The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, despite being a flagship device with cutting-edge camera technology, has drawn attention for exhibiting more noise in dark scenes compared to its predecessors like the S24 Ultra. This phenomenon has sparked considerable discussion among users and experts, revealing a complex interplay of hardware design, software processing, and real-world usage factors.
Hardware and Sensor Changes
One of the key reasons for the increased noise in dark scenes is the introduction of new camera sensors and modules in the S25 Ultra. The device features a 200 MP primary sensor and a new 0.6x ultra-wide 50 MP camera that replaced the previous generation’s 12 MP sensor. While these upgrades aim to enhance resolution and versatility, some users have reported defects, especially with the ultra-wide camera’s optical image stabilization (OIS) and focus motor, leading to unstable previews and audible clicking or buzzing noises during use. Such hardware irregularities can contribute to noise artifacts in images, particularly when shooting in low-light conditions where sensor performance is critical[2].
Software Processing and Image Optimization Challenges
Beyond hardware, the S25 Ultra’s camera software has been reported to struggle with noise management in dark scenes. Several users have noted that photos taken in normal or low lighting often appear grainy, dark, and less detailed than those from older models. This issue is exacerbated when features like the Scene Optimizer are enabled, which, while intended to enhance images, sometimes introduce excessive grain or processing artifacts. Disabling Scene Optimizer has been found to reduce noise but at the cost of losing some image enhancement benefits, indicating that the software’s noise reduction algorithms may not be fully optimized yet.
Additionally, some users have experienced sudden drops in image processing quality, where the camera stops applying its usual enhancements, resulting in noisy and out-of-focus photos, especially at the commonly used 12 MP zoom mode. These inconsistencies suggest that software updates or fixes may be necessary to stabilize image processing performance.
Impact of Display and Viewing Conditions
Interestingly, the S25 Ultra’s display characteristics may also influence the perception of noise in dark scenes. Its screen employs Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) dimming at a relatively low frequency (480Hz), which can affect how users perceive image quality in dim environments. Although the display excels in brightness and outdoor visibility, its comfort in low-light indoor settings is somewhat compromised, potentially making noise in photos more noticeable when viewed on the device itself.
Comparative Low-Light Performance
Despite these issues, the S25 Ultra is technically designed to outperform older models in low-light photography and videography. It incorporates advanced computational photography techniques powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, including a spatial-temporal filter for better noise analysis and a new “ProVisual engine” that enhances video clarity in dim environments. These features theoretically enable the S25 Ultra to capture more detail and reduce noise more effectively than the standard S25 or previous generations.
However, the real-world user experience reveals that these hardware and software advancements have not fully translated into consistently cleaner images in dark scenes, likely due to early software teething problems and some hardware defects in specific camera modules[1].
Conclusion
The increased noise observed in dark scenes on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra compared to older models stems from a combination of new hardware components with some reported defects, ongoing software processing challenges, and the device’s display characteristics affecting noise perception. While the S25 Ultra holds promise with its advanced sensor technology and processing power, users currently face issues that Samsung is expected to address through software updates and hardware replacements where necessary. Until these improvements are fully implemented, users might experience more noise in low-light photography than on previous flagship models.
[1] https://xdaforums.com/t/samsung-galaxy-s25-ultra-sm-s938b-extreme-noise-when-covering-main-camera-software-or-hardware-issue.4722324/
[2] https://www.phonearena.com/news/galaxy-s25-ulta-ultrawide-camera-0.6x-noise_id169415
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/samsunggalaxy/comments/1iboh5a/s25_ultra_grain_report_wtf/