Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: The ultrawide camera on some Galaxy S25 Ultra users is violently shaky.

In recent weeks, a concerning issue has surfaced among some Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra users: a violently shaky ultrawide camera that renders photos and videos blurry and unusable. The upgraded 50MP ultrawide lens on this flagship smartphone, which went on sale in February 2025 for $1,299, promised cutting-edge camera performance. However, reports of the camera trembling, accompanied by audible rattling noises, have sparked frustration and debate about whether this is a hardware defect or a software glitch. The issue has prompted concerns regarding the dependability of one of the most expensive smartphones on the market as well as Samsung's quality control.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra's camera system, which includes a 200MP main sensor, dual telephoto lenses, and the previously mentioned 50MP ultrawide camera—a significant upgrade from the S24 Ultra's 12MP ultrawide camera—is a key selling point. Due to pixel binning and a wider f/1.9 aperture, the ultrawide lens, intended for macro and wide-angle photography, was anticipated to produce crisp, detailed images even in low light. Yet, for some users, the experience has been far from ideal. Social media platforms like Reddit, X, and Samsung’s Community forums have been abuzz with complaints, with users sharing videos showing the ultrawide camera shaking uncontrollably when set to 0.6x zoom. The severe shaking causes the viewfinder to become distorted, making it impossible to take clear photos or videos.

Initial speculation pointed to a malfunction in optical image stabilization (OIS), a feature that steadies the lens to reduce blur in photos and videos. However, the S25 Ultra’s ultrawide camera reportedly lacks OIS, leading some to suspect issues with the focusing hardware instead. Others have pondered the possibility that the camera's internal mechanisms are being disrupted by external factors like magnetic phone cases. Users have stated that the issue persists even in non-magnetic TPU cases, excluding this explanation for the majority. Curiously, some reports suggest that the problem started after a software update, pointing to a possible software-related cause. However, most evidence points to a hardware issue.

Although Samsung has not officially acknowledged the issue, user experiences with repair centers offer some clues. Several of the affected customers said they took their devices to authorized service centers, where technicians said they found a hardware problem. In these cases, replacing the entire camera module resolved the shaking, suggesting that faulty components may be at the root. For instance, a Reddit user reported that their ultrawide camera functioned flawlessly following the repair, with no recurrence of the issue. This is consistent with reports from Samsung's forums in the United States, the European Union, and India, indicating that the issue is a widespread manufacturing flaw that affects a subset of units rather than being region-specific.

The situation draws parallels to a similar issue with early iPhone 14 Pro models in 2022, where the main camera shook and rattled due to a glitch in sensor-shift stabilization, particularly when using third-party apps. The S25 Ultra's situation appears to be more complicated, but Apple fixed that issue with a software update. A software fix seems less likely because the ultrawide camera does not use OIS, so replacing the hardware may be the only option. These flaws are covered by Samsung's one-year warranty, allowing affected customers to get free repairs or replacements; however, the inconvenience of sending in a premium device has left many unhappy.

For the time being, owners of the Galaxy S25 Ultra should test their ultrawide cameras and get in touch with Samsung support if they encounter the issue. While the problem doesn’t affect every unit, its prevalence across multiple regions suggests a quality control lapse that Samsung must address swiftly. The company’s reputation for innovation hinges on delivering reliable flagship experiences, and resolving this camera defect—whether through repairs or a formal acknowledgment—will be critical to maintaining consumer trust. Until then, the shaky ultrawide camera remains a frustrating blemish on an otherwise impressive device.