Samsung has begun rolling out its stable One UI 8 update for the new Galaxy S25 series, but what should be a moment of excitement is being overshadowed by a storm of criticism aimed squarely at the flagship S25 Ultra’s camera, with many users and leakers calling it a significant step back from the competition.
The Good News: One UI 8 is Here
The software news, at least, is positive. According to tech insider Tarun Vats, the One UI 8 Beta Program has officially ended, and Samsung has started pushing the stable version to Galaxy S25 beta users in Korea.
This new update brings a host of refinements, including a powerful new feature called Gallery Assistant. As detailed, this tool is a bulk image and video editor, allowing users to process up to 500 files at once. Its capabilities include reducing file size, rotating and flipping media, adding watermarks, comparing images to delete duplicates, and even saving selections as a single PDF for easy sharing.
The Bad News: The S25 Ultra Camera Under Fire
Despite the software advancements, the reception for the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s camera has been overwhelmingly negative, particularly its telephoto performance. Prominent leaker posted a direct comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max, stating bluntly, “Samsung lost badly.“
The critique focuses on Samsung’s processing. The telephoto algorithm is described as “dirty“—recklessly adding artificial details, over-sharpening, and introducing unnatural textures that distort images into having “cartoonish effects.” Another user echoed this, calling the stock camera “flat, lacks depth, natural texture, detail… and still capped at 12MP.”
The criticism doesn’t stop with Apple. According to @PhoneArt, the S25 Ultra’s telephoto capabilities can’t compete with upcoming models from Chinese brands like OPPO, vivo, and Xiaomi. In a stunning twist, these competitors are reportedly using Samsung’s own high-end 200MP and GN8 sensors to achieve superior results. Meanwhile, the S25 Ultra itself is said to be using a “low-spec” Sony IMX854 sensor for its telephoto lens. As the leaker put it, “This is a story of Chinese brands using Samsung’s own tech to beat Samsung—priceless!”
One UI 8: Not the Savior for the Camera
For users hoping the new software would fix the hardware’s shortcomings, the news is grim. The One UI 8 update is said to provide only a “minor 5-10% boost” to the stock camera’s performance. More alarmingly, the update has allegedly “nerfed” the Expert RAW app—a tool many enthusiasts relied on to bypass the stock camera’s flaws.
This combination of underwhelming hardware and questionable software choices has led to significant frustration among loyal users, with some already “eyeing competitors.” With its “Ultra” title being seriously challenged, Samsung faces immense pressure to address what many are calling a deeply disappointing camera system.
