Galaxy S25 Edge Review: New Features, Updates, Changes, What's New

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.
  • 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).
  • Real-World Results:
    • Light Use: ~16 hours (social media, videos).
    • Heavy Use: ~5 hours (gaming, 5G streaming).
  • 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.