On Monday evening, Samsung made the official announcement of the Galaxy S25 Edge — and just moments prior to the reveal, I had the opportunity to get hands-on with the stylish new device.
At a media gathering, I received an early glimpse of Samsung’s latest flagship, which participates in the expanding trend of ultra-slim smartphones. Priced at $1,099, the Galaxy S25 Edge can be succinctly described: it’s fundamentally a slimmer variant of the other Galaxy S25 models. It boasts the same robust chipset, similar software features, comparable camera specifications, and a battery that aligns with the others — depending on the specific S25 model for comparison.
Let’s break it down.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Initial Thoughts
The event didn’t provide room for thorough testing — no benchmarks or extensive camera evaluations — but that isn’t a significant drawback here. Internally, the S25 Edge doesn’t introduce much novelty, which is somewhat intentional. Here’s a quick overview of the specifications:
– 6.7-inch AMOLED display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate
– Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor
– 12GB RAM
– 256GB or 512GB storage capacities
– 3,900mAh battery
– 200MP wide rear camera
– 12MP ultra-wide rear camera
– 12MP front-facing camera
In comparison to the Galaxy S25 Ultra — Samsung’s premium model starting at $1,299 — the Edge stands on its own. It is slightly smaller (the Ultra features a 6.9-inch display), but shares the same processor, RAM, and storage choices (excluding the Ultra’s 1TB option). The 200MP main camera is also present, but the Edge replaces the Ultra’s 50MP ultra-wide lens with a 12MP alternative and completely omits the telephoto lens — so no zooming in on distant objects.
Battery life could pose a concern. With a capacity of 3,900mAh, the Edge’s battery is slightly less than the base S25’s 4,000mAh and considerably less than the Ultra’s 5,000mAh. Further testing is needed to determine how it performs in everyday scenarios.
However, to be frank — the true highlight here is the design.
Design and Feel: Slim Is In
The Galaxy S25 Edge emphasizes its form factor. At just 5.8mm thick, it’s markedly slimmer than the 7.2mm standard S25. Weighing in at 163g, it is nearly the same as the standard S25, but it is taller and wider — providing a distinct feel in the hand.
In person, the phone’s slenderness is impressive. It’s right at the boundary of what I’d classify as usable with one hand, yet it remains notably lightweight given the premium internals and camera equipment. It feels wonderful to hold, and while there’s little more to add beyond that, the design itself could make it a standout for many users.
Samsung had already disclosed numerous details about the S25 Edge prior to its debut, leaving few surprises. However, seeing it firsthand confirmed our expectations: this phone is all about elegance.
Software and Features
Samsung affirmed that the S25 Edge incorporates the same software functionalities as the rest of the S25 series — including all the latest AI features. So, choosing the slimmer model doesn’t mean sacrificing any functionality.
Ultimately, the Galaxy S25 Edge is characterized by its design. It doesn’t represent a significant shift from the other S25 models in regard to performance or features — it’s simply more streamlined. But for those who long for the days of smaller, more portable phones, that may be more than adequate.
If you’ve been yearning for a comeback of thinner, lighter smartphones, the Galaxy S25 Edge might be precisely what you’ve been anticipating.