New Era of Slim Smartphones: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Reviews Highlight a Glimmer of Premium, But Not Quite Pro

Not everyone realizes that a ‘Pro’ smartphone isn’t a necessity for all users. Some people opt for a Pro or Ultra model simply to have the finest options available. Others may select a Pro version due to specific needs, such as superior camera functionality or enhanced zoom capabilities. Additionally, there are consumers who choose a Pro phone because, until recently, no company dared to produce a high-end model without premium features. What label could we assign to such a device? Would anyone consider purchasing an expensive phone that doesn’t excel in all aspects?

Well, that’s precisely the risk Samsung has taken. They have ventured into uncharted waters, much like they did with foldable technology, and made a daring move just ahead of Apple. They’ve introduced the premium Galaxy S25 Edge, a device that is elegant, slim, and lightweight. However, unlike the standard Galaxy S25 models, it features a smaller battery and only two rear cameras. I must confess that I was astonished by how lightweight this phone felt upon receiving it for evaluation. Yet, after a few weeks, I question whether there is a viable market for devices like this unless they address some crucial aspects.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Design: A Featherweight Wonder

• Dimensions — 158.2 x 75.6 x 5.8mm
• Weight — 163g
• Durability — IP68

You may choose not to take my word for it, but the Galaxy S25 Edge leaves a profound and lasting imprint when held. As a frequent user of foldable phones, I find that the 5.8mm thickness is not particularly impressive, especially when many foldables like Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold, when unfolded, are significantly thinner.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (right) compared to the thickest foldable, the OnePlus Open

 

I’ve showcased the Galaxy S25 Edge to numerous individuals, both young and old, most of whom didn’t initially recognize it as a slim smartphone. When informed, they merely respond, “Oh! It’s a slim phone…”.

Their perception shifts when I hand it over for them to test. It’s during this moment that astonishment sets in. Nearly everyone expresses immediate admiration for its lightweight design. Whether they own a Pixel, an iPhone, or even a budget device, the slender and lightweight nature undeniably feels remarkable.

However, this serves as the pivotal hint that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge might not create a stellar first impression. Although it is incredibly light, for many—including myself—it doesn’t quite match the expectations for how slim a “slim” phone should be. In essence, it lacks that initial excitement when first viewed or shown.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (right) alongside an Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (left)

 

It’s true that a device around 5mm thick or less would certainly catch the eye. A design feature such as a curved “edge” display would also enhance its appeal, as thin smartphones have always been valued for their aesthetics. Samsung’s existing design philosophy, characterized by flat edges and sharp corners, looks wonderful in the other models of the Galaxy S25 series but falls short with the “Edge”, despite its ample edges.

Furthermore, having a distinctive design could have helped the Galaxy S25 Edge stand out more within the S25 lineup. As it stands, it bears a striking resemblance to its counterparts, merely half as thick.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge’s slim and lightweight design features an IP68 rating and supports wireless charging

 

I believe it can withstand the back-pocket test due to Samsung’s use of a titanium blend for the frame and body, as well as a glass sandwich design. Additionally, it has the standard IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. However, this does not imply that you should submerge it, as Samsung, like all manufacturers, does not provide warranty coverage for water damage.

In any case, I am impressed by how much Samsung has accomplished within the constraints of this design. The phone boasts dust and water resistance, vapor chamber cooling, wireless charging, two rear cameras (the 200-megapixel main sensor akin to that of the Galaxy S25 Ultra), stereo speakers, and a display-integrated fingerprint reader. There’s even room for a 3,900mAh battery!

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Display: Exceptional Quality

• Display size — 6.7-inch, 1,440 x 3,120 pixels
• Display type — AMOLED, LTPO, 1-120Hz
• Display protection — Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2

Samsung has excelled with the display of the Galaxy S25 Edge. It features thin bezels like those found on the Galaxy S25+, offers ample brightness levels both indoors and outdoors, and includes a fingerprint sensor (which works impeccably) within the display!

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge boasts a stunning QHD+ Super AMOLED display with narrow borders

 

While the brightness adequately tackles direct sunlight, I did notice a small issue. When used in sunlight, the display often reduces its brightness level. This isn’t due to the AMOLED panel not keeping pace with ambient light but rather because the phone tends to get quite warm while used outdoors, particularly when the camera is engaged.

Although the display remains somewhat visible after a few minutes of use, you’ll need to squint a little, especially when positioned to use the camera. Inside, everything appears perfect, and I encountered no issues. Naturally, it also supports HDR10+, and streaming from OTT services was vibrant and bright, as expected.

The 1-120Hz refresh rate effectively manages the reduced battery size. I was pleasantly surprised by the 480Hz touch sampling rate, which proved beneficial while engaged in FPS gaming.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Software: AI Integration

• Android version — Android 15
• Software — One UI 7
• Software support — 7 years OS + 7 Years SMR

In comparison to the mid-range Galaxy A26 I recently reviewed, the One UI experience on the Galaxy S25 Edge is significantly enhanced. The animations and transitions are fluid, and interactions with the software feel smooth and rapid, thanks to the premium hardware beneath.

I appreciate the AI-enhanced weather-themed wallpapers (depicted above is «cloudy») on the Galaxy S25 Edge lock screen

 

Samsung has incorporated AI features throughout the interface. With its proprietary Galaxy AI model, you’ll find AI in areas that aren’t typically included in Pixel smartphones or devices from other brands. The Live Translate function is incredibly handy, enabling translation during calls (for listening to translated audio) and translating your own speech into a different language. Additionally, Live Translate works within WhatsApp, displaying translated text previews beneath original message bubbles.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge’s Now Bar is both enjoyable and user-friendly

 

Even though Now Briefs may not be exceptionally useful, the Now Bar feature visible on the lock screen is quite valuable. It operates similarly to Apple’s Dynamic Island, relaying information from Live Notifications across various applications, whether it’s the timer, music, Google Maps, and more. Depending on app support, users can dismiss or perform specific actions. Unlike Apple’s Live Activities and Dynamic Island, Samsung’s Now Bar along with Live Notifications offers a tidy stackable interface, making interactions easier when many apps are utilizing it.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Performance: A Fiery Performer

• Processor — Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (for Galaxy), 4.47GHz, 3nm
• RAM — 12GB (LPDDR5X)
• Storage — 256GB (UFS 4.0)

While Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite stands out as the most potent processor available for Android right now, it tends to get quite hot under pressure, a trend we’ve noted in previous smartphone reviews. Hence, it comes as no surprise that, despite its slender profile, Samsung has integrated a vapor chamber cooling system within the Galaxy S25 Edge.

While potentially reassuring to prospective buyers, our testing has shown that this cooling solution only offers modest efficiency under specific conditions. In our 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress test, the device’s performance plummeted by 25% by the sixth loop and stayed at that level up to the 20th loop. This indicates that, despite the presence of a VC cooling system, the phone does throttle, meaning users may not tap into the full potential of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.

Somehow, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge manages to fit a vapor chamber cooling mechanism into its slender build

 

During routine use, I did not find the phone heating excessively. While gaming, performance (when playing Call of Duty Mobile at maximum graphics settings) remained smooth and responsive even after prolonged sessions of intense gameplay.

The only scenario where you may notice warmth is while utilizing the camera app. Regardless of the time of day, the camera app tends to generate heat quickly within a few minutes. The frame and back of the phone do become noticeably warm, but to my surprise, the Camera app and Gallery continue to perform smoothly. This is likely due to the VC cooling system, which dissipates heat across a larger area but allows the slim phone to maintain performance, akin to the “This is Fine” GIF. Nonetheless, the takeaway is that after a while, it becomes too hot to hold, which is unexpected for a premium device in 2025.

In terms of benchmarks, the Galaxy S25 Edge meets expectations, as detailed in the comparison table below.

 

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Cameras: Premium Yet Not Pro

• Primary camera — 200-megapixel, f/1.7, OIS
• Ultrawide camera — 12-megapixel, f/2.2, PDAF
• Selfie camera — 12-megapixel, f/2.2, PDAF

Having compared it with other slim camera technologies present in foldables, I took the challenging task of pitting Samsung’s slimmest smartphone against the newly released Motorola Razr 60 Ultra. I’ve included several camera samples for readers to gain insight into the Galaxy S25 Edge’s capabilities.

Head-to-head: Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge versus Motorola’s Razr 60 Ultra

 

Equipped with a primary camera lifted from the high-tier Galaxy S25 Ultra, I had elevated expectations regarding its performance, particularly its lossless telephoto zoom abilities. It captures photographs with precise color and remarkable dynamic range, regardless of lighting conditions. The details are impressive, though I wish the images were slightly sharper. The large sensor effectively captures oodles of data in its default binned 12-megapixel resolution. There’s ample detail to discover in every corner.

A collage of cropped camera samples: 12-megapixels, 50-megapixels, and 200-megapixels (from left to right) (tap image to expand)

 

Utilizing a larger-than-average sensor, it allows shooting at various resolutions: 12-megapixels, 50-megapixels, and 200-megapixels. I experimented with all three formats (as depicted in the collage). Overall, the 50-megapixel scaled images tend to appear a bit soft, while the 12 and 200-megapixel images maintain their sharpness. When it comes to shooting at the 200-megapixel resolution, I see minimal practical benefit, unless you aim to manipulate the images later. For those inclined to edit, Samsung’s Expert RAW mode (available for download) provides the necessary tools, but only if you’re knowledgeable about handling that data. The auto 200-megapixel mode generates 32MB files, making it less suitable for casual users.

Comparing Samsung’s Galaxy Edge 50 Ultra (top) against Motorola’s Razr 50 Ultra (bottom), the latter exhibits superior sharpness and tends to saturate colors more accurately. (Tap images to expand)

 

One notable drawback of the Galaxy S25 Edge compared to Pro options is its absence of a telephoto camera. (Tap image to expand)

 

There’s no denying it, even with a formidable 200-megapixel sensor and lossless zoom capabilities. Samsung captures good quality images in bright conditions, but under overcast skies, the details can appear lacking at 2X zoom.

Motorola’s Razr 60 Ultra (right) excels with 2X lossless zoom, resulting in sharp photos with pleasing bokeh backgrounds. (Tap image to expand)

 

In low-light conditions, the Galaxy S25 Edge struggles with 2X captures that lack detail (tap image to expand)

 

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge’s low-light 2X portrait images turn out well in daylight but fall short in night settings. Edge-detection isn’t particularly accurate or “pro-level” either. (Tap image to expand)

 

While Samsung’s Galaxy S series has a great track record in selfie performance, the Galaxy S25 Edge (top) falls a bit short in sharpness and detail compared to the Motorola Razr 60 Ultra (bottom). (Tap images to expand)

 

On the video front, the Galaxy S25 Edge performs excellently in daylight conditions. Both HDR10+ and standard 4K videos show impressive detail, smooth frame rates, and outstanding stabilization. However, in low-light settings, the overall quality diminishes. It’s not as effective as an iPhone, as Samsung actively works to minimize noise, resulting in flatter textures. The ultrawide camera’s video quality isn’t as strong as that of the primary camera. Although video recording is stabilized, the textures can appear softer, particularly in dim environments.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Battery: A Day’s Worth

• Battery capacity — 3,900mAh, lithium-ion
• Wired charging — 25W
• Wireless charging — 15W
• Charger in the box — No

Indeed, this slender smartphone from Samsung can comfortably last a full day, even with heavy usage, but not much beyond that. While this might sound adequate for a slim device, power users or those who need more than a day’s battery life may find it lacking. Samsung could have enhanced the offering by adopting the latest silicon-carbon battery technology, but for reasons known only to them, they chose not to. Nonetheless, the performance numbers are commendable, given the phone’s slim profile.

The slim design of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge poses limitations on charging speeds

 

During our HD video loop test, which plays a locally stored video repeatedly until the battery is exhausted, the Galaxy S25 Edge achieved a respectable time of 16 hours and 25 minutes. In the PCMark Battery Work test, which simulates a range of real-world tasks, the phone lasted 12 hours and 17 minutes, a noteworthy feat given its battery capacity and slim design.

Using a 100 GaN charger, the Galaxy S25 Edge reached 41% in 30 minutes and 84% in an hour, concluding the charge in 1 hour and 29 minutes. This is relatively slow compared to what most smartphones in this price range can achieve.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Conclusion

Although the Galaxy S25 Edge didn’t completely win me over, it has given me a newfound appreciation for slim smartphones. Samsung has initiated a new trend, reflecting impressive engineering advancements. However, considering its current design and price (Rs. 1,09,999), it’s unlikely to attract buyers who are already leaning towards the Galaxy S25+ (starting at Rs. 99,999) or the Galaxy S25 Ultra (starting at Rs. 1,29,999). Nonetheless, it could appeal to those specifically seeking a premium, slim, and lightweight Android phone due to the limited options available.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge might also capture the interest of clamshell foldable users. While significant advancements have been made in book-style foldables over the past year, the more accessible clamshell options remain relatively thick, whether folded or unfolded. Samsung’s Edge offers a significantly lighter, more robust, and thinner alternative.

To captivate the premium market, the Edge needs to become even slimmer while somehow integrating some Pro features (operating at cooler temperatures, featuring a high-capacity silicon-carbon battery, and offering a better ultrawide and telephoto camera). Achieving this would help Samsung deliver the «wow factor» currently absent in this model. Alternatively, streamlining the Galaxy S25+ and incorporating its features into a sleeker design could also be a viable strategy.

As it stands, the Galaxy S25 Edge is a phone that is almost half the Galaxy S25 Ultra, priced somewhat high given its limitations. The competition becomes even tougher with the Galaxy S25+, which outperforms it in almost every aspect, bearing a similar look but justified additional weight and thickness due to superior performance.

On a related note, as Samsung leaves room for improvement and with the new Apple iPhone 17 Air on the horizon, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Chinese manufacturers tackle the slim phone challenge and introduce ultrathin devices in the near future.