

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
Object erasing performance is without doubt one of the coolest options within the smartphone images area, permitting you to simply take away that photograph bomber (and far more) to get a pristine shot.
This isn’t something new, as we noticed fundamental takes on this function within the early 2010s. However Google and Samsung have each launched new-generation modes within the final couple of years, within the type of Magic Eraser and Object Eraser respectively.
So which answer is definitely higher, then? We’ve gathered some pictures from our libraries and put them by each Google and Samsung’s object-erasing instruments on the Pixel 7 Professional and Galaxy S23 Extremely respectively.
How we examined

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
The Google Pixel 7 Professional’s mode works by routinely detecting any objects that may be erased, then highlighting them and prompting you to erase all of them. So this was our first selection, adopted by manually circling/brushing a desired topic/object as soon as.
Samsung’s software, alternatively, tries to routinely detect objects that may be erased, however doesn’t spotlight them. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to faucet on one thing to rapidly erase it if Samsung’s software certainly detected it. So this was our most popular technique of object elimination right here. Failing this, we as soon as once more manually circled/brushed a desired merchandise as soon as.
Both approach, we didn’t circle/brush an merchandise that wasn’t correctly eliminated by way of automated detection. And we didn’t use repeated brushing on the identical merchandise. Nonetheless, we allowed ourselves to roll again a change and check out circling or brushing once more.
Fundamental object elimination
Our first spherical of testing kicks off with some fairly commonplace people-erasing on this Deauville seaside shot. Wouldn’t or not it’s good if the particular person taking a photograph of their very own within the background disappeared?
Each telephones did a terrific job of eradicating the particular person, though Samsung’s completed product nonetheless accommodates a small shadow. The foremost variations are within the particulars, although, and each modes faltered when it got here to creating the distant background (e.g. the homes and sand pile) look believable. In saying so, Samsung’s strategy makes the background seem like it’s been corrupted.
Winner: An in depth one, however Google wins, by a grain.
One other comparatively simple take a look at at first look takes place on this cavernous avenue artwork gallery. The obvious goal for elimination is the particular person on the right-hand facet of the photograph.
Each telephones delivered good however not excellent outcomes right here, with each Magic Eraser and Samsung’s Object Eraser leaving a telltale shadow the place the particular person was standing. Zoom in on each pictures and you too can discover some blur within the edited space, with Samsung faring far worse. Each options had been additionally good sufficient to copy the traces on the ground, however Magic Eraser delivered sharper outcomes right here.
The distinction is within the particulars in relation to fundamental object elimination.
It’s additionally value noting that Magic Eraser precisely erased the particular person close to the center of the image. Samsung didn’t acknowledge this particular person and solely prompted us to take away them and a bit of art work in a single go. Then once more, Magic Eraser additionally prompt we take away the portrait of an individual within the distant background. For sure, we didn’t go for both possibility.
Our ultimate fundamental comparability is an image of a navy jet with a jetliner flying previous within the foreground. Neither mode ought to have any hassle figuring out the jetliner seeing that it’s simply discernible in opposition to the clear sky.
Each telephones handed the take a look at with flying colours, although zooming in reveals faint smudges within the edited space of each snaps. However the smudge is simpler to see on the Samsung rendition.
Winner: A really, very slender win for Google’s cellphone right here.
Stepping issues up a notch
Each object elimination modes did a serviceable job at worst with the above pictures, however what about more difficult footage?
Our subsequent spherical of testing begins with this previous photograph I took of a bridge over a rock formation. Can Magic Eraser and Samsung’s Object Eraser make it seem like nobody was there?
Neither cellphone was really flawless right here. Google Magic Eraser tried so as to add the obscured bridge railings again into the image however flubbed the alignment. Nonetheless, Samsung’s object elimination software left a blurry smudge that’s seen with out zooming in.
One other mid-weight problem for object erasing is that this garbage bin subsequent to an art work. Extra particularly, we’re eager to see how every cellphone handles the intersection of flooring tile traces.
Samsung and Google’s modes did an honest job of creating the bin disappear with none ghosting or smudges, however we see two very totally different approaches to the background. Google’s erasing software was approach off the mark right here, whereas Samsung certainly managed to attach the traces shaped by the tiles on the ground. Samsung’s changed space was fairly low-resolution in comparison with the environment although, however I’d reasonably have a low-resolution edited background that appears the half than a high-resolution garbagy mess.
Our subsequent comparability isn’t about eradicating an object. As a substitute, we’re eradicating an unpleasant purple mild flare obscuring a part of the cat.
Magic Eraser was definitely the popular choose right here, doing a terrific job of filling within the fur underneath the ear and eliminating any traces of the sunshine flare. The Samsung Object Eraser software didn’t do a nasty job, however the alternative fur definitely seems to be just a little too lengthy and we will nonetheless see some purple hues right here. It’s additionally attention-grabbing to see how each telephones took various approaches to filling within the space to the correct of the attention, they usually each find yourself trying just a little bizarre.
Winner: Google, by a whisker.
Object elimination on arduous mode
The next pictures are all extra vital challenges for the object-removal know-how of in the present day’s smartphones.
Beginning with a photograph of an artist (Tarja Turunen) partially obscured by a clapping hand, there’s a whole lot of work in retailer for Google and Samsung’s object-removal modes. They each failed to achieve a excessive notice, however in numerous methods. Google’s object elimination mode didn’t do nearly as good a job of guessing the background as Samsung’s software. And you’ll nonetheless plainly see the define of the hand within the completed consequence.
In a reversal from earlier rounds, Google’s Magic Eraser faltered when it got here to probably the most difficult scenes.
In the meantime, Samsung’s Object Eraser did a greater job of deciphering and filling within the background (examine the world to the left of the musician). Samsung’s software additionally did a greater job of eradicating the hand, though there’s nonetheless a faint define right here. Magic Eraser undoubtedly got here out on high when it got here to filling in the remainder of the musician’s physique although, and he or she’s the topic in spite of everything.
Winner: We’re calling this one a draw.
Our penultimate comparability is a tricky one, as a result of these vehicles are usually not clearly outlined in any respect. It additionally looks as if object eraser modes are meant for folks and far smaller objects. For sure, I didn’t have excessive hopes for both mode getting into.
There’s no query about it that Samsung is the winner right here. Google’s Magic Eraser fully botched this job, changing the background with a street and street markings. Samsung’s alternative background rocks are removed from excellent, as they’re noticeably blurrier than the encircling surroundings. However as soon as once more, we’d reasonably have a blurry background than an incorrect one.
Winner: Samsung, by a mile.
Our ultimate comparability shot is that this lovely Parisian café adorned with loads of flowers. We’re seeking to eliminate the folks on this shot. The busy background is certainly going to complicate issues.
The excellent news is that each telephones routinely discovered these folks, with Samsung letting me faucet to take away them and Google letting me erase all of them with one button. It seems to be like Google got here off worse, leaving the pink unattended baggage within the image and erroneously making the menu on the left-hand facet wider than it’s (regardless of the entire menu being plainly seen to start with).
In saying so, Samsung Object Eraser nonetheless struggled right here, with a extra noticeable smudge the place the left-most particular person was, in addition to that low-resolution, less-defined strategy to filling within the blanks.
The ultimate winner?

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
Each Google and Samsung have highly effective object-erasing performance on their telephones. The function has evidently gone from a novelty years in the past to one thing you’ll be able to truly use to repair quite a lot of pictures.
It’s additionally attention-grabbing to see how Google and Samsung range of their approaches to changing backgrounds. Magic Eraser appears to aggressively guess what ought to be there after which attracts an in depth alternative. This strategy pays dividends when it really works, however it could additionally look horribly bizarre when it doesn’t.
Google’s Magic Eraser picks up extra wins than Samsung’s Object Eraser, however each instruments are value utilizing.
Alternatively, Samsung’s strategy usually seems to be like a online game affected by texture pop-in. In saying so, it seems to be just like the Object Eraser is more proficient than Magic Eraser at matching some forms of patterns.
General, Google’s object-erasing strategy was the winner within the majority of our comparisons right here (5 to a few). Nonetheless, we had been pleasantly stunned to see Samsung sustain and even beat Google in a couple of difficult situations.

Google Pixel 7 Professional
Finest Google digicam
Excessive-quality show
Large battery

Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely
New 200MP most important digicam
Stunning show
S Pen performance
Regularly requested questions
To make use of Object Eraser in your Galaxy cellphone, it is advisable to open the specified image in your Gallery app, faucet the pencil icon to edit it, after which faucet the three-dot icon and select ‘Object eraser.’
Object Eraser is obtainable on quite a lot of Samsung telephones operating One UI 3.1 and later, together with the Galaxy S10 and newer S collection telephones, Galaxy Observe 20 collection, all Galaxy foldables, and several other Galaxy A collection telephones.
To make use of Magic Eraser in your Pixel system, you’ll have to open Google Pictures, faucet on the specified picture, after which faucet Edit > Instruments > Magic Eraser.