Samsung's latest addition to the Galaxy S25 lineup, the Galaxy S25 Edge, brings an ultra-thin profile to the premium smartphone market. Announced in May 2025, this device stands out primarily for its remarkably slim 5.8mm body. However, as reviews begin to surface, it's becoming clear that this sleek design comes with several compromises that potential buyers should consider before choosing it over the standard S25 or S25 Plus models.
 |
|---|
| Exploring the design and color options of the Galaxy S25 Edge, emphasizing its ultra-thin profile |
Design Philosophy: Slim at a Cost
The Galaxy S25 Edge represents Samsung's push into the ultra-thin smartphone category, measuring just 5.8mm thick compared to the already slim 7.2mm Galaxy S25. To achieve this svelte profile, Samsung has employed a titanium frame instead of the aluminum found in other S25 models. Despite featuring a significantly larger 6.7-inch display compared to the S25's 6.2-inch screen, the Edge weighs only 1 gram more than its smaller sibling. This engineering feat comes at a price, however – both literally and functionally. The S25 Edge starts at USD $1,099.99, positioning it USD $300 more than the base S25 and USD $100 more than the S25 Plus, which offers several advantages over the Edge.
Display Similarities Across the Line
One area where Samsung hasn't compromised is the display quality. The S25 Edge features a 6.7-inch QHD+ (3120 x 1440) Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, identical in size and specifications to the S25 Plus. Both offer adaptive refresh rates ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, HDR10+ support, and impressive peak brightness of 2,600 nits. The Edge's display is protected by the newer Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, while the S25 Plus uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The standard S25 comes with a smaller 6.2-inch panel with FHD+ resolution (2340 x 1080), but maintains the same refresh rate capabilities and brightness levels as its larger siblings.
Performance Parity
All three phones in the S25 lineup share the same processing power, featuring Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor. This 3nm chip is an overclocked variant of Qualcomm's flagship processor, paired with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 flash storage across all models. This hardware consistency means users can expect similar performance regardless of which S25 variant they choose. However, there are questions about thermal management in the ultra-thin Edge model, as the confined space might affect sustained performance during demanding tasks like gaming.
 |
|---|
| Demonstrating the UI functionality of the Galaxy S25 Plus, a device comparable in performance to the Galaxy S25 Edge |
Battery Concerns
Perhaps the most significant compromise in the S25 Edge is its battery capacity. Despite having a display as large as the S25 Plus, the Edge contains only a 3,900mAh battery – even smaller than the 4,000mAh battery in the compact S25. By comparison, the S25 Plus houses a substantially larger 4,900mAh cell. The Edge also supports only 25W wired charging, while the Plus model offers faster 45W charging capability. Both the Edge and standard S25 models support 15W wireless charging with Qi2 compatibility, though the Edge may lack the reverse wireless charging feature found in the standard S25.
Camera Configuration Trade-offs
The camera system presents an interesting mix of compromises and upgrades. The S25 Edge adopts the impressive 200-megapixel main camera from the S25 Ultra (f/1.7 aperture, 1/1.3-inch sensor), which is a significant upgrade over the 50-megapixel main shooter in both the S25 and S25 Plus. However, while both the S25 and S25 Plus feature a triple-camera array including a dedicated 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, the Edge makes do with just two rear cameras, lacking any optical zoom capability. Both the Edge and other S25 models share the same 12-megapixel ultrawide camera with a 120-degree field of view.
Software Consistency
On the software front, all S25 models run One UI 7 based on Android 15 and will receive seven years of OS upgrades and security patches. The entire lineup supports the same suite of Galaxy AI features, including Gemini Live, Writing Assist, Photo Assist, and Note Assist. This software parity means the choice between models comes down to hardware preferences rather than feature differences.
Value Proposition
When considering the Galaxy S25 Edge against its siblings, particularly the S25 Plus which costs USD $100 less, the value proposition becomes questionable. The Edge offers a stunningly thin design and superior main camera, but sacrifices battery capacity, charging speed, and telephoto capabilities. For most users, these trade-offs may not justify the premium price, especially since the slim profile will likely be negated by the use of a protective case.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge represents an impressive engineering achievement in smartphone design, but its practical benefits are limited. Unless having the thinnest possible flagship phone is a priority, most consumers would be better served by the more balanced Galaxy S25 Plus or the more affordable standard S25. Samsung's ultra-thin Edge appears to be more of a technological showcase than a practical daily driver, potentially positioning the company for competition against rumored ultra-thin devices from competitors like Apple's speculated iPhone 17 Air.
