Why I Switched Back from Pixel 9 Pro to Galaxy S25
As someone with no interest in smartphone gaming, I’ve always prioritized camera performance when searching for the optimal smartphone. Last month, I switched to the Pixel 9 Pro known for its exceptional camera capabilities, but after just one month of use, I’ve returned to the Galaxy S25. In this article, I’ll explain my reasons in detail to help you make more informed smartphone choices.
The Pixel 9 Pro’s Outstanding Camera Performance
My primary reason for switching to the Pixel 9 Pro was its exceptional camera performance. The quality difference was noticeable even when compared to the Galaxy S25, with particularly impressive features including an ultra-wide camera that performs like a standard camera and a versatile 5x telephoto lens.
This camera seemed like the ideal tool for capturing high-quality memories of my child. With the most powerful camera always in my pocket, I expected a satisfying experience for the whole family. The Pixel 9 Pro was powerful enough to replace most digital cameras except DSLRs – an opinion I still hold today.
The Pixel 9 Pro’s Indoor Color Reproduction Issues
However, the biggest reason I returned to the Galaxy S25 was the Pixel 9 Pro’s color reproduction problems in indoor settings. In low-light environments, especially under fluorescent lighting, photos had an excessively cold, bluish tone.
While this color profile created a unique appeal in night photography, it became problematic when photographing my child indoors. My child’s natural skin tone appeared distorted, giving an unhealthy appearance. For example, when capturing moments like eating or crying expressions, the unnatural colors left me disappointed.
Limitations in Video Recording
These color issues became even more pronounced in video recording. While photos capture just a moment (making the issue somewhat tolerable), videos maintained that dark, bluish tone throughout, creating an unnatural feel.
I wanted to vividly record my child’s voice and emotions, but the Pixel 9 Pro’s video capabilities fell short of my expectations.
The Practical Limitations of Smartphone Cameras
Smartphone camera technology has already reached a high level, making the quality difference between the Pixel 9 Pro and Galaxy S25 quite subtle. The Pixel 9 Pro has less noise and better clarity, but these differences don’t dramatically transform the photography experience.
For example, full-frame cameras offer post-editing resilience and artistic RAW shooting, with expensive lenses enabling photography of various subjects. In contrast, differences between smartphone cameras are mainly limited to reducing noise and white clipping. Since the Galaxy S25 already provides sufficient quality for everyday photography, the motivation to change devices solely for the camera has diminished.
Pixel 9 Pro’s Fingerprint Recognition Performance
Beyond the camera, the Pixel 9 Pro’s fingerprint recognition was a major drawback. With a low success rate, I found myself entering my password several times a day.
Even after registering the same finger as four different fingerprints and using specialized films and TPU materials, there was no improvement. In contrast, the Galaxy S25 recognized my fingerprint with nearly 100% accuracy while maintaining security. The inconvenience of unreliable fingerprint recognition became a significant stress factor in daily use.
Weight and Usability of the Pixel 9 Pro
The Pixel 9 Pro weighs 199g, which is relatively heavy for a 6.3-inch device. In comparison, the Galaxy S25 weighs just 167g, making it one of the lightest high-end smartphones. With cases, the Pixel 9 Pro reaches 235g while the Galaxy S25 weighs 201g, making the weight difference even more noticeable.
This difference is particularly noticeable during extended use or when using the smartphone while lying down. The Galaxy S25’s lightness significantly improved everyday comfort.
Other Areas for Improvement in the Pixel 9 Pro
Here are other areas where the Pixel 9 Pro disappointed:
- Menu buttons sometimes lack responsiveness
- OS interface isn’t always intuitive
- Intermittent errors in WhatsApp
- Occasional freezing of the YouTube app
- Screen brightness at minimum setting isn’t dark enough
These issues weren’t major complaints but did detract from the overall user experience.
The Decisive Reasons for Returning to the Galaxy S25
Despite the Pixel 9 Pro’s superior camera quality, its unnatural color reproduction in indoor settings and inconvenient fingerprint recognition degraded the user experience. The Galaxy S25, while slightly inferior in camera quality, offered more natural colors, stable video recording, lighter weight, and greater overall refinement – making it more suitable for my use case (photographing my child indoors).
Galaxy S25 Shortcomings and Expectations
The Galaxy S25 satisfies with its thin and light design, stable performance, and high level of refinement, but the noise in its 3x telephoto camera is disappointing. Upgrading to a 5x telephoto might make it difficult to maintain the current design, so I’m looking forward to improvements in this area with the Galaxy S26.