Samsung Galaxy S24 colorize tested: Can it really recover black and white photos?

Introduction

If you were born in the 80s like me, you probably have a collection of antique black and white family photos of your parents and grandparents that you'd love to revive. There are many apps and services designed for this purpose, but now Samsung has integrated this feature into One UI on the Galaxy S24. Curious about its capabilities, I went hands-on to see if Samsung's latest AI can effectively colorize black and white photos, or if it falls short.

Testing Methodology

To assess Samsung's colorization prowess, I devised a method to compare the original colors of recent photographs with their black and white versions. I took several colored photos, converted them to black and white, and then used the colorize feature on the Galaxy S24. This allowed me to compare the original, black and white, and the colorized versions side by side.

It’s important to note some limitations. The colorization feature is a smart suggestion found in the Samsung Gallery app, which means it doesn’t always appear for every photo. For instance, I attempted to use the feature on black and white images of sushi platters but was met with no success.

Positive Outcomes

Despite some hiccups, there were several instances where the Galaxy S24 performed admirably.

People and Faces

The Galaxy S24 excelled in colorizing human subjects, accurately restoring skin tones, hair colors, and even the hues of lips and tongues. For example, in a black and white image of my husband, the algorithm successfully differentiated between the gray of his lips and his sweater, rendering his lips in a subtle pink and the sweater in a blue-gray tone.

Landscapes

Samsung's AI also demonstrated talent when it came to landscapes. One of my favorite results was a photo of a river in Amiens. The colors—blues for the sky and river, along with greens for the trees—were revived accurately, albeit with a warmer overall tone than the original. Another success story was a lighthouse photo, which retained the classic white and red color scheme.

Food

The Galaxy S24 managed to bring some colors back in food photos as well. It captured the yellow of cheese and fries in a burger picture fairly well, although there were some odd greenish hues on the burger patty. Overall, these examples highlighted the potential of the colorization feature.

Areas for Improvement

However, the results were not always as favorable.

Portraits Gone Wrong

In some instances, the colorization resulted in unusual outcomes. A portrait collage of me featured a strange blue tint on one side of my face, while a photo of a Samoyed became overly purplish and pink—colors that do not accurately represent the breed's typically white fur.

Food Fiascos

Some of the most glaring failures were with colorful foods. For example, a black and white picture of a breakfast bowl turned the strawberries and blueberries into an unappetizing brown mush. Additionally, on a pizza photo, a pink ham became light brown, highlighting the algorithm's shortcomings in recognizing and restoring certain vivid colors.

Cityscapes and Famous Places

Curious about its ability to identify well-known locations, I tested the colorization feature on pictures of famous places. Unfortunately, it did not deliver satisfactory results. Images showcasing shipping containers, colorful buildings, and iconic structures all came out looking pale and lacking accuracy, proving that GPS data had no influence on the colorization.

Conclusion

After testing over 30 samples, I came away with some conclusions:

1. The Galaxy S24 can effectively colorize black and white photos of people, especially their faces, though results can vary for background elements.
2. Results may not be as dependable for pets, with some odd hues appearing, requiring major adjustments to the temperature and hues.
3. For landscapes, cities, and colorful meals, you may get results that range from decent to outright bizarre, especially concerning specific color mixes, such as reds.

While I was hopeful that Samsung's new feature could bridge the gap left by Google Photos, the results were mixed at best. How do you feel about the Galaxy S24’s colorization capabilities? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to follow Android Authority for more updates on news, reviews, tests, and beyond.

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Keyword

Samsung Galaxy S24, colorization, black and white photos, AI, photo recovery, landscape colorization, portrait colorization, color accuracy.

FAQ

1. How effective is the Galaxy S24 at colorizing black and white photos? The Galaxy S24 performs well at colorizing portraits, particularly faces, but struggles with backgrounds and detailed color restoration in landscapes and food images.

2. Does the colorization feature appear for all photos? No, the colorization feature is a smart suggestion within the Samsung Gallery app and may not always be available for every photo.

3. Can the Galaxy S24 recreate colors for pets and food accurately? While the results for pets and some food images can be decent, there are often issues with color accuracy, such as unusual hues and color loss.

4. Is GPS data used to help with the colorization of famous locations? No, testing showed that the Galaxy S24 does not utilize GPS data effectively for colorization, resulting in underwhelming color accuracy for well-known landmarks.