I tested 100x zoom on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Pixel 10 Pro, and Razr Fold - here's who won
Original reporting by ZDNet
Long-distance smartphone photography has become a key battleground, pushing the limits of computational imaging and AI processing. ZDNET recently conducted an in-depth evaluation of three flagship devices: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Google Pixel 10 Pro, and the innovative Motorola Razr Fold. The journey began with a striking revelation. While reviewing the Razr Fold, its "Super Res Zoom" feature delivered an unexpectedly crisp 100x shot of a distant river. Intrigued, our reviewer compared it with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, a device traditionally lauded for its zoom capabilities. The contrast was immediate and stark: Samsung's image appeared blurry and muddled, while the Razr Fold, a foldable device often associated with camera compromises, produced a remarkably clear result.
A new challenger emerges
This initial discrepancy wasn't a one-off. To thoroughly investigate, a comprehensive test was undertaken at Six Flags, challenging each phone to capture various distant objects with clarity and detail. The systematic evaluation revealed a consistent theme: Google's Pixel 10 Pro often led the pack in refining super-zoom images through robust AI, closely followed by the Motorola Razr Fold. Samsung, despite its long history in the super-zoom space, appeared to lag in general-purpose long-range processing, only truly excelling when its AI recognized specific, well-defined subjects like the moon. The findings suggest that in the evolving landscape of computational zoom, Samsung faces a formidable challenge from competitors that are raising the bar for AI-driven image enhancement.
The extensive testing reveals a clear shift in the super-resolution zoom hierarchy. While Samsung once pioneered this technology, the Galaxy S26 Ultra now consistently trails the Pixel 10 Pro and, remarkably, the Motorola Razr Fold. Google's Pixel consistently delivered the sharpest, most coherent long-distance images across varied scenarios, followed closely by Motorola's commendable performance. Samsung's reliance on specific scene recognition, particularly evident in its strong moon shots but weak general performance, highlights a crucial difference in AI application compared to the more universally applied post-processing seen in its rivals. This suggests a strategic divergence in how leading manufacturers are leveraging AI for photographic enhancement.
The Evolving Landscape of Mobile Photography
This performance gap carries significant implications for the broader smartphone industry and the future of computational photography. For Samsung, a dominant player, it's a clear signal that its current approach to extreme zoom needs a fundamental re-evaluation to compete with more versatile AI-driven processing from competitors. The Motorola Razr Fold's strong showing is equally impactful, demonstrating that camera compromises traditionally associated with foldable designs are rapidly diminishing. This positions foldables as increasingly viable and competitive options for serious mobile photographers, broadening their appeal. Ultimately, these results underscore the escalating importance of sophisticated, adaptable AI algorithms in shaping not just specific features, but the overall image quality and user experience. As consumers grow accustomed to the power of AI-enhanced photography, manufacturers must prioritize robust and generalized computational techniques to meet rising expectations, continuously pushing the boundaries of what a smartphone camera can achieve in any given situation.
Frequently asked questions
- Which flagship smartphones excel in long-distance super zoom photography performance today?
- In recent evaluations, the Google Pixel 10 Pro consistently leads in refining super-zoom images through robust AI processing, closely followed by the Motorola Razr Fold. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, despite its historical strength, generally lags in versatile long-range processing, excelling primarily when its AI recognizes specific subjects like the moon. This indicates a shift in the super-resolution zoom hierarchy, with competitors raising the bar for AI-driven image enhancement.
- How do different smartphone manufacturers utilize AI for enhancing long-distance zoom photos?
- Leading smartphone manufacturers employ AI differently for long-distance zoom. Some, like Google's Pixel series, use robust, generalized AI for versatile post-processing across various scenarios, consistently sharpening images. Others, such as Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra, rely more on specific scene recognition AI, performing exceptionally well on particular subjects like the moon but showing weaker general performance. This strategic divergence in AI application significantly impacts overall image quality and adaptability.
- Can foldable smartphones now deliver high-quality long-distance zoom camera performance?
- Yes, foldable smartphones are increasingly competitive in long-distance zoom photography. The Motorola Razr Fold, for instance, has demonstrated remarkably clear super-zoom capabilities, challenging traditional perceptions of camera compromises in foldable designs. This strong performance indicates that advanced computational imaging and AI processing are enabling foldables to deliver high-quality results, making them increasingly viable options for users prioritizing serious mobile photography alongside innovative form factors.