pro XL vs S25 Ultra

Top-tier smartphone cameras are expected to deliver stunning photos effortlessly. With just a tap, we want a perfect image, regardless of our photography skills. While many phones have decent cameras, a select few, like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Google's new Pixel 10 Pro XL, aim for the crown.

To see which of these Android giants comes out on top, I took them on a photo tour through Seattle and Mukilteo, Washington. I snapped hundreds of pictures, keeping the settings on default to replicate the average user's experience. Photography is subjective, so my favorite shot might not be yours. However, this comparison will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each camera, helping you decide which flagship is right for you.

Overall Daily Performance

My first stop was Seattle's iconic Pike Place Market. In a sunlit stairway, both phones did an excellent job balancing the bright exterior with the shadowy interior. I leaned towards the Pixel 10 Pro XL for its slightly warmer and more inviting tone.

Pixel 10 Pro XL, main camera

Galaxy S25 Ultra, main camera

In the bright Seattle sun, the S25 Ultra's photo of an old truck had more 'pop,' brightening the shadows, but it felt a little overdone. The Pixel's image, while darker in the shaded areas, appeared more natural and true to life.

Pixel 10 Pro XL (left) vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra (right)

However, the roles reversed at a vibrant flower stand. The Pixel 10 Pro XL captured the rich colors of the flowers, orange awnings, and red umbrellas beautifully. The S25 Ultra's shot looked more muted and washed out in comparison.

Pixel 10 Pro XL (left) vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra (right)

Pushing the Limits with Zoom

Extreme digital zoom on phones often produces messy, pixelated images. Both these phones feature a 5x optical telephoto lens, but Google is taking a new approach to digital zoom on the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Up to 30x, its Super Res Zoom technology does a great job of upscaling and sharpening.

30x Zoom: Pixel 10 Pro XL (left) vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra (right)

Beyond 30x and all the way to 100x, the Pixel uses on-device generative AI to rebuild the image. The results on static subjects can be startlingly clear for a phone, though they often have an artificial, painterly look upon close inspection. The S25 Ultra's 100x zoom is also heavily processed but holds up better than I anticipated, avoiding the AI-generated look.

100x Zoom: Pixel 10 Pro XL (left) vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra (right)

Interestingly, the Pixel saves both the original digital zoom shot and the AI-generated version, giving you a choice. Google also notes that the AI won't attempt to generate faces to avoid misrepresentation, instead applying standard sharpening.

The Pixel's AI-generated 100x zoom (left) and the original capture (right).

Conquering the Dark Low Light Prowess

In the dimly lit corridors of Pike Place Market, like the infamous Gum Wall, both phones captured usable shots without needing night mode. Still, I gave the edge to the Pixel for its brighter, warmer image.

Gum Wall: Pixel 10 Pro XL (left) vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra (right)

When night mode was engaged for a shot of a giant wooden troll sculpture by Thomas Dambo, the Pixel again came out ahead, preserving more detail. The S25 Ultra's photo was a bit soft and overly saturated in comparison.

Night Mode: Pixel 10 Pro XL (left) vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra (right)

In a true test of darkness at the Shilshole Marina, the Pixel's Night Sight mode produced a beautifully balanced exposure, capturing the artificial lights and even some stars. The S25 Ultra's attempt was over-processed, blowing out the highlights and creating significant noise in the sky.

Pixel 10 Pro XL, Night Sight mode

Galaxy S25 Ultra, night mode

Perfecting Portraits

Google has touted improvements to its Portrait mode, especially for high-resolution shots. Indoors, the Pixel struggled a bit with my subject's flyaway hair, making it look slightly ghostly. The S25 Ultra handled the hair better but created a background blur that looked more obviously artificial. I still preferred the overall tone and color of the Pixel's shot.

Indoor Portrait: Pixel 10 Pro XL (left) vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra (right)

Outdoors, both phones produced excellent portraits. The S25 Ultra's blur felt more natural, but the Pixel's high-resolution portrait looked fantastic, with a soft background and every curl in focus. It's a close call, but the Pixel's version felt more authentic to my eye.

Outdoor Portrait: Pixel 10 Pro XL (left) vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra (right)

The Final Verdict

Throughout this comparison, I consistently favored the photos from the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Its strength lies in its warmer, more natural white balance and excellent color reproduction. While none of the photos from either phone were bad, the Pixel has pushed itself into the lead for the best Android camera system right now. If you're in the market for a new flagship phone with a top-tier camera, both are fantastic choices, but Google currently has the edge.