100x Zoom Showdown: Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Pixel 10 Pro vs. Razr Fold

ZDNet's expert conducted a comparative test of ultra-long zoom capabilities across three flagship smartphones: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Google Pixel 10 Pro, and Motorola Razr Fold. The focus was on image processing quality at maximum 100x magnification, with testing conducted in real-world conditions—from capturing distant objects in theme parks to nighttime lunar photography.

The results revealed that Samsung, long considered the leader in this segment, now trails its competitors. The Galaxy S26 Ultra delivered the weakest performance in most scenarios, producing blurry images with visible artifacts. In contrast, the Pixel 10 Pro and Razr Fold handled the task significantly better. The foldable Motorola device, despite form-factor limitations, produced the sharpest and most detailed shots.

Interestingly, Google and Motorola employ distinct approaches to image processing. The Pixel 10 Pro visually signals post-processing with a 'spark' animation, while the Razr Fold applies corrections seamlessly. Samsung, despite aggressively integrating AI into other smartphone features, fails to apply additional processing for zoom, which negatively impacts output quality.

Nighttime lunar photography was the only scenario where the Galaxy S26 Ultra matched competitors. However, even here, the Pixel 10 Pro struggled with focus accuracy, producing overexposed final images. The Razr Fold once again demonstrated superior stability, delivering the best sharpness among all tested devices.

The expert's conclusion: Samsung must urgently refine its ultra-long zoom image processing algorithms to remain competitive. This is especially critical given Motorola's achievement in a foldable form factor, where cameras are traditionally a weak point.