Upgrade to Pro

ME.PCMAG.COM
The Shockingly Thin Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Feels Great to Hold, But There's One Big Drawback
Table of ContentsDesign and Display: Familiar, But SlimmerSpecs: The Same Processor, But a Smaller BatteryCameras: Fewer Sensors, More MegapixelsSoftware: All the Galaxy AIPricing and Availability Samsung has unveiled its long-teased, super-thin Galaxy S25 Edge phone, starting at $1,099.99. The company says it aims to combine a slim, lightweight design with flagship-level features. Essentially, the Edge borrows many of the best features from the rest of the Galaxy S series and puts them in a single, appealing package. I got a chance to check out the Edge ahead of its May 30 release. Here’s what I found.Design and Display: Familiar, But SlimmerAlthough the S25 Edge is slightly lighter than the base Galaxy S25, it manages to squeeze in the larger screen size of the S25+, and it has a 200MP camera like the S25 Ultra. Left to right: Galxy S25 Edge, Pixel 9 Pro XL, iPhone 16 Pro Max(Credit: Eric Zeman)The Edge measures 6.23 by 2.98 by 0.23 inches (HWD) and weighs 5.75 ounces. Apart from its thickness, it's almost the same size as the S25+, which is 6.24 by 2.98 by 0.29 inches, but weighs 6.70 ounces (nearly a whole ounce more). The base Galaxy S25 is smaller in stature (5.78 by 2.78 by 0.28 inches), but only slightly lighter at 5.71 ounces. (Credit: Eric Zeman)Since thinness is a key feature of the Edge, it's worth comparing it with other thin devices. The slimmest iPhone 16 models, for instance, are 0.31 inches thick. Apple touts its 13-inch iPad Pro as the thinnest Apple device at 0.20 inches. That is thinner the the S25 Edge, but it's not a like-for-like comparison, as the iPad Pro is a tablet. Samsung said it learned lessons from its foldable line—an unfolded Galaxy Z Fold 6 is just 0.22 inches thick—to make the Edge so thin without reducing its performance.(Credit: Eric Zeman)The phone's 6.7-inch display is covered by Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, which Samsung says is as durable as the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 found on the S25 Ultra, but it doesn't have the S25 Ultra's anti-reflective coating. Like the Ultra, Samsung uses a titanium frame for the Edge, which is light and tough. The button and port layout is familiar to anyone who has used a recent Galaxy device. There's a volume rocker and a power button on the right edge. A SIM card tray, USB-C port, and down-firing speaker are on the bottom edge. The left edge is devoid of buttons, while the top has a couple of microphone holes.(Credit: Eric Zeman)Like other S25 models, the Edge's back is covered in Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. It features two rear cameras with silver rings and a flash in a pill-shaped module that protrudes from the back. Also like the rest of the Galaxy S series, the Edge is rated IP68, so it should withstand dust and water.In my hand, the Edge feels incredibly light but still nicely balanced. The titanium frame smoothly transitions to the front and back glass, and the buttons feel high-quality and clicky. One of the best things about the Edge is the grip I can get on it. Since it's so thin, my hand can wrap around the phone easily to get a tight hold. My thumb can also reach fully across the screen, which it can't do on the Galaxy S25+. Left to right: The Galaxy S25 Edge in Titanium Jetblack, Titanium Icyblue, and Titanium Silver(Credit: Eric Zeman)The S25 Edge's rounded corners aren't as pronounced as those of the Galaxy S25+. Instead, they're slightly boxier, like the S25 Ultra. While thin, the phone is thick enough to still be comfortable in the hand without digging into the palm. The Edge is available in three colors: Titanium Jetblack, Titanium Icy Blue, or Titanium Silver. All three variants look beautiful and befitting of a flagship device.(Credit: Eric Zeman)Believe it or not, the Galaxy S25 Edge and S25+ use the same display: a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a resolution of 3,120 by 1,440 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. The Edge's screen looks crisp, and animations are silky smooth. I brought an S25+ with me, and when I held them side by side, I couldn't see any stark differences between them.Specs: The Same Processor, But a Smaller Battery(Credit: Eric Zeman)The Edge runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy paired with 12GB of RAM, the same as the other Galaxy S phones. Two storage options are available: 256GB ($1,099.99) or 512GB ($1,219.99). Somehow, its vapor chamber is larger than the one in the Galaxy S25+ to ensure things stay cool even when demands ramp up. Unless something unforeseen about the design affects performance, we're expecting it to be excellent. Take a look at how the Galaxy S25+ performed against key competition for some context: Recommended by Our EditorsThe Edge supports 5G (sub-6GHz, C-band, and mmWave), Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and Wi-Fi 7 for connectivity, which puts it on par with its stablemates and most premium flagship phones.However, the S25 Edge has the smallest battery in the S line at 3,900mAh. The S25 has a 4,000mAh battery, the S25+ has a 4,900mAh battery, and the Ultra has a 5,000mAh battery. The company says the Edge has "fantastic all-day battery life" that lasts longer than the base S24 (which lasted 13 hours, 5 minutes in testing) but not as long as the S25 (which lasted 14 hours and 15 minutes). Based on specs and my brief time with the phone, this is the biggest drawback.The Edge supports fast charging up to 25W, along with 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging (the wattage isn't specified, but is likely 4.5W like other S phones). I would've liked to see faster charging like on the Galaxy S25+ (which offers up to 45W wired).Cameras: Fewer Sensors, More Megapixels(Credit: Eric Zeman)The S25 Edge doesn't skimp on photographic hardware. The 200MP f/1.7 main shooter offers 2x optical quality zoom and 10x AI zoom (Samsung's AI-powered digital zoom-enhancing technology). The Edge's 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera can also be used for macro shots. Unlike the rest of the S series, there's no telephoto lens on the Edge. A 12MP f/2.2 front-facing camera is at the top of the display, and features a wide 85-degree field of view. I couldn't test the cameras during my hands-on session, but given the similar guts and software, I expect the Edge will produce similar quality images to the rest of the S range, especially as it includes Samsung's ProVisual Engine, which it says enhances skin tones, textures, and color accuracy. Moreover, Samsung insists the 200MP sensor offers all the same features to the S25 Edge as it does to the S25 Ultra (even if the sensors aren't the exact same).The Edge can shoot 8K video for video recording. More interestingly, it can shoot 4K video at 120 frames per second and Log video for those who want flexibility for color grading. Until now, the S25 Ultra has been the only phone that can shoot Log video. Software: All the Galaxy AI(Credit: Eric Zeman)The Galaxy S25 Edge comes with Android 15 and Samsung's One UI 7. Samsung says the full suite of Galaxy AI tools is available to the S25 Edge, so you can use Circle to Search, Sketch to Image, Audio Eraser, and more. The Settings menu uses its own Bixby-powered search that understands natural language. I told the Edge, "My eyes hurt," and it brought up the relevant display settings like the Eye-Comfort Shield, just like the other S phones do. I look forward to assessing its full AI performance in our upcoming review.Like the rest of the S25 line, Samsung backs the Edge with seven generations of OS updates and seven years of security patches. Pricing and AvailabilityThe base Galaxy S25 Edge with 256GB of storage costs $1,099.99, while the 512GB model is $1,219.99. This puts it between the S25+ (starting at $999.99) and the S25 Ultra (starting at $1,299.99). Considering its specs, the pricing makes sense. The Galaxy S25 Edge is close to the S25E+ in many ways, but it has the same 200MP camera sensor as the S25 Ultra, albeit no telephoto camera and a smaller battery than either phone.Preorders are open now, and Samsung is offering a free upgrade to the 512GB model for the price of the 256GB model until May 29. The S25 Edge will be available starting May 30. If you have a question about the phone, leave a comment below, and I'll do my best to address it. Otherwise, check back for a full review later this month.
·35 Views