Night photography has become a big deal for smartphone lovers. Whether you’re snapping a moonlit street or taking selfies under fairy lights, cameras today are smarter than ever. But which phone does it best? Today, we’re diving into a night mode face-off: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra versus Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.
We grabbed both phones, stepped out under the stars, and put their night modes to the test. Let’s see who came out shining.
The Contenders
- Galaxy S25 Ultra: Samsung’s newest flagship. Packed with upgraded sensors and smart AI.
- Galaxy S22 Ultra: Released a couple of years ago. Still powerful. Still popular.
Let’s Talk Cameras
First up, the specs (don’t worry, we’ll keep it light):
S25 Ultra
- 200MP main camera
- Improved low light AI algorithms
- Laser autofocus
S22 Ultra
- 108MP main camera
- Night mode powered by older AI
- Laser autofocus (but slower than S25)
Now that the nerdy stuff is out of the way, let’s get to the real fun – taking photos in the dark!
Test 1: City Lights
We hit the town to test both phones. Streetlights, shop signs, and car headlights filled the frame.
S22 Ultra did a good job with highlights, but often blew out bright signs. It also struggled with deeper shadows. S25 Ultra, on the other hand, kept everything balanced. Bright lights stayed sharp, and shadowy corners revealed hidden details.
Winner: S25 Ultra by a mile. The image felt alive and polished.
Test 2: Low Light Portrait
Ever try to snap a selfie at night? It’s tough. Blurry edges, weird skin tones, and red-eye galore. So, we tested portrait mode at dusk in a dimly lit park.
S22 Ultra worked hard, but the photo had a bit of grain. Faces were soft, and colors a bit off.
S25 Ultra nailed it. Our skin looked natural, golden even. The background had just the right blur, and the lighting felt like a romantic movie scene.
Bonus: The S25 adds a new “AI Fill Light” feature – softly brightens faces without needing flash. Very cool.
Winner: S25 Ultra — your new midnight selfie buddy.
Test 3: Stars and Sky
We went somewhere quiet. No city lights. Only stars and the moon.
The S22 Ultra tried its best. You could see some stars, but there was noise – those tiny colored dots that ruin night photos. The moon looked a bit fuzzy too.
Then we opened the S25 Ultra camera. Whoa. Stars popped out like diamonds. The noise was almost gone. And the moon? Sharp as a cookie.
Winner: Another point for S25 Ultra. Sky gazers, take note!
Speed and Ease of Use
Shooting in night mode can take a few seconds. That’s normal. Both phones use stacking — they snap several photos quickly and blend them into one clear shot.
But the S25 Ultra is faster. Here’s what we noticed:
- S25 Ultra: 2-3 seconds on average
- S22 Ultra: 4-5 seconds, sometimes longer
And speed matters at night! It’s easy to move or blink. Faster shots mean clearer photos.
Color, Detail, and Vibe
Colors can get tricky in low light. Some phones add weird tints. Others go overboard with sharpening.
The S22 Ultra tended to warm up night scenes too much. Some lights turned yellow when they weren’t. And soft details like tree leaves or brick walls looked a bit mushy.
The S25 Ultra stayed true to life. Lights looked real, colors stayed natural, and tiny details stood out even in the dark. You could see textures on a wet pavement or tiny cracks in a wall.
Battery While Shooting
Night photography can drain your juice. AI processing needs power.
We took about 50 photos with each phone to test stamina. Here’s what we found:
- S25 Ultra: Lost just 10%
- S22 Ultra: Dropped 17%
The newer model has better battery efficiency during night shooting. Another win!
Zooming in the Dark
Zoom is tough at night. Cameras need more light to keep zoomed photos clean.
With S22 Ultra, anything beyond 3x zoom got messy. At 10x, details vanished, and noise took over.
Surprisingly, the S25 Ultra handled 10x zoom quite well. It used clever software to clear up the image. You could make out signs or windows far away, even under weak lighting.
Winner: Once again, S25 Ultra.
Final Verdict
So after all the tests, how did the two phones stack up in night photography?
| Category | S22 Ultra | S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| City Lights | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Portraits | 3.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Stars and Sky | 2.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Zoom at Night | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Battery Use | 3/5 | 4/5 |
So… Should You Upgrade?
If you love taking night photos — yes. The S25 Ultra is a serious upgrade. Night scenes are brighter, faces look better, and the shots are faster. It feels like carrying a mini DSLR in your pocket. For shutterbugs, it’s worth it.
If your S22 Ultra is still working fine and you only take the occasional night photo, you might be okay holding off. But once you compare the two photos side-by-side, it’s hard to unsee the difference.
Wrap-Up
Samsung has clearly taken night photography up a notch with the S25 Ultra. It’s not just a small step ahead — it’s a big leap. Whether you’re into city vibes, stargazing, or just snapping your dog in the backyard after 8 PM, the S25 Ultra makes it all look epic.
So go ahead — grab your phone, wait for the sun to set, and go light up the dark!
