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Android Authority
29-05-2025
- Business
- Android Authority
I've tested all the best camera phones of 2025: These are my top picks
Every smartphone claims to have the best camera money can buy, but which ones actually make the cut? To help you decide, I've sifted my way through dozens of the best and most affordable camera phones, grading them on essential photography metrics like exposure, HDR capabilities, portrait quality, zoom capabilities, and video capture options. Whether you're shooting friends and family or documenting a trip abroad, these are the smartphones I think you should buy. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: The best camera phone overall Google Pixel 9 Pro XL The best specs in the Pixel 9 series • Gorgeous display • Seven years of software updates MSRP: $1,099.00 Pure XL-ence. Google reserves its best hardware for the largest device in the line. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL offers a 6.8-inch display, the biggest battery we've ever seen in a Pixel phone, and 37W wired charging. Otherwise, the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro XL share almost all other hardware and software features, giving users the option between display sizes with top hardware. See price at AmazonSee price at Google StoreSee price at Best Buy Positives Excellent build quality, refined design Excellent build quality, refined design Stunning display Stunning display Extensive update policy Extensive update policy Sharp, powerful cameras Sharp, powerful cameras Improved wired charging Improved wired charging Clever Gemini features Cons Tensor still runs warm Tensor still runs warm Confusing charging situation Confusing charging situation Only 128GB base storage When it comes to snapping photos of friends and family, you seldom get a second chance to reframe the moment, so reliability and point-and-shoot simplicity are key. As such, it is no surprise that the Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL (the camera hardware is exactly the same) take our top spot. Whether you're snapping wriggling toddlers or capturing the stage from the nosebleeds, I have extensively tested the Pixel 9 Pro XL and have always come away with great-looking pictures. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is equipped with a brilliant 50 megapixel primary sensor and Google's industry-renowned image processing capabilities, ensuring great-looking pictures no matter the lighting conditions. Paired with an ultrawide lens to fit more in and a 5x periscope camera capable of extending out to 30x zoom, Google's flagship phone is as versatile as they come. Whether you're after consistency and simplicity or a hardware package to get creative with, the Pixel has the tools you need. During my time with the phone, I've been particularly impressed by the Pixel's ability to capture the action. When other phones come out blurry or miss the action completely, my Pixel 9 Pro XL grabs crystal clear shots. I always miss Top Shot's ability to pick the best-looking frame from a motion photo when testing out other smartphone cameras. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is the most consistent smartphone camera you can buy. Speaking of, Google's photography prowess extends beyond camera hardware, leaning heavily on clever software and AI tricks to make your pics look their best. Astrophotography, Panorama shots, Action Pan, and Super Res Zoom are long-running staples that help you take your photography in more creative directions. Meanwhile, more unique tools like Add Me allow you to splice yourself back into the family photos you're usually left out of, while Cinematic Blur helps videographers capture sumptuous bokeh blur. In addition to its brilliant camera, Google's Pixel 9 Pro XL is also a great phone. Its battery life will easily last through a busy day, its Tensor G5 processor provides responsive performance, and it has some of the industry's most powerful AI tools. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a great all-around pick, whether you're a serious photographer or just looking to capture the occasional moment. Starting at $999 for the Pro model, Google's best can also be grabbed for notably cheaper than other premium-tier camera phones, but we gave the XL the nod for its superior battery life and larger display — both of which are handy for dedicated photographers. Read more Xiaomi 15 Ultra: The best premium camera phone Xiaomi 15 Ultra Brilliant cameras • Two-day battery life • Fast universal charging MSRP: €1,499.99 The best camera phone you can buy? The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is an elite camera phone with incredible photography hardware and processing. It also packs rapid charging, great battery life, and is supported by up to six years of security updates. See price at Amazon Positives Brilliant cameras Brilliant cameras Two-day battery life Two-day battery life Fast universal charging Fast universal charging Solid update policy Cons Snapdragon overheats under load Snapdragon overheats under load Questionable AI features Questionable AI features HyperOS bloatware If money is no obstacle (and you can actually buy the handset in your country), the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is my favorite camera phone on the market. It's not strictly always the most color-accurate, but boy, can this handset capture mood like no other phone I've used. In fact, it's the only camera phone that has ever made me seriously question whether I really need my beloved Fuji mirrorless anymore. Xiaomi has packed the best camera hardware available into this year's flagship. The eye-catching circular rear array features a 50MP, ƒ/1.63, 1-inch sensor flanked by a 50MP, ƒ/2.2, 115° ultrawide, a 50MP, ƒ/1.8, 3x telephoto (70mm), and a colossal 200MP, ƒ/2.6, 4.3x periscope zoom (100mm) that offers deceptively long-range capabilities. In fact, I tested the phone against our best all-around camera picks and found the 15 Ultra to be by far the best at long-range photography. Videographers will also love the phone's 4K/60fps and 8K/30fps capabilities on all four lenses, as well as the 120fps option for the primary and 4.3x lenses. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra makes me seriously question if I need a mirrorless camera. However, two aspects really make the 15 Ultra stand out in my eyes. First, its sumptuous colors. Xiaomi provides three color profiles as a base and many more filters to apply on top, making it easy to find a unique profile to call your own. The second is that 3x telephoto lens; its 70mm focal length is brilliant for natural-looking portraits, while the large sensor and wide aperture make this a brilliant lens for framing shots that look and feel much like shooting with a 'proper' camera than the overly broad field of fiew from most phone's primary lens. If I have one reservation about the phone, besides its sky-high price, it's the rather mediocre AI features that Xiaomi has crammed into the phone to make it seem like a cutting-edge software player. But if you can look past that guff and focus on the camera experience, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra can't be beat for image quality. Read more Google Pixel 9a: The best value camera phone Google Pixel 9a Built-in Gemini • Incredible camera • All-day battery MSRP: $499.00 All the Pixel essentials for less. The Google Pixel 9a brings built-in Gemini, an incredible camera, all-day battery, and seven years of updates for under $500. See price at AmazonSee price at Amazon Positives Solid, reliable cameras Solid, reliable cameras Excellent update commitment Excellent update commitment Clever AI-powered features Clever AI-powered features Great battery life Great battery life New, streamlined design New, streamlined design Excellent price Cons Relatively slow charging Relatively slow charging Aging Gorilla Glass 3 (again) Aging Gorilla Glass 3 (again) Missing Pixel Screenshots Point-and-shoot consistency paired with intuitive yet comprehensive software tools makes it easy to recommend the Google Pixel 9a as the best camera phone to buy on a tighter budget. It might not have all the bells and whistles of its flagship siblings, but you'll be hard pressed to tell the difference between Google's two tiers most of the time. Google upgraded the Pixel 9a with a new 48MP primary camera with a wider ƒ/1.7 aperture. This new setup captures superb levels of detail and color, even in tricky lighting. The main lens also sports a new macro mode that produces eye-catching close-ups and handles 2x zoom without issue. It's a pretty versatile package. The lack of longer-range zoom and so-so ultrawide capabilities are the only real hardware drawbacks, but those are perfectly acceptable trade-offs when the primary camera looks this good for this price. The Pixel 9a proves that flagship-consistency doesn't have to cost a fortune. Many of the same software benefits I mentioned for the Pixel 9 Pro also apply to the budget-friendly Pixel 9a. The rebuilt panorama feature, Add Me, and Long Exposure all make the cut, giving creative photographers plenty to play with. 4K60 and 1080p at 120fps video support means you can also capture high-quality clips without spending a fortune. Besides great-looking photos, the Pixel 9a has a lot else going for it. It's powered by a last-gen flagship processor — Google's Tensor G4 — and has superb battery life. Oh, and it'll receive the same seven years of updates as Google's Pro phones despite its affordable $499 price tag. There's a lot to love here, but especially the pictures. Read more vivo X200 Pro: The best zoom camera vivo X200 Pro Great real-world performance • Good battery life • Telephoto camera is fantastic MSRP: ₹1,119.00 Picture perfect? The vivo X200 Pro is one of the best camera phones of the year, thanks to its excellent telephoto camera and a wide variety of photo/video features. It also packs a durable design, good battery life, great screen, and flagship-tier performance. See price at Amazon Positives Great real-world performance Great real-world performance Good battery life Good battery life Telephoto camera is fantastic Telephoto camera is fantastic Improved video quality Improved video quality IP68/IP69 design IP68/IP69 design Relatively fast wired and wireless charging Cons Main camera has excess glare Main camera has excess glare Plenty of bloatware Plenty of bloatware Lags behind Samsung and Google for updates Lags behind Samsung and Google for updates Few on-device AI features Few on-device AI features Throttles hard under extreme load Many phones already mentioned in this list can take great-looking pictures at a distance, but if you're after the absolute best, then the vivo X200 Pro (or the fancy Ultra) is the phone to grab. Boasting an f/2.3, 85mm periscope lens backed by a colossal 200MP 1/1.4-inch sensor, the handset captures impressive details at its native 3.7x optical zoom and crops in for much tighter frames without losing detail. We've been impressed with the phone's results right out to 10x, but it can also take super-close-up macro photos from the same lens. If you're really into wildlife-distance photography, vivo also sells a 200mm, f/2.3 extension lens for the Ultra's impressive main camera. Paired with a hybrid digital zoom, it can take pictures all the way out to 1,600mm. That's a huge distance, although the quality doesn't quite hold up that brilliantly at that range. Sadly, this accessory, just like the phone, is only available in China. Thankfully, you can grab the Pro model in some markets outside of China. vivo is making a name for itself with unbelievable long-range photography. The rest of vivo's X200 Pro package is pretty great too. A huge battery, fast charging, and a powerhouse MediaTek Dimensity 9400 processor make for an extremely capable flagship. The phone's biggest drawback is its lack of long-term updates, so you might be better off sticking to one of the big Western brands if you plan to keep taking long-range photos for years to come. Hadlee Simons / Android Authority Read more OnePlus 13: The best phone for selfies OnePlus 13 Gorgeous design • Clever AI features • Flexible cameras MSRP: $899.99 The OG flagship killer's killer flagship. The OnePlus 13 is the company's most killer flagship to date, offering a massive battery, speedy charging, and powerful cameras that give Google and Samsung something to worry about. See price at OnePlus Positives Gorgeous design Gorgeous design Incredible camera zoom and overall photography Incredible camera zoom and overall photography Helpful AI integration Helpful AI integration Excellent charging options Excellent charging options Simplified Oxygen OS experience Simplified Oxygen OS experience Great performance Cons Magnetic charging requires accessories Magnetic charging requires accessories Fewer updates than Samsung or Google When I tested the best phones for portrait photography, OPPO's Find X8 Pro performed brilliantly for selfies, producing natural skin tones and great details across lighting conditions. That's everything you want from a great front-facing camera. However, I'd actually recommend that selfie-lovers buy the OnePlus 13 instead. Why? Well, it's a little less expensive, which is always a plus, and has the same selfie camera and capabilities as the OPPO. OnePlus is essentially its sister brand, after all. What makes the OnePlus 13 particularly well suited for selfies is its excellent HDR capabilities, so you won't look washed out even when shooting into bright light. Its low-light performance is also robust, and the phone offers sumptuous portrait lighting and blur options to make your photos look their best. The OnePlus 13 takes great selfies no matter the lighting. As a broader photography package, the OnePlus 13 also has a lot going for it. Surprisingly brilliant long-range zoom capabilities, stunning portraits, and robust video recording capabilities almost made this our best overall pick. Its new shooting modes excel in tricky lighting conditions, and it boasts impressive zoom capabilities for a seemingly humble 3x telephoto lens. Oh, and it's a lickety quick when it comes to performance and charging, too. After years of shaky photography, the OnePlus 13 nails a superb triple camera setup at a price that undercuts the competition. Don't let the price fool you, this phone can take the fight to any camera phone on this list. Read more Apple iPhone 16 Pro: The best phone for video Apple iPhone 16 Pro Excellent hardware • Flexible cameras • Solid software support MSRP: $999.00 The best of the iPhone 16 series, in a compact form factor. The iPhone 16 Pro offers a sleek 6.3-inch display with ultra-slim bezels for a refined, modern design. It features an upgraded 48MP ultrawide camera, 5x optical zoom on the telephoto lens, and a new touch-sensitive shutter button for a DSLR-like photography experience. Powered by a faster chip optimized for AI, the iPhone 16 Pro delivers top-tier performance in striking colors like gold titanium. See price at AmazonSee price at Apple Positives Great size Great size Excellent hardware Excellent hardware Flexible cameras Flexible cameras Solid software support Solid software support Durable build quality Durable build quality Some helpful iOS 18 improvements Cons Slow wired charging Slow wired charging Mediocre battery life Mediocre battery life No Apple Intelligence until long after launch When you want to capture stunning-looking video, Apple's iPhone 16 Pro (or the larger Pro Max) is the best choice on the market right now. Powered by a 48MP primary camera with sensor-shift OIS and a 12MP 120mm, 5x optical periscope zoom camera with the same robust stabilization hardware, you don't need to worry about shaky-handcam footage even when you're cropping in on a fast-moving subject. Granted, the latest iPhones don't record in 8K like some top-tier Android rivals, but resolution is far from everything. 4K 120fps is more than most will ever need, even for fast-paced action. Furthermore, Apple's unique combination of robust stabilization, cinematic-quality processing, and impressive low-light capture is what really makes the Pro stand out from the crowd as a brilliant pick for videographers. High quality footable and professional file formats make the iPhone a top choice for video. For the really serious content creator, the latest iPhone can record high-res RAW video footage straight to external storage via USB-C. Paired with 10-bit Pro Res video, log file recording, and cinematic modes, you've got all the makings of professional-looking footage in the palm of your hand. Read more Honorable mentions We can't mention camera versatility without the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. It's not the absolute best like previous generations have been, but whether you're shooting portraits, landscapes, or something far off in the distance, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has the lenses and quality to capture pictures you won't be disappointed in. Sony Xperia 1 VII Sony Xperia 1 VII High-res audio capture • Top-tier specs • AI camera assist MSRP: €1,499.00 Now with Walkman DNA and AI camera tools The Sony Xperia 1 VII focuses media capture, including Walkman DNA with integrated high-quality audio components, and powerful AI tools to help capture the best possible images and video. A 5,000mAh battery promises two-day battery life running the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, a 6.5-inch FHD+ display, and a 52MP camera. See price at Amazon If you're looking to make video content with an Android phone, Sony's new Xperia 1 VII will be right up your street. With powerful hardware backed by Sony's Pro Video software, packed with metering, temperature, white balance, audio, and other controls that professionals will love. Oh, and it's bundled with live streaming options too. OPPO Find X8 Pro OPPO Find X8 Pro Flagship power • Dual zoom • Big battery MSRP: £1,049.00 OPPO's premium Find X series returns to global markets The Find X8 Pro brings a ton of power, dual periscope cameras, a huge battery, and premium features like a camera key, IP69 rating, and wireless charging. See price at Giztop See price at Amazon Another of China's finest, the OPPO Find X8 Ultra is a hardware powerhouse. It has a one-inch primary sensor, huge 3x and 6x zoom sensors, and an ultrawide combination that only Xiaomi can rival. Sadly, it's a China-only affair, but many regions can get their hands on the similarly brilliant OPPO Find X8 Pro, which costs a little bit less as well. Nothing Phone 3a Pro Nothing Phone 3a Pro Triple camera setup with dedicated zoom • Fast wired charging • Eye-catching design MSRP: $459.99 Flagship camera zoom, budget price. The Nothing Phone 3a Pro is a powerful budget phone with a triple camera setup that includes a periscope lens with 3x optical zoom. See price at Amazon See price at Nothing It was an incredibly close call between the Pixel 9a and the Phone 3a Pro for our best value pick, but the latter's shaky US carrier availability is an issue. Still, the 3a Pro offers additional camera flexibility over the 9a, thanks to its dedicated 3x 50MP telephoto camera. Paired with a 50MP primary sensor, it's a versatile package that performs well in low light at longer distances. Overall, it's a pretty great camera setup for such an affordable phone. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Flexible cameras for the price • Class-leading update commitment • Great value MSRP: $649.99 A phone that fans and Galaxy newcomers will love. The Galaxy S24 FE is a Samsung flagship in all but name. It delivers the right mix of performance, Galaxy AI smarts, camera flexibility, and overall durability while keeping the cost pegged right at $650, and with an update promise that matches the Android elite. See price at Amazon Save $97.45 See price at Samsung It's not quite as affordable as the other value-centric options on our list, but the Galaxy S24 FE has a versatile triple camera setup that really isn't far from the superb quality of a flagship phone. It's a bargain that makes you wonder if you really need to spring for the Galaxy S25. Google Pixel 9 Pro Google Pixel 9 Pro Impressive AI-powered features • Excellent build quality • Flexible, capable cameras • Reliable update commitment MSRP: $999.00 All Pro, in a compact package. The Google Pixel 9 Pro is the Pixel device many have been begging for for a long time: Google's very best smartphone hardware and software features, in a more compact form factor. With identical dimensions to the regular Pixel 9, it retains the same great specs as the much larger XL model, plus 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of internal storage, and the Tensor G4 chipset. See price at Amazon Save $200.00 Limited Time Deal! See price at Amazon See price at Google Store See price at Best Buy Another brilliant camera package that won't absolutely break the bank; the Google Pixel 9 Pro's camera suite mirrors the XL model, including the 5x periscope lens. It takes great pictures at its optical focal length and performs admirably at 10x and even a tad beyond. Want the overall best but in a smaller form factor? The Pixel 9 Pro is your pick. What to look for in a good camera phone Robert Triggs / Android Authority As you can probably tell from this best list, there's a huge range of smartphone camera hardware on the market. Picking the right combination for you really boils down to the type of pictures you're trying to capture on a regular basis. If you love landscapes, find a camera with a great ultrawide lens. If you're more of a people person, a phone with a portrait-friendly focal length is the way to go. But don't fret about the megapixel or lens count; finding the best camera is more about nailing the fundamentals within your set budget than having the absolute latest and greatest of everything. Consistency is key when it comes to picking a camera phone suitable for any occasion. No matter what your preference, I have some essential camera purchasing tips that I recommend for absolutely everyone: Sensor size over megapixels: Megapixels are good for cropping in on detail, but you only need 12MP to print most pictures on a good-sized canvas. Instead, the size of the phone's image sensor is likely to be a far bigger factor in terms of image quality. Bigger sensors capture more light, which results in better dynamic range and less noise in low light. While a 1-inch sensor might be top of the line, 1/1.4 or above is considered very good. Megapixels are good for cropping in on detail, but you only need 12MP to print most pictures on a good-sized canvas. Instead, the size of the phone's image sensor is likely to be a far bigger factor in terms of image quality. Bigger sensors capture more light, which results in better dynamic range and less noise in low light. While a 1-inch sensor might be top of the line, 1/1.4 or above is considered very good. Three cameras for versatility: If you're looking for a phone capable of taking the perfect picture in any scenario, you'll want more than a single camera. Wide, ultrawide, and telephoto zoom combinations are very popular on high-end models, allowing you to capture broad landscapes or zoom right in on distant details. Some ultra-premium models include periscope cameras as well, allowing for even longer-range zoom. If you're looking for a phone capable of taking the perfect picture in any scenario, you'll want more than a single camera. Wide, ultrawide, and telephoto zoom combinations are very popular on high-end models, allowing you to capture broad landscapes or zoom right in on distant details. Some ultra-premium models include periscope cameras as well, allowing for even longer-range zoom. Optical zoom over digital zoom: Brands love to tout long-range zoom credentials like 30x or 100x capabilities, but these are always digital zoom and look, frankly, rubbish. Instead, eyeball the phone's optical zoom capabilities (usually 3x, 5x, or 10x) and double that for a realistic maximum zoom distance with reasonable quality. Brands love to tout long-range zoom credentials like 30x or 100x capabilities, but these are always digital zoom and look, frankly, rubbish. Instead, eyeball the phone's optical zoom capabilities (usually 3x, 5x, or 10x) and double that for a realistic maximum zoom distance with reasonable quality. Don't bother with macro lenses: Keen to capitalize on the multi-camera trend, some affordable phones include additional cameras that aren't all that useful. The macro lens is a popular option, but it often comes with horrendously reduced specs, such as a tiny aperture and low resolution. Just ask yourself, how regularly are you really going to point your phone super-close up at anything? Keen to capitalize on the multi-camera trend, some affordable phones include additional cameras that aren't all that useful. The macro lens is a popular option, but it often comes with horrendously reduced specs, such as a tiny aperture and low resolution. Just ask yourself, how regularly are you really going to point your phone super-close up at anything? A 50-70mm lens for portraits: If you're planning to take lots of pictures of friends, family, and pets, you'll want a phone with a good telephoto camera with a focal length in the region of 50-80mm. Why? Well, a lens of that focal length does two important things: it captures realistic face shapes that aren't too narrow or too wide and adds natural bokeh that makes your subject stand out from the background. If you're planning to take lots of pictures of friends, family, and pets, you'll want a phone with a good telephoto camera with a focal length in the region of 50-80mm. Why? Well, a lens of that focal length does two important things: it captures realistic face shapes that aren't too narrow or too wide and adds natural bokeh that makes your subject stand out from the background. Selfie cameras that aren't too wide: I know we all want to fit our friends and family, but any camera (front or back) boasting a sub-22mm focal length or greater than 120-degree field of view will look warped and horrible. Trust me, pick something a little narrower and your photos will look better. Why you should trust me Robert Triggs / Android Authority I love photography. I've been professionally testing smartphone cameras for years, having reviewed my way through the transition from the humble single camera to the triple and quadruple behemoths found on today's top-of-the-line flagships. I'm attached at the hip to my Fuji mirrorless and constantly striving to find a smartphone camera that can close the quality gap. Equally, I can chat your ear off about the pros and cons of quad-bayer filters and why aperture isn't everything when it comes to long-range zoom. From the very best camera flagships to budget-friendly models, I've shot with everything. So, let's just say I know what goes into making a good photo, both the hardware and the software. But picking out the right phone when you have to compromise on budgets and size is difficult. I make my judgment calls by first sifting through the huge range of options on the market, digging through their specs and features to find combinations that look top-tier across various price points. Then, I dive into the massive range of snaps from our review time with these models, sorting out the good pictures from the bad across ultrawide, portrait, low light, selfie, and various other shooting scenarios. You'll probably have spotted numerous camera shootouts I've conducted for the site, where I pit phones side by side to see which comes out on top when taking photos of exactly the same subjects. The final piece of the puzzle is to look at the camera strengths (and weaknesses), the price, and the bigger smartphone picture, and decide which phones will best serve your needs. What do you look for in the best camera phones? 0 votes Big sensors and wide apertures NaN % Megapixels NaN % Multiple, flexible lenses NaN % Portrait and selfie quality NaN % Video recording options NaN % Long range zoom NaN % Filters NaN % Something else (see comments) NaN % Smartphone camera technology continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in a pocketable form factor. As such, I carefully reevaluate our recommended picks every few months, taking into account what the latest and greatest innovations and weighing them against the broader market and what's actually a sensible sweet spot to spend your money on.
ILoveQatar.net
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ILoveQatar.net
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Digital Trends
13-05-2025
- Digital Trends
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Slim or XL?
Table of Contents Table of Contents Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: specs Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: design Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: display Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: performance Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: battery and charging Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: cameras Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: software and updates Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: price and availability Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: verdict The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is the first new Edge-branded Samsung phone since the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, and Samsung hasn't brought that premium branding back lightly. The S25 Edge is one of the slimmest big phones we'ver ever seen, with an S25 Plus-rivaling 6.7-inch display, but a thickness of just 5.9mm — a whole 2mm slimmer than most other flagships. And that slimline approach doesn't mean Samsung has sacrificed power, as the S25 Edge also comes with a top-tier Snapdragon processor, 200-megapixel camera, and a stunning design. But can a phone this slim really compete? Chief amongst concerns for this new phone is its battery capacity. Can a slim phone really have the lifespan to match other large flagship phones in its price bracket? We've compared it to the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, one of the most powerful and large phones that's capable of going toe-to-toe with Samsung's latest. Which one came out on top? You'll have to read on to find out. Recommended Videos Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: specs Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Size 159 x 76 x 5.9 mm (6.26 x 2.99 x 0.23 inches) 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (6.41 x 3.02 x 0.33 inches) Weight 163 grams (5.75 ounces) 221 grams (7.80 ounces) Screen size 6.7-inch AMOLED (120Hz) 6.8-inch LTPO OLED (120Hz) Screen resolution 3120 x 1440 resolution at 513 pixels per inch 2992 x 1344 resolution at 486 pixels per inch Operating system Android 15 under One UI 7 Android 15 Storage 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB MicroSD card slot No No Tap-to-pay services Google Pay, Samsung Pay Google Pay Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Google Tensor G4 RAM 12GB 16GB Cameras Rear: 200-megapixel primary, 12MP ultrawide Front: 12MP Rear: 50MP primary, 48MP telephoto zoom, 48MP ultrawide Front: 42MP Video Rear: 8K at up to 30 fps, 4K at up to 120 fps, and 1080p at up to 240 fps Front: 4K at up to 60 fps, and 1080p at up to 60 fps Rear: 8K at up to 30 fps, 4K at up to 60 fps, and 1080p at up to 240 fps Front: 4K at up to 60 fps, and 1080p at up to 60 fps Bluetooth Yes, Bluetooth 5.3 Yes, Bluetooth 5.3 Ports USB-C USB-C Biometrics Yes, under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor Yes, under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor Water resistance IP68 IP68 Battery 3,900mAh 25W fast charging 5,060mAh 37W fast charging 23W Pixel Stand wireless charging 12W wireless charging App marketplace Google Play Store Google Play Store Network support 5G 5G Colors Titanium Icyblue, Titanium Silver, Titanium Jetblac Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, Obsidian Price Starts from 1,099 British pounds From $1,100 Available from Samsung Google, Amazon, Best Buy Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: design Design has long been a category that's hard to judge, because so much of it is subjective — and that's never been more true than right here. The Galaxy S25 Edge's big selling point is its slim build, and it's difficult to avoid the Ozempic-taking elephant in the room. The S25 Edge measures a staggeringly thin 5.9mm. That's not as slim as Tecno's Spark Slim concept phone, but it's still far thinner than Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, and even smaller phones, like the Samsung Galaxy S25. That small build may seem like a gimmick, but after hands-on time with the phone, it's clear it isn't. The thin build and very low weight means it's easy to hold in your hand, even when you consider this is a comparatively large phone. That makes a big difference when you're holding and carrying a phone. And light and svelte isn't something you can say about the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. This massive phone is the biggest and most powerful in Google's standard flagship range, and it's a whole two ounces heavier than the Edge. That makes a huge difference, especially with the additional difference in thickness. The S25 Edge does feel great to hold, and it makes the Pixel 9 Pro XL feel as big as it is. These two phones are gorgeous, with very distinct designs, and we like both of them. While this is still going to come down to your personal preferences for phones, it would feel churlish not to award this to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, since that's the entire point of the smartphone. Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: display Samsung and Google have some of the finest panels in the business, so it's no surprise these are both incredible looking displays. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge has a 6.7-inch AMOLED display running a 120Hz refresh rate and a 3120 x 1440 resolution. That results in a pinpoint and crisp 513 pixels per inch (ppi), and is likely to be one of the best in the business. Surprisingly, it has the Pixel 9 Pro XL beat, as Google's 6.8-inch screen has a lower ppi of 486 and a 2992 x 1344 resolution. Realistically, you're not likely to honestly notice a difference between the two unless you're comparing the two close-up, as it's close enough to be basically the same. As they're both OLED panels, both have deep inky blacks and vibrant colors, and the 120Hz refresh rates mean both are fantastically smooth and swift feeling when used. These are two excellent displays, as you should expect from Google and Samsung. Where does that leave our comparison? The S25 Edge is technically the sharper of the two, so we're giving it to Samsung. Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: performance These are both flagship phones, so you're getting oodles of power either way. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite running the show, while Google continues to rely on its own silicon with the Tensor G4. Both are powerful, and you shouldn't expect to see any big gulfs in performance between the two of them. You can expect the Samsung phone to be the cooler of the two — not only does the Tensor G4 still have heating issues when running games, but the S25 Edge uses a 'Thermal Interface Material' (TIM) to keep its internal temperature under check while gaming. If gaming is important to you, then the S25 Edge is likely to be the better of the two in terms of temperature management. Outside of that, we won't know more about how the S25 Edge holds up until we've had more time with it. For now, we're going to give the Samsung phone the benefit of the doubt because of its advanced cooling system, but we'll be sure to revisit this after our review period. Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: battery and charging This one is probably the trickiest one for the S25 Edge to compete in, as it's plainly going to struggle where battery life is concerned. Getting that sort of slimline style comes with some compromises, and while we don't know for sure, it's likely the battery will be that. The Edge has a 3,900mAh battery, which is pretty big — for 2018, that is. Most flagship phones today are pushing or exceeding 5,000mAh, and are (in most cases) still only managing a day-and-a-bit on a single charge. For a large phone like the S25 Edge, 3,900mAh does not seem as if it will cut the mustard. We'll have to wait until we've had time with it to confirm, but it seems as if this will be the phone's weak point. On the flip side, the Pixel 9 Pro XL's 5,060mAh cell is capable of lasting around a day-and-a-half on a single charge, which is a solid innings for such a large smartphone. What about charging? After all, we hated how slow Google's 37W wired charging is. Unfortunately, Samsung is one of the few manufacturers willing to challenge Google in delivering underpowered chargers, as the S25 Edge caps out at just 25W. That's pretty terrible in a world where OnePlus is delivering 80W wired charging, and it means Google gets this round in a slam dunk. Winner: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: cameras The S25 Edge stands alone in the S25 stable with its measly dual camera system, but in its defense, there's at least one beefy lens in there. The main lens is a 200-megapixel monster, and we're excited to see what it can pull off. The second lens, though, is probably the same disappointing 12MP ultrawide lens we saw in the S25 Plus, and it's not bad, it's just nothing to write home about. This does hamper the camera a bit, as it feels weirdly lopsided towards the enormous main lens. It's up against a beast as well, as the Pixel 9 Pro XL is packing a 50MP primary lens, 48MP telephoto zoom, and a 48MP ultrawide lens. That extra lens and larger megapixel counts are likely to make a difference, as the Pixel 9 pro XL is a fabulous snapper, and is easily one of the best camera phones you can buy. It's fantastic, and little else needs to be said. We're yet to put the S25 Edge through its paces, and the 200MP main camera may well be a stunner, but for the moment, we're giving Google's proven dominance the win. Winner: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: software and updates Both of these phones run Android 15, but in very different flavors. While the Pixel 9 Pro XL runs close to stock Android, the Edge runs One UI, Samsung's Android skin. Both are excellent and have their merits, and the days when manufacturers skins were simply worse have been and gone — neither should be a reason to buy or not buy either phone. In terms of AI, you've got similar features for either phone. Both have a Magic Editor feature, and Audio Erasers for videos, though Samsung has a slight edge with some more generative image tools. Still, it's a slight difference. Updates-wise, the Pixel will always get Android updates first, because Google makes Android and you can't really beat that advantage. Samsung is fairly slow with updates, but both promise updates for seven years after their particular phone releases, so it's another score draw there. This is a tie. Winner: Tie Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: price and availability The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is currently available, and prices start from $1,100 for the 128GB variant. You'll be able to buy it most places where you can buy smartphones, though it's worth keeping in mind that Google offers aggressive deals during sales periods, so you may be able to get it for a great deal if you wait for Black Friday or Prime Day. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge will be the debut phone for the Galaxy Club in the U.K., and it will be available for sale from May 30 onwards. Pricing sits at a pricey 1,099 British pounds, with the top 512GB version jumping up to 1,199 pounds. Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: verdict Choosing between these two phones is an exercise in choosing what you want and need from a smartphone. For raw battery power and camera capabilities you should look at the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. It's powerful, gorgeous, and it deserves to be perched at the top of Google's latest flagship range. But, you do end up with a lot of phone for your money — which isn't always a good thing. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a big and heavy phone, and if that puts you off, well, maybe you're the target audience for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge's slim build. Sure, it's probably not as long-lasting as the Google flagship, and the camera probably isn't as good, but it's still powerful, gorgeous, and plenty capable regardless.
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Google Slashes Pixel 9 Pro XL Price In New Mother's Day Deal
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg After Motorola made a $300 offer to Razr phone buyers and Samsung bought back the Galaxy S24 at a cheaper price, Google has now slashed the price of the Pixel 9 in time for Mother's Day. Similar to the recent U.K. Google store Easter sale, but unlike Amazon's latest promotion, the deal knocks hundreds of dollars off all 2024 Pixel devices. The promotion extends across almost all of Google's tech, including wearables and bundle deals. It's too close to the launch of the Pixel 9a to see a discount for the budget handset. However, buyers will get a $100 store credit with every Pixel 9a purchase, alongside taking advantage of enhanced trade-in pricing (although Google's trade-in valuations are fairly tame). If you follow my deal stories you will know that Google gets into a solid discount grove around this time of year, where its flagship phones are included in some form of promotion every month. The Pixel 9 appears to be experiencing this right now. Earlier this month the Search company sent out coupon codes to people registered to receive marketing emails (which I recommend for this exact reason), knocking between £200 ($265.81) and £350 ($465.17) off the Pixel 9 series. In March, Google ran a very similar promotion to the current deal, which discounted the Pixel 9 Pro devices by $200. In January, the flagship Pixel phones saw their prices drop by $150, while the Pixel 8a was $100 cheaper. I suspect the $200 deal is as far as Google will go before the Pixel 10 is released. We might see more bundle deals, or stackable discounts that include more ways to save money, but this is likely the biggest discount the Pixel 9 series will see for a few months at least.
Forbes
08-04-2025
- Forbes
Google Adds A Crucial Gemini Live Feature To Pixel 9 And Galaxy S25 Phones
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Prakhar Khanna Google showcased Gemini Live's screen-sharing capabilities at Google I/O 2024. The Project Astra feature is now finally rolling out to the Google Pixel 9 series and Samsung Galaxy S25 devices for free. The new Gemini Live camera and screen-sharing features allow you to have a conversational AI chatbot answer questions about what you're looking at in real-time. In a blog post, Google outlined five examples to demonstrate the use cases of Gemini Live's new features. For instance, you can point your camera at a cluttered closet or messy drawer and ask Gemini for suggestions on how to organize it by categorizing items and maximizing space. You can also ask it to identify items that can be discarded or donated. Gemini Live offers visual guidance in real-time as you declutter. Gemini Live Google Like most AI features in 2025, one of Gemini Live's key use cases is helping you brainstorm ideas. You can share your screen and show photos to Gemini that inspire you—such as your favorite locations or the colors of a bustling market—and ask it to suggest ideas for designs, creative writing, or even craft projects. You can also use it to troubleshoot everyday problems, like a glitching record player or a squeaky chair. Once you point your camera at the issue, Gemini Live can help devise a plan to fix it. It can even provide feedback on your work—analyzing content, identifying areas for improvement, and offering personalized recommendations for things like social media campaigns, blog posts, and more. Additionally, if you share your screen with Gemini Live while shopping online, it can act as a personal shopping assistant, offering comparisons and recommendations tailored to your style. For example, you can show Gemini specific items and ask what would complement them by pointing your camera at your wardrobe. Google's Gemini Live is designed to facilitate natural, free-flowing conversations. It's now available in 45 languages across select countries. It'll soon be available on other Android devices through a paid Gemini Advanced subscription.
