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Drawing tablet and pen display titan Wacom has completely refreshed its premium range of Intuos Pro tablets
The thin and light tablets look like great options for photographers and illustrators on the go(Image credit: Wacom)
Wacom has rocked thebest drawing tabletsmarket by announcing a complete redesign of its flagship Intuos Pro range. The Intuos Pro is a mainstay of thebest Wacom tabletsand with its new chip and digitizer set, Wacom claims the tablet boasts its “most accurate pen stroke (…) and intuitive controls in an ultra-slim, compact design.” It also features an improved battery life over the Intuos Pro 2017.
Wacom says the Windows and Mac-compatible tablets have been redesigned inside and out, with the most noticeable difference being physical controls positioned along the top of the tablet, rather than to one side, to better accommodate left-handed users. Another big update is the inclusion of the Pro Pen 3, found in the Cintiq Pro, Wacom’s flagship range of pen displays.
With three different sizes of tablet, you can select the Wacom Intuos Pro that suits your workflow best(Image credit: Wacom)
The Pro Pen 3 is said to provide Wacom’s “most sensitive, accurate, and natural pen performance,” while it can be customized with different grips, button configurations, nibs, and even weight adjustments, and doesn’t contain any batteries, removing the need for charging. It’s also Wacom’s first professional creative pen tablet that will work with older Wacom pro pens or a stylus made with EMR technology from Pilot, Lamy, or Staedtler.
The new Intuos Pro tablets boast enhanced ergonomics, thanks to the repositioning of mechanical dials and ExpressKeys, again, designed to better accommodate both right- and left-handed users, while also being customized for use with specific applications. The medium and large tablets have ten ExpressKeys and two dials, while the small tablet has five ExpressKeys and one dial. Each tablet is also extremely thin. All sizes boast a very sleight 0.16-0.28in (4 to 7mm) graduated thickness, with a sleek magnesium-alloy back.
The Wacom Intuos Pro features the customizable Wacom Pro Pen 3 (Image credit: Wacom)
Intuos Pro drawing tablet sizes
Intuos Pro Small
Intuos Pro Medium
Intuos Pro Large
Dimensions
8.5 x 6.4in (215 x 163mm)
11.5 x 8.1in (291 x 206mm)
14.8 x 10in (377 x 253mm)
Dimensions (active area)
7.4 x 4.1in (187 x 105mm)
10.4 x 5.8in (263 x 148mm)
13.7 x 7.7in (349 x 195 mm)
Weight
8.47oz (240g)
14.50oz (411g)
23.28oz (660g)
Pen pressure levels
8,192
8,192
8,192
Physical controls
5 ExpressKeys, 1 dial
10 ExpressKeys, 2 dials
10 ExpressKeys, 2 dials
The new Intuos Pro range can be paired and charged with the included USB-C to A cable or via Bluetooth 5.3. A useful enhancement is the tablets’ ability to pair to two computers simultaneously, making it easier to switch from one device to another, while a connector button allows users to “switch between the wired connection and either wireless computer,” so you can bring a third device into the mix. Wacom rates the tablets to provide 16 hours of battery when fully charged.
The tablets come with free trials of Clip Studio Paint, MASV andCapture One, as well as access to Wacom’s digital rights management tool, Yuify, so artists can protect their work via a micromark in conjunction with compatible software. The range is compatible with Windows 10 (or later) and macOS 13 (or later).
The tablets are set to launch in March and will be priced as follows: Intuos Pro Small, $249.95, Intuos Pro Medium, $379.95, and Intuos Pro Large, $499.95.
Microsoft’s Copilot Voice has been upgraded with 40 new languages
The AI has also improved its real-time responses
Microsoft wants to encourage people to engage with Copilot in their everyday lives
MicrosoftCopilot Voice has become a lot more cosmopolitan. The AI assistant has added support for 40 new languages and improved its real-time responses in a bid to make conversations feel more natural and comfortable for users.
Copilot Voice debuted in October, adding a vocal component to the AI, but with more power than the previous standard form of voice assistant. It can handle multi-turn conversations, recognize interruptions, and even adjust its tone based on emotional cues. It’s also free, which is a pretty big selling point in a world where AI subscriptions are becoming the norm.OpenAIhas Advanced Voice Mode forChatGPT, whileGoogle’s Gemini Liveoffers its vocal interface.
The expanded language support is a big deal, especially for users outside of English-speaking markets. Whether you’re switching between languages or simply want an assistant who understands your native tongue better, this is a welcome change. This also points to Microsoft’s strategy for making Copilot more of an international AI assistant through the Voice feature.
Another key improvement is in real-time information retrieval. Voice assistants have always had a slight lag when pulling information from the web, often leaving users waiting while the AI “thinks.” With this update, Copilot Voice is now much faster and more responsive when answering questions, making interactions feel smoother and more natural. No more awkward pauses while you wait for an answer to a simple question.
The update also highlights Microsoft’s efforts to enhance Copilot’s place as a digital assistant, not just a glorified search engine. Copilot Voice might succeed after the failure of Cortana as Microsoft’s AI voice assistant. The gap between what people expect from an AI assistant and what they actually get is closing, and voice AI tools will likely be a major facet.
Apple has published a support document outlining what to do if your Apple Watch speaker isn’t working
It follows a spate of reports about problems with the Series 10’s speakers
Customers can clean, update, or re-pair their Apple Watch, along with other steps
Following a raft of reports thatApple Watch Series 10users were having problems with their speakers,Applehas published a support document detailing how users can tackle some of the problems reported.
While the company has not officially responded to or acknowledged the speaker issues, the new document waspublished on February 13and states:
“If the microphone or speaker isn’t working as expected on yourApple Watch
Try these steps if your Apple Watch microphone or speaker isn’t working as expected. You can also use these steps if the sound is crackling, distorted, muffled, or intermittent.”
As you might expect, it features the usual slew of troubleshooting, including updates, re-pairing the watch, and cleaning. Here’s what you need to know.
How to fix your Apple Watch Series 10 speaker problems
Apple says that the first thing users should do is update their iPhone and Apple Watch software. If you’re having speaker troubles, it’s possible your issue has been solved by a software update, so this is a good starting point.
The next step is to clean your Apple Watch. Apple says you should check your Watch’s microphone and speaker for obstructions. Because Apple Watches are water-resistant, you can run it under “lightly running, warm, fresh water until it’s clean.” Apple Watch Series 10 speakers can be cleaned with a soft bristle brush, just don’t use cleaning liquids, sprays, or abrasives.
Apple also says you should check your Watch for water and dry it, as this can degrade speaker performance. “To check whether water is in the microphone or speaker port, place your Apple Watch microphone or speaker side down on a lint-free microfiber cloth,” the company says.
If there’s any present, you can dry it with a lint-free microfiber cloth; just don’t use heat, compressed air, or sprays. A top tip: charge your Apple Watch overnight to speed up evaporation.
Apple also offers the classic options of restarting, unpairing, and re-pairing your Apple Watch with your iPhone.
Finally, there are suggestions to check Silent Mode, Do Not Disturb, and your Watch’s sound settings in case you haven’t inadvertently silenced your Watch.
Since reporting these issues, multiple Series 10 users have confirmed they’ve been experiencing the issue. While not limited to the Series 10, the problem is more noticeable because 2024’sbest Apple Watchis the first mainstream model to offer audio playback for media through its speakers.
If you try all these steps and still have issues, it might be time to contact Apple Support or your local Apple Store.
New reports include ‘flooded road’ and other weather-related incidents
(Image credit: Google / Truckin_18)
Google Maps is testing the rollout of more incident reports
These are weather-related options such as ‘flooded road’ or ‘low visibility’
The growing library of incidents is a source of annoyance for some drivers
Google Mapsis introducing new incident reporting options, fresh additions that pertain to weather-related conditions.
Android Policespotted these new kinds of report, and they include the likes of ‘flooded road’ for when there’s been a huge deluge of rain, or ‘low visibility’ for when it gets foggy. And indeed ‘unplowed road’ for when, well, you should probably turn around and find a plowed road that’s not wheel-deep in snow.
The site noticed these new options inGoogle Mapsfor Android Auto first off, and then in the iPhone app.
The not-so-great news for those keen on being able to benefit from a wider variety of untoward happenings being reported is that these new introductions have not yet made it to the Android version of Google Maps.
However, it surely won’t be long before the ability to report a flooded or snowed-up road arrives on Android.
Is an ever-growing library of incidents a good thing?
This is a continued expansion of the reporting of incidents in Google Maps, on top of clearly-labeled Waze reports being piped through alongside native reportssince last year. There’s already a wide range of incidents that can be flagged, such as road traffic accidents, stalled cars, lanes being closed, speed traps, and so on.
Sometimes, these kind of alerts can be very useful, of course, and plenty of folks are grateful to have been warned of an incoming thorny issue on the road ahead.
However, not everyone is keen on being subject to more and more of these reports being highlighted in Google Maps – withcomplaints about them being too frequentonly likely to multiply, as Google further expands the library of incidents that can be reported.
The problem is compounded by errant reports – incidents that aren’t there, or were resolved some time back – and there being no easy way to switch off said reports.
It looks like this is a road Google is insisting on driving down, though, despite the ‘stop’ signs being waved by some of the drivers who use itsnavigation app.
New reports include ‘flooded road’ and other weather-related incidents
(Image credit: Google / Truckin_18)
Google Maps is testing the rollout of more incident reports
These are weather-related options such as ‘flooded road’ or ‘low visibility’
The growing library of incidents is a source of annoyance for some drivers
Google Mapsis introducing new incident reporting options, fresh additions that pertain to weather-related conditions.
Android Policespotted these new kinds of report, and they include the likes of ‘flooded road’ for when there’s been a huge deluge of rain, or ‘low visibility’ for when it gets foggy. And indeed ‘unplowed road’ for when, well, you should probably turn around and find a plowed road that’s not wheel-deep in snow.
The site noticed these new options inGoogle Mapsfor Android Auto first off, and then in the iPhone app.
The not-so-great news for those keen on being able to benefit from a wider variety of untoward happenings being reported is that these new introductions have not yet made it to the Android version of Google Maps.
However, it surely won’t be long before the ability to report a flooded or snowed-up road arrives on Android.
Is an ever-growing library of incidents a good thing?
This is a continued expansion of the reporting of incidents in Google Maps, on top of clearly-labeled Waze reports being piped through alongside native reportssince last year. There’s already a wide range of incidents that can be flagged, such as road traffic accidents, stalled cars, lanes being closed, speed traps, and so on.
Sometimes, these kind of alerts can be very useful, of course, and plenty of folks are grateful to have been warned of an incoming thorny issue on the road ahead.
However, not everyone is keen on being subject to more and more of these reports being highlighted in Google Maps – withcomplaints about them being too frequentonly likely to multiply, as Google further expands the library of incidents that can be reported.
The problem is compounded by errant reports – incidents that aren’t there, or were resolved some time back – and there being no easy way to switch off said reports.
It looks like this is a road Google is insisting on driving down, though, despite the ‘stop’ signs being waved by some of the drivers who use itsnavigation app.
New choice for Copilot app is currently in testing
(Image credit: Microsoft)
Windows 11’s Copilot app has a new feature in testing
It offers the ability to ‘auto start on login’ for the app
This could be a handy timesaver for those who use Copilot regularly
Windows 11has an incoming change for the Copilot app whereby it can be set to automatically load in the background when you start your PC.
PhantomOfEarth, who regularly posts bits and pieces of Windows-related observations and rumors on X, noticed the development.
As shown in the above post, there’s a new ‘auto start on login’ choice in the Settings for the Copilot app, which when enabled does just that – it automatically starts Copilot (in the background) when your system is fired up.
Right now, the option is still in testing (in version 1.25014.121.0 of the app), but providing there’s no pushback or problems, it should go live for all Windows 11 users before too long.
Analysis: The stumbling journey of the Copilot assistant
You might be thinking ‘who cares’ when it comes to this additional feature for Copilot, and that’s a fair enough point. I don’t imagine usage of the Copilot app is all that widespread, and indeed, I’d be surprised if it wasn’t a niche feature in Windows 11 – but for those people who do make use of the AI, this is still a handy little extra touch.
What it means is that they can invoke the Copilot app with the Alt+Space keyboard shortcut (assuming that’s also enabled), without having to wait for it to load up the first time this action is taken in a new computing session. (Because it will have already loaded up already, in the background).
The good news is that the option isn’t on by default, so Copilot isn’t being forcefully pushed into the background of everybody’s Windows 11 installation. You can either use this option, or just feel free to ignore it.
All in all, it’s a relatively minor change, and as with anything to do with Copilot, I’m waiting forMicrosoftto justify its existence in a more convincing manner. There were some big promises of an AI that could make sweeping system-wide changes based on simple requests back at the launch of the Copilot assistant on the desktop. However, all that appears to have been, well,swept under the carpetas time passed by, and Copilot was decoupled from the internals of Windows andmade a standalone app.
Maybe Copilot will be realized in this form eventually, but I can’t help but think that this destination feels a long, long, way off, given how things have progressed – or rather haven’t – with the desktop assistant thus far.
Apple’s Tim Cook has confirmed that the “newest member of the family” will launch on February 19
(Image credit: Apple / Tim Cook)
The possibility of an iPhone 4 SE has been circulating in theApplerumor mill for awhile – but now Apple is finally admitting thatsomethingis coming. Today, Apple’s Tim Cook shared an obscure teaser with a February 19 launch date on X (formerly Twitter).
The teasersimply reads: “Get ready to meet the newest member of the family. Wednesday, February 19.” The text is shared with a GIF of a shimmery metallic Apple logo.
The text and video don’t do much except indicate that some sort of new Apple product will be announced next week. The post on X doesn’t offer any hints as to what category the launch will even fall under, where that’s smartphones, tablets, computers, headphones or even VR headsets. (Although, the white circle behind the logo does remind me a bit of a MagSafe charger.)
But while Cook’s post doesn’t offer much insight outside of the launch date, rumors have been circulating about potential launches for several products. Apple tends to launch its more budget-friendly iPhones in the spring – though historically March has been the typical timeframe for iPhone SE launches.
With the traditional timeline for a budget iPhone quickly approaching, many are speculating that next week’s launch is theiPhone SE 4. Apple, naturally, hasn’t confirmed the rumors. Current speculation has the iPhone SE 4 expected to still have only a single camera but to potentially axe the home button like the more advanced iPhones. Of course, rumor sites were calling for the iPhone SE 4 to launch last week, so these reports shouldn’t be treated as certainties.
Another Apple product that tends to launch outside the big September event is theMacBook Air. Speculation points tothe slimmer laptop getting the M4 chip. That’s a safe guess with the M4 chip already available on theMacBook Pro, but again, Apple hasn’t offered any sort of hint at what specifically will launch on February 19.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (left) and the Galaxy S25 Ultra
Is theSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultraworth an upgrade if you own the last Ultra phone? Equally, if the Galaxy S25 Ultra is on your buy list, understanding how Samsung has improved the camera this time around will be an important point to understand before splashing out on it. To help answer these questions, we put Samsung’s latest Ultra phone against its predecessor, theGalaxy S24 Ultra, in a serious camera battle.
Camera specs
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (left) and the Galaxy S25 Ultra
The first thing to understand is not much has changed on the hardware front. Both have a 200-megapixel main camera with an f/1.7 aperture, phase-detection autofocus (PDAF) and optical image stabilization (OIS). It’s joined by a pair of telephoto cameras on both, one 10MP telephoto with OIS for a 3x optical zoom, and another 50MP telephoto with OIS for a 5x optical zoom.
The single hardware change is the wide-angle camera, which is a 12MP camera on the Galaxy S24 Ultra and a new 50MP wide-angle on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The new wide-angle camera has an f/1.9 aperture compared to the f/2.2 on the S24 Ultra, while both have the same 120-degree field of view.
Inside each phone is a different processor, which can have a considerable impact on the photographic experience. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 powers the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and it’s the latestSnapdragon 8 Eliteinside the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Both chips have been optimized “for Galaxy,” which Samsung says improves overall performance.
There is very little to split the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Ultra’s main cameras, but there are two things you need to know before deciding whether to upgrade. The tiny differences in tone, color, and dynamic range will be split by personal preference, as one isn’t better than the other, but I’ve continuously noticed the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s main camera takes sharper photos with a wider focal area.
The front of the church is a great example. Take a close look at the windows on the building deeper in the frame than the entrance, and you’ll see the S25 Ultra introduces blur where the S24 Ultra’s photo is pin sharp. It’s evident elsewhere in the photo too, but because you have to look really closely, it won’t bother everyone. However, it detracts from the overall photo once you’ve seen it.
1.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
2.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Galaxy S25 Ultra can redeem itself with less noise, which can be seen in the photo of the street, specifically under the awning and through the window. Lets finish with a photo that shows the differences as a whole. The Firebird sign and sky in the photo below has better white balance in the S25 Ultra’s photo, but isn’t as sharp as the S24 Ultra’s picture, and although the contrast is well-judged in the S25 Ultra’s photo, I prefer the color pop in the S24 Ultra’s photo.
1.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
2.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
It’s very difficult to say one is better than the other, as some won’t notice the differences at all, and both do have positive and negative points. I wouldn’t rush to upgrade the S24 Ultra to the S25 Ultra, but I also wouldn’t hold back on the S25 Ultra over any concerns the camera is somehow worse. The main camera category is a draw.
Now we come to the category where the Galaxy S25 Ultra should beat the S24 Ultra. Out testagainst the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Maxhas already shown the wide-angle camera takes good photos, so how does it do next to the Galaxy S24 Ultra? Anyone expecting dramatic differences is going to be a little disappointed.
The wide-angle photo of the church shows you have to look very closely to spot any differences at all, and even when you do, they’re negligible. There’s a bit less noise in the S25 Ultra’s photo, but more pop in the S24 Ultra’s photo, and both have an almost identical level of detail. Neither photo is better than the other.
1.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra wide-angle
2.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra wide-angle
The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s wide-angle camera is a little better in low light. In the shot of the cabinets inside a cafe, there’s markedly less noise and edge blurring at the top of the S25 Ultra’s photo, and the white balance is more accurate too. However, if I didn’t tell you about these differences, would you actually notice?
1.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra wide-angle
2.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra wide-angle
Here’s a test for you. Which wide-angle photo out of the two above do you prefer? The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s wide-angle camera takes sharper photos, but it’s really marginal, and I’m not convinced it makes that much of a difference. Both photos are technically quite similar, with no obvious negative points. Yes, the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s wide-angle camera is “better” than the S24 Ultra’s, but whether you will ever notice is another thing entirely. It gets the win, but don’t read too much into it.
Finally, as we reach the telephoto category, we can see some consistent improvements in the photos taken by the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Across the 3x, 5x, and 10x zoom the S25 Ultra takes sharper and less noisy photos than the S24 Ultra, and you don’t always need to pixel-peep to see the changes.
The 3x zoom photo of the archway is the hardest to immediately see the changes, but the wooden archway and gate do have more sharpness and texture when you take a moment to examine the photo. This continues into the background. I do prefer the S24 Ultra’s visual pop though, a running theme throughout the test.
1.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5x
2.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5x
The photo of the cat was taken at 5x zoom, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra has nailed the color of its coat, and lessened the intense contrast of the S24 Ultra’s image, giving it a natural look and tone. There’s a lot less noise in the background too.
1.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 10x
2.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 10x
Finally, the clock at 10x zoom shows how much the S24 Ultra relies on smoothing to keep noise at bay. The textures in the stone around the edge of the clock face are sharper in the S25 Ultra’s photo, and there’s a lot less pixelation in the darker sections at the top of the image. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s three primary zoom levels easily surpass the quality of the S24 Ultra’s cameras.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
30x and 100x zoom
1.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 30x
2.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 30x
More for fun than anything else, here’s how things have changed for the 30x and 100x zoom levels both phones can achieve. Interestingly, the 30x zoom is getting more and more usable, with far less smoothing, more sharpness, and additional texture to make the 30x photos taken by the Galaxy S25 Ultra much improved over the S24 Ultra.
1.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 100x
2.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 100x
The 100x zoom photos still aren’t ones you’d take and want to keep, but similar updates to the 30x mode make them less artificial looking than before, with more texture and realism. It’s advancements made in the software and processing which make all this possible, rather than the camera hardware, and it’s perhaps the area where we can see the most obvious changes between the two phone generations.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Night mode
1.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
2.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The software and processing improvements extend to the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s lowlight performance too. The first photo was taken in practically dark conditions, with ambient light coming from a security lamp behind me. The S25 Ultra’s photo is sharper, and makes better use of the contrast and exposure time to make the scene look more natural, and bring out more of the textures in the wood.
1.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
2.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The next two photos show the S25 Ultra’s greater ability to take a natural looking photo in lowlight. The first has plenty of ambient light, but it was nowhere near as green as the S24 Ultra makes it seem, but there’s a lot less noise in the photo due to its additional smoothing. However, textures are greater and more realistic in the S25 Ultra, such as on the tarmac and the tree trunk.
1.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
2.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
All this is then emphasized in the photo of the same scene taken from a different angle. The S25 Ultra’s colors are much more accurate, and there’s less blur on the vehicles too. However, it’s less effective at capturing the text on the van, and both photos have noisy skies. When the Galaxy S25 Ultra is this effective in very lowlight, it’ll suit more environments than the S24 Ultra.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
An easy win
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (left) and the Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has beaten the S24 Ultra in all but one category, with the telephoto sections proving to be the most decisive. The new wide-angle camera is obviously improved, but it’s not as dramatic as you may expect. However, I have been really impressed with it outside of this test piece, and you can see more examples of the photos it takesin our review.
It’s no surprise the two main cameras are equally matched as the hardware is unchanged, but I remain concerned about the introduction of blur and a lack of sharpness. I don’t think this should happen on a camera attached to a $1,300 smartphone, and look forward to Samsung addressing it in future software updates.
While the Galaxy S25 Ultra has won this test, it’s hard to say it provides a compelling reason to upgrade if you own the Galaxy S24 Ultra, unless you use the telephoto cameras a great deal. It’s not like the S24 Ultra has a bad camera, as it still managed tobeat the iPhone 16 Pro Maxat the end of 2024. We’ve got some other interesting tests if you’re still considering the S25 Ultra, as we’ve also put itagainst the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and we’ve got an in-depth look at how thetelephoto capabilities compare to its rivalshere.
The year was 2020, the month was February and Samsung had just kicked off yet another smartphone generation. The Galaxy S20 Ultra brought a lot of new features to the market, but crucially, Samsung’s marketing also made long zoom features and Ultra branding extremely desirable.
One of the key reasons to buy the Galaxy S20 Ultra — and subsequent Ultra phones from Samsung — was the camera. It featured a 108MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 48MP periscope telephoto camera that offered 4x optical zoom and 10x hybrid zoom. The latter also enabled the new 100X Space Zoom feature, which Samsung still promotes on its Ultra phones today.
Fast forward five years, and while the lineup has changed, the premise is still the same. The Galaxy S25 Ultra offers a 200MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide sensor, and two periscope lenses, one at 10MP with 3x optical zoom and the other at 50MP with 5x optical zoom. Yet, Samsung faces a problem: its Ultra phones face huge competition from the competition and it may no longer have the best zoom camera in the US.
To find out if it’s still the best, I tested it against the main competition and it’s very close: here’s what happened and which phone wins.
For a few years, Samsung faced no real competition in the US or most Western countries. As a result, the company was mostly able to refine its lineup at its own pace, without the added pressure of intense competition.
The Galaxy S20 Ultra introduced the Zoom race, whilst the Galaxy S21 Ultra saw Samsung adopt the quad-camera approach that it still uses today. It featured the same 108MP main camera, but introduced a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom — still in use today — and a secondary 10MP periscope lens with 10x optical zoom.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra featured the same camera as the S21 Ultra, but with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung introduced a new 200MP main camera. This is the same one that’s found on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Last year’sGalaxy S24 Ultrathen saw Samsung tweak its approach to the zoom camera, by dropping the 10MP periscope lens with 10x optical zoom in favor of a 50MP periscope lens offering 5x optical zoom.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra keeps the same camera array as the Galaxy S24 Ultra but introduces a new 50MP ultrawide lens. However, the 3x and 5x telephoto lenses have proven to be fairly capable at low zoom lengths, but struggle to match another phone at the same 100x zoom length. The kicker for Samsung is that the other phone only has a single telephoto lens that only offers a 3x optical zoom.
As Samsung has proven there is global demand for phones with strong zoom capabilities, the competition has taken notice. Apple, Google, and OnePlus have all considered Samsung’s success and sought out different approaches to the camera to achieve similar, or better, results than Samsung’s best phone.
Here’s how the Galaxy S25 Ultra camera compares to the key flagship from each phone:
Samsung remains the only company in the US to adopt two telephoto lenses, with the 3x telephoto matching the one on the OnePlus 13, while the 5x matches the same zoom capabilities found on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro.
However, as we’ll see, the adage continues to ring true: it’s not just the hardware that matters, but how each camera and ISP uses the hardware. Further complicating this is the use of AI in post-processing and how each company uses it to further enhance the final photo.
Testing the Galaxy S25 Ultra Zoom vs the US competition
On paper, the Galaxy S25 Ultra should be the most capable zoom camera in the US, but as the headline suggests, this is no longer the case. I’ve been traveling with Samsung’s latest flagship for several weeks and have tested it against the key competition in the US during both day and night.
For each zoom length, I’ve picked two sets of daytime photos to evaluate the zoom. One of these focuses on the ability to zoom into text and finer details, while the other points to its ability to zoom into landscapes and other subjects. Each phone has plenty of zoom lengths, but for this comparison, I’ve focused on the key ones: 1x, 3x/5x depending on which each phone has, 10x and 25x or 30x.
What about the competition? First, let’s consider thePixel 9 Pro. Google’s flagship offers a 5x zoom and a maximum of 30x zoom, so let’s look at each comparison. Here’s the first sample set.
1.Galaxy S25 Ultra 1x
2.Galaxy S25 Ultra 5x
3.Galaxy S25 Ultra 30x
4.Pixel 9 Pro 1x
5.Pixel 9 Pro 5x
6.Pixel 9 Pro 30x
Next, let’s look at the performance in the second scene.
1.Galaxy S25 Ultra 1x
2.Galaxy S25 Ultra 5x
3.Galaxy S25 Ultra 30x
4.Galaxy S25 Ultra 30x
5.Pixel 9 Pro 1x
6.Pixel 9 Pro 5x
7.Pixel 9 Pro 30x
8.Pixel 9 Pro 30x
The Pixel 9 Pro is fairly impressive in these two scenes, and I prefer it for the first two images in the first scene. However, once you get into the details, the Galaxy S25 Ultra beats it thanks to extra detail in the balcony railings, the cruise ship deck, and the sign on the cruise ship. It’s quite close, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra still wins this comparison.
Next, let’s look at theiPhone 16 Pro. Samsung’s flagship is billed as a competitor to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which features the same camera as its smaller sibling. The iPhone 16 Pro also features the same 5x found on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which was previously exclusive just to the Max lineup.
Here’s how the two compare.
1.Galaxy S25 Ultra 1x
2.Galaxy S25 Ultra 5x
3.Galaxy S25 Ultra 30x
4.iPhone 16 Pro 1x
5.iPhone 16 Pro 5x
6.iPhone 16 Pro 25x
Next, let’s look at the performance in the second scene.
1.Galaxy S25 Ultra 1x
2.Galaxy S25 Ultra 5x
3.Galaxy S25 Ultra 30x
4.Galaxy S25 Ultra 30x
5.iPhone 16 Pro 1x
6.iPhone 16 Pro 5x
7.iPhone 16 Pro 25x
8.iPhone 16 Pro 25x
The iPhone 16 Pro is limited to just 25x maximum zoom and these images show why Apple limits the maximum zoom on its phones. The Galaxy S25 Ultra wins, but like the Pixel 9 Pro, I think both phones are quite similar at the lowest zoom lengths.
If we were to stop this comparison right now, Samsung would probably still rein supreme, but there’s one device remaining. On paper, theOnePlus 13shouldn’t be able to compete with the Galaxy S25 Ultra given its telephoto lens only has a 3x optical zoom and it lacks the 6x found on its non-US sibling, the Find X8 Pro. It does still feature a 6x option that’s billed as a hybrid between digital and optical zoom, so I’ve included this in the test as a comparison against the 5x on the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
1.Galaxy S25 Ultra 1x
2.Galaxy S25 Ultra 3x
3.Galaxy S25 Ultra 5x
4.Galaxy S25 Ultra 30x
5.OnePlus 13 1x
6.OnePlus 13 3x
7.OnePlus 13 6x
8.OnePlus 13 30x
Next, let’s look at the performance in the second scene.
1.Galaxy S25 Ultra 1x
2.Galaxy S25 Ultra 3x
3.Galaxy S25 Ultra 5x
4.Galaxy S25 Ultra 30x
5.OnePlus 13 1x
6.OnePlus 13 3x
7.OnePlus 13 6x
8.OnePlus 13 30x
Both phones are evenly matched throughout these comparisons, and it’s quite surprising that the OnePlus 13 can match the Galaxy S25 Ultra despite the lack of a fourth camera, and the smaller 3x optical zoom. At 30x zoom, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is just slightly better, but overall, they feel equally matched.
Unlike the iPhone 16 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro, the OnePlus 13 also goes further than 30x and this is where I’ve been blown away. From the same sets above, here are the same shots at 100x on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and the maximum 120x on the OnePlus 13.
1.Galaxy S25 Ultra 100x
2.OnePlus 13 120x
3.Galaxy S25 Ultra 100x
4.OnePlus 13 120x
As you can see, the OnePlus 13 picks up where Google left off and proves that you don’t necessarily need the best hardware to capture the best photos. Despite inferior zoom capabilities — on paper, at least — it has the best zoom of any of these phones I’ve tested. In particular, the AI does an excellent job of filling in missing details and throughout all my testing, it’s consistently proven to be better than the Galaxy S25 Ultra at the higher zoom lengths.
The weather can cause disruptions, but these additions might make it more manageable.
What you need to know
Google is reportedly pushing an update for Maps on Android Auto that adds four new roadside hazards caused by the weather.
The options include low visibility, unplowed road, flooded road, and object on road.
Last year, Google updated the incident reporting experience in Maps on Android Auto, adding shared reports from Waze and a generalized “police” choice.
Google has reportedly pushed a quiet update for Maps, bringing a few more road safety alert options.
Android Policespotted the latest Maps alerts, involving road or roadside dangers caused by the weather. Specifically, the publication discovered four new options in Maps when reporting “incidents.” Those choices are: low visibility, unplowed road, flooded road, and “object on road.”
Each option deals with a particular weather occurrence, such as thick early morning fog, torrential rainfall, and the after-effects of a snowstorm. However, the “object on road” choice could help drivers point out more than just a downed tree branch following a storm. Users could use it to report items that could puncture their tire and more to keep their fellow drivers safe.
While the post points out that these four options have joined the broader “report and accident” menu on Android Auto, it’s not everywhere yet. It seems as though Maps is getting this in waves, giving drivers the options first.
The post claims the reporting options haven’t appeared properly on Android devices, yet users on iOS are supposedly “slowly” receiving them.
Reporting-wise, Google has dropped a couple of updates for Maps to improve the experience,like one for police. In November, Maps refined the way users could report police activity. The incident report was previously classified as “speed trap;” however, Google renamed it “police” to generalize all roadside activity. The app on Android Auto now conveniently features the “police” option at the top of the incident list, beside “crash,” “slowdown,” and “construction.”
More importantly, Google and Waze joined forces last summer toshare incident reportsfor drivers. The collaborationappeared more widelyfor drivers in December. If shared from Waze, users will see the alert appear on their in-dash display with a tag confirming where it’s from. Users can “confirm” the report, giving it some street cred when others see a report of police activity or a roadside hazard.
Google hasn’t forgotten its Android phones as Maps rolled out an updatefor weather-related delayslast fall. Users traveling — at any point in time — can take advantage of how the weather could impact their travels and the city’s local transit systems.
Fixes for audio glitches, Auto HDR weirdness affecting PC gamers, and more
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Windows 11’s February 2025 cumulative update has arrived
It packs a host of cures including the resolution of an Auto HDR bug that was messing up colors and causing games to crash
Important audio fixes are also present, and the cure for a nasty problem with webcams
Windows 11has a new cumulative update, and it brings forth some important fixes for bugs that have been annoying a good many people.
Bleeping Computerspotted the release notes for the February 2025 update for Windows 11 which emerged yesterday and should be available on PCs now. This is patch KB5051987 for Windows 11 24H2, but if you’re still on 23H2, it’s KB5051989.
The update cures one of the (many) bugs that gamers have found seriously frustrating, whereby colors are messed up by theAuto HDRfeature. This has now been resolved, as have thecrashes in games that were being reporteddue to this issue, as well.
Another major fix here is for the bug that killed the audio output of those using an audio DAC (digital-to-analog converter) with their PC, although this affected other users too (you were just more likely to run into the problem if you use a DAC).
DAC or no DAC (I feel a gameshow idea coming on), the bug has been squashed with the new update, as has another audio glitch which caused a ‘This device cannot start’ error to appear (though that was a less common problem, and not one I’ve heard of before).
Finally, remember theissues with USB webcams where they weren’t being detected properly? You can kiss goodbye to those camera woes, too, asMicrosofttells us that this bug (caused by the previous January 2025 cumulative update) is now a thing of the past.
You may recall that the AutoHDRfix arrived in the preview update for January (an optional affair at the end of last month), so the good news is that it hasn’t caused any problems in the final testing stages, and so can now be applied to Windows 11 PCs across the board.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the compatibility hold which was put on PCs that would’ve been affected by this bug has now been lifted, so if your computer was prevented from grabbing 24H2 due to this gremlin, you should be able to get the big update soon.
Whether you’ll want to make that leap yet is another question, of course, as 24H2 has proved quite problematic in terms ofvarious bugs manifesting since its launch.
Hopefully we’re over the worst of all that, though, and as we can see here, Microsoft is now working at a fair old pace to resolve the miscellaneous glitches that have affected Windows 11 users who’ve moved to the latest version (which is now underway with a wider rollout).
