Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Is This the Future of Slim Flagships?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge redefines smartphone engineering with its ultra-thin 5.8 mm profile, setting a new benchmark for sleek and lightweight devices. This innovative design emphasizes portability and premium materials, but it also raises important questions about the trade-offs required to achieve such minimalism. While the device impresses with its aesthetics, compromises in areas like battery life, durability, and camera functionality reveal the challenges of balancing form with function. The video below from Marques Brownlee gives us a detailed look at the handset.
Watch this video on YouTube. Design and Build: A Study in Minimalism
The Galaxy S25 Edge exemplifies modern industrial design with its ultra-thin frame and lightweight construction, making it one of the most portable smartphones on the market. Crafted from premium materials such as Gorilla Glass, ceramic, and a titanium frame, the device combines sophistication with a sense of durability. Its design is not only visually striking but also offers a unique tactile experience that many users will find appealing.
However, the pursuit of thinness introduces notable drawbacks. The slim profile, while elegant, can make the phone feel less robust, raising concerns about its ability to withstand accidental drops. Additionally, the device's design causes it to wobble slightly when placed on flat surfaces without a case, which may frustrate users seeking stability. Despite these challenges, the S25 Edge's minimalist design remains a compelling choice for those who prioritize aesthetics and portability. Display and Software: A Visual and Functional Delight
The S25 Edge features a stunning 6.7-inch display with a 1440p resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate, delivering vibrant visuals and smooth performance. Whether you're streaming videos, gaming, or browsing, the screen provides crisp details and fluid responsiveness, making it a standout feature of the device. The edge-to-edge design further enhances the immersive viewing experience, appealing to users who value high-quality displays.
On the software front, the updated One UI 7 brings subtle yet meaningful refinements. While it retains the familiar interface, it enhances usability with improved navigation and customization options. These updates ensure a seamless and intuitive user experience, allowing users to maximize the device's capabilities with minimal effort. Together, the display and software create a harmonious blend of visual appeal and functionality, making the S25 Edge a pleasure to use for both work and entertainment. Camera Performance: Impressive, but Not Without Limits
The Galaxy S25 Edge is equipped with a 200 MP main camera, capable of capturing highly detailed and vibrant images. This makes it an excellent choice for photography enthusiasts who prioritize image quality. The 12 MP ultrawide lens adds versatility, excelling in capturing expansive landscapes and intricate macro shots. These features ensure that the device performs well in a variety of photographic scenarios.
However, the absence of a dedicated telephoto lens is a significant limitation. Instead, the phone relies on digital zoom, which can result in a noticeable loss of image quality, particularly at higher magnifications. While the camera system is impressive for an ultra-thin device, it falls short of the versatility offered by thicker smartphones with more comprehensive camera arrays. For users who prioritize photography, this trade-off may be a deciding factor. Battery Life: A Compromise for Thinness
The S25 Edge's 3,900 mAh battery represents one of the most significant compromises in its design. While it supports approximately 4.5 to 5 hours of active usage, this falls short compared to other models in the Galaxy S25 lineup. For users who have frequent access to charging, this limitation may be manageable. However, heavy users or those who are often on the move may find the reduced battery life restrictive.
This trade-off highlights the challenges of integrating larger batteries into ultra-thin devices. As manufacturers continue to prioritize slim designs, advancements in energy density remain critical to overcoming these limitations. For now, the S25 Edge's battery life underscores the delicate balance between achieving a sleek profile and maintaining practical functionality. The Trade-offs of Ultra-Thin Design
The Galaxy S25 Edge's ultra-thin design comes with several compromises that potential users should consider: Reduced battery capacity, limiting screen-on time for heavy users.
Durability concerns, particularly in scenarios involving accidental drops.
The absence of a telephoto lens, relying instead on digital zoom for magnification.
While these trade-offs may be acceptable to users who prioritize portability and aesthetics, they highlight the limitations of current technology in achieving a perfect balance between style and functionality. The S25 Edge serves as a reminder that innovation often involves navigating complex trade-offs. Industry Trends: The Future of Ultra-Thin Smartphones
The Galaxy S25 Edge reflects a broader industry trend toward thinner and lighter smartphones. As manufacturers push the boundaries of design, advancements in battery technology, such as silicon-carbon batteries, offer hope for addressing the energy density challenges of ultra-thin devices. These emerging technologies promise to deliver higher energy storage in smaller footprints, potentially allowing future smartphones to combine slim designs with longer battery life.
Speculation about upcoming devices, such as the rumored iPhone 17 Air, suggests that the industry will continue to explore the possibilities of ultra-thin designs. These developments could redefine the balance between style and functionality, paving the way for smartphones that deliver both aesthetic appeal and practical performance. As technology evolves, the potential for ultra-thin devices to meet the demands of modern users becomes increasingly promising.
Here are more guides from our previous articles and guides related to Ultra-thin smartphones that you may find helpful.
Source & Image Credit: Marques Brownlee Filed Under: Android News, Mobile Phone News, Top News
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
28 minutes ago
- BBC News
Lee Jae-myung: South Korea's new president has a Trump-shaped crisis to avert
South Korea's new president, Lee Jae-myung, has secured a storming victory, but his honeymoon will barely last the former opposition leader is not getting to enjoy the two-month transition period usually afforded to new leaders, so they can build their team and nail down their vision for the country. Instead he is entering office immediately, to fill the hole left by the impeachment of the former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, who last December tried and failed to bring the country under martial electing Lee, with almost 50% of the vote , South Koreans have vehemently rejected the military dictatorship that was almost forced upon them. Lee campaigned on the promise that he would strengthen South Korea's democracy and unite the country, after a divisive and tumultuous six that will have to wait. First, he has a Donald Trump shaped crisis to avert. In the coming months, Trump has the power to destabilise South Korea's economy, its security, and its volatile relationship with North Koreans were dismayed when Trump slapped 25% tariffs on all Korean imports in April, after already hitting the country with aggressive tariffs on its core industries – steel and cars. They had assumed that being longstanding military allies from the days of the Korean War, and having a free-trade agreement with the US, would spare these tariffs take effect "they could trigger an economic crisis", a seasoned advisor to Lee's Democratic Party, Moon Chung-in, said. Before Trump's announcements, South Korea's economy was already slowing down. The martial law chaos constricted it further. Then, in the first quarter of this year, it contracted. Fixing this has been voters' number one demand, even above fixing their beleaguered democracy. But without a president, talks with Trump have been on hold. They cannot be put off any there is much more than South Korea's economy at stake in these US currently guarantees South Korea's security, by promising to come to its defence with both conventional and nuclear weapons, were it to be attacked by its nuclear-armed neighbour, North Korea. As part of this deal there are 28,500 US troops stationed in the Trump has made clear he does not plan to differentiate between trade and security when negotiating with South Korea, signalling that Seoul is not pulling its weight in either a post on his Truth Social platform in April, Trump said that during initial tariff talks with South Korea he had "discussed payment for the big time military protection we provide", calling it "beautiful and efficient one-stop shopping".This approach makes Seoul uniquely vulnerable. Evans Revere, a former senior US diplomat based in Seoul, fears a crisis is coming. "For the first time in our lifetime we have a US president who does not feel a moral and strategic obligation towards Korea".In his first term as president, Trump questioned the value of having US forces stationed in Korea and threatened to withdraw them unless Seoul paid more to have them. It seems likely he will demand more money this time may not want to pay more, but it can afford to. A bigger problem is that Trump's calculations, and that of his defence department, seem to have changed. This is no longer just about the money. Washington's top priority now in Asia is not just stopping North Korea attacking the South, it is also to contain China's military ambitions in the region and against Taiwan. Last year, a now senior US defence official, Elbridge Colby, said that South Korea was going to have to take "overwhelming responsibility for its own self-defence against North Korea", so the US could be ready to fight option is that the troops stationed here would switch their focus to constraining China. Another, touted by a couple of US defence officials last month, is that thousands of soldiers would be removed from the peninsula altogether and redeployed, and that Seoul's military would also have to play a role in deterring only could this put South Korea in a dangerous military predicament, but it would also create a diplomatically difficult Lee, who historically has been sceptical of Korea's alliance with the US, wants to use his presidency to improve relations with China, South Korea's powerful neighbour and trading partner. He has stated several times that South Korea should stay out of a conflict between China and Taiwan."We must keep our distance from a China-Taiwan contingency. We can get along with both", he said during a televised debate last month. The political advisor Mr Moon, who once served as national security advisor, reiterated Lee's concerns. "We are worried about America abandoning us, but at the same time we are worried about being entrapped in American strategy to contain and encircle China", he said. "If the US threatens us, we can let [the forces] go", he Mr Revere, the former US diplomat, this combination of Lee, Trump and China threatens to create "the perfect storm". "The two leaders may find themselves on very different pages and that could be a recipe for a problematic relationship. If this plays out, it would undermine peace and stability in North East Asia".In Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un will no doubt be watching closely, keen to exploit the shifting ground. His nuclear weapons programme is more dangerous than ever, and nothing or no-one has been able to convince him to wind it down - including Donald Trump who, during his first term, was the first US president to ever meet a North Korean returning to office Trump has indicated he would like to resume talks with Kim, which ended without agreement in 2019. In Seoul, there is real concern that this time the pair could strike a deal that is very bad for South fear is that Trump would take an "America first" approach, and ask Kim to stop producing his intercontinental ballistic missiles that threaten the US mainland, without addressing the multiple short-range nuclear weapons pointed at Seoul. And in return, Kim could demand a high price. Kim has far more leverage than he did in 2019. He has more nuclear warheads, his weapons are more advanced, and the sanctions that were supposed to put pressure on his regime have all but collapsed, thanks largely to Vladimir Putin. The Russian leader is providing Kim with economic and military support in return for North Korea's help fighting the war in therefore gives Kim the cover to make more audacious requests of the US. He could ask Trump to accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state, and agree to a deal that would reduce Pyongyang's weapons count rather than get rid of them altogether. Another of his requests could likely be for the US to remove some the security it provides South Korea, including the troops."North Korea is in the driver's seat now. The only curveball is how much risk President Trump will take", said Sydney Seiler, who was involved in the 2019 negotiations on the US side. "The idea there might be some sort of troop withdrawal [included in a deal] is really not that far-fetched".Mr Seiler stressed that the US would "not leave South Korea in the dust," but advised South Korea's new president to "establish a relationship with Trump early on", and be clear they expect to be part of any process, if talks new president must move quickly on all fronts, added Mr Revere, arguing that Lee's first homework assignment should be to come up with a list of 10 reasons why South Korea is an indispensable partner and why American dollars are being well spent; reasons that can convince a sceptical and transactional Trump. One Ace card South Korea is hoping to play is its shipbuilding prowess. It builds more vessels than any other country bar China, which is now the world's dominant ship builder and home to the largest naval fleet. This is a frightening prospect for the US whose own industry and navy are in month I visited South Korea's flagship shipyard in Ulsan on the south coast - the largest in the world – where Hyundai Heavy Industries builds 40-50 new ships a year, including naval destroyers. Sturdy cranes slotted together sheets of metal, creating vessels the size of small is hoping it can use this expertise to build, repair and maintain warships for the US, and in the process convince Washington it is a valuable partner."US shipbuilding difficulties are affecting their national security", said Jeong Woo Maan, head of strategy for Hyundai's naval and ship unit. "This is one of the strongest cards we have to negotiate with".In his campaign for president, Lee Jae-myung declared he did not want to rush into any agreements with Trump. Now in office, he could quickly find himself without this luxury.
Reuters
36 minutes ago
- Reuters
Oil prices slip as rising OPEC+ output, tariff fears weigh on outlook
TOKYO, June 4 (Reuters) - Oil prices edged lower in early Asian trade on Wednesday, weighed down by a loosening supply-demand balance following increasing OPEC+ output and lingering concerns over the global economic outlook due to tariff tensions. Brent crude futures dipped 5 cents, or 0.1%, to $65.58 a barrel by 0040 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $63.32 a barrel, down 9 cents, or 0.1%. Both benchmarks climbed about 2% on Tuesday to a two-week high, supported by worries over supply disruptions from Canadian wildfires and expectations that Iran will reject a U.S. nuclear deal proposal that is key to easing sanctions on the major oil producer. "Despite fears over Canadian supply and stalled Iran-U.S. nuclear talks, oil markets are struggling to extend gains," said Tsuyoshi Ueno, senior economist at NLI Research Institute, adding that OPEC+ production increases were capping the upside. Ueno said hopes for progress in U.S.-China trade talks were overshadowed by profit-taking, as investors remained cautious over the broader economic fallout from tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will likely speak this week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday, days after Trump accused China of violating an agreement to roll back tariffs and trade restrictions. As the Trump administration pressed U.S. trading partners to provide their best offers by Wednesday, the protracted negotiations and moving deadlines have led economists to scale back growth forecasts. On Tuesday, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) cut its global growth forecast as the fallout from Trump's trade war takes a bigger toll on the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, scores of wildfires have swept across Canada since the start of May, forcing thousands of evacuations and disrupting crude oil production in the country. U.S. crude stocks fell by 3.3 million barrels in the week ended May 30, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. Gasoline inventories rose by 4.7 million barrels and distillate stocks rose by about 760,000 barrels. A Reuters poll of nine analysts estimated an average draw of 1 million barrels in crude stocks. Official inventory data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is due on Wednesday.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Japan's service sector growth slows in May, PMI shows
TOKYO, June 4 (Reuters) - Growth in Japan's service-sector activity slowed in May on weaker demand, offering little to mitigate falling factory activity and resulting in a near-zero growth for business overall, a private sector survey showed on Wednesday. The final au Jibun Bank Japan Services purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 51.0 in May from 52.4 in April, although it was higher than flash 50.8. An index reading above the 50.0 threshold indicates growth and a reading below indicates contraction. New business growth in the service sector eased to its slowest pace since November, while employment growth in services was the weakest rate since December 2023, the survey showed. Service-sector managers' confidence in their future outlook improved to a three-month high in May from April's four-year low, but the overall level stayed weaker than the post-pandemic average, according to the survey. "Concerns over the outlook often stemmed from uncertainty over future global demand, as well as labour shortages and rising costs," said Annabel Fiddes, Economics Associate Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiled the survey. "The latter was highlighted by a further steep increase in input prices, to suggest that official inflation data will remain strong." Input price inflation eased from April's 26-month high but remained elevated, with managers citing higher costs for energy, labour and transport, prompting service providers to continue raising their output charges roughly in line with April's pace. The slowdown in services, combined with a continued decrease in manufacturing, left overall private sector activity stagnant with the composite PMI dropping to 50.2 in May from 51.2 in April. "The weaker demand picture suggests that the private sector may struggle to bounce back in the near-term, and could translate into more cautious staff hiring in the months ahead," Fiddes said.
