Galaxy S25 Edge review

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: How thin is too thin for a flagship?

If you've been following phone directory trends, you've seen screens grow and bodies thicken. Samsung's answer with the Galaxy S25 Edge is a deliberate step in the opposite direction. At 5.8mm and just 163 grams, this is the slimmest Galaxy S model ever made — an engineering statement that prioritizes feel over everything else. The trade-offs are immediate: a smaller 3,900mAh battery and the absence of a telephoto camera. Starting at $1,099, it costs only $200 less than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which packs far more hardware.

The S25 Edge is a luxury for those who value lightness on the go, not a replacement for a versatile all-rounder.

Design and build: An engineering feat that feels durable — Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

The Galaxy S25 Edge is dangerously thin — and that’s the point. At 5.8mm thick with a titanium frame and Gorilla Glass on both sides, it feels premium but not fragile. Despite the slim profile, it carries an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, and the chassis feels solid. The phone weighs the same as a standard 6.2-inch Galaxy S25, yet packs a 6.7-inch display. This combination makes it truly pocket-friendly. The only ergonomic hiccup is that the sharp edges can become tiring to hold after long sessions.

Overall, Samsung has delivered an ultra-thin phone that doesn't feel like it will snap in half — a real achievement.

Display: Big, beautiful, but missing one trick — Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

The 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is a highlight. It’s bright, smooth at 120Hz, and color-rich, matching the experience found on Samsung's other S25 flagships. The big screen on such a light body is transformative for media consumption and one-handed use. However, one notable omission is the lack of an anti-reflective coating, an upgrade available on the S25 Ultra. This means glare can be an issue outdoors. Still, for anyone looking for a large canvas in a slender device, this screen is a joy. For deeper dives into other devices, our collection of phone reviews covers a wide range of options.

Performance and software: Flagship speed, no surprises — Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

The Galaxy S25 Edge packs the same Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip and 12GB of RAM found in the S25 Ultra, ensuring buttery-smooth performance across demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming. Samsung's One UI 7 software, with its integrated Galaxy AI features, runs flawlessly on this hardware. However, the real star of the show remains the design. The phone's 5.8mm thinness and 163-gram weight make it a joy to hold and use, even with its expansive 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED display.

As one reviewer put it, this phone is “body shaming just about every other modern smartphone.” The slim profile does come with a slight ergonomic compromise: after extended use, the sharp edges can become fatiguing. Still, for those prioritizing pocketability and a massive screen, the S25 Edge delivers a unique experience. If you want to compare the S25 Edge directly against the S25 Plus to weigh the value difference, you can use our side-by-side comparison.

Cameras: One phenomenal sensor, one missing zoom lens — Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

The camera setup on the Galaxy S25 Edge is a story of two parts. The 200MP main camera is a standout performer, directly borrowed from the S25 Ultra but shrunk by 18% to fit this slimmer chassis. It captures crisp, detailed photos in most lighting conditions, and its high resolution enables a 2x optical-quality zoom without needing a separate lens. On the other hand, the camera system is simplified to a 12MP ultrawide sensor, and there is no dedicated telephoto lens.

This means if you regularly shoot at 3x, 5x, or 10x zoom, the S25 Edge will disappoint. The ultrawide camera is competent but not class-leading. For many daily shots, the main sensor is so strong that you may not miss the telephoto, but the absence is a clear compromise for a phone at this price. If you want to browse other phones with more versatile camera systems, our phone finder tool can help narrow down your options.

Is the Galaxy S25 Edge right for you? — Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

Battery and charging: The price of thinness is endurance

The most significant trade-off for the S25 Edge's astonishingly slim profile is its battery. The 3,900mAh cell is notably smaller than what you find in other premium flagships, and the 25W wired or 15W wireless charging is slow by 2025 standards. For light usage—checking messages, taking a few photos, and listening to music—the phone can get through a full day. But if you are a heavy user, especially one who frequently watches video on that lovely 6.7-inch screen or plays games, you will need to recharge before the evening.

Reviewers consistently call the battery life the phone's “biggest shortcoming.” The S25 Edge forces a clear trade-off: you get an incredibly thin, light phone, but you sacrifice the stamina that most flagship buyers expect. While the design is an engineering marvel, this battery performance limits who the phone will work for as a daily driver.