Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
Unboxing & First Impressions
Hello everyone, Woo here! Today I’ll be sharing my hands-on first impressions after unboxing the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge – following my earlier look at the Samsung Galaxy A56.
Launch Timing: An Experimental Move with Drawbacks
Originally planned for April, the launch was pushed to May, now coinciding with the Z series (Fold/Flip). This seems like Samsung’s experimental response to the underwhelming sales of the S25 Plus model. While I appreciate Samsung’s preemptive strike with ultra-thinness to counter iPhone 17 Air rumors, the timing feels oddly questionable – leaving many wondering, “Why now?”
Design: “Paper-Thin Profile”
The shocking 5.8mm thickness (approximately 10mm including the camera island) is comparable to the iPad Pro (5.1mm). My initial reaction was “Is this really a phone?” – though that surprise fades with familiarity. The titanium frame improves durability, but the buttons positioned lower than center feel somewhat awkward.
Color options include Titanium Jet Black, Silver, and Ice Blue. The Ice Blue particularly stands out with a more subtle pastel tone compared to the S25 Ultra’s blue, giving it a premium feel! The camera island resembles the Galaxy Z Fold, though some find it too plain without the olive ring accent.
Display: QHD+ 120Hz with Ceramic Glass
The 6.7-inch QHD+ 120Hz display matches the S25 Plus – surprisingly maintaining high resolution despite predictions of a downgrade to FHD. The Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 provides excellent scratch resistance, though it lacks the S25 Ultra’s anti-reflective coating, which is disappointing. Once you’ve experienced anti-reflective technology, it’s hard to go back – much like 120Hz refresh rates.
Battery: Questionable “All-Day” Claims
At 3,900mAh, the capacity is 1,000mAh smaller than the S25 Plus (4,900mAh). Despite Samsung’s “all-day battery” marketing, real-world performance is about 5 hours less than the base S25 model and 1 hour longer than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 – making for mediocre battery life. The 25W wired/15W wireless charging also reveals limitations imposed by the slim design.
There were rumors about Silicon Carbon battery technology, but Samsung stayed with conventional tech – disappointing considering many Chinese smartphone manufacturers have already adopted this technology.
Camera: Ultra-Grade Wide Angle, But No Telephoto
- Rear: 200MP (wide-angle) + 12MP (ultra-wide)
- Front: 12MP
The wide-angle camera matches the S25 Ultra’s performance, but the absence of a telephoto lens means zoom beyond 3x is digital only. This seems like a sacrifice for thinness, leaving many wishing “they could have at least included a 3x telephoto.”
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite + Enhanced Cooling
The vapor chamber area has been increased by 10% for improved heat management, and performance tests show 2-4% higher scores than the base model. However, the faster battery drain remains concerning.
Price: $1,099.99… Is it Reasonable?
- 256GB: $1,099.99 (carrier-exclusive)
- 512GB:
$1,219.99$1,099.99 (currently discounted)
Positioned more expensive than the S25+ ($999.99) but cheaper than the S25 Ultra ($1,299.99), when compared with the already-discounted S25 Plus/Ultra, you might find yourself thinking, “Wouldn’t the S25 Ultra be a better value at this price point?”
Verdict: “A Commitment to Thinness, But Clear Compromises”
Pros
- Incredibly slim design
- S25 Ultra-grade wide-angle camera
- Lightweight (163g)
Cons
- Insufficient battery
- No telephoto camera
- Awkward release timing
Recommended if you’re captivated by the design and portability, but if battery life and telephoto capabilities matter to you, you might be better off with the S25 Plus or S25 Ultra.
“I’ll be back with real-world battery test results soon!”
That concludes my review of the Galaxy S25 Edge! What are your thoughts on this device?