Samsung Responds To Fake Moon Shots: Claims AI-based Scene Optimizer Can Be Turned Off For “Space Zoom”

Samsung claims that Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra can take clear shots of the moon. However, the images captured using the "Space Zoom" feature may be heavily manipulated to add details. The South Korean tech giant has responded to these allegations.

Instead of minor touchups or resolution improvements, Samsung has been accused of applying non-existent details. Samsung has clarified that the photos of the moon captured by the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G could be optimized using an AI-based scene optimizer, which can be turned off.

Samsung Confirms AI-Based Scene Optimizer Can Be Turned Off For Space Zoom

Samsung has been promoting the "Space Zoom" feature which allowed capturing photos of celestial objects such as the moon using the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. As expected, several buyers experimented; but some claimed the smartphone applies non-existent details to the photos.

Samsung has responded to the allegations about faking moon shots taken by the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. The company has sent out an official response, which states:

"Samsung is committed to delivering best-in-class photo experiences in any condition. When a user takes a photo of the Moon, the AI-based scene optimization technology recognizes the Moon as the main object and takes multiple shots for multi-frame composition, after which AI enhances the details of the image quality and colors. It does not apply any image overlaying to the photo. Users can deactivate the AI-based Scene Optimizer, which will disable automatic detail enhancements to the photo taken by the user."

Moon Shots Taken By Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Using Space Zoom Feature Not Fake?

There's no doubt that Samsung has been relying on AI to improve the image quality of photos. There are significant challenges for any smartphone's imaging equipment, especially when capturing objects in the sky which are very far away.

Many of the limitations faced by cameras embedded inside smartphones simply cannot be overcome due to the laws of physics. This explains why several enthusiasts who tried to capture clear images of the moon were presented with, "a white blob with no details".

It is possible that Samsung may have quietly turned off the seemingly excessive and non-realistic computational processing in reaction to the controversy. Alternatively, the company may be offering the Space Zoom feature in select regions only.