Fast Facts
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The Xiaomi 15 Ultra excels in long-distance zoom photography, outperforming competitors like the Pixel 9 Pro, Galaxy S25 Ultra, and OPPO Find X8 Pro due to its larger sensor size and wide aperture, producing vivid details and consistent results in various lighting conditions.
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Each phone’s performance varies significantly, with the Find X8 Pro showing strength in brighter environments despite its narrower aperture, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra struggles with detail retention and suffers from lens aberration and noise issues.
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At 10x and 30x zoom levels, the Xiaomi consistently delivers the best images, showcasing exceptional contrast, detail, and color accuracy, while the Pixel and Galaxy lag behind, particularly in low-light scenarios.
- This comparison highlights the importance of camera hardware alongside software; exteriors may mislead consumers into thinking megapixels alone dictate image quality, but factors such as lens aberration and sensor size play a crucial role in actual photo performance.
Testing the Best Long-Range Zoom Phones: Who Reigns Supreme?
Smartphone photography has reached new heights, especially with long-range zoom capabilities. I recently tested four of the best contenders: the Pixel 9 Pro, Galaxy S25 Ultra, OPPO Find X8 Pro, and Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Each phone claims excellence, but do they deliver?
On paper, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra stands out with a 200MP sensor and a wide aperture of f/2.6. In contrast, the Find X8 Pro, while sporting a 6x optical zoom, has the narrowest aperture at f/4.3, potentially limiting its performance. The other two phones fall in between.
During the tests, the first challenge highlighted differences in color and detail at a modest zoom level of 10x. Here, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra shines, accurately capturing fine details without excessive noise. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 Ultra struggles with edge distortion, and the Pixel shows slight noise in darker areas. The OPPO delivered rich colors, but some details appeared overly processed.
When pushing to 30x zoom, results became more telling. The Find X8 Pro and Galaxy S25 Ultra performed surprisingly well in text legibility. However, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra consistently delivered sharper images with better color representation. Its ability to maintain detail at this extreme range surpassed the competition.
At night, performance varied. The Find X8 Pro faltered in low light, relying heavily on software adjustments. The Pixel also showed high noise levels. Conversely, the Galaxy S25 Ultra had a more film-like grain, but the Xiaomi again excelled, balancing detail and noise reduction.
Undoubtedly, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra emerged as the champion of long-range zoom photography. Its impressive blend of robust specs and actual performance makes it a standout choice for those who want to capture distant details.
The OPPO Find X8 Pro performed better than expected, particularly in good lighting, thanks to aggressive processing techniques. It seems to defy the odds despite its seemingly inferior specifications.
As for the Google Pixel 9 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, both had shortcomings. Samsung’s edge distortion was particularly noticeable, while Google’s low-light performance left much to be desired.
For everyday users, long-range zoom matters less than quality in standard settings. Phones like the Find X8 Pro and Xiaomi 15 Ultra boast excellent main cameras, perfect for capturing memories of friends and family. As a result, while zoom capabilities are crucial, versatility in photography remains essential.
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