Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge hands-on: Super Thin, Super Expensive
Not surprisingly, it has me captivated because this svelte phone is rich in features that make it a worthy best phone contender, including a 200MP main camera, 6.7-inch OLED display and Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.
But at the same time I'm torn because at $1,099, it's intruding on Galaxy S25 Ultra territory — so I'm left wondering if the trade-offs with the Galaxy S25 Edge are worth it.
This is only the start, so it'll be interesting to see how other phone makers respond to this trend. In my Galaxy S25 Edge hands-on review, I'll tell you what features stand out to me the most and whether or not its thin construction is enough to pull me away from today's flagship models.
Galaxy S25 Edge
Starting price
$1,099 / £1,099
Display
6.7-inch AMOLED, QHD+ resolution
Refresh rate
120Hz adaptive
Rear cameras
200MP main (f/1.7) with 10x digital zoom, 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2)
Front cameras
12MP (f/2.2) with 85-degree FOV
Chipset
Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
RAM
12GB
Storage
256GB, 512GB
Battery
3,900 mAh
Charging
25W wired, fast wireless charging
Operating system
Android 15 with One UI 7
Water/dust resistance
IP68
Size
75.6 X 158.2 X 5.8mm / 6.23 x 2.98 x 0.23 inches thick
Weight
163 grams / 5.75 ounces
Colors
Titanium Silver, Titanium Jetblack, Titanium Icyblue
Does a thin construction warrant a hefty price point? This is the argument at the heart of the Galaxy S25 Edge, which starts at $1,099 for the base model with 256GB of storage — or you can upgrade to 512GB of storage for $1,219.
This phone doesn't come cheap at all and will make anyone really think twice about its value, but I can't say if it's worth the high price until we've put this device through its paces.
The Galaxy S25 Edge is $100 more than the Galaxy S25 Plus and $200 less than the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
You get three color options to choose from: Titanium Silver, Titanium Jetblack, and Titanium Icyblue. Out of the three, Titanium Icyblue certainly stands out the most for its piercing color, but it won't matter as much if you intend on putting a case over it.
Galaxy S25 Edge pre-orders are available right now, with Samsung sweetening the deal by tacking on a $50 credit and upgrading you to the 512GB model at no additional charge. It'll be widely available starting on May 30 from Samsung and other carriers nationwide.
Galaxy S25 Edge pre-order: up to $800 off w/ trade-in @ SamsungThe new Galaxy S25 Edge sports a 5.8mm profile, which is 31% thinner than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It features a 6.7-inch AMOLED QHD+ 120Hz display, Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. It also has a 200MP main camera with 10x digital zoom and a 12MP front camera with 85-degree FOV. Pre-order the 256GB model at Samsung and you'll get a free storage upgrade to 512GB.
I've been using the Galaxy Z Fold 6 for over 6 months now and what's interesting is that it's actually just as thin as the Galaxy S25 Edge at 5.6mm — but that's when it's unfolded. When it's closed, however, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 measures in at 12.1mm thick.
For a phone that's this thin and light, it still feels incredibly solid in the hand.
Size-wise, it's definitely not as long or wide as other flagship models, making it slightly easier to use one-handed. Against the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which comes in at 8.2mm, the Galaxy S25 Edge is roughly 31% thinner.
I'm actually astounded most by the weight difference between the two. The Galaxy S25 Ultra feels overweight at 7.69 ounces, whereas the Galaxy S25 Edge tips the scales at just 5.75 ounces.
For a phone that's this thin and light, it still feels incredibly solid in the hand. That's due to its sturdy titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 covering the display. Even with its thinness, it doesn't feel fragile and still gets the same IP68 rating as the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
While all of this makes the Galaxy S25 Edge an engineering feat, I don't have the same reaction as other thin phones I've seen in my lifetime. Yes, it's the thinnest Galaxy S device ever, but it doesn't rival the feeling I got seeing the original Motorola Razr — or when Apple introduced the iPod Nano.
The Galaxy S25 Edge features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with QHD+ resolution, which is actually the same as the Galaxy S25 Plus. It's a good size, complete with a skinny bezel all around the display and a small notch for its selfie camera.
Samsung hasn't disclosed what this panel is rated for, but it packs all the qualities I love about Samsung's displays — like wide viewing angles and piercing colors.
I loaded up a 4K HDR clip on YouTube and honestly it looks very much like the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It also benefits from the same adaptive 120Hz refresh rate that makes animations and scrolling with the interface so buttery smooth.
The true test will be how bright it gets because the Galaxy S25 Ultra achieved a peak brightness of 1,860 nits. Even if it doesn't quite reach the same level, it still looks great for what most people will use it for.
Considering how much of a camera snob I can be, it's going to be tough convincing me that the Galaxy S25 Edge's dual-camera setup is good enough.
It consists of a 200MP main shooter paired with a 12MP ultrawide, but Samsung doesn't explicitly say it's using the same exact sensor found with the Galaxy S25 Ultra's main camera.
The zooming is all handled by the main camera. I've seen excellent results from phones that make great use of pixel binning, so I suspect the Galaxy S25 Edge won't disappoint in this area.
However, just know that its maximum zoom is capped to 10x zoom (both photos and video) — which effectively eliminates space zoom from its arsenal. The Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus have 3x telephoto lenses capable of 30x zoom, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 3x and 5x optical with 200x digital.
This is one area I'm apprehensive about because it means that it won't get the same caliber of moon shots, or distant stars whenever I shoot astrophotography with the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Over on the video side, the S25 Edge has all the same shooting modes as the Galaxy S25 Ultra, including manual video mode and 8K recording.
One thing I'm happy to know is that the S25 Edge packs a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip under the hood, which is paired with 12GB of RAM — just like on the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
This combo has already proven to be a powerhouse, so I'm confident it'll deliver very similar results with various benchmark tests. Not only is it the thinnest flagship model around, but it could also be one of the most powerful phones around.
But given how all of its internal components are scrunched together in such a tightly packed space to achieve its thinness, it does make heat buildup a big concern. I'm pretty religious at playing graphically intensive games on my phones, so the last thing I want to happen is it getting extra toasty and potentially affecting its GPU performance.
Samsung says that the Galaxy S25 Edge boasts a configured vapor chamber for exactly this reason, which will help out with its heat dissipation. It's much more of a concern here, than say, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, because everything's crammed into a much tighter space.
In addition to the camera, the other area where the Galaxy S25 Edge compromises over the Galaxy S25 Ultra is in the battery department. Naturally, a phone this thin needs to make concessions somewhere — and that's in the battery, which could be a dealbreaker for some.
Samsung claims 'all-day' battery life from this 3,900 mAh battery, but I don't think it'll come close to matching the Galaxy S25 Ultra in the endurance department. That phone packs a massive 5,000 mAh battery, as does the Galaxy S25 Plus with a 4,900 mAh one.
I know very well that Qualcomm's chip is extremely power efficient, but I just can't see it outlasting either of them in Tom's Guide's battery benchmark test or making it on our best phone battery life list.
At the same time, Samsung capped its charging speed to 25W — which is much slower than the 45W wired speeds on the Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 Ultra.
All of this points to the obvious: the Galaxy S25 Edge is not going to break records in the battery department. I know some people are fine with this, just as long as the battery can last them a reasonable amount of time.
I just wouldn't want to find it running on empty halfway through my day.
I played around with the Galaxy S25 Edge and it's running the same One UI 7 software on top of Android 15 — effectively giving it the same experience as the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
There's a lot I like about it, including the fact that its packs Samsung DeX, Multi Window, and Edge Panel to make it a productivity powerhouse.
Equally, the Galaxy S25 Edge appears to have the same set of new Galaxy AI features that were introduced earlier with the Galaxy S25 release — like the Now Bar, Cross Actions Apps, and more.
Just like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the Edge leans on different AI Agents (Gemini and Bixby) to perform complex actions. Although, there's still work needed in how it interacts with third party apps because a lot of them still don't perform all the actions I want.
But despite this, the Galaxy S25 Edge has the latest Gemini Live integrations, like being able to tap the camera to interact with the assistance, rather than typing everything down.
Samsung hasn't disclosed how long the Galaxy S25 Edge will have free access to Gemini Advanced, but I suspect it'll be the same 6 months as the other Galaxy S25 phones.
I honestly believe that the Galaxy S25 Edge is in a tough position, mainly because of how it's priced and the compromises it makes in order to achieve its thinness. At $1,099, it's $200 more expensive than the similarly sized Galaxy S25 Plus — and $200 less than the Galaxy S25 Ultra flagship.
Battery life is clearly the one area where the Galaxy S25 Edge is at a big disadvantage. You could argue the same for its cameras, but I think its dual-camera setup can still pack a punch. Yes, I'm willing to overlook not having a dedicated telephoto camera just as long as it makes do with pixel binning techniques to effectively reach the similar results.
You can't take away Samsung's accomplishment here in creating a flagship phone that's bonkers thin than anything else around, but it doesn't leave me with the same lasting impression.
Now if it was exactly like the Galaxy S25 Ultra in every way (cameras included), but in a much smaller and lighter package, then I think I'd be more impressed — but it's not. This isn't a generation defining change, like the Razr or iPod Nano.
Then again, there's still a chance the S25 Edge could sway my feelings once it's properly tested.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
2 minutes ago
- Tom's Guide
This 116-inch TV is the brightest we've ever tested — and it just went on sale
Grab your shades and get your finances in order, because Hisense just made available the brightest TV we've ever tested. It's a 116-inch beast with a brand-new display type, and it'll set you back a whopping $29,999. The announcement comes just a day after the official launch of Samsung's first Micro RGB TV — a 115-inch, $29,999 set that leverages a similar type of display technology. In other words, the competition is heating up. Originally unveiled at CES 2025, the Hisense 116UX launches alongside a slightly smaller (but still huge) 100-inch version, the Hisense 100UX, which carries a $19,999 price tag. But what makes Hisense's RGB Mini-LED technology worthy of this price tag? Among other benefits, its phenomenal brightness is at the top of the list. I recently wrote at length about the Hisense 116UX brightness levels being off the charts, but here's the basic gist: This TV packs better HDR highlight brightness than any commercially available TV we've measured to date. The 116UX RGB Mini-LED exceeds the 5,000-nit mark. While the brand's more accessible Mini-LED flagship, the Hisense U8QG, delivers close to 4,000 nits of HDR highlight brightness, the 116UX RGB Mini-LED exceeds the 5,000-nit mark. That's eye-popping brightness on a gargantuan screen. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. As mentioned, Hisense's RGB Mini-LED technology brings benefits beyond bonkers brightness. Unlike traditional Mini-LED backlights, Hisense's RGB Mini-LED display tech consists of red-, green- and blue-colored LEDs. This allows for more precise color control. Testing bears this out, too. According to our measurements, the Hisense 116UX covers a remarkable 91.14% of the BT.2020 color gamut. That's the best color volume we've seen this year, surpassing the most colorful OLED we've tested, the Samsung S95F. We've not yet tested the slightly smaller-sized Hisense 100UX, but given that it leverages RGB Mini-LEDs as well, I'd have to imagine that its test results are, at the very least, in the 116UX's ballpark. Given the sky-high price point of both TVs, Hisense's new RGB Mini-LED technology is certainly not for everyone. The good news is that the next-best thing might be staring you in the face. The aforementioned Hisense U8QG is still working with the traditional blend of quantum dots and traditional Mini-LEDs, but it's the brightest TV we've tested this year in that class. It's also available in all of the most popular size options — not just 100- and 116-inches. The U8QG isn't quite as bright and colorful as a Hisense RGB Mini-LED TV, but it's still the brightest TV in its class. It also comes with the excellent Google TV smart platform, not to mention a ton of valuable gaming features. Right now, it's on sale for over $600 off. If you've got the means and you're interested in shelling out for the real deal, the Hisense 116UX is available at Best Buy for $24,999. (Hey, that's $5,000 off!) These TVs might be exorbitantly expensive for the time being, but many people — myself included — see these sets as the bridge between the TVs of today and the TVs of the future. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
an hour ago
- Tom's Guide
I tested this smart telescope that pairs with my phone to capture galaxies and nebulas — and it's under $550
Just a little close to a couple of years ago, I tested out my first telescope ever — the Dwarf 2 — which was also happened to my first smart telescope too. It also put me on a path to discovering a new hobby with astrophotography. I've been testing out Dwarflabs' latest model, the Dwarf 3, to capture many of my favorite deep space objects. Similar to the previous model, the Dwarf 3 features a compact design that fits easily into my backpack and pairs with my smartphone to quickly set targets and capture images. However, another impressive thing I've realized, through testing, is that the Dwarf 3 is also an incredible nature camera. Capturing astrophotography is a breeze with the Dwarf 3 smart telescope. Not only is it compact in size, but it's also very quick to set up and start using. Plus, you don't need to be a professional to get pro-grade images because it intelligently stacks images for you so that you get stunning shots of nebulas, galaxies, planets, and check: $549 @ Dwarflab While phones like the Galaxy S25 Ultra are great at zooming, it doesn't come close to matching the Dwarf 3. You could get a decent shot of the moon with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but the Dwarf 3 blows any phone I've ever used to get moon shots. If that's not enough to convince you, check out some of the galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters I've imaged with the Dwarf 3 below. Unlike a traditional telescope, which often requires you to set up several components, I just turn on the Dwarf 3, put it on the ground, and then launch the app to calibrate it. In about 5 minutes, I can start searching for targets in the night sky to image. Once I do, the Dwarf 3 does all the rest — including the stacking of the images, which is what makes it different from a standard telescope. The end results are breathtaking because you don't need a lot of experience to get high-quality images. Apart from astrophotography, I've also found the Dwarf 3 to be an outstanding nature camera due to its long telephoto zoom. Since I have it on a tripod, I can use the app to track targets — like some birds around my property — to get a close-up look at them that blows away anything I would get from my camera phone. I'm honestly shocked by the results because it captures rich detail and definition every time. This is ideal for nature photography because I can keep a safe distance without disturbing them. At the same time, the Dwarf 3 can record video as well while using its tracking feature to keep them centered. While birds are tougher for it, I've used it to capture some deer in the far distance and some neighborhood outdoor cats. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Finally, there's the cost. If you ever look into buying a sophisticated telescope that can capture astrophotography and stack images for you, they can easily run you thousands of dollars. Not to mention, they're also bulky and impractical to bring around with you. In comparison, the Dwarf 3 costs under $550, fits easily into my backpack, and has a fast setup time. For all of these reasons, it's one of my favorite smart telescopes. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
an hour ago
- Tom's Guide
This is a steal! Walmart just slashed this 75-inch Samsung The Frame by $1,200
Walmart's got some exciting TV deals right now, wrangling even some of our favorite Samsung models. If you're big on keeping your living room looking like the inside of a museum, this deal is perfect for you — especially if you like big screen TVs. Right now, you can get the 75-inch Samsung The Frame QLED TV for $1,779 at Walmart. That's over $1,200 slashed on one of sleekest art TVs available, gifting you a display that works even when the TV is turned off. Samsung's The Frame TV 2024 just received its first price cut. The QLED TV features an art mode that displays your favorite artwork, shows, movies, and more. The 2024 model features a new dynamic refresh mode, which kicks down the refresh rate of the TV when in it's in art mode (to save on energy). In our Samsung The Frame (2024) hands-on, we said the TV looks great in art mode and we also liked that the Samsung Art Store now offers a monthly curation of artwork users can display for free. The TV also features HDR10 Plus support, 120Hz refresh rate, built-in Amazon Alexa, Samsung's Tizen operating system, and four HDMI 2.1 ports. Art TVs are turning out to be all the rave right now, with many major brands copying Samsung's style. Samsung first launched its Frame concept all the way back in 2017 and since then it's sparked a revolution in the TV market with tons of similar models. You rarely ever see Samsung's The Frame marked down, largely because it's so popular. It's rated as one of our best Samsung TVs for a reason, and while it might have been one-upped by The Frame Pro this year, the base Frame is still a stellar offering with its matte display and interchangeable frames. What I love about the Frame, beyond its sourcing of several thousand art pieces, is its wide selection of features. Although it's built on a 120Hz refresh rate, that makes it more than adequate for gamers, and its matte finish means reflections are well-mitigated, unlike other QLED TVs. It also comes equipped with an ATSC 3.0 tuner, which means you can watch 4K broadcasts through NextgenTV. That's pretty handy if you're trying not to rely on some of the best streaming services for all your entertainment needs. Few TVs these days are offering an ATSC 3.0 tuner, so it's a handy addition for those who want it. Despite its size, the Frame also packs a hefty punch in the audio department. It's kitted with a 40W speaker system, which is pretty hefty for this kind of TV. You might still want to get yourself one of the best sundbars, just for the sake of improved immersion, but the onboard speakers do well enough. You can't go wrong a Samsung TV, especially one that's 75-inch and nearly half the price. We have sung the praises of the Samsung The Frame over the last several years, even though it's a rather niche market. But, who doesn't want to have an ever-changing display as their main TV, one that can spruce up your living room like you're living in the Louvre?
