Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority
I take a whole lot of photographs, even when it isn’t as many as Rita with her Pixels. I developed my love of pictures in another way than some, beginning with telephones and never venturing into the world of cameras till a lot later. Even now, I take advantage of a cellphone for many of my photographs. I really like my Sony A6300 and the pictures it produces, however carrying it round in every single place is impractical. Over time, my telephones and I’ve traveled to the US, Wales, and essentially the most lovely elements of England, in addition to attended concert events, automotive reveals, and extra.
These footage come from Samsung phones of various ages, and making an attempt to select my favorites out of the hundreds that fill my Google Images library was a activity unto itself. Ultimately, some simply stood out greater than others, even when it’s for the recollections they evoke, quite than their goal high quality, and it’s been enjoyable to see how far phone cameras have come through the years.
From 2014 to 2025 (with a niche within the center whereas I used Nexus telephones), these are 22 of my favourite photographs taken with the Galaxy S4, S10 Plus, S20 Extremely, S21 Extremely, S22 Extremely, S23 Extremely, and S24 Extremely. Apart from one picture, all of those photographs are unedited, precisely as when the cellphone snapped them.
The 22 Samsung photographs I at all times look again on
2014 was a giant yr for me. I turned 18, handed my driving take a look at, lastly removed my braces, and did some travelling. I took many photographs that yr, however of all of them, two stand out essentially the most, each of which have been taken with my Galaxy S4 and its 13MP digital camera. First, I went to Florida for the everyday Disney and Common Studios-themed vacation. I took loads of strong photographs, however the one which takes me again to that journey is the picture I took of the Spaceship Earth trip, though I name it the golf ball.
The Galaxy S4 carried out properly so far as I’m involved. Certain, the dynamic vary could possibly be improved, and the element fades within the shadowed areas on the backside, however the definition of the geometric shapes on the golf ball is all there, with good element. I took the following picture from the highest of Mt Snowdon, the tallest mountain in Wales. Seeing the cloud rolling over the smaller mountains beneath, the way in which the bottom drops away, and the water that appeared so massive at floor degree however feels so small from the highest, virtually lets me really feel the nippiness of the mountain breeze once more.
I finished utilizing Samsung telephones for some time after the S4, however I’ve been utilizing them once more since 2019, once I received my Galaxy S10 Plus, one in all my favourite telephones from all I’ve owned. I took these in Cornwall within the Southwest of England, a spot I go to often, so there will probably be extra Cornish photographs as we proceed.
The Galaxy S10 Plus gained’t be remembered as a paragon of smartphone cameras, however I liked the photographs it took, and I feel it was underrated. Images tended to be oversaturated, much more so than fashionable Samsung fashions, however I appreciated the constant pop of shade. Consistency was the S10 Plus’ best power. It nonetheless used a smaller sensor, 16MP, so whereas it lacked a shallow depth of discipline, it may maintain extra issues in focus directly, which is why the mussels picture appears so good. Dynamic vary and balancing shadows are additionally one thing I feel the S10 Plus excelled at, and the distinction between the sky, greenery, and reflections on the water within the first and third photographs nonetheless impress.
2020 was a memorable yr for a number of causes. As a result of chaos of the time, I didn’t get to enterprise out and take as many photographs with the Galaxy S20 Extremely as I’d have appreciated, however there are a number of that also stand out. The time spent at hand-crafted me reconnect with previous hobbies, and I began accumulating Transformers once more. I received loads of them throughout 2020, however my delight and pleasure is Masterpiece Grimlock, who’s doing his greatest to look scary down the lens of my S20 Extremely.
When the lockdowns began to ease, I first traveled to Yorkshire to spend time with my then-fiancé and her household as quickly as doable. The spotlight of that journey was an ideal day at Blackpool, with a incredible view over the city from the highest of Blackpool Tower. If I needed to rank the cameras on these telephones, the S20 Extremely could be second from the underside, solely beating the S4. The 108MP primary sensor struggled to focus, an issue that the S21 Extremely addressed, and the 4X 48MP telephoto was additionally subpar. Even so, it captured these recollections properly.
Issues have been brighter and extra hopeful in 2021. I received married, cinemas and different venues reopened, and issues felt like they have been nearer to regular. My two favourite photographs, which I took on my S21 Extremely, seize that heat, not less than in my thoughts.
Pals of mine received Elmo, a Schnauzer who’s the bestest boy, and who’s completely captured on this picture because the little man enjoys the solar and cuddles. Subsequent, we now have Studying, a city close to the place I reside, as we went to see Venom: Let There Be Carnage. Which may not be remembered as a terrific movie, but it surely was the primary packed screening I’d attended since 2020, and the cheers of a whole lot of individuals throughout the post-credits scene are one thing I can nonetheless hear once I rewatch it.
On a technical degree, the S21 Extremely carried out properly in each of those photographs, contemplating its launch date. Within the latter picture, night time mode ensured all the things was correctly uncovered, and I really like the way in which the lights stand out.
My Galaxy S22 Extremely was an Exynos mannequin, so whereas I wasn’t impressed by its tendency to overheat at a second’s discover, the cameras impressed me. The element within the river within the first picture, taken in Boscastle, provides texture to the picture that I recognize.
The remaining photographs are all zoom pictures, which have been a robust level for Extremely telephones for the reason that S21. For an Think about Dragons live performance, I used to be sitting on the very far finish of the world, so getting a zoom shot like this at that distance is fairly unbelievable, even when it’s helped by the large display behind the stage. The Purple Starling offers some bombastic aspect eye within the subsequent shot, and the penguins are maybe one in all my favourite photographs taken on any cellphone. They have been ready for meals, and I zoomed by way of a waterfall that separated us to seize this shot. Smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave. Lastly, the Patagonian Mara, which was having fun with the uncommon British sunshine, which ought to by no means be taken as a right.
The Galaxy S23 Extremely is the very best cellphone I’ve ever owned. It lastly introduced Snapdragon chips to UK Galaxy telephones, appeared beautiful within the online-exclusive crimson and black, and it was essentially the most dependable machine I’ve used. The photographs are nice, too.
I’ve been to extra concert events than I can depend, however seeing Fall Out Boy on the finish of 2023 was a dream come true, and the S23 Extremely helped seize that second. What units this cellphone other than the Galaxy telephones earlier on this listing is that I didn’t must take a number of photographs at a time to get one I appreciated. These are all first makes an attempt, from the difficult lighting on the live performance to the expansive vista of the Cornish seashore at sundown, and the wonderful pure bokeh that frames the Heron.
Lastly, we now have two of my favourite photographs from my present cellphone, the Galaxy S24 Ultra. In Might 2024, we had the uncommon alternative to see the Northern Lights in southern England. Utilizing a tripod mount with Samsung’s Knowledgeable RAW app, I captured this beautiful picture. The contrasting colours and stars that shine by way of make it a placing picture. This picture underwent some gentle enhancing, utilizing Lightroom to take away grain and steadiness the publicity.
Lastly, a closely modified Toyota GT86 that I noticed at Japfest 2024 at Silverstone. The automotive is excessive, however in the easiest way. The bodykit, the stance, and the way in which the yellow pops towards the gray British climate make me blissful at any time when I take a look at it.
Are these technically the very best photographs on the earth? No. However whether or not it’s the standard of the picture or the fond reminiscence it brings to thoughts, my Samsung telephones have taken a few of my favourite photographs through the years. Samsung’s cameras usually get flak for movement blur, shutter lag, and oversharpening and oversaturation. These are legitimate criticisms, but it surely doesn’t imply you may’t take good photographs with them. The varied array of lenses makes them extra versatile than many competing fashions.
What’s your favourite smartphone digital camera? Is it a brand new cellphone, or one thing older? Let me know within the feedback.
