Samsung Galaxy S6 Vs S5 Is The Upgrade Worth It For The Camera Alone

When Samsung launched the Galaxy S6 in 2015, it marked a significant departure from its predecessor, the Galaxy S5. While both phones were flagship devices in their time, the S6 introduced major design changes, hardware upgrades, and notably, improvements to the camera system. For users still on the S5 wondering whether to upgrade, the question often comes down to one feature: the camera. Is the leap in photo quality substantial enough to justify switching?

The answer depends on how you use your phone’s camera. Casual shooters may not notice dramatic differences every day, but photography enthusiasts and social media users will find tangible improvements—especially in lighting flexibility, detail retention, and overall image processing.

Camera Hardware: A Closer Look at the Specs

The most immediate difference between the Galaxy S5 and S6 lies in their camera hardware. On paper, the upgrades appear modest, but in practice, they translate into meaningful enhancements.

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S5	Samsung Galaxy S6
Rear Camera Resolution	16 MP	16 MP
Aperture	f/2.2	f/1.8
Autofocus Technology	Basic phase detection	Improved hybrid autofocus (phase + contrast)
Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)	No	Yes
LED Flash	Single-tone	Dual-tone (warmer, more natural skin tones)
Front Camera	2.1 MP, f/2.4	5 MP, f/1.9 with LED flash

While resolution remained unchanged at 16 megapixels, the S6 made critical gains in aperture size and stabilization. The wider f/1.8 lens allows 30% more light to reach the sensor compared to the S5’s f/2.2. Combined with OIS, this results in sharper images in motion and better performance in dim environments.

Tip: In low-light situations, hold the S6 steady for 1–2 seconds after capturing a shot—OIS works best when the phone remains motionless during capture.

Image Quality: Real-World Performance Differences

Beyond specs, actual photo output reveals where the S6 pulls ahead. Samsung shifted focus from sheer megapixel count to image processing intelligence. The S6 uses a new ISP (Image Signal Processor) that improves dynamic range, reduces noise, and enhances color accuracy.

In daylight, both phones produce crisp, vibrant photos. However, the S6 consistently renders more balanced exposures, especially in high-contrast scenes like backlit landscapes or bright skies. It handles blown-out highlights better and preserves detail in shadows without aggressive HDR settings.

The real gap emerges in indoor and nighttime photography. Thanks to the larger aperture and OIS, the S6 captures brighter, clearer low-light shots with less grain. Motion blur is significantly reduced—even when shooting handheld in restaurants or dimly lit rooms.

“Smartphone photography isn’t just about sensors anymore—it’s about how well the system balances light, speed, and stability. The S6 was one of the first Android phones to treat mobile imaging like a serious camera.” — David Kim, Mobile Imaging Analyst at TechLens Review

Front Camera and Selfie Experience

For users who frequently take selfies or participate in video calls, the front-facing camera upgrade is arguably one of the most impactful changes. The S5’s 2.1 MP shooter was adequate for its time but struggled with soft focus and poor low-light clarity.

The S6’s 5 MP front camera with an f/1.9 aperture and integrated LED flash delivers noticeably sharper facial details and smoother skin tones. Whether indoors or outdoors, selfies appear more defined and naturally lit. This improvement matters particularly for social media sharing, video conferencing, and live streaming—use cases that were growing rapidly in 2015 and remain central today.

• Sharper facial features with less digital smoothing
• Better white balance in artificial lighting
LED flash provides consistent fill light for dark environments
• Faster autofocus enables quick self-portrait framing

A Mini Case Study: Upgrading for Travel Photography

Consider Sarah, a travel blogger who used her Galaxy S5 for two years to document trips across Southeast Asia. She praised its durability and battery life but often relied on a compact digital camera for evening street food markets and temple interiors due to poor low-light performance.

After upgrading to the S6, she tested it on a trip through Hanoi’s Old Quarter at dusk. Using only her phone, she captured richly detailed images of lantern-lit alleys and bustling night markets—shots she previously would have missed. “I didn’t need my point-and-shoot once,” she said. “The S6 held up even in flickering candlelight, and the colors stayed true.”

This scenario illustrates a broader trend: the S6 enabled more confident standalone photography, reducing reliance on secondary devices for decent image quality.

Step-by-Step: How to Test If the Upgrade Matters to You

If you're still on the fence, follow this practical evaluation process using your current S5:

1. Take sample photos in various lighting conditions: bright sunlight, shaded areas, indoor cafes, and dimly lit rooms.
2. Compare sharpness and noise levels, especially in shadowed regions. Zoom in to check for pixelation or grain.
3. Test action shots—capture someone walking or a pet moving. Check for motion blur.
4. Shoot a selfie in low light without enabling flash. Note how much facial detail is lost.
5. Review gallery apps or cloud backups from the past six months. Identify recurring complaints about photo quality.

If you frequently edit photos to compensate for poor exposure or avoid taking pictures in certain conditions, the S6’s camera likely offers a worthwhile improvement.

Checklist: Should You Upgrade Based on Camera Needs?

Answer the following to determine if the S6 camera justifies the switch:

• ☐ Do you often take photos indoors or at night?
• ☐ Are you frustrated by blurry or dark images from your S5?
• ☐ Do you post photos directly to social media without editing?
• ☐ Have you avoided taking pictures due to poor camera performance?
• ☐ Do you value having a reliable front camera for video calls or selfies?

If three or more apply, the S6’s camera represents a meaningful upgrade path.

FAQ: Common Questions About the S5 to S6 Camera Jump

Does the S6 camera autofocus faster than the S5?

Yes. The S6 uses hybrid autofocus combining phase-detection and contrast-detection systems, resulting in quicker lock-on times—especially useful for candid or moving subjects. Users reported near-instant focusing in real-world tests.

Is there a noticeable difference in video recording?

Absolutely. The S6 records 4K UHD video (3840×2160), while the S5 maxes out at 1080p. Additionally, OIS stabilizes footage during movement, reducing jitter in walking shots or shaky hands. Audio pickup is also clearer thanks to updated noise-canceling microphones.

Can software updates improve the S5’s camera to match the S6?

No. While firmware tweaks can optimize processing algorithms, they cannot add physical capabilities like a wider aperture, OIS, or improved sensor sensitivity. These require hardware-level changes unavailable on the S5.

Conclusion: Weighing Value Beyond Megapixels

The Galaxy S6 doesn't win solely because it has a \"better\" camera on paper—it wins because it delivers more consistent, reliable, and higher-fidelity results across real-life scenarios. The combination of a wider lens, optical stabilization, smarter processing, and a vastly improved front camera transforms the way users interact with photography on their phones.

For those holding onto an S5 primarily for its functionality, upgrading for the camera alone is justified if you regularly shoot in challenging lighting, value spontaneous photo moments, or rely on selfies and video communication. The S6 wasn’t just an incremental update—it represented a shift toward treating the smartphone as a legitimate primary camera.

💬 Did you make the jump from S5 to S6? Share your experience—was the camera upgrade worth it for you? Join the conversation and help others decide based on real-world insights.