Samsung has officially launched its ultra-thin smartphone, the Galaxy S25 Edge, previously teased in January. This slimmed-down variant of the S25 Plus maintains the same 6.7-inch OLED display, Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, and AI capabilities. However, the sleek design involves notable trade-offs, including the absence of a telephoto lens and reduced battery capacity.
Weighing just 163g and measuring a mere 5.8mm thick, the Edge is barely heavier than the standard S25 despite offering a significantly larger display. While not quite as thin as Samsung’s tablets or foldables, it ranks among the thinnest traditional smartphones currently available. The impressive thinness is something that must be experienced firsthand—photos don’t fully capture how remarkably slim this device feels in hand.
Despite its name highlighting thinness, the phone’s lightweight nature may be its most impressive quality. It addresses a common complaint about larger phones—their weight—which remains noticeable even after adding a case.
Samsung hasn’t compromised on durability, incorporating a titanium frame similar to the S25 Ultra, Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 screen protection, and IP68 water and dust resistance rating.
The compromises come in two key areas. First, the camera system offers only two rear lenses with no telephoto capability. Samsung compensates by using the Ultra’s 200-megapixel main sensor, potentially delivering comparable main camera performance despite reduced versatility.
Second and perhaps more concerning is the 3,900mAh battery—the smallest in the S25 lineup. Although Samsung claims 24 hours of continuous video playback (compared to 29 hours for the standard S25), battery degradation over time raises questions about longevity, especially considering Samsung’s seven-year support commitment.
Despite these limitations, the S25 Edge commands a premium price point—$1,099.99 for 256GB and $1,219.99 for 512GB—positioning it between the Plus and Ultra models.
The S25 Edge clearly prioritizes design over practicality. While Samsung has maintained impressive performance specs in a dramatically thinner package, the camera and battery compromises are significant. Whether these trade-offs justify the sleek form factor remains to be seen, making it advisable to wait for comprehensive reviews before purchasing.
