The Galaxy S25 Edge is Samsung’s thinnest flagship phone ever (5.8mm), featuring a lightweight titanium design, the same 200MP camera as the S25 Ultra, and a large 6.7" display—but its smaller 3,900mAh battery and missing telephoto lens require compromises. Now, let’s explore every detail:
Design & Build: Feather-Light Titanium
The S25 Edge redefines "slim" with these key upgrades:
- Thickness: Just 5.8mm (vs. 8.2mm on S25 Ultra).
- Weight: 163g—lighter than the base S25 (167g) despite a larger screen.
- Materials: Titanium frame (same as Ultra) + Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 front/Victus 2 back.
- Durability: IP68 water resistance and survives 2-meter drops.
Real-World Feel:
- Pocket-Friendly: "Feels like a feather," per reviewers.
- Grip Trade-Off: Slippery without a case, but cases add bulk.
- Color Options: Titanium Silver, Jet Black, or Icy Blue.
Galaxy S25 Edge vs. Competitors
Feature | S25 Edge | S25 Ultra | iPhone 17 Air (Expected) |
---|---|---|---|
Thickness | 5.8mm | 8.2mm | ~5.8mm |
Weight | 163g | 218g | ~165g |
Frame Material | Titanium | Titanium | Titanium |
Battery | 3,900mAh | 5,000mAh | ~2,800mAh (rumored) |
Display: Bright but Reflective
The 6.7" AMOLED screen delivers vivid visuals but misses one key Ultra feature:
- Brightness: 2,600 nits peak—easily visible in sunlight.
- Smoothness: 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (scales to 1Hz to save battery).
- Drawback: No anti-reflective coating (unlike S25 Ultra), making outdoor glare noticeable.
Performance: Speedy but Warmer
Powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Elite chip as the Ultra, but thermal limits hold it back:
- Daily Use: Apps/games load instantly.
- Stress Tests: 10% slower than Ultra after 15 minutes of gaming.
- Heat Issue: Reaches 41°C (106°F) during heavy use—3°C warmer than Ultra.
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Software: Runs Android 15 + One UI 7.1 with 7 years of updates. Includes Galaxy AI tools:
- Live Translate (real-time language conversion)
- Generative Edit (remove objects from photos)
- Transcript Assist (voice-to-text summaries).
(Master these features with our 21 Tips for Samsung Galaxy S25 Series.)
Battery & Charging: The Biggest Compromise
The slim design means a smaller battery:
- Capacity: 3,900mAh (vs. 5,000mAh in Ultra).
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Real-World Results:
- Light Use: ~16 hours (social media, videos).
- Heavy Use: ~5 hours (gaming, 5G streaming).
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Charging: 25W wired (59% in 30 mins), 15W wireless—slower than Ultra’s 45W.
Verdict: Carry a power bank if you’re out all day.
Cameras: Ultra-Quality Main, Missing Zoom
What’s New:
- 200MP Main Sensor: Identical to S25 Ultra—crisp daylight photos, strong low-light shots with Night Mode.
- 12MP Ultra-Wide: Added autofocus vs. S25+.
What’s Missing:
- No Telephoto Lens: Digital zoom only (lossless 4x, grainy 10x).
- Portrait Limitation: Can’t replicate Ultra’s bokeh effects at 3x/5x.
Video Highlights:
- 8K recording (beats iPhone’s 4K max).
- Pro-grade color tools (Galaxy Log support).
For camera comparisons, see our iPhone 16 vs. Galaxy S24 breakdown.
Who Should Buy the S25 Edge?
Get It If You:
- Prioritize lightweight comfort over battery life.
- Want a large screen without wrist fatigue.
- Don’t need zoom lenses (e.g., rarely shoot concerts/wildlife).
Avoid It If You:
- Need all-day battery (get S25 Ultra instead).
- Demand the best zoom cameras.
- Play graphics-heavy games (throttling/heat issues).
Price: $1,099 (256GB) – same as S25+ but $200 cheaper than Ultra.
Galaxy S25 Edge: Your Top Questions Answered
1. How long does the S25 Edge battery last?
The 3,900mAh battery lasts:
- Light use (social media, videos): Up to 16 hours.
- Heavy use (gaming, 5G): Only 5–6 hours.
Tip: Carry a power bank for all-day outings. Charging is slow (25W wired, 15W wireless).
2. Is the camera better than the S25 Ultra?
No—but the main camera is identical:
- 200MP main sensor takes the same photos as the Ultra in daylight.
- No telephoto lens: Digital zoom only (good up to 4x, fuzzy at 10x).
- Weaker ultra-wide lens (12MP vs. Ultra’s 50MP).
For camera comparisons, see our iPhone 16 vs. Galaxy S24 breakdown.
3. Does the phone overheat?
Yes, during intense tasks:
- Gaming or 4K recording heats it to 41°C (106°F)—3°C warmer than the S25 Ultra.
- It slows down faster than thicker phones under heavy load.
Cool trick: Avoid cases during gaming to help heat escape.
4. What makes it different from the S25+?
Feature | S25 Edge | S25+ |
---|---|---|
Thickness | 5.8mm (world’s thinnest) | 7.8mm |
Weight | 163g (lightest 6.7" phone) | 190g |
Main Camera | 200MP (Ultra’s sensor) | 50MP |
Battery | 3,900mAh (smallest) | 4,900mAh |
5. Is the S25 Edge worth $1,099?
Only if thinness is your TOP priority:
- Get it if: You hate heavy phones and charge often.
- Avoid if: You need all-day battery, a telephoto camera, or play games for hours.
Better value? The S25 Ultra ($200 more) adds bigger battery, zoom lenses, and anti-glare screen.
Conclusion: Who’s the Edge For?
The Galaxy S25 Edge is a specialty phone for minimalists who value feather-light comfort over everything else. Its titanium design and Ultra-grade main camera impress, but the small battery and missing zoom lens mean most people should choose the S25+ (bigger battery) or S25 Ultra (no compromises).
Still comparing brands? See iPhone 15 vs. Galaxy S24 or master your Samsung with 21 Galaxy S25 Tips.