Samsung's latest flagship, the Galaxy S25 Edge, represents a bold design philosophy that prioritizes form over function. At just 5.8mm thick and weighing only 163 grams, this device stands as one of the thinnest mass-production Android smartphones available in 2025. However, achieving this remarkable thinness comes with significant compromises that potential buyers must carefully consider.
Ultra-Thin Design Comes at a Cost
The Galaxy S25 Edge's most striking feature is undoubtedly its incredibly slim profile. Measuring just 5.8mm in thickness, it's substantially thinner than competitors like the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL at 8.5mm and the iPhone 15 Pro at 8.3mm. This dramatic reduction in thickness creates a device that feels remarkably light and premium in hand, but Samsung had to make substantial sacrifices to achieve this engineering feat.
The most significant compromise involves the battery capacity. Samsung equipped the S25 Edge with a modest 3,900mAh battery, which is smaller than even the base Galaxy S25 model despite featuring the same 6.7-inch display as the Galaxy S25 Plus. This creates a problematic scenario where the large, bright display draws considerable power from a relatively small battery pack.
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| The Galaxy S25 Edge (right) compared to competitors, highlighting its ultra-thin design |
Performance Meets Thermal Challenges
Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Edge features Qualcomm's powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, which on paper delivers superior performance compared to competitors like the Pixel 9 Pro XL's Tensor G4 chip. However, the ultra-thin form factor introduces thermal limitations that prevent the device from fully utilizing this processing power during intensive tasks.
Gaming performance particularly suffers due to heat dissipation challenges. The thin profile provides limited space for thermal management, causing the device to throttle performance more aggressively than thicker competitors. This makes the S25 Edge less suitable for users who frequently engage in demanding mobile gaming or other processor-intensive activities.
Camera System Sacrifices Versatility for Thinness
Samsung's pursuit of thinness also impacted the camera system design. The S25 Edge features only two rear cameras: a high-quality 200MP main sensor borrowed from the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. Notably absent is a telephoto camera, limiting zoom capabilities to 2x optical zoom through sensor cropping.
This dual-camera setup contrasts sharply with competitors like the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which offers a complete triple-camera system including a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. Photography enthusiasts who rely on versatile zoom capabilities may find the S25 Edge's camera system limiting despite the excellent main sensor quality.
Charging Speed Limitations
The small battery capacity creates additional challenges beyond just battery life. Samsung limited the S25 Edge to 25W wired charging, which is slower than many competitors. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, for instance, supports 37W charging despite having a much larger 5,060mAh battery. This combination of small battery capacity and slow charging speeds could prove problematic for heavy users who need quick power top-ups throughout the day.
Premium Pricing Without Premium Features
Perhaps most concerning is the Galaxy S25 Edge's pricing strategy. At USD 1,099, it costs the same as the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL while offering fewer features. The Pixel provides superior battery life, faster charging, a larger display, and a more versatile camera system. This pricing approach suggests Samsung is charging a premium specifically for the ultra-thin design aesthetic.
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| The Galaxy S25 Edge in different colors, illustrating its premium design amidst pricing criticisms |
The Design-First Philosophy
The Galaxy S25 Edge represents Samsung's experiment in design-first smartphone development. For users who prioritize having the thinnest possible device and are willing to accept compromises in battery life, charging speed, and camera versatility, the S25 Edge delivers an unmatched form factor. The device feels remarkably light and sleek, offering a premium tactile experience that sets it apart from bulkier flagships.
However, this design philosophy isn't universally appealing. Most smartphone users prioritize practical features like all-day battery life, fast charging, and comprehensive camera systems over extreme thinness. The S25 Edge serves a niche market of users who value aesthetics and portability above functional completeness.
Market Position and Competition
When compared to alternatives like the iPhone 15 Pro, the Galaxy S25 Edge's compromises become even more apparent. While both devices feature premium materials including titanium frames, the iPhone 15 Pro offers better battery optimization, a complete triple-camera system with telephoto capabilities, and more balanced performance despite being thicker.
The Galaxy S25 Edge ultimately succeeds as a showcase of Samsung's engineering capabilities in miniaturization, but struggles to justify its flagship pricing when practical considerations are prioritized. It represents a fascinating experiment in smartphone design philosophy, demonstrating both the possibilities and limitations of pursuing extreme thinness in modern mobile devices.
