Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Hands-on: The slimmer the better

In my recent Samsung Galaxy S25+ review, I wrote about how I enjoyed using the handset because it offered premium features in a skinny, light package. In fact, when I’m not reviewing another device, I use the Galaxy S25+ as my daily driver. However, this might have to change because Samsung has officially announced the even thinner and lighter Galaxy S25 Edge. Ahead of the S25 Edge announcement, I went hands-on with the handset, and boy, is it nice.

The handset’s impressive combination of flagship features in a thin body includes a 200-megapixel primary shooter like what’s in the S25 Ultra, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, the processor in most of the flagship Android phones in 2025. Of course, there are some trade-offs, like the phone lacks a telephoto shooter, and only has a 3,900mAh battery. Despite the smaller power cell, Samsung says the handset should last an entire day of video playback. I’ll have to put the S25 Edge through some testing when I get my review unit to see if the company’s claims are valid.

Still, it feels like Samsung designed a phone for the consumer first, instead of trying to pack all the highest specs into one device.

The S25 Edge is 5.8mm thin, equivalent to seven playing cards or three toonies. It also weighs 163g, lighter than the iPhone 16e and Pixel 9a and the same weight as the base S25. When I first picked up the S25 Edge, I immediately noticed how thin and light it was. It was like Samsung designed a perfectly moulded phone for my hand; I didn’t want to let it go. The phone is uncumbersome, great to hold in one hand, to fit in your pocket, and surprisingly great with a case. With one of Samsung’s cases, the handset is still relatively thin; it might be the only phone I use a case with in 2025.

The phone also has a 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 3120 x 1440-pixel resolution. I love that the phone combines a large display with this design. A handset this light usually sports a smaller screen, but Samsung’s S25 Edge has the same size display as the iPhone 16 and the S25+, and is only slightly smaller than the Pixel 9 Pro XL, S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The S25 Edge is like having the best of both worlds, because you’re not sacrificing display quality for this design, meaning it should be great for consuming media, scrolling the web, even writing articles. Additionally, if you’re into mobile gaming, the phone should be great with controller accessories, like the Backbone, considering the handset is so lightweight.

You might be worried about the handset’s durability since it’s so thin; however, Samsung built the S25 Edge with a titanium frame, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the front, and Gorilla Glass Victus on the back, so it should be able to withstand accidental drops.

While I’m incredibly fond of the design, the S25 Edge isn’t perfect, nor will it be the best phone on the market, at least not spec-wise. Thankfully, it has the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which pushes out great benchmarks and should have no issue running your day-to-day tasks. However, the S25 Edge lacks the Ultra’s 16GB of RAM, meaning multi-tasking may not be as good, and in some cases, the handset may not run as quickly.

However, as I previously mentioned, the Snapdragon 8 Elite should be able to power games, entertainment, social media, AI features and more. Speaking of AI functionalities, you can expect a similar experience to the S25 Ultra with features like ‘Now Brief’ and the ‘Now Bar.’ There’s also ‘AI Select,’ ‘Audio Eraser,’ ‘Best Face,’ and its own Gemini interactions that work with apps like Samsung Notes or Samsung Calendar.

During my S25 Ultra review, I noted that I was a big fan of AI Select, Drawing Assist, and Now Bar, so I’m happy these made it to the S25 Edge. I also talked about the flawless camera on the S25 Ultra, which is the same as the S25 Edge, so I expect a similarly excellent experience. However, the S25 Edge only has a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, compared to the 50-megapixel one on the S25 Ultra. Instead, the smartphone uses the same ultrawide camera on the S25+, which I found all right. It is nothing particularly special, but it’s serviceable.

Worrisome

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs S25 Ultra

I mentioned this earlier, but the Galaxy S25 Edge only has a 3,900mAh battery, which is downright worrisome. Your screen is usually one of the biggest battery drains, and if your phone has a 6.7-inch display, it should have a 5,000mAh battery (or at least a 4,500mAh). The South Korean company had to make the battery smaller so the phone could be so slim, and though I appreciate how thin the phone is, if it only lasts half a day, then the slim profile just isn’t worth it.

Samsung says the phone should last an entire day, but I’ll have to put it through its paces to see whether the battery holds up. I’m excited, though, because if Samsung’s claims are valid, then we’re looking at hands-down one of the best phones on the market—if you’re okay with that price tag.

Breaking the bounds

Samsung’s newest phone isn’t the company’s most expensive but is pretty high up there.

The 256GB storage variant costs $1,678.99, and the 512GB version costs $1,858.99, which puts the S25 Edge pricing between the S25+ and the S25 Ultra. You’re able to pre-order it today, and it goes on sale on May 30.

Without testing the device, its cameras, battery and more, it’s hard to say if it’s worth that price. However, just based on the slim profile, it’s definitely intriguing.

Samsung, keep breaking the bounds and trying new things, even if the S25 Edge doesn’t work—but boy, I’m hoping it does. The S25 Edge brings something new to the market without being gimmicky, and its slim profile is excellent for your hands and pockets.