Samsung’s newest addition to the Galaxy S25 lineup, the Galaxy S25 Edge, is finally here. Positioned as a sleek, ultra-thin alternative to the rest of the S25 series, this new device aims to redefine how a flagship can look and feel, without straying too far from premium performance. Samsung says that many users asked for a thinner device with a large screen and this is the result of listening to that feedback. I got a chance to go hands-on with the Galaxy S25 Edge last week at a media event, and here are my early impressions of its design, camera, battery life, and more.
Galaxy S25 Edge hands on: Design and build
First things first, this phone is impressively thin and light in-hand. It’s easy to read the numbers on a spec sheet and acknowledge them, but it’s quite another to have the device in your hands. I was honestly blown away with the thin profile and lightness compared to my daily driver, the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Keep in mind, this device is nearly as light as the base Galaxy S25, with a much larger display.
Samsung didn’t skip out on durability either. The Galaxy S25 Edge features the same titanium frame found on the S25 Ultra. In addition, you get the new Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 cover around front. This new collaboration between Corning and Samsung allows for a thin design while maximizing durability. Samsung tested the S25 Edge rigorously with these measures in place and it certainly felt rock solid in my short hands-on session. Unfortunately, the anti-glare coating found on the S25 Ultra’s display is not present in the S25 Edge. This is a bit disappointing for sure. But may not be a dealbreaker for buyers that value thin and light design.
Aside from the thin profile and feather-light weight, the S25 Edge also refines another important detail — the camera module. I was not a huge fan of the camera module design on the S25 series in January and the S25 Edge improves on the aesthetic quite a bit. Of course, you only get two cameras here, which allows the sleeker camera bump and housing. Still, I think Samsung should continue this design language to the entire S26 series, providing a new and unified look to the S series.
Lack of Zoom Camera could be a deal-breaker for many
The Galaxy S25 Edge features two cameras around back. For the main shooter, you get the same 200 MP camera found on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. A tested, if not a bit long-in-the-tooth sensor, that Samsung has used for several years now. Still, the image quality out of this camera is flagship level and impressive to see in a device so thin. We did not get a chance to take extensive camera samples during the hands-on, but keep an eye on our full review in a few weeks.
In addition to the 200MP main camera, you also get a 12MP ultra-wide. Many users were disappointed that the S25 Edge lacks a telephoto camera. And I asked Samsung about this during our briefing. In the end, it was impossible for them to fit a telephoto into the thin profile, an engineering issue more than anything else. While this is understandable when you hold the device and see how thin it is, it may be a deciding factor for some buyers who need zoom capability. Samsung did tell me that the 200MP main sensor is capable of impressive digital zoom, utilizing the power of the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset. Not exactly a substitute for a proper telephoto camera, but we will test this when we get more time with the device.
Not the best battery life for obvious reasons
My biggest concern going into my hands-on was battery life, for obvious reasons. Coming out of the session, I still had similar concerns. The S25 Edge features a 3,900mAh battery and Samsung says this is enough to get battery life “on-par with the Galaxy S25 base model.” This doesn’t make me super optimistic about the prognosis. I noticed the battery percent ticking down quite a bit faster than my S25 Ultra in my short time with the phone. Certainly this is not a definitive review or indictment on the battery life for the S25 Edge, but it is something I plan to watch very carefully in my full review.
Galaxy S25 Edge hands on: Final Thoughts
Samsung says this phone is situated between the S25+ and S25 Ultra. Aimed at users who don’t want the S Pen or a zoom camera. The company wants to target young professionals on the go who value aesthetics and thinness. This phone is certainly not targeted at pro users or photography enthusiasts. If you care the smallest bit about mobile photography, you’re still much better off with the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
If you’re enticed by the awesome thin and light design, the phone certainly feels durable enough to hold up to daily use. However, I’m still worried about battery life and thermal performance for gaming. These are things we will evaluate closely over the next few weeks. In the meantime, if you’re not bothered by the lack of the S Pen or zoom camera, you can place your preorders. Using our link will grab you $50 bonus credit and you qualify for a FREE MYSTERY BOX. You get a free case, screen protector, cleaning kit, and desktop phone stand from SammyGuru! There are certainly more surprises for a lucky few, including brand-new Galaxy Watch or Buds 3 Pro. Additionally, some will also get surprise bonuses like Amazon and Google Play gift cards.
