4 months after it was teased, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is lastly right here. It marks Samsung’s first Edge telephone in nearly a decade (in a really totally different sense) and has already made headlines for its ultra-slim design – at simply 5.8mm, it’s one of many thinnest smartphones ever made.
Earlier than attempting the gadget for myself, I used to be excited to see simply how slim it felt. However after some hands-on time with the S25 Edge, one other attribute ended up being rather more spectacular.
It was one thing I instantly observed after I picked up the telephone
Gentle, however not Lite
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge weighs simply 163g, which means it’s additionally one of many lightest telephones available on the market. With many trendy handsets exceeding 200g, this can be a important and refreshing shift in considering.
It was one thing I instantly observed after I picked up the telephone.
The S25 Edge feels remarkably gentle, to the extent that you could possibly shortly neglect about it being in your pocket. Given the gadget has a sizeable 6.7-inch show, it’s exceptional what Samsung has been in a position to obtain right here.
However gained’t making use of a case defeat the purpose of such a lightweight chassis? Fortunately, I didn’t have to attend lengthy to seek out out. Samsung was additionally displaying off a variety of its official instances on the occasion, which handle so as to add essential further safety with out including a lot in the way in which of noticeable bulk or weight.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Nonetheless, whereas I wouldn’t advocate it, the S25 Edge is sturdy sufficient for use case-free. Similar to the S25 Extremely, the gadget is provided with a troublesome titanium body. And it’s the primary telephone to make use of Corning’s Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the show, which guarantees “enhanced crack safety”.
The one actual trigger for concern can be the glass again, but it surely didn’t precisely really feel fragile on the Galaxy S25+ that I reviewed. Evaluating the 2 telephones side-by-side, the distinction in weight and thickness is stark.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
No compromises? Not fairly
One other factor that actually impressed me concerning the S25 Edge is how few compromises have been made to realize the skinny and light-weight design.
The telephone has loads in frequent with the Galaxy S25+, together with the very same 6.7-inch, 120Hz AMOLED show that also seems to be beautiful. The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset ensures efficiency remains to be top-notch, whereas Samsung has managed to squeeze the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s wonderful 200Mp important digital camera into this a lot thinner telephone.
just a few key sacrifices have been made
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
It’s simply as spectacular on the software program facet, with One UI 7 together with all of Samsung’s present Galaxy AI options. You additionally get a full seven years of OS and safety updates, which stays the joint-best dedication on any telephone, together with Google Pixels.
In some ways, it feels such as you’re getting the complete Samsung smartphone expertise in a handset that simply occurs to be extremely skinny and light-weight.
Nonetheless, just a few key sacrifices have been made.
The S25 Edge has only a 3900mAh battery capability, which may be very small by trendy requirements. For context, the S25+ has a 4900mAh battery – that’s over 25% greater.
It’s a case of lithium graphite expertise right here, not silicon carbon (SiC), which we’re seeing pop up in telephones just like the OnePlus 13, enabling a better capability in the identical bodily area.
Samsung claims you possibly can nonetheless rise up to 24 hours of video playback on a single cost, however how does that translate to real-world utilization? Till I get the prospect to check correctly, there’s no approach of understanding, but it surely’s a giant fear for positive.
It doesn’t assist that the corporate’s so-called “tremendous quick charging” is proscribed to simply 25W, whereas the S25+ and S25 Extremely can hit 45W – maybe as a result of the slender design can’t deal with the warmth concerned.
There was a lot of speak concerning the USB-C port and different elements on the underside facet of the telephone being ‘wonky’ however the off-center placement didn’t hassle me.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Then there’s the whole lack of any telephoto lens. Pictures from the principle lens needs to be simply pretty much as good because the S25 Extremely, but it surely’ll fall effectively quick with regards to zoom photographs.
Samsung says that images utilizing the 2x digital zoom are similar to optical high quality, which is true. However most telephones at this value supply 3x optical or extra. It speaks volumes that even the digital zoom tops out at 10x.
The S25 Edge’s 12Mp ultrawide is seemingly barely higher than the one on the Galaxy S25+, enabling detailed macro images. However in case you care about zoom images, this isn’t the telephone for you.
About that value…
The small battery and lack of telephoto lens are introduced into sharp focus (pun supposed) by the Galaxy S25 Edge’s value.
Within the UK, it begins at £1,099 for 256GB of storage, whereas the 512GB mannequin will set you again £1,199 (US pricing TBC). You possibly can pre-order one from the Samsung web site now, forward of the telephone being launched on 30 Could.
That beginning value is £100 dearer than the S25+ and solely £50 lower than the S25 Extremely, making it laborious to justify.
Until you actually desire a tremendous skinny and light-weight telephone, there are more likely to be higher choices elsewhere. Nonetheless, there’s no denying that the S25 Edge’s design is a powerful achievement, and I’m hoping for extra optimistic surprises with prolonged utilization.
Look out for our full overview of the Galaxy S25 Edge quickly. Within the meantime, take a look at our information to the most effective telephones you should purchase to see what it’s up towards.