Sarah Tew/CNET
Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra represents the top of what the corporate can supply in a cellphone, with its highly effective processor, huge vibrant display and 5G connectivity. But it is the digicam setup I’m notably considering, and it is right here that the S21 Ultra pushes the boat out. There are 4 lenses on the again: a normal zoom, an ultrawide lens, a 3x optical zoom and a 10x optical zoom. Together with the large 108-megapixel decision of the principle digicam, the cellphone can obtain an enormous 30x zoom. TL;DR: It’s that zoom that’s the hero right here. While outcomes at 30x are nonetheless fairly poor, the cellphone’s potential to take photographs at 10x optical zoom means it could take pictures which might be merely not doable on rival flagships such because the iPhone 12 Pro or OnePlus 8T. 

Now enjoying:
Watch this:

We overview the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and its bonkers cameras

9:22

While I’d have favored to have extra headline options for the Galaxy S21 Ultra, what’s right here continues to be spectacular. And I set out throughout Edinburgh to see what the cellphone can do. 
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
I started within the lovely Dean Village, with this basic view trying down the river. Taken with the usual digicam, the cellphone has captured a wealthy and vibrant scene, with loads of element within the admittedly very shadowy foreground. Galaxy S21 Ultra, super-wide lens.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Zooming out to the super-wide view, there’s little noticeable shift in colours, past a little bit of magenta tinge within the prime proper nook. It’s a well-balanced shot and there is loads of element all through. Galaxy S21 Ultra, 3x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
At 3x zoom, the clock tower seems to be pin-sharp and vibrant.Galaxy S21, 10x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
At 10x zoom, the picture continues to be completely detailed, with pretty distinction and no shift in colours. Galaxy S21 Ultra, 30x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
At 30x zoom issues do not look so good. Yes, it is completely clear what the picture is of, however there’s an general lack of definition. It’s troublesome to get your shot lined up when zoomed in to date, however Samsung has a intelligent stabilization mode that helped me hold the entire clock face in body.Galaxy S21 Ultra, 100x zoom. 
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
At its most 100x zoom, these particulars are much more mushy, leading to a picture that is solely actually good as proof of one thing you’ve got seen, reminiscent of uncommon wildlife. Yes, it is a novel function that may be enjoyable to strive, however for most individuals, the standard is not adequate for an Instagram put up, for instance.Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
The 10x zoom is the candy spot for me and it is my favourite function of the S21 Ultra’s digicam. It permits you to seize photographic compositions that will require an enormous telephoto zoom lens with a DSLR. By zooming in on this seashore, I used to be capable of present the curving water, the concrete breakers stretching throughout the scene and clearly present the walkers, who add fantastic scale to the picture. Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
And right here I used to be capable of fill the body way more with the dramatic sight of Fettes College.Galaxy S21 Ultra, customary lens.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Taken with the usual zoom lens, this shot overlooking a golf course is not notably thrilling.Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
But activating the 10x zoom means altering the view fully, focusing as an alternative on the skyline of Edinburgh, with the monuments on Calton Hill clearly seen.Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x zoom, 100% crop.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Zooming in to 100% on the 10x zoom picture, it is clear that there is not lots of element captured. Realistically, pictures taken with the 10x zoom should not going to be of adequate high quality for printing — pristine-quality zooming will stay the territory of a DSLR with a telephoto lens, for now a minimum of. That mentioned, a lot of the photographs I took at 10x zoom look adequate for posts on social media, or for messaging to mates, which most likely counts for the overwhelming majority of what anybody would wish to do with their photographs anyway. Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
The 10x zoom was sufficient to precisely make out the main points on this airplane coming in to land. Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x zoom.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
And it was the 10x zoom that permit me isolate this couple from the distracting components within the scene, leading to a shot that focuses simply on them trying into the space. Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x zoom, 100% crop. 
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Again although, cropping into that picture to 100% exhibits that there is a particular lack of high quality element when utilizing this zoom stage.Galaxy S21 Ultra, ultrawide lens.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
The super-wide lens captures an enormous quantity of the scene and I’m actually impressed with how vibrant and punchy this picture is.Galaxy S21 Ultra, ultrawide lens.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
While this shot of a cannon has an awesome general publicity, with a managed vibrant sky and loads of shadow particulars on the gun itself. Galaxy S21 Ultra, night time mode.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Turning night time mode on, I used to be happy to see the cellphone produce a vibrant and sharp picture, even in a room that was extraordinarily darkish. The colours listed below are correct and there is sufficient element to have the ability to learn the high quality textual content on the candle. Impressive stuff. It’s early days with the cellphone, however already I’m impressed on the photographs I’ve been capable of get, with wonderful dynamic vary and correct colours on a lot of the pictures I’ve taken. The zoom is the standout function right here, nevertheless it’s solely spectacular up to some extent. I really like a few of the photographs I’ve taken at 10x zoom, however even then the main points are fairly tough. Going past 10x reduces it an enormous quantity and I nonetheless suppose the 100x Space Zoom is pointless — I’d have most well-liked Samsung spend its time making the 10x zoom look even higher. We’ll be conducting extra checks on the cellphone and its digicam within the coming weeks, so hold it CNET to see the way it stacks up and the way it compares in opposition to its rivals.

Discover the most recent information and greatest critiques in smartphones and carriers from CNET’s cellular consultants.