Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Review: All Premium, Just Not Pro

Not everybody is aware of it, however not everybody wants a ‘Pro’ smartphone. Sometimes, you get a Pro or an Ultra smartphone since you merely need the very best. Others might merely decide a Pro machine as a result of they really want that digicam efficiency, or the attain of the telephoto digicam. There’s additionally one other set of people that get a Pro cellphone as a result of till now, no producer has been gutsy sufficient to construct a premium cellphone, minus the Pro items. What would one even name such a cellphone? Will anybody even purchase one whether it is costly and doesn’t ship on all fronts?

Well, that is precisely what Samsung has executed. Samsung has taken a big gamble identical to it did with foldables, and brought a daring step simply earlier than Apple did. It has launched the premium Galaxy S25 Edge, a tool that’s glossy, slim and lightweight. But in comparison with the common Galaxy S25 lineup, it has a smaller battery and two rear-facing cameras. I have to admit that I used to be blown away by how mild this machine felt after I acquired it for assessment. But a number of weeks in, I’m not assured that there’s a marketplace for such gadgets until they get a number of issues proper.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Design: A light-weight marvel

• Dimensions – 158.2 x 75.6 x 5.8mm
• Weight – 163g
• Durability – IP68

You do not need to imagine me. But the Galaxy S25 Edge makes a giant and lasting impression solely whenever you maintain it. As somebody who typically makes use of foldable gadgets, 5.8mm is not a giant deal, as most foldables like Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold, when opened, are quite a bit slimmer.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (proper) versus the thickest foldable, the OnePlus Open

 

I’ve proven the Galaxy S25 Edge to lots of people, younger and previous, and most didn’t even discover that it is a slim smartphone. Tell them it is one, they usually acknowledge, “Oh! It’s a slim phone…”.

Their impression of it solely adjustments after I hand it over and ask them to make use of it. It’s then that there is a mind-boggling reveal. Almost everybody is instantly impressed by how mild it’s. Whether it is a Pixel proprietor, an iPhone proprietor or perhaps a funds cellphone consumer, its slim and lightweight USP positively feels “unreal”.

But this was the primary and clear indicator that Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge doesn’t make a very good first impression. It could also be actually mild, however for a lot of, together with myself, it is not as slim or skinny as many anticipate a “slim” cellphone to be. In brief, it is simply not as thrilling whenever you first see it or present it to somebody.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (proper) versus an Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (left)

 

Indeed, one thing round 5mm or beneath 5mm will certainly impress from a visible standpoint. Visual tips like a curved “edge” show would even be welcome on such a tool, as slim smartphones have historically been all about aesthetics and design. Samsung’s present design philosophy of monolith design with flat sides, accompanied by aggressive corners, seems to be good on the remainder of its Galaxy S25 collection, however doesn’t work properly for its “Edge”, despite the fact that the cellphone has loads of them.

In truth, even having its personal distinctive design identification would have helped the Galaxy S25 Edge stand out from the S25 collection. But because it at present seems, it seems to be similar to them, with half the thickness.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge’s slim and lightweight design gives an IP68 ranking and wi-fi charging

 

I do have faith that it’s going to final a back-pocket check, as a result of Samsung makes use of a mix of titanium for its body and chassis, and a sandwiched glass design. You additionally get the standard IP68 ranking for mud and water. However, that doesn’t imply it is best to take it for a swim, as a result of, like each different producer, Samsung will not cowl injury as a result of water ingress.

Regardless, I’m impressed by how a lot Samsung has managed to do given the very restrictive boundaries of this type issue. Dust and water resistance, vapour chamber cooling, wi-fi charging, two rear cameras (200-megapixel major, which is similar as on the Galaxy S25 Ultra), stereo audio system, and a fingerprint reader constructed into the show. And there’s nonetheless house for a 3,900mAh battery in there!

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Display: Top notch

• Display measurement – 6.7-inch, 1,440 x 3,120 pixels
• Display sort – AMOLED, LTPO, 1-120Hz
• Display safety – Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2

Samsung’s executed a high-quality job of going above and past with the Galaxy S25 Edge’s show. It has skinny bezels identical to the Galaxy S25+, it will get a lot vibrant each indoors and outdoor, and it even has a fingerprint reader (which labored flawlessly) constructed into it!

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge has a beautiful QHD+ Super AMOLED show with skinny borders

 

While the cellphone does get vibrant sufficient to sort out direct daylight, I’ve seen a small downside. Use the cellphone underneath daylight, and the show type of provides up and switches to a decrease brightness degree. This is just not as a result of this attractive AMOLED panel is incapable of maintaining with the ambient lighting, however primarily as a result of the cellphone will get fairly scorching when utilizing it outdoor, particularly when utilizing the digicam.

The show stays seen after a couple of minutes of use, however you have to to squint a bit, particularly when holding it up to make use of the digicam. Indoors, every little thing is image excellent, and I had no points in any way. As anticipated, it additionally helps HDR10+ and content material from OTT apps appeared vibrant and vivid as anticipated.

The 1-120Hz refresh charge does a high-quality job of managing the smaller battery. I used to be additionally impressed by the cellphone’s 480Hz contact sampling charge, which was helpful when enjoying FPS video games.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Software: AI all the way in which!

• Android model – Android 15
• Software – One UI 7
• Software dedication – 7 years OS + 7 Years SMR

Compared to the mid-range Galaxy A26 I reviewed not too way back, the One UI expertise on the Galaxy S25 Edge does really feel quite a bit higher. The animations and transitions are buttery clean, and software program interactions really feel fluid and quick due to the underlying premium {hardware} that powers it.

I just like the AI-enhanced climate results wallpapers (proven above is “cloudy”) on the Galaxy S25 Edge lock display screen

 

Samsung has added AI bits all over. Since Samsung has its personal Galaxy AI mannequin, you will see AI making it to locations that you wouldn’t see on a Pixel smartphone or an Android machine from one other model. Samsung’s Live Translate function may be very helpful and can be utilized when putting a name (to take heed to the translated voice) and to translate your individual into one other language. Live Translate additionally makes it to WhatsApp and reveals translated textual content previews beneath the unique textual content bubbles.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge’s Now Bar is each enjoyable and intuitive

 

Even although Now Briefs will not be as helpful, the Now Bar function seen on the lockscreen positive is. It works in a fashion just like Apple’s Dynamic Island. It can relay data from Live Notifications from varied apps, be it the timer app, music, Google Maps and lots of extra. You may even dismiss or carry out sure actions relying on app help. Unlike Apple’s Live Activities and Dynamic Island, Samsung’s Now Bar and Live Notifications present a pleasant stackable interface, which is less complicated to work together with when you’ve got many apps utilizing it.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Performance: A hot-headed performer

• Processor – Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (for Galaxy), 4.47GHz, 3nm
• RAM – 12GB (LPDDR5X)
• Storage – 256GB (UFS 4.0)

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite will be the strongest processor on the Android aspect of issues at present, however it additionally will get fairly scorching when harassed, as now we have seen in smartphones in earlier evaluations. So, it is no shock that regardless of its skinny waistline, Samsung has managed to squeeze in a vapour chamber cooling system into its Galaxy S25 Edge.

While that will deliver a sigh of aid to patrons, in our testing, now we have discovered that it is solely efficient in sure conditions. In our 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress check, the cellphone’s efficiency dropped by 1 / 4 by the sixth loop and remained there till the twentieth loop. It reveals that, regardless of having a VC cooling system, the cellphone does throttle, so you might not essentially expertise the complete uncooked energy of the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge one way or the other manages to accommodate a vapour chamber cooling system in its slim design

 

With informal utilization, I didn’t discover the cellphone heating up an excessive amount of. When enjoying video games, gaming efficiency (when enjoying Call of Duty Mobile at Max graphics settings) didn’t appear to decelerate or get sluggish, even after half an hour of intense gameplay.

The solely occasion the place you’ll really feel the warmth is when utilizing the digicam app. Be it night time or day, the digicam app takes only a few minutes to warmth up the cellphone. While the cellphone’s body and again really feel bodily scorching to the touch, I used to be a bit stunned to see the Camera app and Gallery chugging alongside simply high-quality. It’s in all probability all the way down to the VC cooling system, which is able to allow you to really feel the warmth (unfold out over an space) however permits this slimmer than ordinary cellphone to maintain performing or operating easily just like the “This is Fine” GIF. Still, the underside line is that after some extent, it will get too scorching to carry, and this isn’t what anybody expects from a premium machine in 2025.

When it involves benchmarks, the Galaxy S25 Edge performs as anticipated, as could be seen within the comparability desk beneath.

 

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Cameras: Premium, not Pro

• Primary digicam – 200-megapixel, f/1.7, OIS
• Ultrawide digicam – 12-megapixel, f/2.2, PDAF
• Selfie digicam – 12-megapixel, f/2.2, PDAF

Given that foldables additionally pack in slim digicam tech and need to cope with related design restrictions, I made a decision to stack the not too long ago launched Motorola Razr 60 Ultra in opposition to Samsung’s slimmest and lightest smartphone. I’ve squeezed in a number of digicam samples between to present our readers a greater thought of the Galaxy S25 Edge’s efficiency.

It’s Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge versus Motorola’s Razr 60 Ultra

 

With a major digicam sourced from Samsung’s high-end Galaxy S25 Ultra, I did have massive expectations from this digicam and even its lossless telephoto zoom efficiency. It shoots pictures with correct color and glorious dynamic vary, be it day or night time. The particulars are spot on, however I might have most popular barely sharper pictures. The giant sensor managed to seize loads of knowledge within the binned 12-megapixel default decision. There’s loads of element wherever you go on the lookout for it.

A cropped collage of digicam samples captured at 12-megapixels, 50-megapixels and 200-megapixels (L to R) (faucet picture to broaden)

 

Being an even bigger than ordinary sensor, you’ll be able to shoot at 12-megapixel, 50-megapixel and 200-megapixels. I attempted all of them (as you’ll be able to see within the collage above). And similar to the outcomes from the 2X lossless zoom pictures, the 50-megapixel scaled pictures seem a bit smooth, whereas the 12 and 200 megapixel pictures seem tack sharp. Overall, I see no real-world profit in taking pictures on the 200-megapixel decision, until you need to edit your masterpiece in submit. In this case, you’d be fidgeting with Samsung’s Expert RAW mode (must be downloaded), which offers you what you want, supplied you realize what to do with all that knowledge. The customary/auto 200-megapixel taking pictures mode leads to huge 32MB recordsdata, so it is not advisable to shoot at this decision when you’re an informal consumer.

Motorola’s Razr 50 Ultra (backside) is on par with Samsung’s Galaxy Edge 50 Ultra (prime). Still, it gives higher sharpness and shoots barely saturated pictures as compared, which at instances develop into near correct. (Tap pictures to broaden)

 

The Galaxy S25 Edge’s foremost downside in comparison with the Pro telephones is the dearth of a telephoto digicam. (Tap picture to broaden)

 

There’s no getting round it, even with an enormous 200-megapixel sensor and lossless functionality. Samsung manages high quality pictures in daylight, however even overcast circumstances lead to smooth pictures with low element when captured at 2X zoom.

Motorola’s Razr 60 Ultra (proper) does a unbelievable job with 2X lossless zoom, taking pictures sharp pictures with some juicy bokeh backgrounds. (Tap picture to broaden)

 

The Galaxy S25 Edge’s low-light 2X captures are low on resolved element (faucet picture to broaden)

 

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge’s 2X Portrait pictures come out properly in daylight however lack element in low mild. Edge-detection is not very correct or “pro-grade” both. (Tap picture to broaden)

 

The ultrawide digicam is just not the one from the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and so it doesn’t carry out as properly. The 12-megapixel pictures are good, however they are not as massive on detailed as most premium flagships obtainable at this worth level. Top: Galaxy S25 Edge, backside: Razr 60 Ultra (faucet pictures to broaden)

 

Even Motorola’s Razr 60 Ultra (backside) does higher, even in low mild, the place Samsung’s (prime) outcomes seem a bit too smooth. (Tap pictures to broaden)

 

Samsung’s Galaxy S collection telephones have all the time been good at selfies. However, the Galaxy S25 Edge (prime) does come up brief when it comes to sharpness and element in comparison with the Motorola Razr 60 Ultra (backside). (Tap pictures to broaden)

 

As for video, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge does an exceptional job of taking pictures video in daylight. Both HDR10+ and common 4K footage present loads of element, have a clean framerate and glorious stabilisation. In low mild, the general high quality takes a little bit of successful. It’s not so good as an iPhone, as Samsung aggressively tries to suppress noise, leading to flatter textures. Video from the ultrawide digicam is not as spectacular as the first. Video recording is stabilised, however textures seem a bit smooth, particularly in low mild.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Battery: Enough for a day

• Battery capability – 3,900mAh, lithium-ion
• Wired charging – 25W
• Wireless charging – 15W
• Charger within the field – No

Yes, this slim and lightweight smartphone from Samsung can final a day even with heavy utilization, however nothing extra. This actually feels like quite a bit for a slim cellphone, however energy customers or highway warriors who want greater than a day’s battery life shall be disenchanted. Samsung might have sweetened the deal and used the newer silicon-carbon battery know-how, however for causes greatest identified to the model, it didn’t. Still, we do have some spectacular numbers, given how slim this cellphone is.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge’s slim design creates extra restrictions on charging speeds

 

In our HD video loop check, which performs a regionally saved video in a loop (till the battery dies), the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge managed a good 16 hours and 25 minutes. In our PCMark Battery Work check, which runs varied real-world duties and purposes on loop, the Edge lasted 12 hours and 17 minutes, which is spectacular given its battery capability and slim kind issue.

Charging the cellphone utilizing a 100 GaN charger noticed the Galaxy S25 Edge cost to 41 % in half-hour and 84 % in an hour, finishing the cost in 1 hour and 29 minutes. This is comparatively gradual in comparison with what most smartphones at this worth level are able to.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Verdict

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge might not have gained me over, however I now have some new discovered respect for slender smartphones. Samsung has managed to set a brand new pattern rolling, and it’s downright spectacular when it comes to engineering achievements. However, given its present kind issue and worth (Rs. 1,09,999), which is not too slim, I do not see it profitable over audiences that may be heading to a retailer to purchase a Galaxy S25+ (Rs. 99,999 onwards) or perhaps a Galaxy S25 Ultra (Rs. 1,29,999 onwards). However, it makes a very good case for itself for somebody who’s notably on the lookout for a premium, slim and lightweight Android smartphone, provided that there are barely any choices to select from.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge may enchantment to the clamshell foldable house owners. While there have been main leaps in book-style foldable designs over the previous 12 months, the extra accessible clamshell-style foldables are nonetheless fairly thick when folded or unfolded. Samsung’s Edge gives one thing that’s considerably lighter, much more sturdy, and slimmer.

To impress the premium crowd, Samsung’s Edge must be slimmer however one way or the other pack some Pro DNA (operating cooler, have high-capacity silicon carbon battery, higher ultrawide and telephoto digicam). By doing this, Samsung will have the ability to ship the “wow factor” that’s lacking from its present product. Another manner for Samsung to realize that is by dropping the Galaxy S25+ altogether and incorporating all its options right into a slimmer design.

As it stands, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge is almost half a Galaxy S25 Ultra obtainable at a price ticket that appears a bit excessive given its varied limitations. Making issues worse for the Edge is Samsung’s Galaxy S25+, which outdoes it in each different manner. It even seems to be related with some added weight and thickness, all of which is justified given the efficiency good points it gives.

On a aspect notice, with Samsung leaving room for enchancment and Apple’s iPhone 17 Air on the horizon, I might not be stunned to see Chinese firms tackle the slim problem and launch super-slim smartphones within the coming months.