David Bridges
The revolutionary era of ultra-slim smartphones has officially begun, with Samsung taking a bold step ahead of Apple, which is anticipated to unveil the “iPhone 17 Air” this fall. During its highly publicized virtual Unpacked event, Samsung presented comprehensive details about its own remarkably thin device, the Galaxy S25 Edge.
First introduced at the Galaxy S25 series launch back in January, the S25 Edge has garnered widespread attention for its exceptionally sleek design. Measuring an astonishing 5.8mm in thickness (excluding the camera bump, as it is common practice for manufacturers to omit that measurement), the S25 Edge proudly holds the title of the thinnest Android smartphone ever produced by Samsung, narrowly surpassing its predecessor, the 5.9mm Galaxy A8 launched in 2018. Just look at its profile—it’s nearly as slender as a USB-C port. However, such an elegant phone comes at a premium; it will be available starting on May 30, with pre-orders commencing on May 12, priced at $1,099 for the base model featuring 256GB of storage, and $1,219 for the 512GB variant, all while weighing just 163g.
Check out the Galaxy S25 Edge at Samsung.com
If you’ve been keeping up with the endless stream of rumors, you won’t find the upcoming technical specifications surprising. Almost every detail that surfaced in leaks has proven accurate. The S25 Edge boasts a stunning 120Hz 6.7-inch AMOLED display, complemented by a sophisticated dual-lens camera system that includes a 200-megapixel primary camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, along with a 12-megapixel selfie camera. Durability is another strong suit; it holds an IP68 rating, ensuring robust dirt and water resistance comparable to other high-end smartphones.
At the heart of this advanced device is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform designed specifically for Galaxy smartphones. Samsung offers two configurations for the S25 Edge: one with 12GB of RAM paired with 256GB of storage and another featuring 12GB of RAM with 512GB of storage. Despite its remarkably thin frame, the S25 Edge is equipped with a 3,900mAh battery. While the exact performance remains to be seen, this battery capacity is notably lower than that of other models in the S25 lineup, which feature batteries ranging from 4,000mAh (S25) to 5,000mAh (S25 Ultra). Recent insights suggest that the upcoming iPhone 17 Air may not match the battery longevity of its siblings, the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro, set to launch this fall. Fortunately, the S25 Edge supports both fast wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, ideal for powering up wireless earbuds. It’s a relief to see that these features were retained despite the phone’s pursuit of a slimmer profile. The ball is now in Apple’s court.
Samsung has also integrated its innovative Galaxy AI suite, featuring a range of generative AI capabilities throughout its One UI version of Android. Among the confirmed AI functionalities are “Now Brief,” which intelligently crafts notifications and reminders based on your daily activities and app usage, and “Now Bar,” which delivers real-time updates and concise information directly on the S25 Edge’s lock screen—similar to the iPhone’s Dynamic Island, yet arguably more functional as it appears at the bottom of the screen. Additional camera-related AI features include “Drawing Assist,” transforming simple sketches into intricate illustrations, and “Audio Eraser,” designed to eliminate unwanted ambient noises, such as traffic sounds, from videos.
While I have yet to physically experience the S25 Edge, I can confidently assert that its sleekness could allow it to glide effortlessly through a cake. However, is it really worth the risk of damaging your new $1,100 device in such a manner? Probably not, but for the sake of science—and likely a viral TikTok video—someone might take that chance. There are also legitimate concerns regarding the S25 Edge’s durability, particularly the potential for bending. I fully anticipate that a YouTuber or influencer will conduct an experiment by sitting on it in their back pocket. Until we have an opportunity to review this device thoroughly, what are your thoughts on Samsung’s thinnest smartphone now that we have complete specifications? Are the trade-offs, such as a smaller battery and fewer cameras, significant drawbacks? I am just relieved that it features two rear cameras, unlike the rumored single lens of the iPhone 17 Air.
Explore the Galaxy S25 Edge at Samsung.com
Daniel Mercer
Brandon Fletcher
