In a surprising admission, Samsung recently confirmed that its smartphones use artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance photos of the moon, creating a significantly clearer and sharper image than the phone’s camera would naturally capture.

This development has sparked debate among tech enthusiasts, photography purists, and everyday users alike. For some, it’s a clever use of AI to produce stunning images; for others, it’s a deceptive way of manipulating reality.

How Samsung’s AI Moon Enhancement Works

Samsung’s moon enhancement feature was designed to let smartphone users take impressive photos of the moon using the company’s flagship Galaxy S series phones. The way it works is sophisticated but simple in concept: when a Samsung user points their camera at the moon, the phone’s AI algorithms recognise the moon’s shape and apply enhancement techniques to add detail to the image. This detail is based not just on the raw data captured by the camera but also on pre-existing information that the AI “knows” about the moon’s surface.

Specifically, the AI on Samsung’s Galaxy devices uses a combination of scene optimisation and a feature called “Space Zoom.” When users zoom in to capture the moon, the AI adds textures and details to the final photo that may not actually be visible in the original capture. It’s like having a digital artist touch up the image automatically.

This practice came under scrutiny when users started to notice that the moon photos taken on their Samsung devices appeared almost too perfect. Eventually, tech enthusiasts began conducting experiments to see if the AI was indeed creating a “super-enhanced” moon. Through tests, some users even pointed their phones at artificially blurred images of the moon, only for Samsung’s AI to produce a sharp, recognisable version, confirming suspicions of image enhancement.

Samsung’s Response: A Nod to AI Creativity

Samsung defended the practice, explaining that the enhancement is meant to create an “optimal image” for users. According to the company, the feature is designed to maximise the phone’s ability to capture details, especially on subjects like the moon, which are often difficult to photograph accurately. Samsung representatives clarified that the process doesn’t involve outright replacement of the photo with another image; instead, it uses intelligent algorithms to improve what’s already there.

Samsung also pointed out that this feature is optional, as it’s tied to the “Scene Optimizer” tool, which users can disable in their camera settings. By toggling off Scene Optimizer, users can prevent the AI from adding enhancements to moon photos, giving them a more “natural” shot. However, some users argue that the feature is a hidden enhancement tool that doesn’t make it immediately clear how much the AI is affecting the final image.

The Controversy: Art vs. Authenticity

The revelation has brought up a central question in smartphone photography: should a smartphone camera provide an accurate depiction of what’s captured, or is it acceptable for AI to enhance images to meet users’ expectations of quality?

Photography purists argue that Samsung’s AI is misleading, essentially creating a version of reality that didn’t exist in the original shot. They believe that a photo should be an accurate representation, not an interpretation, especially for celestial images where authenticity matters to some viewers.

On the other hand, casual users see the enhancement as a helpful tool that allows them to capture an aesthetically pleasing image. For many, the convenience of having a “perfect” moon photo outweighs concerns about authenticity. In their view, if AI can enhance an otherwise grainy or blurry moon into something beautiful, why not let it?