Can you tell if a photo is from a $1,300 flagship or a $280 budget phone?

[ad_1] <img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="eager" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs CMF Phone 2 Pro (1 of 1)" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-vs-CMF-Phone-2-Pro-1-of-1.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-vs-CMF-Phone-2-Pro-1-of-1-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-vs-CMF-Phone-2-Pro-1-of-1-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-vs-CMF-Phone-2-Pro-1-of-1-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-vs-CMF-Phone-2-Pro-1-of-1-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-vs-CMF-Phone-2-Pro-1-of-1-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-vs-CMF-Phone-2-Pro-1-of-1-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-vs-CMF-Phone-2-Pro-1-of-1-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs CMF Phone 2 Pro (1 of 1)" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-vs-CMF-Phone-2-Pro-1-of-1.jpg"/> C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

With each passing yr, the cameras on a smartphone develop into virtually as vital because the smartphone itself. Individuals know that just about any telephone can do the “telephone” issues they want, however not simply any system might be the very best digital camera telephone in the marketplace. As such, within the overwhelming majority of circumstances, the explanation you’re paying a sure value for a telephone is closely influenced by the digital camera {hardware} you’ll discover there.

However actually, how far does this go? Is a telephone that prices $1,300 actually so a lot better than one which prices lower than $300? Is there a $1,000+ distinction between the images you’ll get on one versus the opposite?

I made a decision to check to search out out. I’ve pitted two very totally different telephones offered at very totally different value factors in opposition to each other to see how you actually really feel concerning the flagship vs funds telephone digital camera debate.

Flagship vs funds telephone digital camera: Telephones and methodology

<img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="CMF Phone 2 Pro Camera App Options" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CMF-Phone-2-Pro-Camera-App-Options.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CMF-Phone-2-Pro-Camera-App-Options-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CMF-Phone-2-Pro-Camera-App-Options-1000w-561h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CMF-Phone-2-Pro-Camera-App-Options-1536w-862h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CMF-Phone-2-Pro-Camera-App-Options-675w-379h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CMF-Phone-2-Pro-Camera-App-Options-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="CMF Phone 2 Pro Camera App Options" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CMF-Phone-2-Pro-Camera-App-Options.jpg"/> C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

The Galaxy S25 Extremely is among the greatest digital camera telephones you may at the moment purchase. It has a large digital camera system, together with a 200MP major sensor, two telephotos (a 10MP 3x optical and a 50MP 5x optical), and a 50MP ultrawide. It additionally has a high-end 12MP selfie digital camera.

In the meantime, the CMF Telephone 2 Professional has a a lot weaker {hardware} system. Its 50MP major digital camera is smaller and decrease decision than the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s. Likewise, its tiny 8MP ultrawide digital camera can’t evaluate on paper, and its 16MP selfie digital camera is undoubtedly a less expensive little bit of {hardware} than the one on Samsung’s flagship. Notably, although, the CMF Telephone 2 Professional has a 50MP telephoto lens (2x optical), which is never seen on a telephone this cheap.

For this check, I used out-of-the-box settings, no tripods, and did not do any re-shoots. These are as near real-life examples as I might get!

For the checks under, I attempted to make every shot match the opposite as intently as potential. I used out-of-the-box settings and targeted on the usual options between each units. For instance, I didn’t do a macro shot check as a result of the CMF Telephone 2 Professional’s software program doesn't assist this characteristic. I additionally didn’t do a lot setup. I held the telephones in my hand (no tripods) and captured every picture with minimal tweaking. I didn’t do any reshoots, both — the primary picture from every setup is the one I went with. I really feel this greatest displays real-world utilization.

In every part, the 2 images are unlabeled and in a unique order. As you scroll via, decide which picture in every pair you suppose did the higher job. While you get to the tip of the article, I’ll let you know which telephone produced every picture, and you'll see which telephone you actually want.

One last observe: all of the images listed here are compressed for website loading pace. If you wish to see them in an uncompressed state, take a look at this Drive folder. Simply don’t use that to cheat!

1x in daylight

<img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="1x in daylight Camera 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-1-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-1-1000w-750h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-1-1920w-1440h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-1-1440w-1080h.jpg 1440w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-1-1152w-864h.jpg 1152w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-1-507w-380h.jpg 507w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-1-675w-506h.jpg 675w" alt="1x in daylight Camera 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-1-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 1 <img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="1x in daylight Camera 2" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-2-scaled.jpg 2549w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-2-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-2-1000w-753h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-2-1913w-1440h.jpg 1913w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-2-1434w-1080h.jpg 1434w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-2-1148w-864h.jpg 1148w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-2-505w-380h.jpg 505w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-2-675w-508h.jpg 675w" alt="1x in daylight Camera 2" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-in-daylight-Camera-2-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 2 That is probably the most fundamental shot conceivable. The solar was behind me, and I simply took a fast snap of the park utilizing the first lens. Observe how totally different these are when it comes to publicity. The Digital camera 2 shot additionally has far more pronounced grass coloring, and shadows are a lot much less distinct. That is particularly obvious within the park bench behind the tree on the decrease left. The gazebo (decrease proper) additionally has a bizarre blue tinge within the Digital camera 2 shot that isn’t obvious in actual life, nor within the Digital camera 1 picture.

1x texture closeup

<img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="1x texture closeup Camera 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-1-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-1-1000w-753h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-1-1913w-1440h.jpg 1913w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-1-1434w-1080h.jpg 1434w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-1-1148w-864h.jpg 1148w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-1-505w-380h.jpg 505w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-1-675w-508h.jpg 675w" alt="1x texture closeup Camera 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-1-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 1 <img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="1x texture closeup Camera 2" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-2-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-2-1000w-750h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-2-1920w-1440h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-2-1440w-1080h.jpg 1440w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-2-1152w-864h.jpg 1152w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-2-507w-380h.jpg 507w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-2-675w-506h.jpg 675w" alt="1x texture closeup Camera 2" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-texture-closeup-Camera-2-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 2 This isn’t a macro shot, but it surely offers an thought of how every digital camera captures smaller particulars. Digital camera 2 did a a lot better job of stabilizing the picture, lowering the blur you see across the lettering within the Digital camera 1 picture. Nevertheless, the Digital camera 2 picture has some bizarre artifacts across the wooden grain, which aren't obvious within the Digital camera 1 picture.

Portrait mode

<img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="Portrait mode Camera 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-1-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-1-1000w-750h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-1-1920w-1440h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-1-1440w-1080h.jpg 1440w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-1-1152w-864h.jpg 1152w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-1-507w-380h.jpg 507w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-1-675w-506h.jpg 675w" alt="Portrait mode Camera 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-1-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 1 <img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="Portrait mode Camera 2" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-2-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-2-1000w-750h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-2-1920w-1440h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-2-1440w-1080h.jpg 1440w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-2-1152w-864h.jpg 1152w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-2-507w-380h.jpg 507w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-2-675w-506h.jpg 675w" alt="Portrait mode Camera 2" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-Camera-2-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 2 This session produced probably the most vital distinction between the 2 cameras. The coloring of Digital camera 1 seems to be very washed out, however the synthetic bokeh appears fairly sensible. In the meantime, the Digital camera 2 picture has some good coloring on the flowers, however the bokeh is flat-out horrible. I virtually canned each of those and did a re-shoot, however I made a decision to stay to my rule and never do this.

Commonplace selfie

<img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="Standard selfie Camera 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-1-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-1-48w-64h.jpg 48w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-1-1000w-1333h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-1-1080w-1440h.jpg 1080w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-1-810w-1080h.jpg 810w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-1-648w-864h.jpg 648w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-1-285w-380h.jpg 285w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-1-675w-900h.jpg 675w" alt="Standard selfie Camera 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-1-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 1 <img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="Standard selfie Camera 2" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-2-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-2-48w-64h.jpg 48w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-2-1000w-1330h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-2-1082w-1440h.jpg 1082w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-2-812w-1080h.jpg 812w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-2-649w-864h.jpg 649w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-2-286w-380h.jpg 286w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-2-675w-898h.jpg 675w" alt="Standard selfie Camera 2" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Standard-selfie-Camera-2-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 2 Finally, it’s all concerning the particulars with this selfie instance. Digital camera 1 exhibits much more pores and skin particulars than Digital camera 2. However Digital camera 1 additionally pushed the colours of the crops within the background approach an excessive amount of. Nonetheless, the brilliant daylight on my face was dealt with a lot better with Digital camera 1 than the washed-out, off-coloring produced with Digital camera 2.

Portrait mode selfie

<img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="Portrait mode selfie Camera 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-1-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-1-48w-64h.jpg 48w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-1-1000w-1333h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-1-1080w-1440h.jpg 1080w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-1-810w-1080h.jpg 810w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-1-648w-864h.jpg 648w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-1-285w-380h.jpg 285w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-1-675w-900h.jpg 675w" alt="Portrait mode selfie Camera 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-1-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 1 <img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="Portrait mode selfie Camera 2" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-2-scaled.jpg 1924w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-2-48w-64h.jpg 48w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-2-1000w-1330h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-2-1082w-1440h.jpg 1082w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-2-812w-1080h.jpg 812w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-2-649w-864h.jpg 649w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-2-286w-380h.jpg 286w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-2-675w-898h.jpg 675w" alt="Portrait mode selfie Camera 2" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Portrait-mode-selfie-Camera-2-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 2 Digital camera 1 did a fairly good job right here, particularly with the bokeh on the precise aspect of my face. You'll be able to see the bokeh having some hassle round my hair within the higher left, but it surely nonetheless seems to be fairly good. In the meantime, Digital camera 2’s bokeh simply seems to be like grain within the background, with no blurry softness that you'd count on from a shot like this. The world round my hair within the higher left can also be weird — it seems to be prefer it was simply cropped out utilizing Photoshop or one thing.

1x exhibiting coloration

<img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="1x showing color Camera 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-1-scaled.jpg 2549w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-1-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-1-1000w-753h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-1-1913w-1440h.jpg 1913w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-1-1434w-1080h.jpg 1434w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-1-1148w-864h.jpg 1148w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-1-505w-380h.jpg 505w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-1-675w-508h.jpg 675w" alt="1x showing color Camera 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-1-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 1 <img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="1x showing color Camera 2" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-2-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-2-1000w-750h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-2-1920w-1440h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-2-1440w-1080h.jpg 1440w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-2-1152w-864h.jpg 1152w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-2-507w-380h.jpg 507w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-2-675w-506h.jpg 675w" alt="1x showing color Camera 2" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1x-showing-color-Camera-2-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 2 We’re beginning to see some traits right here. The Digital camera 1 picture has some extraordinarily pushed colours from its HDR impact, with shadows principally being non-existent. Have a look at the distinction in shadowing on the slide — it’s just like the images have been taken at two totally different instances of day (they weren’t). The sky does look loads higher within the Digital camera 1 shot, although, not less than for my part.

2x in daylight

<img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="2x in daylight Camera 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-1-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-1-1000w-750h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-1-1920w-1440h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-1-1440w-1080h.jpg 1440w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-1-1152w-864h.jpg 1152w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-1-507w-380h.jpg 507w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-1-675w-506h.jpg 675w" alt="2x in daylight Camera 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-1-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 1 <img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="2x in daylight Camera 2" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-2-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-2-1000w-750h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-2-1920w-1440h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-2-1440w-1080h.jpg 1440w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-2-1152w-864h.jpg 1152w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-2-507w-380h.jpg 507w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-2-675w-506h.jpg 675w" alt="2x in daylight Camera 2" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2x-in-daylight-Camera-2-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 2 This was a tricky name to make as a result of the 2 telephones don’t have the identical zoom capabilities. The CMF Telephone 2 Professional has a 2x optical zoom whereas the Galaxy S25 Extremely makes use of digital cropping for 2x pictures. I might have pushed the CMF Telephone 2 Professional to 3x — which might have had it utilizing a digital crop — and seen the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s optical picture, however I figured I ought to give this one to the CMF Telephone 2 Professional because it’s the funds telephone. Anyway, one in every of these pictures is 2x optical and the opposite is 2x digital — are you able to inform which is which?

10x in daylight

<img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="10x in daylight Camera 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-1-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-1-1000w-750h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-1-1920w-1440h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-1-1440w-1080h.jpg 1440w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-1-1152w-864h.jpg 1152w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-1-507w-380h.jpg 507w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-1-675w-506h.jpg 675w" alt="10x in daylight Camera 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-1-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 1 <img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="10x in daylight Camera 2" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-2-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-2-1000w-750h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-2-1920w-1440h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-2-1440w-1080h.jpg 1440w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-2-1152w-864h.jpg 1152w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-2-507w-380h.jpg 507w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-2-675w-506h.jpg 675w" alt="10x in daylight Camera 2" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/10x-in-daylight-Camera-2-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 2 This one is the other of the final one, with the Galaxy S25 Extremely having a definite benefit because it makes use of a 5x optical zoom lens to create a 10x digital crop, whereas the CMF Telephone 2 Professional creates a 10x digital crop based mostly on a 2x lens. As such, this needs to be the simplest one to suss out of the entire bunch.

HDR instance in direct daylight

<img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="HDR example in direct sunlight Camera 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-1-scaled.jpg 2549w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-1-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-1-1000w-753h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-1-1913w-1440h.jpg 1913w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-1-1434w-1080h.jpg 1434w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-1-1148w-864h.jpg 1148w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-1-505w-380h.jpg 505w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-1-675w-508h.jpg 675w" alt="HDR example in direct sunlight Camera 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-1-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 1 <img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="HDR example in direct sunlight Camera 2" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-2-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-2-1000w-750h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-2-1920w-1440h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-2-1440w-1080h.jpg 1440w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-2-1152w-864h.jpg 1152w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-2-507w-380h.jpg 507w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-2-675w-506h.jpg 675w" alt="HDR example in direct sunlight Camera 2" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HDR-example-in-direct-sunlight-Camera-2-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 2 It’s not within the shot, however the solar is instantly above the gazebo, shining brightly over the California city of Novato. This could be a troublesome shot for any telephone digital camera, as a result of all that daylight could make it powerful for even the very best sensor to steadiness publicity appropriately. There are some distinct, apparent variations between these two pictures, however it's fairly unimaginable that the CMF Telephone 2 Professional didn’t buckle below the stress. Which one do you suppose seems to be greatest?

0.6x in daylight

<img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="0.6x in daylight Camera 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-1-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-1-1000w-750h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-1-1920w-1440h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-1-1440w-1080h.jpg 1440w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-1-1152w-864h.jpg 1152w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-1-507w-380h.jpg 507w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-1-675w-506h.jpg 675w" alt="0.6x in daylight Camera 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-1-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 1 <img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="0.6x in daylight Camera 2" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-2-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-2-1000w-750h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-2-1920w-1440h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-2-1440w-1080h.jpg 1440w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-2-1152w-864h.jpg 1152w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-2-507w-380h.jpg 507w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-2-675w-506h.jpg 675w" alt="0.6x in daylight Camera 2" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0.6x-in-daylight-Camera-2-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 2 Probably the most obvious distinction between these two images is that one has real-life colours and the opposite seems to be like Technicolor-levels of coloring. Nevertheless, trying on the grass on each side of the Digital camera 1 picture, you’ll additionally see some blurry artifacts there. The tree half within the body on the left aspect is especially poor within the Digital camera 1 shot, too. Which one in every of these comes from the $1,300 digital camera?

Evening mode

<img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="Night mode Camera 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-1-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-1-1000w-753h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-1-1913w-1440h.jpg 1913w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-1-1434w-1080h.jpg 1434w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-1-1148w-864h.jpg 1148w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-1-505w-380h.jpg 505w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-1-675w-508h.jpg 675w" alt="Night mode Camera 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-1-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 1 <img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="calc(min(calc(100vw - 1.875rem), 51.25rem) / 2)" title="Night mode Camera 2" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-2-64w-48h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-2-1000w-750h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-2-1920w-1440h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-2-1440w-1080h.jpg 1440w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-2-1152w-864h.jpg 1152w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-2-507w-380h.jpg 507w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-2-675w-506h.jpg 675w" alt="Night mode Camera 2" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Night-mode-Camera-2-scaled.jpg"/> Digital camera 2 Just like the Portrait mode instance, one of many cameras flat-out failed this check. This room was fairly darkish — not blackout darkish, however gentle was scarce. My try and get Digital camera 1 to give attention to something was not possible, however Digital camera 2 additionally confronted focus points. I believe each images are poor, however one is clearly higher than the opposite — however which telephone made them?

Flagship vs funds telephone digital camera: The solutions

<img class="e_bh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra rear cameras" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-rear-cameras.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-rear-cameras-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-rear-cameras-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-rear-cameras-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-rear-cameras-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-rear-cameras-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-rear-cameras-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-rear-cameras-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra rear cameras" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-rear-cameras.jpg"/> Ryan Haines / Android Authority

OK, I hope you have got your scorecard prepared, since you’re about to spoil the solutions for your self when you don’t. Listed below are the cameras that shot every of the images above:

1x in daylight: Digital camera 1 is Galaxy S25 Extremely; Digital camera 2 is Telephone 2 Professional 1x texture closeup: Digital camera 1 is Telephone 2 Professional; Digital camera 2 is Galaxy S25 Extremely Portrait mode: Digital camera 1 is Telephone 2 Professional; Digital camera 2 is Galaxy S25 Extremely Commonplace selfie: Digital camera 1 is Galaxy S25 Extremely; Digital camera 2 is Telephone 2 Professional Portrait mode selfie: Digital camera 1 is Galaxy S25 Extremely; Digital camera 2 is Telephone 2 Professional 1x exhibiting coloration: Digital camera 1 is Telephone 2 Professional; Digital camera 2 is Galaxy S25 Extremely 2x in daylight: Digital camera 1 is Galaxy S25 Extremely; Digital camera 2 is Telephone 2 Professional 10x in daylight: Digital camera 1 is Telephone 2 Professional; Digital camera 2 is Galaxy S25 Extremely HDR instance in direct daylight: Digital camera 1 is Telephone 2 Professional; Digital camera 2 is Galaxy S25 Extremely 0.6x in daylight: Digital camera 1 is Galaxy S25 Extremely; Digital camera 2 is Telephone 2 Professional Evening mode: Digital camera 1 is Telephone 2 Professional; Digital camera 2 is Galaxy S25 Extremely

In case you sum up all the very best images — and by “greatest,” I imply those which can be objectively superior in high quality, coloring, focus, and so on. — the Galaxy S25 Extremely is the clear winner on my scorecard. Nevertheless, that wasn’t the case 100% of the time. The Galaxy S25 Extremely’s portrait mode fail was particularly egregious. Sure, I might have stood there and re-focused the shot and tried to enhance it, however the truth that I had to do this with a $1,300 telephone and never a $280 telephone is fairly ridiculous.

Galaxy S25 Extremely vs CMF Telephone 2 Professional: Who received? 237 votes

Galaxy S25 Extremely received all of it

46%

CMF Telephone 2 Professional received all of it

6%

Each telephones did fairly good

41%

Each telephones are unhealthy

7%

What’s additionally exceptional to me is that the CMF Telephone 2 Professional clearly can’t match the Galaxy S25 Extremely, but it surely nonetheless holds its personal moderately nicely. Sure, it failed the night time mode shot dismally, and I wouldn’t use the ultrawide digital camera for something ever, however all the pieces else was greater than high quality. Simply have a look at the HDR instance shot. Sure, the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s picture is healthier, however is it $1,000 higher? I don’t suppose so.

In different phrases, the Galaxy S25 Extremely wins, however the CMF Telephone 2 Professional proves that you simply don’t must spend over $1,000 to get a digital camera that may ship sufficient outcomes, not less than in good lighting.

What do you suppose? Have been you stunned by the end result of any of those examples? Let me know your ideas within the feedback, and make sure you select one thing within the ballot above!