Smartphones & Tablets | October 14, 2023
Until recently, capturing high-quality photos of distant subjects, whether people or landscapes, was only possible with a professional camera. And, most importantly, with a bulky telephoto lens that was out of reach for many pockets. All of this has changed with the arrival of a mobile phone that breaks the mold. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra houses a powerful zoom inside, allowing you to take incredible photos. What’s more, it combines this with a spectacular photographic setup to delight you with nighttime photos. Samsung calls it Nightology, and it’s a true revolution in this type of photography.
We could explain with technical terms why the up to 100x zoom of this Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra will leave you amazed. But we believe it’s better to show you with several examples. You know, a picture (or several) is worth a thousand words.
We traveled to Terceira Island in the Azores to put the phone to the test. We went up to the Pico das Cruzinhas viewpoint, from which you can see the island’s capital in the distance. From here, in a straight line, you can barely make out the Misericórdia Church in the background. If we could walk on water, the distance would be 700 meters.
The first photo is taken just to give you an idea of what that 700-meter distance looks like to the naked eye. In the background, very faintly, in the center of the photograph, you can vaguely see what could be a church.
Next, let’s start zooming in with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. When it comes to zooming in or out on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, you can simply drag your finger across a distance bar. You can also use the convenient pinch gesture on the screen to zoom in or out. And finally, you can use the 7 zoom buttons at common distances (0.6x, 1x, 2x, 3x, 10x, 30x, and 100x).
Here we are at a powerful 10x zoom where not only can you see the cars, but you can also tell that there’s a van parked behind the red car. And on the front facade of the church, would you say it has a clock to tell the time? Well, let’s get serious with this zoom…
We’ve reached the 30x zoom, but it’s clear that we came here to play, right? So, let’s push it to the limit…
The 100x digital zoom of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s camera shows even the details of the two domes of the church. Impressive, isn’t it?
Although at 100x, it’s evident that it’s a bit more pixelated, it still allows you to see the photographed object much better. Simply incredible. This zoom seems more suitable for binoculars or a periscope, except that it fits in your pocket.
These photos demonstrate the high quality of the zoom on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. But behind these results, there’s a technical explanation. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra incorporates four sensors on the back. And one of the keys to achieving such quality in zoomed photos is the use of two different telephoto sensors. The first one is activated when you take a photo with a 3X zoom. This sensor is comparable to a 69mm lens and features optical image stabilization. Additionally, Samsung has opted for a more natural finish for the photos, without the overexposure seen in other cameras. If you’re a photography purist, you’ll appreciate this decision.
And what can we say about the second telephoto with a 10X optical zoom, equivalent to a 230mm lens? You’ve seen the photos and what the camera can do with this powerful zoom, but we can even push it further to 30x without losing much quality. The key here is the excellent performance of Samsung’s artificial intelligence. It’s the result of many years of work, culminating in a mobile phone that stands at the top of the photography podium. Simply put, it’s the best camera you can enjoy in a smartphone today. Beyond 30x, the phone allows you to zoom up to 100x through digital zoom, delivering results more akin to a professional camera or binoculars than a smartphone. Take advantage now and visit Samsung’s website to discover everything the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra can do for you.
Still want more? Take a look at its powerful night mode.
If the zoom seems spectacular, wait until you hear about the incredible improvements Samsung has included for nighttime or low-light photos in this Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The Astrophotography Mode of this phone is designed to allow you to capture the starry sky like never before on a mobile device. Once again, on the same island of the Azores, we had the opportunity to test it on a cloudless evening.
The most impressive thing about the photo above is knowing that in that same spot where we captured the image, it was completely dark. And when we say completely, we mean there was no light source whatsoever. No street lamps, no spotlights, no car headlights. Total darkness. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has improved the night mode so much that it can even extract light from where there is none.
This phone uses famous AI (Artificial Intelligence) to combine multiple frames to produce a clearer image. And, as always, you have the option to do this without having to adjust the camera settings. This is very convenient for most people. Furthermore, the visual noise that often ruins low-light images is corrected through a new Image Signal Processing (ISP) algorithm also based on AI, enhancing object details and color tone.
And the night doesn’t revolve around just stars. Samsung has developed its concept of Nightography to usher in a new era of nighttime photography. Thanks to its main camera with an f/1.7 aperture, we can capture sharp and detailed snapshots in any environment, even at night. This sensor performs exceptionally well in nighttime portrait photos, capturing every detail of the subject and adding the same depth you would have in a daytime photo.
DSLR camera quality in the size of your pocket. And with the ability to convert the 200-megapixel resolution into a powerful yet compact photo with all the detail. If you’re looking for full control over your photos, you can use the Expert RAW app to take uncompressed photos and then edit them down to the smallest detail.
You also have the option to use the Pro mode of the camera app to manage ISO light exposure and shutter speed. Our recommendation is to use a low ISO to avoid image noise and opt for a longer shutter speed. This allows more light when taking the photo, but you’ll need a steady hand to prevent blurry photos (it’s best to get a tripod to fully utilize the potential of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra).
After falling in love with nighttime photos, we challenge you to try the video mode at night. The optical image stabilizer of the main camera on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra works wonders, and the results are on par with a professional camera.
As you can see, the cameras of the new Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offer versatility in its purest form. They excel in all kinds of conditions, from clear skies to low-light situations. Professional results, all in a device that weighs only 233 grams and has a 6.8-inch screen. It’s the only camera you’ll need to take with you when you travel. If you want to get your hands on it, you can do so through Samsung’s official website, where you can choose the configuration that suits you best.
