Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Review: Design You’ll Pay a Price for

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Finest Costs Immediately: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

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Samsung releases dozens of telephones annually, however few have generated a buzz just like the Galaxy S25 Edge. 

First teased on the finish of the Galaxy S25 collection launch in January, Samsung’s new ultra-thin flagship was the topic of near-constant leaks within the months main as much as its Might launch. 

So, does the S25 Edge justify the hype, or fall flat on its face? What, if something, do it’s important to give as much as get an extremely skinny telephone? I spent over every week utilizing the Galaxy S25 Edge to seek out out – listed below are my in-depth ideas. 

Design & Construct

• 5.8mm, 163g
• Sturdy glass and titanium construct 
• IP68 water and mud resistance 

It feels very applicable that type is the very first thing to be mentioned, because the design of the S25 Edge is the one purpose to purchase it over the opposite Galaxy S25 telephones – however what a design it’s. 

At simply 5.8mm, it’s the slimmest Galaxy S collection telephone so far, and one of many thinnest telephones ever made. In reality, it’s barely thicker than the USB-C port. To get a lot slimmer, you’d should go completely portless, however it doesn’t really feel like we’re fairly prepared for that but. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

At 163g, the S25 Edge’s weight is much less outstanding. It’s not even the lightest telephone within the Galaxy S25 collection – that award goes to the 162g common Galaxy S25 – although you’ll get a considerably bigger 6.7-inch show right here. 

And the advantages of this light-weight design turned abundantly clear throughout my testing. Utilizing the S25 Edge for upwards of half-hour at a time triggered not one of the typical hand pressure, and I barely even seen it was in my pocket at occasions. Nonetheless, the latter speaks partly to the dimensions of most males’s trouser pockets, and girls might not be capable to say the identical. 

In the end, it’s the mixture of skinny and lightweight that makes the S25 Edge so spectacular. I used to be involved that this could make it really feel flimsy, however Samsung has ensured that this isn’t the case. 

The glass entrance is provided with Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, making it the primary smartphone to have this. Producer Corning suggests it will possibly survive drops of as much as 1m on a “floor replicating concrete”. For apparent causes, I didn’t do that myself, however it was completely unscathed after falling onto a desk and the leg of a chair. 

Alongside Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the again and a titanium body, the S25 Edge is constructed to resist extra than simply regular put on and tear. Similar to the opposite S25 telephones, you additionally get an IP68 ranking, that means it’s absolutely protected in opposition to mud and submersion in as much as 1.5m of contemporary water. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

In consequence, I felt pretty comfy utilizing the telephone case-free all through my testing. The only situation was the shortage of grip from the glass again, which meant it fell out of my pocket on a number of events. 

The one resolution to that is to use a case, which fairly defeats the purpose of getting such a slim telephone. Nonetheless, the official Samsung ones I’ve tried handle to maintain bulk to an absolute minimal. It could be one thing you solely use sometimes, as wanted.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Nonetheless, the quantity of people that will use the S25 Edge case-free makes the color choices all of the extra disappointing. It’s accessible in simply three – Silver, Icyblue and Jetblack – whereas there are not any fewer than seven totally different variants of the S25+. There’s nothing flawed with the Silver mannequin I attempted, however it’s a bit boring. 

Display & Audio system

• 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED 
• 120Hz, 2600 nits of peak brightness 
• Stereo audio system 

The Galaxy S25 Edge boasts a 6.7-inch, QHD+ (1440 x 3120) AMOLED show, full with a dynamic 120Hz refresh price. 

If that sounds acquainted, it’s as a result of it’s similar to the Galaxy S25+. Actually. They’ve the very same display screen. As an alternative of copying and pasting what I mentioned in my S25+ evaluate (however be at liberty to learn my ideas there too), I’ll attempt to describe it once more. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

The S25 Edge’s show is great and undoubtedly one in all its finest options. It’s extremely detailed, even in the event you don’t bump the decision up from the default FHD+ (2340 x 1080). 

As an OLED, you get wealthy, vibrant colors and deep blacks, making it good for films or TV. On the identical time, I really like that Samsung offers you the choice to swap out the default ‘Vivid’ mode for ‘Pure’ and even fine-tune the white steadiness or color temperature to your liking. 

The 120Hz refresh price means scrolling and navigation really feel extremely easy and fluid, though I’d’ve favored the choice to stay at 120Hz the entire time. As an alternative, you’ll have to decide on between an mechanically adjusting ‘Adaptive’ mode and a set 60Hz, which I’d solely suggest in the event you’re attempting to preserve battery life. 

One other small factor to concentrate on is that the S25 Edge doesn’t profit from the anti-reflective coating discovered on the S25 Extremely, though you should buy a similar-looking display screen protector from the Samsung web site.  

Both method, with a peak brightness of 2600 nits (I recorded a formidable 743 nits at residence), visibility, even in direct daylight, isn’t a difficulty in any respect. 

Make no mistake: the S25 Edge’s show is great in just about all eventualities, even when it’s a small step down from the Extremely. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Sadly, the identical can’t be mentioned for the in-display fingerprint sensor. Similar to the opposite S25 telephones, it’s an ultrasonic model, so it needs to be sooner and extra dependable than the extra standard optical ones. However in my expertise, it was gradual, unreliable and really delicate to moisture. Fortunately, the face unlock is safe sufficient to authenticate funds and log into banking apps, so I simply used that as a substitute. 

Just like the overwhelming majority of telephones, the S25 Edge has stereo audio system: one on the backside, plus the earpiece.  I’d describe the audio as above common, with a pleasant depth to the sound, however it nonetheless lacks bass and might sound tinny at excessive volumes. As typical, join headphones in the event you’re critical about sound high quality. 

Specs & Efficiency

• Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy 
• 12GB of RAM 
• 256- or 512GB of storage 

Like all the Galaxy S25 telephones, the S25 Edge is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. It’s an overclocked model of Qualcomm’s newest (on the time of writing) flagship chipset, with benchmarks suggesting it’s probably the most highly effective processor present in any Android telephone. 

So, it ought to most likely come as no shock that on a regular basis efficiency is stellar. Alongside 12GB of RAM (on each fashions), the S25 Edge breezes by way of on a regular basis duties with ease. We’re speaking internet looking, messaging, emails, navigation, watching movies and taking loads of pictures. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Even after I opened dozens of apps, shortly switched between them or used split-screen multitasking, there was no stuttering or hesitation in anyway. Spectacular. 

In principle, the S25 Edge is a lot highly effective sufficient to be a potent gaming machine. However whereas it handles informal titles with ease, stepping as much as extra demanding video games could be problematic. 

The principle situation I seen was simply how sizzling the telephone will get. Even downloading the sources for Genshin Affect (which took a very good quarter-hour) triggered the telephone to overheat in a method that didn’t appear wholesome.

Issues settled down rather a lot as soon as the sport started, however gameplay nonetheless seems to endure barely. I chosen the 120Hz ‘Efficiency’ mode, which was usually easy however suffered some noticeable dropped frames right here and there. It was an identical story throughout Name of Responsibility: Cell and Actual Racing 3; all three are very playable, however you would possibly need to scale back the settings to make sure a terrific expertise. 

In the end, if gaming is a precedence, the S25 Edge isn’t the telephone for you, however you most likely knew that anyway. For something much less demanding, it passes with flying colors, because the benchmarks present. 

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge benchmarks

Samsung makes it easy in terms of storage choices: 256- or 512GB. Simply be sure you get sufficient, as there’s no assist for Micro-SD expandable storage. 

Cameras

• 200Mp most important rear lens 
• 12Mp ultrawide, 12Mp selfie 
• No telephoto digital camera 

The Galaxy S25 Edge’s digital camera system brings each good and dangerous information, however let’s begin with the positives. 

Its 200Mp, f/1.7 most important sensor is the very same one discovered on the S25 Extremely. And in the event you’ve learn our evaluate of that telephone, you’ll know what a wonderful lens it’s. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Alongside Samsung’s superior software program processing, the S25 Edge takes good pictures in virtually all lighting circumstances. Typically, you’ll be able to count on glorious element and dynamic vary, with the telephone dealing with complicated shadows properly. 

Up to now, Samsung telephones tended to provide vivid and extremely saturated photos, however that appears to have been toned down right here. As an alternative, pictures are impressively true to life, prioritising correct colors over a photograph that basically pops. In fact, modifying instruments inside the Gallery app make it simple to tweak issues to your liking later.

Throughout my testing, I skilled mainly no shutter lag, making it a terrific possibility if you want to shortly snap one thing. Even with topics within the picture transferring round, most pictures stay clear and centered. 

If there’s a weak spot, it’s that the sky could be a little overexposed at occasions. On cloudy days, the delicate definition of clouds turns into extra of a nondescript blob of gray, however it’s a minor concern. 

In most different eventualities, together with low-light environments, the S25 Edge coped properly. The long-exposure night time mode, which could be triggered manually or set to mechanically allow, does a very good job of preserving key particulars with out introducing a lot noise. 

In my expertise, the primary lens is equally adept at taking pictures of pets, structure, and landscapes, because the gallery beneath exhibits. For the latter, you could be tempted to change to the ultrawide. 

At 12Mp, it’s the identical lens as on the S25+, providing the flexibleness of a 120-degree area of view. Whereas there’s a noticeable downgrade in comparison with the primary lens, the drop-off in high quality isn’t as extreme as you’ll discover on another telephones.  

Sadly, the S25 Edge lacks a telephoto lens of any description, and I actually missed it. In consequence, the zoom (through the primary lens) is completely digital, and tops out at 10x. Given these limitations, the standard of pictures is healthier than anticipated, however nonetheless an enormous step down from the S25+ and S25 Extremely. 

Given that almost all portrait mode choices depend on the telephoto lens, the standard of those pictures additionally suffers. You’ll be able to nonetheless get a pretty background blur (that’s adjustable earlier than or after you’re taking the shot), however edge detection is commonly an issue. Nice portraits are potential, simply not constantly. 

Because it seems, the 12Mp front-facing lens does a greater job with portraits. It’s the identical as on all the opposite S25 telephones, and produces consistency clear selfies that deal with my pores and skin tone properly. There’s the choice to crop out barely to suit extra folks, however make no mistake, that is removed from being an ultrawide lens. 

On the video aspect, the S25 Edge can shoot in as much as 4K at 60fps. I examined the default 1080p at 30fps and it’s…superb. Optical picture stabilisation (OIS) on the primary lens means footage stays impressively easy, however it’s a disgrace that Samsung can’t translate its pictures prowess into video that may match the standard of the iPhone. 

Battery Life & Charging

• 3900mAh battery 
• 25W wired charging 
• 15W wi-fi charging 

Earlier than testing the Galaxy S25 Edge, its battery life was a serious concern. With a 3900mAh cell, it’s greater than 20% smaller than the Galaxy S25+, a tool which has very comparable specs. 

Whereas I perceive the area constraints brought on by the skinny and lightweight design, it appeared too small to make sure genuinely good battery life. So, has Samsung labored its magic to keep away from battery life being an issue? 

Sadly not. The S25 Edge’s battery life isn’t the worst I’ve ever tried, however that doesn’t imply it’s good. On most days, a full cost will final till bedtime, however I’d at all times take an influence financial institution in the event you’re planning on doing quite a lot of navigation or pictures. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

For many of my testing time, I used to be working from residence, that means a full day of battery life was extra comfy. However even throughout a brief two-hour journey out with solely round half an hour of utilization, my telephone dropped from 20% to 1%. That’s regarding to say the least. 

After simply an hour or so of gaming, the battery went from 45% to fifteen%. Except you have got a charger close by, I wouldn’t suggest it for for much longer. 

In fact, there are issues you are able to do to lengthen battery life, corresponding to turning down brightness, turning off location, disabling cellular information, and enabling energy saving mode. However you shouldn’t should do any of this stuff simply to ensure a high-end telephone makes it to the top of the day. 

The charging scenario is simply as disappointing. Whereas the Galaxy S25+ and S25 Extremely each supply 45W wired speeds, the S25 Edge is restricted to simply 25W. 

That’s offset barely by the small battery, so my pattern went from 0-53% in half an hour and was absolutely charged after 70 minutes, however I used to be nonetheless anticipating extra. Contemplating how heat the gadget was getting whereas charging, I can solely assume the decrease wattage is to restrict warmth build-up. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

It’s additionally value noting that you simply get 15W wi-fi charging right here, however no reverse wi-fi charging. 

Software program & Apps

• One UI 7 over Android 15 
• A lot of Galaxy AI options 
• Seven years of OS and safety updates 

Out of the field, the Galaxy S25 Edge runs Samsung’s One UI 7 over Android 15. Nonetheless, it hopefully received’t be lengthy earlier than we get One UI 8, with it and Android 16 on the best way quickly. 

Nonetheless, even in its present type, One UI is likely one of the finest issues about Samsung telephones – the S25 Edge included. Whereas fairly totally different from ‘inventory’ Android on Google Pixel, it affords a slick, intuitive consumer interface that’s stuffed with customisation choices. 

In reality, I’ll stand by my opinion that One UI is one of the best software program expertise you’ll get on any Android telephone. 

Samsung enables you to absolutely modify the house display screen, unencumbered by the At a Look widget and search bar that the Pixel UI doesn’t allow you to take away. You’ll be able to take away the names beneath the icons (which I discover significantly annoying, and forgot I may even do earlier than taking the picture beneath), and there are a great deal of beautiful widgets to select from. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

I additionally actually get pleasure from having the ability to use pure language whereas looking out in Settings, whereas the short settings panel affords separate toggles for Wi-Fi and cellular information, two issues I’m repeatedly turning on and off. 

Nonetheless, it’s not all excellent news. Whereas I fairly just like the iPhone-style separation of fast settings panel and notification tray, it received’t be for everybody. And with Samsung making its personal model of just about all of Google’s inventory apps, there could be quite a lot of bloatware to type by way of. 

However total, I’m actually impressed. Samsung’s Galaxy AI is roughly on par with Google, together with a spread of calling, writing, and picture and video instruments, most of which work properly however are removed from game-changing.  

The principle exception to this could be Interpreter Mode, which permits real-time translation between many various languages, together with when offline, if the related language packs have been downloaded. It’s a possible game-changer for journey. 

Alongside Google Gemini integration and options corresponding to Circle to Search, it’s a complete suite of AI by 2025 requirements. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Samsung and Google additionally proceed to cleared the path in terms of software program assist. The S25 Edge will obtain seven main variations of One UI (or no matter replaces it), plus safety patches till 2032. Even in the event you don’t plan on utilizing the telephone for that lengthy, it’s nice to have peace of thoughts. 

Worth & Availability

The Galaxy S25 Edge doesn’t come low cost. 

When shopping for outright, it begins at £1,099/$1,099.99 for the 256GB mannequin, whereas stepping as much as 512GB will value you £1,199/$1,219.99. 

That makes it the second costliest telephone within the Galaxy S25 collection, costing greater than the S25+ (from £999/$999.99) however lower than the S25 Extremely (from £1,249/$1,299.99). 

You should buy one from Samsung UK and Samsung US, plus through a spread of third-party retailers, together with Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Shopping for on contract will scale back the preliminary outlay and infrequently present an allocation of calls, texts and cellular information, however it tends to work out dearer in the long term. 

At this value, it’s going up in opposition to the perfect telephones you should buy. Non-Samsung rivals embrace the Google Pixel 9 Professional XL, OnePlus 13 and Apple’s iPhone 16 Professional Max. 

Do you have to purchase the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge?

Most likely not. Except a skinny and lightweight design is your high precedence, different telephones supply a greater steadiness of specs for the worth. 

The 5.8mm, 163g design is a pleasure to behold, particularly when mixed with an excellent show, usually sturdy efficiency and the identical glorious 200Mp most important digital camera because the S25 Extremely. 

Nonetheless, there are three potential dealbreakers right here. Battery life is disappointing, charging is gradual, and there’s no telephoto lens. Placing up with one and even two of those could be nearly acceptable, however all three seems like an excessive amount of. 

Whereas it’s nonetheless a very good telephone, the S25 Edge makes too many compromises to realize its ultra-slim design. 

Specs

• One UI 7, based mostly on Android 15  
• 6.7-inch, 1440 x 3120, AMOLED, 120Hz  
• Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner  
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy  
• 12GB RAM  
• 256GB / 512GB storage 
• 200Mp, f/1.7 most important digital camera 
• 12Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide  
• 12Mp, f/2.2 selfie  
• As much as 4K @ 30fps rear video  
• Stereo audio system  
• Twin-SIM (outdoors US) + eSIM  
• Wi-Fi 7 
• Bluetooth 5.4  
• 3900mAh battery  
• 25W wired charging  
• 15W wi-fi charging  
• 158.2 x 75.6 x 5.8 mm 
• IP68 licensed  
• 163g 
• Colors: Titanium Silver, Titanium Icyblue, Titanium Jetblack