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To photograph stars with a Samsung Galaxy, first check whether your phone’s current Expert RAW app offers Astrophoto, then mount the phone securely, choose a dark sky, and set a capture duration in the app. If Astrophoto is unavailable, Pro Mode can provide manual control over exposure, but there is no single setting that works for every Galaxy model or night sky.
Check whether your Galaxy supports Astrophoto
Do not assume Astrophoto is available just because your phone can run Expert RAW. Samsung’s UK support page, updated in 2024, lists Expert RAW for Galaxy S20 and later, but its Astrophoto-specific note names S23 series and S22 series devices running T OS. Samsung’s 2022 announcement described availability in the S22 context and said timing could vary by market, model, and carrier. Those are different scopes, and software availability can change.
Check the current Expert RAW listing and controls on your own phone before planning a shoot. Samsung’s Expert RAW support guide describes the feature; its 2022 announcement provides the earlier rollout context.
Set up Astrophoto mode
Samsung’s documented workflow is to enable “Special photo options” in Expert RAW settings, then choose Astrophoto. Samsung says those special options are activated only at 12 MP. App labels and menu placement may differ with software versions, so follow the controls shown on your phone.
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- Open Expert RAW and tap its settings control.
- Turn on Special photo options. If the option is unavailable, check that the camera is set to 12 MP.
- Return to the shooting screen and select Astrophoto.
- Optionally enable Sky Guide to display a guide to constellations.
- Choose a shooting duration, frame the sky, and start the capture.
Samsung describes Astrophoto as using AI segmentation and multi-frame processing based on celestial-body movement over the selected period. That is Samsung’s explanation of how the mode works, not a guarantee of a particular result.
Stabilize the phone and plan the shot
Use a sturdy tripod or phone mount that fits your handset. Even a small movement can spoil a long low-light capture. Set the phone down before framing, and use the camera timer or a compatible remote shutter so tapping the screen does not shake it. Samsung recommends a tripod and a remote or timed shutter for low-light photography; wind or movement can still affect the result.
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Choose a location well away from city and large-town lights. For Milky Way photography, Samsung recommends a moonless night; a dark site and favorable timing improve your chances, but do not guarantee a visible Milky Way. A flashlight and backup phone battery are useful for an outing. See Samsung’s field guide to Galaxy night photography.
Sky Guide can help you identify what is overhead. You can include part of the landscape in the frame if it helps give the sky context; adjust the angle and composition to suit the scene.
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Choose between Astrophoto and Pro Mode
| Approach | What you control | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Expert RAW Astrophoto | Guided capture, optional Sky Guide, and a selected shooting duration. Special photo options require 12 MP, and the feature itself is device- and software-dependent. | You want a guided process and Astrophoto appears in your current Expert RAW app. |
| Pro Mode | Manual controls such as ISO and shutter speed, with white balance, exposure, and focus controls where available. Samsung also describes saving RAW copies in Pro Mode. | You want to adjust the exposure yourself or Astrophoto is not available on your handset. |
Neither mode is established as universally superior. Astrophoto is the guided route; Pro Mode gives you direct control and asks you to manage the tradeoffs yourself.
Adjust Pro Mode without chasing a magic number
In Pro Mode, a longer shutter gathers more light, but a longer exposure can turn stars into trails if they move across the frame during the capture. Raising ISO brightens the image but can also increase noise and blocky pixels. Adjust one control at a time and review the result rather than treating a setting from another phone or night as a preset.
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Samsung’s 2020 field guide gives a white-balance range of 3500–4500 as generally suitable for astrophotography. Treat that as a historical starting range from Samsung, not a universal setting for every Galaxy camera, scene, or preference. The official guidance does not establish one exposure recipe that works across models and sky conditions.
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Samsung says Expert RAW saves a JPEG and a RAW Linear DNG 16-bit file. RAW gives you more latitude for detailed post-editing, while the JPEG is ready to view and share. Editing is optional; you can keep the JPEG if it already looks the way you want.
Best Value
- Dual Cold Shoe Mounts: Attach microphones, lights, and accessories for enhanced photography or vlogging.
- Versatile Screw Design: 1/4" screw hole compatible with tripods, selfie sticks, cameras, and various accessories.
- 360° Rotation, 180° Tilt: Effortlessly switch between landscape and portrait mode with adjustable angle design for precise control.
- Universal Phone Compatibility: Fits smartphones from iPhone 14 to Galaxy S23 Ultra, accommodating devices within 2.16" to 3.7" width. For best results, avoid clamping directly on the side buttons. Adjust the position slightly higher or lower if your phone has thick cases or protruding buttons.
- Secure Grip: Thick non-slip silicone pad ensures stability even with a thick phone case.
For Pro Mode, Samsung’s field guide says to enable Save RAW copies if you want RAW files. Samsung’s Expert RAW support page explains the file formats and app workflow. An Android Central walkthrough also illustrates an editing workflow.
Quick Recap
Troubleshoot a disappointing result
- Astrophoto is missing: Confirm the phone’s software and Expert RAW app are current, then check the controls available on that device. General Expert RAW eligibility does not confirm Astrophoto support.
- Special photo options are unavailable: Check the 12 MP requirement stated by Samsung and the current camera-resolution setting.
- The frame is blurred: Secure the phone on a stable mount, avoid touching it during capture, and use a timer or compatible remote shutter. Check for wind or a wobbly surface.
- Stars look like streaks in Pro Mode: Shorten the shutter time and review the image again. Longer exposure can produce star trails.
- The sky looks noisy: Reduce ISO if the image remains bright enough, or seek a darker location. Higher ISO can make noise and blocky pixels more apparent.
- The stars or Milky Way are hard to see: Move farther from artificial light and try a moonless night. Conditions and visibility vary; a phone mode cannot remove light pollution from the sky.
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