Samsung Galaxy S24 Vs Google Pixel 8 Which Has Better Zoom Capabilities

When it comes to smartphone photography, zoom performance is a critical factor—especially for capturing distant subjects like wildlife, architecture, or candid moments from afar. The Samsung Galaxy S24 and Google Pixel 8 represent two of the most advanced Android flagships available in 2024, each boasting high-end camera systems with AI-powered enhancements. But when you need to get closer without physically moving, which phone delivers superior zoom quality?

This article dives deep into the hardware, software, and real-world performance of both devices' zoom capabilities. We’ll break down optical reach, digital clarity, computational processing, and practical usability to help you decide which device truly excels when you need to zoom in.

Camera Hardware: The Foundation of Zoom Performance

The physical camera setup plays a foundational role in how well a smartphone can handle zoomed-in shots. Both the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Google Pixel 8 feature multi-lens systems, but their approaches differ significantly.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 is equipped with a triple rear camera array that includes:

• A 50MP main sensor (f/1.8)
• A 12MP ultra-wide sensor (f/2.2)
• A dedicated 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom (f/2.4) and optical image stabilization (OIS)

In addition, Samsung integrates a second telephoto lens on select regional variants—particularly the S24+ and S24 Ultra models—which supports up to 5x periscope optical zoom. However, the base S24 model retains only the 3x telephoto lens.

The Google Pixel 8, by contrast, uses a dual-camera system:

• A 50MP main sensor (f/1.7) with OIS
• A 12MP ultra-wide sensor (f/2.2)
• No native telephoto lens

Instead of a dedicated zoom lens, Google relies on cropping into the main sensor and enhancing results through computational photography. This means all zoom functionality on the Pixel 8 is technically \"digital\" or \"software-based,\" even at lower magnifications like 2x or 3x.

Tip: Optical zoom always outperforms digital zoom in clarity and detail retention. If frequent zooming is essential, prioritize phones with dedicated telephoto lenses.

Optical vs Digital Zoom: Understanding the Difference

Before comparing actual performance, it’s important to understand what “optical” and “digital” zoom mean in practice.

Optical zoom uses physical lens movement to magnify an image without losing resolution. Because no pixels are interpolated or stretched, optical zoom produces sharper, more natural-looking images. The Samsung Galaxy S24’s 3x telephoto lens allows true optical zoom between 1x and 3x, preserving full detail within that range.

Digital zoom, used exclusively by the Pixel 8, crops into the center portion of the main sensor and then upscales the image using algorithms. While modern AI processing helps reduce artifacts, digital zoom inherently sacrifices some resolution and dynamic range, especially beyond 3x.

Google compensates with its Super Res Zoom technology—a machine learning-driven method that combines multiple frames taken at slightly different angles to reconstruct fine details. It works remarkably well under ideal lighting but struggles in low light or fast-moving scenes.

“Hardware still matters most in zoom photography. No amount of AI can fully replace the signal quality of a dedicated telephoto lens.” — Dr. Lin Zhao, Imaging Systems Researcher at MIT Media Lab

Zoom Performance Comparison: Real-World Scenarios

To evaluate real-world effectiveness, we tested both phones across various zoom levels and lighting conditions. Here's how they performed:

1x to 3x Zoom: Everyday Use

At standard zoom levels (2x–3x), both phones deliver usable results. The Pixel 8 leverages its large 50MP sensor and Super Res Zoom to produce clean, well-detailed images. Edge sharpening is aggressive but generally effective.

The Galaxy S24, however, captures slightly more natural textures and color gradation thanks to its optical telephoto lens. There’s less noise and fewer halos around high-contrast edges, particularly noticeable in backlit situations.

5x Zoom: Pushing the Limits

At 5x, the difference becomes stark. The Galaxy S24 maintains optical-like quality if using a higher-tier model with periscope zoom (S24+, S24 Ultra). But even the base S24 applies intelligent hybrid zoom combining optical input with minimal digital enhancement, resulting in acceptable sharpness and manageable noise.

The Pixel 8 must rely entirely on digital zoom at this level. Results vary widely depending on lighting. In daylight, images remain surprisingly clear with good subject separation. Indoors or during dusk, however, the image softens significantly, with visible grain and loss of texture in fabrics or facial features.

10x and Beyond: Long-Range Photography

For extreme zooming, only the S24 Ultra offers reliable performance due to its 10x periscope lens. The base S24 begins to degrade past 7x, though Samsung’s AI-enhanced Zoom Lock helps stabilize shaky hands and improve framing accuracy.

The Pixel 8 attempts 10x zoom using Super Res Zoom, but output often appears cartoonish—over-sharpened, with smudged details and unnatural skin tones. While usable for social media thumbnails, these images lack print-quality fidelity.

Detailed Feature Comparison Table

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S24	Google Pixel 8
Telephoto Lens	Yes (3x optical)	No
Periscope Zoom (10x)	No (available on S24 Ultra only)	No
Hybrid Zoom (up to)	30x (usable up to ~7x)	N/A
Digital Zoom Technology	Samsung AI Zoom	Super Res Zoom
Best Quality Zoom Range	1x–5x (hybrid), 1x–3x (optical)	1x–3x (digital), up to 5x in daylight
Low-Light Zoom Performance	Moderate (good OIS support)	Poor (excessive noise)
Zoom Stability Features	Zoom Lock, OIS, Dual Telephoto (on Ultra)	Software stabilization only

Mini Case Study: Capturing Wildlife at Dusk

Consider a photographer attempting to capture birds near a lakeside at sunset. Lighting is dim, and approaching any closer would scare the animals.

Using the Galaxy S24, the user activates 3x optical zoom. Thanks to OIS and accurate autofocus, the shot remains stable. Details in feathers are preserved, and colors stay true despite fading light.

With the Pixel 8, the same scene requires digital zoom. Even at 3x, the image shows early signs of noise. At 5x, the bird’s outline blurs, and background trees become pixelated. Despite HDR+ and Night Sight activation, the final image lacks the precision needed for identification or printing.

This scenario illustrates why optical hardware remains crucial—even with powerful software backing.

Computational Photography: How Software Enhances Zoom

While Samsung leans on hardware superiority, Google emphasizes algorithmic refinement. The Pixel 8 runs on the Tensor G3 chip, optimized specifically for AI-driven imaging tasks.

Key software features include:

• Super Res Zoom: Combines micro-shifted frames to simulate higher resolution.
• HDR+ with Bracketing: Improves dynamic range in high-contrast zoomed scenes.
• Face Enhancement: Maintains facial detail during portrait zooming.

These tools work best in bright environments. In controlled tests, the Pixel 8 matched mid-range optical zoom quality at 3x under studio lighting. However, motion blur and inconsistent focus tracking limited reliability in action scenarios.

Samsung counters with its own AI suite—called AI-Powered Zoom Optimization—which intelligently blends inputs from multiple sensors, reduces compression artifacts, and enhances edge definition. Unlike Google’s approach, Samsung’s system benefits from having actual telephoto data to refine, giving it a structural advantage.

Checklist: Choosing the Right Phone for Your Zoom Needs

Use this checklist to determine which device aligns with your photography priorities:

1. ✅ Do you frequently take photos of distant subjects (e.g., concerts, sports, nature)? → Choose Samsung Galaxy S24
2. ✅ Is having a true optical telephoto lens important to you? → Choose Samsung Galaxy S24
3. ✅ Do you value natural color science and minimal post-processing artifacts? → Choose Samsung Galaxy S24
4. ✅ Are you primarily shooting in daylight and sharing online? → Pixel 8 may suffice
5. ✅ Do you prefer stock Android and Google’s photo ecosystem? → Consider Pixel 8, but accept zoom limitations
6. ✅ Is budget a concern and you want flagship features without top-tier zoom? → Pixel 8 offers excellent overall value

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Google Pixel 8 have any optical zoom?

No, the Pixel 8 does not have a dedicated telephoto lens. All zoom functionality is digital, relying on cropping and Super Res Zoom processing. While effective up to 3x in good light, it cannot match true optical zoom in fidelity.

Can the Samsung Galaxy S24 zoom better than the Pixel 8 in low light?

Yes. The Galaxy S24’s optical telephoto lens and OIS allow it to maintain better exposure control and reduced noise in dim conditions. The Pixel 8 struggles with excessive grain and slower shutter speeds when zooming in darker environments.

Is Super Res Zoom as good as optical zoom?

Not quite. Super Res Zoom is one of the best digital zoom technologies available and performs admirably up to 5x in daylight. However, it cannot replicate the raw data capture of a physical telephoto lens. Optical zoom consistently delivers superior texture, dynamic range, and consistency.

Final Verdict: Which Has Better Zoom Capabilities?

After thorough evaluation, the Samsung Galaxy S24 clearly holds the advantage in zoom capabilities—thanks to its dedicated 3x optical telephoto lens, hybrid zoom intelligence, and stronger low-light performance. While the Pixel 8 impresses with software innovation, it ultimately hits a hard ceiling imposed by its lack of optical hardware.

If your photography routine involves regular zoom usage—whether for travel, events, or creative projects—the Galaxy S24 provides more consistent, higher-fidelity results across varying conditions. For casual users who mostly shoot close-range or well-lit scenes, the Pixel 8 remains a compelling option with excellent overall camera balance.

Ultimately, while computational photography continues to close the gap, physics still wins. When you need to bring distant subjects into focus, nothing beats glass and optics working in tandem with smart software.

💬 Which phone do you trust for zoomed shots? Have you tested both in real life? Share your experience and help others make an informed choice!