The absence of a telephoto lens in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge significantly impacts its zoom capabilities. Unlike other models in the S25 series, such as the S25 Ultra and S25 Plus, which feature dedicated telephoto lenses for optical zoom, the S25 Edge relies solely on its main camera for zooming. This means that zooming will be achieved through digital means, using the high-resolution 200MP main camera to crop and upscale images. While this can provide decent results for low levels of zoom, it is less effective for higher magnifications, leading to a loss of detail and image quality compared to optical zoom[1][4][5].
Optical zoom, as seen in models like the Galaxy S25 Ultra with its 5x and 10x optical zoom capabilities, maintains image clarity by physically adjusting the lens to magnify the subject. In contrast, digital zoom enlarges the image by cropping and upscaling, which can result in pixelation and reduced sharpness, especially at higher zoom levels[2][5].
Samsung's decision to omit the telephoto lens from the S25 Edge is likely a design choice aimed at maintaining the phone's slim profile. However, this compromise may affect the device's appeal to users who value high-quality zoom capabilities, as it cannot match the performance of models with dedicated telephoto lenses[4][7][9]. Despite this, the S25 Edge's high-resolution main camera can still provide good zoom results up to a certain level, especially with the aid of advanced software processing and AI enhancements[1][5].
Citations:
[1] https://sammyguru.com/samsung-galaxy-s25-edge-everything-you-need-to-know/
[2] https://www.samsung.com/ca/mobile-buying-guide/samsung-galaxy-s25-camera-specs-explained/
[3] https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/live/samsung-galaxy-s25-unpacked
[4] https://www.sammyfans.com/2025/01/29/rumor-says-galaxy-s25-edge-to-lack-telephoto-zoom-camera/
[5] https://www.phonearena.com/news/galaxy-s25-edge-camera_id167911
[6] https://prelaunch.com/product-blog/samsung-galaxy-s25-edge-vs-galaxy-s25-plus
[7] https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/samsung-phones/samsung-galaxy-s25-edge-ive-got-7-big-questions-about-this-mysterious-phone
[8] https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s25_edge_camera_specs_surface_to_be_slimmer_than_anticipated-news-66459.php
[9] https://www.androidpolice.com/samsung-galaxy-s25-edge-battery-certification/