Galaxy S25 Edge Hands-On Review: The Slimmest Flagship Phone Yet

Samsung has introduced a bold new entry into its flagship lineup—the Galaxy S25 Edge—a phone that stands out not for its specs alone, but for its ultra-slim design. At just 5.88mm thick, the S25 Edge is setting the tone for a new industry trend that prioritizes thinness and portability in premium devices.

A New Standard in Slim

When you first pick up the Galaxy S25 Edge, its slim profile is immediately noticeable. Compared side-by-side with the S25 Ultra (which comes in at 8.2mm thick), the Edge feels dramatically thinner and lighter. Even when held next to the slimmer regular S25, the Edge still manages to impress with its compactness.

Samsung has ensured that the thinness doesn’t compromise structural integrity. The device retains the titanium frame seen in its larger siblings, offering much-needed rigidity. On top of that, it features Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, a newly engineered material that aims to enhance durability without adding bulk.

A Premium Design with Minimal Compromises

Despite its slim form, the Galaxy S25 Edge doesn’t skimp on premium touches. The rear camera module has been designed to minimize protrusion, a smart move considering the limitations that come with ultra-thin bodies. Visually, the phone presents a sleek and modern appearance—though the color and finish options remain fairly conservative.

Under the hood, the device is just as powerful. It houses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 Galaxy Edition, along with 12GB of RAM, and even manages to include a vapor chamber for thermal control—something quite rare in such a slim device.

Display Excellence

The S25 Edge sports a 6.7-inch QHD+ display with symmetrical bezels and variable refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz. The screen quality is top-tier, although it lacks the anti-reflective coating featured on the Ultra model. Still, the overall viewing experience is sharp, smooth, and immersive.

Surprising Features in a Light Body

Despite weighing only 163 grams, the Galaxy S25 Edge still manages to include IP68 water and dust resistance, wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and compatibility with G2 magnetic cases. The phone feels feather-light, especially compared to the Ultra, and its minimal weight is sure to appeal to users who value portability.

However, the form factor does come at a cost.

The Battery Trade-Off

The most noticeable sacrifice is in the battery department. The S25 Edge includes a 3,900mAh battery, which is even smaller than the one found in the regular S25 and the foldable Flip 6—both of which have legitimate excuses for lower capacity. Paired with a large high-resolution display, the battery may struggle to provide long-lasting usage.

Charging speeds are also limited to 25W, which is on the slower side for 2025 standards. Samsung could have increased the battery size by omitting features like the vapor chamber or wireless charging, or even by lowering the display resolution to conserve power. Unfortunately, none of these adjustments were made.

There was speculation that Samsung might adopt silicon-carbon battery tech, which is already in use by several Chinese manufacturers. These batteries offer higher energy density, which would have been ideal for a phone like this. However, Samsung reportedly wasn’t ready to implement the technology in time for launch—a missed opportunity.

No Zoom Lens, But Not a Dealbreaker

Another omission is the telephoto zoom camera. But in reality, Samsung’s 3x zoom hasn’t been a standout feature, and in its place, the Edge uses the same 200MP primary sensor found in the S25 Ultra. This sensor delivers high-quality images and sufficient digital zoom for everyday use. Fewer, higher-quality cameras may be a better trade than adding an average zoom lens.

Pricing Dilemma

The Galaxy S25 Edge lands in an awkward price bracket—positioned between the Plus and the Ultra. Samsung’s reasoning seems to be that consumers should pay a premium for a slim profile, even if that results in lower battery life and fewer features. For power users, this may not be the best value proposition. But for those prioritizing design, weight, and form factor, it could be a compelling option.

Final Thoughts

The Galaxy S25 Edge is a phone you have to experience in person to truly understand. It looks sleek on video, but only when held does its thinness and lightweight design really shine. While the device is not without its compromises—particularly in battery capacity and charging speed—it represents a new direction in smartphone design. For many users, the slim form and premium build will more than make up for the trade-offs.