Samsung's Galaxy S25 Edge boasts an incredibly slim 5.8mm design, powerful specs (Snapdragon 8 Elite, 200MP camera), but a smaller 3900mAh battery. Premium design vs. battery life is the key trade-off.


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Impossibly Thin: Hands-On With Samsung's Stunning Galaxy S25 Edge

I couldn't believe how thin it was when I first held it. Samsung has pushed the boundaries of smartphone design yet again with their latest addition to the S25 family. After rolling out the standard S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra earlier this year, they've now unveiled what might be their most head-turning device yet – the Galaxy S25 Edge. And trust me, this isn't just marketing fluff about being "slimmer" – this thing is almost shockingly thin. I've spent some time with it, and I'm ready to share whether this ultra-slim marvel is worth your attention (and your wallet).

A Design That Makes People Do Double-Takes

When I pulled the S25 Edge out at a coffee shop yesterday, three people asked to see it. Why? At a mere 5.8mm thick, this is easily the thinnest Galaxy S phone Samsung has ever made. For comparison, that's dramatically slimmer than the S25+ (7.3mm), and you can absolutely feel the difference. Weighing just 163 grams, it practically disappears in your pocket. I kept checking to make sure it was still there!

The thinness isn't just a gimmick – it genuinely changes how the phone feels in your hand. There's something premium and futuristic about it that's hard to describe until you've held one yourself. Samsung has somehow managed to maintain the signature Edge curved display that melts into the sides, but in an even more refined form factor. Is it worth the compromises needed to achieve this design? We'll get to that.

What's Powering This Wafer-Thin Wonder?

You might think Samsung had to cut corners on performance to achieve this form factor, but you'd be wrong. The S25 Edge houses a gorgeous 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display that's an absolute joy to look at. Those vibrant colors pop off the screen, and with the adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, everything from scrolling Twitter to playing games feels buttery smooth.

Under the hood, you're getting the same powerhouse Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset that's in the other S25 models, paired with a healthy 12GB of RAM. I've been multitasking between demanding apps, and haven't noticed any slowdown whatsoever. You can choose between 256GB or 512GB storage configurations, though there's no microSD expansion – something to keep in mind if you're a digital hoarder like me.

  • The Display: That 6.7-inch QHD+ screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, which has already survived an accidental drop onto my tile floor (don't tell Samsung).
  • The Brains: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM keeps everything lightning fast.
  • Storage: Choose 256GB ($1,099) or 512GB ($1,219), but remember – what you buy is what you're stuck with.
  • Software: Android 15 with One UI 7, which includes some clever optimizations for the Edge design.

Camera Chops: Surprising Quality for the Size

Here's where things get interesting. Despite the ultra-thin body, Samsung has somehow crammed a 200MP main sensor with optical image stabilization into this thing. Yes, you read that right – 200MP, which is actually higher resolution than the standard S25 and S25+! The shots I've taken so far have been impressive, with excellent detail in good lighting and surprisingly decent low-light performance.

There's also a 12MP ultrawide that captures more than enough field of view for those landscape shots or group photos. The catch? No dedicated telephoto lens – you'll need to rely on digital zoom from that high-resolution main sensor. For selfies, there's a 12MP front-facing camera that captures natural skin tones better than previous Galaxy models.

Is it as versatile as the camera system on the S25 Ultra? No, but I think most people will be more than satisfied with what the Edge can do, especially considering its slim profile.

The Inevitable Trade-off: Battery Life

You knew there had to be a catch somewhere, right? Physics is still physics, and Samsung had to make room somewhere to achieve this design. The S25 Edge packs a 3,900mAh battery, which is significantly smaller than the 4,900mAh cell in the S25+. Here's how they stack up against each other:

Feature Galaxy S25 Edge Galaxy S25+
Thickness 5.8mm 7.3mm
Weight 163g 190g
Battery 3,900mAh 4,900mAh
Main Camera 200MP 50MP

In my real-world testing, I'm getting through most of a day with moderate use, but heavy users will definitely need a mid-day top-up. The phone supports 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and can even charge other devices with Wireless PowerShare. I've found myself carrying a small power bank just in case, which somewhat defeats the purpose of having such a thin phone. That said, if your usage is lighter or you're usually near a charger, this might not be a dealbreaker.

Should This Be Your Next Phone?

After a week with the Galaxy S25 Edge, I'm conflicted – and you might be too. This phone genuinely feels like holding the future in your hand. It's stunningly thin, surprisingly powerful, and takes gorgeous photos. Every time I pull it out, it starts conversations.

But can you live with the battery life? For me, it's become a habit to give it a quick charge during lunch, and that's been enough. If you're someone who's regularly away from power sources for extended periods or you hammer your phone with gaming and video recording all day, you might find yourself frustrated.

At $1,099 for the 256GB model (or $1,219 for 512GB), this is unquestionably a premium device with a premium price tag. You're paying for cutting-edge design and the conversation starter it provides, not necessarily the best practical value in the S25 lineup.

Here's my take: if you prioritize aesthetics and the wow factor, and you're willing to make small adjustments to your charging habits, the S25 Edge is unlike anything else on the market right now. For everyone else, the standard S25+ probably makes more practical sense – but where's the fun in practical? Sometimes it's worth embracing the extraordinary, even with its compromises.

FAQ

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge features the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, ensuring top-tier performance for demanding tasks and smooth multitasking.

It boasts an incredibly slim 5.8mm design, making it one of the thinnest smartphones on the market. This premium design is a key feature.

The Galaxy S25 Edge features a groundbreaking 200MP camera, promising exceptional image quality and detail in your photos.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge has a 3900mAh battery. While smaller than some competitors, its efficiency is optimized for the Snapdragon 8 Elite.

Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge runs on the Android operating system, giving you access to a wide range of apps and features.

You can pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge directly from Samsung's website and authorized retailers. Check their website for details.

The key trade-off is between the incredibly slim 5.8mm design and the relatively smaller 3900mAh battery. Battery life is a consideration.

Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is considered a premium smartphone due to its high-end specs, stunning design, and innovative features.

Its exceptionally slim 5.8mm profile earns it the title of a thin smartphone, setting it apart from bulkier models.

Yes, many technology websites and publications will publish reviews of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge once it's released. Look for professional reviews online.

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