The Galaxy S25 Edge boasts a 200MP main camera but lacks a telephoto, making it an unusual choice among models.
Despite not having a telephoto, the phone offers a 2x 'optical quality' zoom through the main camera, providing natural-looking zoom photos.
Critics view the omission of a true telephoto as a compromise, especially at the S25 Edge's price point of $1,100.
The phone's slim design and limited space likely contributed to the absence of a telephoto camera.
Initial tests of the 2x zoom on the S25 Edge showed promising results with good white balance and detail levels.
Issues like haloing were observed in some photos taken with the 2x zoom, possibly dependent on lighting conditions and could be addressed in future software updates.
Close-up shots, including capturing bees on blooms, demonstrated the camera's performance in focusing on small subjects effectively.
The 3x digital zoom on the S25 Edge surprisingly delivered good quality photos with detail, colors, and depth of field.
Underestimating the S25 Edge's camera capabilities, especially in the zoom mode, led to a positive reassessment of Samsung's optical zoom quality.
Despite lacking a telephoto, the S25 Edge is praised for its portability, ergonomics, and innovative use of technology to address camera limitations.