Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Overview: A trendsetter you will not wish to put down

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The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is the thinnest smartphone we’ve seen launched shortly, and the form is what makes the machine particular, however is it particular sufficient to purchase over one other Galaxy S sequence cellphone? I’ve lived with it for the previous couple of weeks to search out out.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: specs

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: design

The Galaxy S25 Edge is physique shaming nearly each different trendy smartphone. It’s 5.8mm skinny and 163 grams, and in case you’re questioning if it makes a distinction day-to-day, the reply is a convincing sure. I intentionally stored the cellphone in my pocketrather than in my bag when it wasn’t in use whereas out-and-about, and it simply disappears. I’ve been doing this for 10 days now, and I ponder how I’ll return to a “regular” cellphone.

It feels sturdy. The display has Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 masking it, the again has Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and the chassis is product of titanium which extends to the sub body contained in the cellphone. Should you actually wished to bend and break it, I’m positive you’d succeed, however you’d have to take the time. It doesn’t really feel fragile and crucially, it’s not so featherweight you’re at all times apprehensive it’s going to slide out of your hand, plus it has an IP68 mud and water resistance score.

When you’re previous being amazed by how skinny the S25 Edge is, you’ll understand the actual profit is its 6.7-inch display. It’s not solely a fantastic-looking show, similar to on the opposite S25 sequence telephones, however you’re observing it on a tool that’s the identical weight because the common 6.2-inch S25, and manner thinner than an Extremely. That is what’s actually transformative in regards to the S25 Edge’s thinness. One nit-picking level is it might actually profit from the S25 Extremely’s anti-reflective coating although.

It is a huge display, low weight, pocket pleasant, and as we’ll get to shortly, excessive efficiency smartphone which makes design a promoting level. I may even forgive the marginally sharp edges which might make it fatiguing to carry after some time, as a result of it’s in any other case such a pleasure.

Galaxy S25 Edge: digital camera

The S25 Edge takes the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s 200-megapixel essential digital camera, which the engineers at Samsung have shrunk by 18% to suit inside, and paired it with a 12MP wide-angle digital camera. There’s no telephoto digital camera, however the principle digital camera makes use of its huge megapixel depend to offer a 2x optical high quality zoom. On the entrance is an auto-focus 12MP selfie digital camera.

It’s clearly not as versatile because the S25 Extremely’s digital camera, however the S25 Edge remains to be an excellent on daily basis digital camera cellphone and there’s surprisingly few downsides to not having a telephoto digital camera. I’ve explored the 2x optical high quality zoom function in additional element already as a part of my OuttaFocus column, however I used to be more than happy with the general high quality, element, coloration accuracy, and white steadiness of this “lesser” zoom mode. Don’t be delay by the dearth of optical zoom.

The primary digital camera takes robust, colourful pictures with some efficient use of HDR, however it nonetheless suffers from the disappointing lack of sharpness that impacts the identical digital camera contained in the Galaxy S25 Extremely. It’s not an enormous drawback until you crop down and look intently, however it’s bothersome when you’ve seen. Samsung’s efficient modifying options can be found, and its new customized filter system is enjoyable and surprisingly helpful.

I’ve actually loved the Galaxy S25 Edge’s digital camera. It’s simply nearly as good because the Galaxy S25 Plus’s, and in case you don’t assume you’ll make common use of the Extremely’s telephoto cameras, you’ll be actually pleased with it.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: efficiency

There’s no efficiency deficit in comparison with different S25 telephones right here, regardless of the skinny profile. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy comes with 12GB of RAM, plus there’s both 256GB or 512GB of inner space for storing, placing the S25 Edge up there with probably the most highly effective telephones you will get together with the OnePlus 13 and Xiaomi 15 Extremely.

Involved the highly effective chip will generate numerous warmth in such a skinny cellphone? There’s some intelligent cooling tech and a vapor chamber contained in the S25 Edge and it successfully retains the temperature down, until you’re enjoying hardcore cellular video games for a minimum of half-hour, when the middle of the rear panel and the chassis sides get scorching to the contact. I’ve additionally seen the cellphone will get heat when ambient temperatures improve, however it has by no means come near overheating or being too scorching to carry.

Calls sound glorious, though it’s a little bit of a fiddle getting the speaker in its candy spot towards your ear, and each mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity has been rock strong. When producers attempt one thing new with the form, construct, and design of a cellphone, there’s at all times a priority the basics could take a success, however the S25 Edge’s all-round efficiency has been glorious.

Galaxy S25 Edge: software program and AI

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is the fifth smartphone with One UI 7 onboard I’ve used, and it continues to be considered one of my favourite Android 15 interfaces. It’s responsive, easy, and sensibly designed, plus it’s simply customizable. That is necessary as there are a number of annoyances. The always-on display is off by default, the notification alerts on the lock display are not possible to see until you alter the setting, and Google’s Gboard is healthier to make use of than Samsung’s keyboard.

One UI 7 is a excessive level of each 2025 Samsung cellphone and the S25 Edge isn’t any exception. It’s additionally totally geared up with all of the Galaxy AI options, not like the stripped again affair put in on the Galaxy A56, together with Now Transient and the Now Bar. Is that this a very good factor? I merely don’t have the approach to life to take advantage of out of Now Transient’s organizational means, I haven’t wanted any summarization or translation providers, and I’m advantageous writing my very own messages.

All Galaxy AI’s options are there if you’d like them, however I do query how many individuals will need them regularly, and wrestle to name them a purpose to purchase the cellphone. Go away Galaxy AI apart, and the software program expertise on the S25 Edge is great. Google Gemini is there and so is Circle to Search (AI that’s helpful, in different phrases), Samsung’s Modes and Routines are helpful in case you take your time to set them up, and in case you purchase a Galaxy Watch 7 or Galaxy Ring, Samsung Well being is without doubt one of the higher health monitoring apps.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Battery and charging

Now we get to the compromise you’re going to want to make if you’d like a skinny, gentle, big-screen smartphone: the battery life. Samsung says to count on a day of use from the three,900mAh battery, and I’ve discovered that is correct in case your display time reaches about 5 hours with common use. The issue arises whenever you add in some video games, multi-tasking, GPS, and video.

Use the cellphone arduous for 2 hours doing all these items, and it’ll simply eat up 40% of the battery. It’s not an effectivity subject — a 40 minute YouTube video takes 4% — however a cell capability and warmth dissipation drawback. There’s solely a lot use you’ll get out of a smaller-than-usual cell inside a skinny cellphone. Should you can dwell with a single day’s value of battery life, the S25 Edge’s means received’t be an issue although.

Samsung has solely added 25W charging to the S25 Edge, so it’s slower than the S25 Plus and S25 Extremely, and the Galaxy A56 too. It takes about 80 to 90 minutes to totally cost the battery, with 50% developing in in about 25 minutes. That is gradual in comparison with the opposite S25 sequence telephones and the OnePlus 13, however just like the Google Pixel 9 Professional. There’s wi-fi charging, however for the value Samsung actually ought to have included 45W quick charging on the S25 Edge

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: worth and availability

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge begins at $1,099 for the 12GB/256GB mannequin, or $1,199 for the 12GB/512GB model. Within the U.Okay. it begins at 1,099 British kilos and will increase to 1,199 for the upper capability mannequin. The cellphone is that can be purchased now from Samsung, carriers, and different retainers.

There are solely three colours to select from: Titanium Silver, Icy Blue, and Jet Black. The one one which makes a press release is the Icy Blue, with the opposite two representing very secure selections. Contemplating it is a trend assertion cellphone, it’s disappointing Samsung hasn’t jazzed the S25 Edge uo with some fancier colours, even when they had been on-line exclusives.

Samsung has slotted the S25 Edge, price-wise, in-between the S25 Plus and the S25 Extremely. It’s equally priced to the Pixel 9 Professional and the Apple iPhone 16 Professional, however much more costly than the OnePlus 13. Like many fashion-forward merchandise, the value will get justified as a result of it’s distinctive. Each different cellphone listed above instead is thicker and heavier, and in case you don’t need that, the S25 Edge is your solely actual alternative.

Must you purchase the Galaxy S25 Edge?

I like that the Galaxy S25 Edge has been made. No-one actually requested for it, the quick battery life makes it much less helpful than its sibling S25 telephones, and the race to make “the thinnest” something is boring and performed out. But, it’s the Galaxy S25 sequence cellphone I’ve loved probably the most, and the one I’d wish to use long-term.

The efficiency, digital camera, and display are among the many greatest you will get at present, however what makes the S25 Edge particular and so fascinating is that it’s all wrapped up in probably the most tactile, ergonomic, and downright cool designs we’ve seen but. The Galaxy S25 Edge is greater than only a skinny cellphone, it’s the thrilling begin of a brand new development, and after spending simply a short while with the cellphone I’m completely onboard. When you’ve held the S25 Edge for just some moments, I believe you’ll be too.