On Monday evening, Samsung lastly lifted the veil off the Galaxy S25 Edge. Only a few hours previous to that, I acquired to place my grubby little fingers throughout it.
At an occasion for media on Monday, I went hands-on with Samsung’s newest flagship cellphone, a part of a new wave of ultra-thin phones. The $1,099 Galaxy S25 Edge is actually one of many simpler new units to clarify to a layperson as a result of its complete purpose for being is that it is just about the identical because the other Galaxy S25 phones, however an entire lot thinner. You get the identical chipset, the identical software program options, related sufficient digital camera specs, and a comparable battery, relying on which Galaxy S25 model you compare it to.
The S25 Edge is on the market for preorder now from Samsung, Amazon, and Best Buy, although Samsung is providing a $50 low cost and 256GB of bonus storage. The cellphone shall be out there beginning Might 30.
Let’s dig in.
Samsung Galaxy S25 hands-on preview
All three colours.
Credit score: Alex Perry/Mashable
The occasion I went to did not embody limitless entry to the cellphone, so I could not get benchmark scores, carry out detailed digital camera exams, or something like that. Nonetheless, that is really fantastic on this case as a result of there is not a lot new on the interior aspect for the Galaxy S25 Edge (once more, that is type of the purpose). Specs-wise, this is what you get:
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6.7-inch AMOLED show with adaptive 120Hz refresh fee
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Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip
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12GB RAM
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256GB/512GB storage
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3,900mAh battery
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200MP broad rear lens
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12MP ultra-wide rear lens
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12MP selfie cam
In comparison with the Galaxy S25 Extremely, Samsung’s top-of-the-line flagship that begins at $1,299, the Edge’s specs are literally fairly related. It is a bit smaller (the Extremely’s show is 6.9 inches), however you get the identical chipset, the identical quantity of RAM, and the identical storage choices, minus a 1TB choice on the Extremely. Crucially, the identical 200MP predominant rear lens from the Extremely is right here too. Nonetheless, you solely get a 12MP ultra-wide lens (this was 50MP on the Extremely), and you aren’t getting a telephoto lens in any respect on the Edge. So, no super-zoom.
Mashable Gentle Velocity
Take a look at how tiny that factor is.
Credit score: Alex Perry/Mashable
Whereas detailed battery testing should wait, the dimensions of the battery is an early concern. At 3,900mAh, it is a tiny bit smaller than the 4,000mAh cell within the base S25, and a lot smaller than the 5,000mAh cell within the S25 Extremely.
Let’s cease kidding round, although. The S25 Edge’s specs are good and necessary, however the promoting level of this cellphone is what it appears and seems like, not what’s inside. With simply 5.8mm of thickness, it is a whole lot thinner than the 7.2mm base S25. Its 163g weight is akin to the S25’s weight of 162g, although it needs to be famous that the S25 Edge is far taller and wider than that cellphone.
What’s it like IRL?
There is not a lot to say aside from it is remarkably skinny while you really see and really feel it. The peak and width are nearly on the higher finish of what I take into account acceptable, within the sense that I may feasibly use the cellphone full-time with only one hand if I wanted to. Nevertheless it’s simply so skinny and lightweight, particularly contemplating the state-of-the-art chipset within it and the high-powered digital camera lens on the again. Evidently, it feels good, however there is not a lot to it past that.
To be honest, Samsung leaked the hell out of this phone, so we have kind of identified what to anticipate for weeks.
Once more, it’s extremely small.
Credit score: Alex Perry/Mashable
Whereas extra thorough testing should come later, I ought to notice that Samsung instructed me this cellphone has software program parity with the opposite S25 telephones. Meaning all of Samsung’s latest AI options are included, too. It will probably’t be stated sufficient: The one factor separating the Edge from the opposite S25 telephones is how skinny it’s.
However that is perhaps sufficient for some individuals. I welcome it after years of telephones getting means too massive and ponderous.
So, if you happen to miss the smaller telephones of years passed by, this one’s for you.