The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra introduces a groundbreaking feature called Virtual Aperture, which significantly enhances photo quality by giving users DSLR-like control over depth of field and background blur. This innovation is part of the Expert RAW app and represents a major leap in smartphone photography, blending advanced hardware with sophisticated AI-powered software.
What is Virtual Aperture?
Virtual Aperture allows users to dynamically adjust the camera’s aperture setting in real time, a capability traditionally reserved for professional DSLR cameras. Unlike typical smartphone cameras that have a fixed aperture, the S25 Ultra lets you choose from a wide range of aperture values, from as wide as F1.4 to as narrow as F16. This adjustment controls how much light enters the camera and, crucially, how much of the background is blurred versus in focus, enabling creative control over the depth of field in your photos[2].
How Virtual Aperture Works
The feature leverages the S25 Ultra’s dual-lens system to generate a detailed depth map of the scene. Using this depth information, the phone’s AI engine simulates realistic bokeh effects and depth of field changes that mimic those produced by changing physical apertures on DSLR lenses. The AI has been trained on over 200,000 paired images taken simultaneously with Galaxy and DSLR cameras, ensuring that the simulated effects are natural and professional in appearance[3].
This AI-driven approach overcomes the physical limitations of smartphone lenses, which cannot mechanically alter aperture size. Instead, the software intelligently blurs or sharpens parts of the image based on depth data, allowing for precise control over the photographic style and mood.
Benefits to Photo Quality
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Enhanced Depth Control: Users can create photos with a shallow depth of field, where the subject is crisply focused against a beautifully blurred background, or opt for a deeper focus to keep more of the scene sharp. This flexibility elevates smartphone photography to a level previously only achievable with high-end cameras[2].
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Professional Bokeh Effects: The AI adapts to different bokeh styles, producing natural and aesthetically pleasing background blur that enhances portrait and macro photography.
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Improved Low-Light and Bright Conditions: Coupled with other S25 Ultra camera improvements, such as software ND filters and advanced AI image processing, Virtual Aperture helps maintain image clarity and detail in challenging lighting scenarios.
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RAW Format Support: Photos taken with Virtual Aperture effects can be saved in RAW format via the Expert RAW app, allowing photographers to perform professional-grade post-processing directly on their device.
User Experience and Accessibility
Virtual Aperture is accessible through the Samsung Expert RAW app, where users can adjust aperture settings in 22 fine steps and zoom between 1x to 3x, providing granular control over composition and focus. This feature is exclusive to the Galaxy S25 series and will be a staple in Samsung’s flagship devices moving forward[2].
Conclusion
The Virtual Aperture feature on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra represents a significant advancement in smartphone photography by merging hardware capabilities with AI-driven software innovation. It empowers users to create images with professional-level depth of field control and bokeh effects, dramatically improving photo quality and creative possibilities. This feature, combined with the S25 Ultra’s powerful camera system and AI enhancements, sets a new standard for mobile photography in 2025 and beyond[1][3].
[1] https://techbuzz.att.com/buying-guides/samsung-galaxy-s25-ultra-camera-features/
[2] https://samsungmagazine.eu/en/2025/02/05/virtualni-clona-u-galaxy-s25/
[3] https://news.samsung.com/global/interview-a-premium-camera-experience-that-anyone-can-enjoy-behind-the-scenes-of-developing-the-galaxy-s25-series-camera