How Galaxy AI is changing smartphone photography

Since generative AI first rolled out to the masses, pro photographers and casual shutterbugs alike have speculated about its impact on image-making. Will AI finally make it so that we can all take post-worthy sunset photos on our smartphones? How about fixing those blurry shots of your dog mid-zoomies, or salvaging that once-in-a-lifetime group shot where half your friends blinked at the exact wrong moment?

If you’ve ever squinted at your screen wondering why the amazing moment you felt doesn’t match the one you captured, the Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25 Ultra may just be the upgrade you didn’t know you needed. The device offers a few hardware upgrades from its predecessor, as well as notable software additions — and the Galaxy AI features in particular are significant improvements. And when it comes to AI-enhanced photography, it’s one of the first smartphones where AI features feel fully baked in.

Here's a quick look at how Galaxy AI(1) is reshaping the way people take and manage photos on their phones.

A camera that meets the moment

On top of the Galaxy S25’s versatile, triple-lens rear camera system — which includes a 50MP main wide camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens — this latest device layers on AI features like improved scene recognition and dynamic exposure adjustments. Whether you’re photographing your kid’s school play from the tenth row or trying to capture the perfect shot of your latte before it gets cold, the S25’s smart camera knows how to show up.

Thanks to AI, the camera now automatically adapts across various lighting environments. In dim settings like candle-lit rooms or sunset, the S25 uses its Nightography(2) algorithms to reduce noise and boost clarity. The feature delivers crisp, vivid results without the graininess or washed-out look typically associated with smartphone snapshots. The result is the difference between a moody, golden-hued memory and a hazy shot that leaves you saying, “You had to be there.”

In bright conditions, the S25 also intelligently compensates to avoid overexposure. For instance, in naturally backlit spaces, it maintains sharp detail in both highlights and shadows. Even when shooting against reflective surfaces, the AI-driven adjustments retain impressive balance and realism — think less “washed out mirror selfie,” more “studio-lit glow up.”

Galaxy AI in action: Most helpful features

There’s AI functionality embedded throughout the S25 user experience, but the camera tools are where these enhancements shine the brightest.

Here are a few features that stand out:

1. Object Eraser and Generative Edit

Generative Edit(3) enables users to manipulate objects directly in photos with just a few taps. Simply open a photo and hit the “Generative Edit” icon in the center of the toolbar to begin experimenting. You can circle an object to select it, and then choose whether to reposition, resize, or remove it entirely.

With the help of Samsung’s ProVisual Engine, AI can remove an object and fill in the background automatically to match and reconstruct the rest of the image — in just a few seconds. This feature is particularly useful for those unintentional photobomb moments (like the guy in the neon vest who wandered into your otherwise-impeccable Eiffel Tower pic). It’s also great for removing distracting objects that interfere with your photo’s composition, like powerlines slicing through your idyllic landscape shot.

Want to see your best friend as a comic-book hero? Or turn your toddler into a space explorer for their birthday party invite?  Beyond cleanup, users can use Galaxy AI features like Portrait Studio to integrate filters that reimagine selfies or portraits in stylised forms. Think of this like a memoji for the 2025 AI era — turn yourself or your loved ones into any number of whimsical avatars to share in the group chat or more publicly on social media. 

2. Sketch to image

Sketch to Image(4) allows users to sketch on a photo — tracing outlines, shapes, or doodles — and then refines those drawings to blend seamlessly into the image. The effect feels natural, like part of the original photo rather than a digital overlay. It’s perfect for adding a dash of personality, whether you’re sending a doodled thank-you, or just jazzing up your group chat memes.

This is a useful feature for anyone who wants to inject creativity into everyday shots. You can draw a heart around your dog, for instance, or turn the sun in the background of your shot into a cartoon that looks super realistic. The feature is easy to use, fast at cranking out design iterations, and fun to experiment with.

3. AI in the Gallery app

We’ve all been there — sitting at dinner with a friend, searching for that one photo of your cat in a Halloween costume from three years ago. It’s an awkward scroll through hundreds of thumbnails while your pasta gets cold.

This is the precise everyday friction that makes multimodal AI in the Galaxy S25’s Gallery app(5) one of the more quietly powerful upgrades. By combining visual understanding with natural language processing, the phone can now help users find and interact with photos faster and more intuitively.

For instance, you can search for “cats in superhero Halloween costumes” and Galaxy AI will parse both image content and contextual metadata to surface the right photo. No more guessing which month you went to Joshua Tree or endlessly scrolling through 170 nearly identical photos of brunch. Your fries stay hot — and so does the conversation.

The verdict: A seamless snap-and-share experience with just the right amount of smarts

The intelligence layer Samsung has added on top of its already impressive hardware feels like the missing link between creative intent and seamless execution. For photographers — whether spontaneous snappers or intentional shooters—the S25 offers tools that feel accessible yet remarkably capable. Another welcome touch: These AI features aren’t buried in obscure menus. Samsung’s updated UI makes them easy to discover and experiment with, even for non-techy users. You don’t have to be a professional — or even particularly patient — to get share-worthy shots.

Looking ahead, features like Generative Edit and Sketch to Image represent a shift in how users interact with their devices and create content. These tools stand to enable a more fluid, customisable approach to mobile photography; and in a world dominated by spec comparisons, it’s refreshing to see a phone that focuses on experience. 

Big screen. Small form. Huge upgrade. The new Galaxy Foldable is coming.

(1) Samsung account login is required for certain AI features.

(2) Results may vary depending on light condition, subject and/or shooting conditions.

(3) Samsung account login is required. Requires network connection.

(4) Requires a network connection and Samsung account login. Visible watermark is overlaid on the image to indicate that the image output is generated by AI. Accuracy of output not guaranteed.

(5) Samsung account login and network connection required.