Can I make photos use less storage on my Samsung phone?

Yes, you can make photos use less storage on your Samsung phone. The most effective way is to switch your camera's picture format from RAW to a more compressed option like JPEG, and to lower the resolution if you do not need every shot at maximum quality. A few simple setting changes can cut your photo storage use significantly without making a noticeable difference to how your pictures look on screen. Below, we walk through exactly which settings matter, how to change them, and what else you can do to free up storage on your device.

What camera settings on Samsung phones affect photo file size?

The two camera settings that have the biggest impact on photo file size are picture format and resolution. Picture format controls whether your phone saves images as compressed JPEG files or larger RAW files. Resolution controls how many megapixels each photo captures. Choosing a lower resolution or a compressed format means each image takes up far less space on your phone.

Here is a quick breakdown of the main settings and what they mean:

• Picture format (JPEG vs RAW): JPEG files are compressed, meaning the phone discards some data to shrink the file. RAW files keep all the original image data, which is great for professional editing but produces files that can be five to ten times larger than a JPEG of the same shot.
• Resolution: Samsung's flagship phones, like the Galaxy S series, can shoot at very high megapixel counts. Shooting at full resolution produces sharper images but much larger files. Dropping to a mid-range resolution setting can cut file sizes in half or more, with almost no visible difference when viewing photos on your phone screen or sharing them on social media.
• High Efficiency Image Format (HEIF): Some Samsung phones offer HEIF as an alternative to JPEG. HEIF files are typically smaller than JPEG files at a similar quality level, which makes them a good option if your phone supports it and you are not worried about compatibility with older devices or computers.

How much storage space do different Samsung photo settings actually use?

The difference in file size between Samsung camera settings is significant. A standard JPEG photo taken at a mid-range resolution on a Galaxy phone typically takes up between 3 MB and 6 MB. A full-resolution shot at the highest megapixel setting can reach 10 MB to 25 MB per photo. A RAW file from a flagship Galaxy camera can be anywhere from 25 MB to 50 MB or more per image.

To put that in perspective, if you take 200 photos on a family holiday:

• At mid-range JPEG settings: roughly 600 MB to 1.2 GB used
• At full-resolution JPEG: roughly 2 GB to 5 GB used
• In RAW format: potentially 5 GB to 10 GB or more used

For most everyday users, mid-range JPEG is the sweet spot. Your photos will still look excellent when printed, shared, or viewed on a TV, and you will store far more of them before running into storage problems.

How do you change the photo quality settings on a Samsung phone?

Changing photo quality settings on a Samsung phone takes less than a minute. Open the Camera app, tap the settings icon (the gear or cogwheel symbol, usually in the top corner), and look for options labelled Picture size, Resolution, or Picture format. From there, you can select a lower resolution or switch between JPEG and HEIF.

Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Open the Camera app on your Samsung phone.
2. Tap the settings icon (gear symbol) in the top left or top right corner of the screen.
3. Scroll down to find Picture size or Resolution under the rear camera options.
4. Select a lower resolution option. On many Galaxy phones, a setting like 12 MP or 50 MP is a practical middle ground that still produces great photos.
5. To change the file format, look for Picture format and switch from RAW to JPEG or HEIF if those options are available.
6. Exit settings. Your camera will now save photos at the new, smaller size.

These changes apply to future photos only. Existing photos on your phone will not be affected, but you can delete or compress old ones separately.

Does Samsung have a built-in tool to free up photo storage?

Yes, Samsung phones include a built-in tool called Device Care (found in your phone's Settings app) that can help you identify what is using your storage and clear unnecessary files. While Device Care does not automatically compress your existing photos, it helps you spot large files and duplicates quickly so you can decide what to delete.

To use it, go to Settings, tap Device Care or Battery and Device Care, then tap Storage. You will see a breakdown of what is taking up space, including photos, videos, apps, and cached data. From here you can tap into the photos and videos section to review and delete files you no longer need.

Samsung's Gallery app also has a useful feature: it can identify duplicate photos and suggest which ones to remove. Look for a Suggestions or Manage storage option within the Gallery app to find these tools. Removing duplicates alone can sometimes recover several gigabytes of storage without losing any photos you actually care about.

Should I use Google Photos or Samsung Cloud to save storage?

Both Google Photos and Samsung Cloud can help you free up storage by backing up your photos to the cloud and allowing you to delete local copies from your phone. Google Photos is generally the more practical choice for most Samsung users because it offers a generous amount of free storage and works seamlessly across Android devices. Samsung Cloud is a solid option if you prefer to keep everything within the Samsung ecosystem.

Using Google Photos to free up space

Once Google Photos has backed up your images, you can use its Free up space feature to remove photos from your phone that are already safely saved online. This can recover significant storage in one tap. Google Photos backs up at your chosen quality level and keeps your images accessible from any device, which makes it a very practical tool for everyday users.

Using Samsung Cloud for photo backup

Samsung Cloud integrates directly with the Gallery app and backs up photos automatically when you are connected to Wi-Fi. If you are already using a Samsung account for your phone, enabling Samsung Cloud backup is straightforward. Keep in mind that Samsung Cloud offers a more limited amount of free storage than Google Photos, so you may reach the limit sooner if you take a lot of photos. You can manage your Samsung Cloud settings through Settings, then Accounts and backup, then Samsung Cloud.

Whichever service you choose, the key step is the same: back up first, then delete local copies to recover space on your device.

How SamMobile helps you get more from your Samsung phone

We cover exactly this kind of practical, everyday Samsung question in plain language, without the technical jargon. Whether you want to understand your camera settings, find out what a new One UI update changes, or figure out which Galaxy model fits your life, we are here to help. Here is what you will find on SamMobile:

• Step-by-step guides for common Samsung features and settings
• Plain-language explanations of software updates and what they mean for your phone
• Honest, unbiased reviews of Samsung devices written for real-world users
• The latest Samsung news updated throughout the day so you never miss an important announcement
• Practical advice on getting the most out of your Galaxy device, from storage tips to camera tricks

If you have a question about your Samsung phone that you cannot find a clear answer to, visit SamMobile or get in touch with us directly. We are always happy to help.