REVIEW: Galaxy S25 Edge will make you want an ultra-thin smartphone

A more interesting proposition than it seems, delivering a real benefit, but requiring some sacrifices in the name of thickness and low weight. The Galaxy S25 Edge is an ambitious phone that may leave you with some doubts, even with the Galaxy S25 Ultra as another great purchase option. Check out our review.

Design

I need to start this review of the Galaxy S25 Edge with the following sentence: Samsung probably has a point. Released in colors black, silver and blue (this is only sold on the manufacturer's website), we received the black variant for testing here at showmetech.

You can tell right away that the Samsung tried to maintain the design features of the Galaxy S line at all times here: its matte back takes elegance to another level. Of course, in everyday life, you will end up using a case for the model, but there is no way to say that it is not beautiful.

And… well, we really need to emphasize the weight of the Galaxy S25 Edge. In my day-to-day life, I use a realme 12 Pro +, which I consider ideal for my day to day, with an official weight of 196 grams, compared to just 163 grams for the Galaxy S25 Edge. And it's also worth mentioning the thickness of 5,9 mm, one of the thinnest devices in Brazil.

As soon as you pick up the device, you'll be shocked: it's really very light. This makes it easier to use on a daily basis, especially if you're someone who spends a lot of time with your phone in your hand for various tasks.

It is also worth mentioning the titanium structure of the model's body, which provides better long-term durability. The device also comes with IP68 certification, which allows submerged use for up to 30 minutes at up to 1,5 meters deep, in addition to being sealed to prevent dust and dirt from entering. The certification and material are the same as the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but in a lighter body.

When using the model over the last few days in a simulation as if it were my main smartphone, the user experience was quite interesting: I, who thought that a model as light as this one didn't have much to offer, actually had to rethink the analysis of the Galaxy S25 Edge. So far so good.

Fabric

I knew I would like this part of Samsung's device because, personally, I like devices with a large screen. More space to do various tasks without having to squint. Here, we have a 6,7-inch display, with Quad HD resolution (the same size as the one used in the Galaxy S25+) (1440 x 3120), refresh rate of 120Hz and peak brightness of 2.600 nits.

And, still within the scope of durability, the Samsung put the tempered glass Corning Glass Ceramic 2, which is capable of withstanding multiple drops onto concrete. Durable glass was developed between Corning and Samsung to be used on the super-thin smartphone Galaxy Edge S25.

In everyday use, the peak brightness of 2.600 nits can deliver a good experience in several applications, but sunnier days can be a small problem if you use applications in dark mode. It's not a big problem, but using it indoors will be better. The lack of an anti-reflective layer is a big drawback here.

Having such a high resolution changes the whole game: I'm someone who really enjoys watching videos on YouTube on my smartphone, and by setting the highest quality available, I had a great experience. The edges are minimal, providing that immersive experience without sacrificing resistance. The screen is completely straight, which also prevents possible accidental breaks on the edge that could spread to the rest of the screen.

The Galaxy S25 Edge's screen is the same as the Galaxy S25+, but with a more resistant glass developed just for this model, with a focus on greater resistance. The idea is quite well executed, but it is worth noting that an anti-reflective layer would take the model to a new level.

The day-to-day user experience is not bad, you can see all the information indoors, but it could be better. You can see Samsung's possible market strategy here: if the anti-reflective layer is a crucial specification for the user, they might go for the Galaxy s25 ultra (which is also more expensive).

Processor

Like the rest of the Galaxy S25 line, the Galaxy S25 Edge's processor is the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. Performance improvements amount to 40% for NPU, 37% for CPU e 30% for GPU. O ray tracing, technology that makes games with more realistic scene lighting, have 40% more performance here, combined with an improvement in 18% in frames per second (or FPS).

There's nothing negative to say about the best processor of the moment: multitasking is perfect and rendering high-resolution videos in a short time makes for a very complete experience. Just when you think the device can't go that far because it's more minimalist, that's when it surprises you.

I was a little concerned about heat dissipation on such a thin device, but it only gets hot during heavy tasks, such as 4K recording in portrait mode. The vapor chamber, 10% larger than the one on the S25+, helps to hold the heat in well.

Insights

For those who like to see numbers, the tests proved to be interesting. For comparison, on the official website of GeekBench, we have the three models of the Galaxy S25 line in the top 3 in the single core test: Galaxy S25+ with 2887 points, Galaxy s25 ultra with 2875 points and Galaxy S25 with 2677 points. See:

Surprisingly, the Galaxy S25 Edge scored higher than the Galaxy S25+, reaching 3075 points in the single-core test and 9705 points in the multi-core test. See:

For those who are not familiar with the world of benchmarks, this explanation is worth it. Think about the test Single-core as the speed at which you can do a single thing. This is how fast your device is when it comes to quick tasks, such as opening an app, browsing a website, or playing a simple game. A good score here means that your device feels “fast” and responds instantly to your commands in everyday use.

Now the test multi-core measures the ability to multitask. Imagine using Waze to drive while listening to Spotify and receiving WhatsApp notifications. That’s the power of multi-core in action. It’s also crucial for heavy-duty tasks like editing a video for TikTok or playing a high-end game, ensuring that the device doesn’t crash even when it’s under heavy load.

System and interface

A One UI 7 via Android 15 is more fluid than ever. In addition to being even more integrated with system applications, you can find a more complex configuration with just a few commands, and you can also use the microphone to explain what you want to the operating system. It's as if your smartphone is now your great personal assistant.

Among the new features in One UI 6, I really like the Now Bar, which works as a “Samsung dynamic island”. Although other Chinese companies have taken the lead (such as OPPO and realme), it was clear that the company integrated this feature into its operating system without trying to reinvent the wheel.

I like how it is organized in the corner of the screen and allows quick control of some supported applications, such as Spotify e Stopwatch.

Plus it looks good on the lock screen. See:

And when you click on the Now Bar, you can see all the album art. I'm the kind of user who values ​​convenience, especially because I listen to a lot of music, so being able to change more basic things without having to go through the whole process of unlocking the screen and accessing the music app is very welcome. Here:

As a person who uses their smartphone for everything (from work to entertainment), I even thought I would use it more. Now Brief, which serves as a summary of your day and also gives tips on how to relax better at night.

It's a cool idea for those who have more Samsung devices like smartwatches or the Galaxy Ring, because you don't necessarily need to open Samsung Health to see how your night's sleep was. But, at least for me, it wasn't as useful as I imagined.

Finally, buy one Galaxy Edge S25 is the assurance that you will receive the latest updates as soon as they are available, for up to seven years. Guaranteed system and security updates up to 2032.

Artificial Intelligence

A Samsung chose to bring all the known features of Galaxy A.I. which I consider to be the most complete artificial intelligence platform for smartphones. In addition to the features we already know, such as object eraser, wallpaper creation, Circle to Search and content translation on WhatsApp, there are features from 2025 that are coming to add even more to this model.

Starting with audio correction, the idea is quite interesting and can be a great help when recording a travel vlog, where many people are in the same place or there is simply a lot of wind. You can also erase all the voices from a video and leave only the landscape, giving that special touch to your social media posts.

Another feature that I really liked was the ability to use the lighting in a photo to create a photo filter. This way, you can have several photos with the details of an image that you really like. Creating one is very simple and takes less than a minute.

And in the last few months, the Google released greater integration of Gemini with third party applications such as WhatsApp and Spotify. In this way, through the integration of Galaxy A.I., you can search for information on the internet and send it directly to whoever you want, without touching the screen and just using your voice.

A Samsung understood that good use of AI is connected with features that really help people in different parts of their daily lives. Galaxy Edge S25 offers the complete AI platform and when new features become available, it is almost certain that you will receive them. Long-term investment is more than a given here.

Storage and memory

It is worth highlighting the UFS 4.0 internal storage, which is fast and efficient flash storage, great for running the operating system, opening photos, videos and whatever else is saved on the device over time.

O showmetech received the variant with 512 GB of internal storage, but the device was also launched with 256 GB. Both do not have a memory card slot, a standard that Samsung has adopted it for all its smartphones for a while now.

RAM memory is also not lacking: all variants have it 12 GB of RAM, which can be expanded to up to 20 GB through the RAM Plus feature. The device did not crash at any time it was with us and when running heavier games, it also managed to perform well in everything it was put to.

Connectivity

We have the best connectivity available for smartphones: the model supports WiFi 6E, for great speeds and connections and support for 5G networks. The model also has NFC for wireless payments, as well as GPS and other sensors that will be useful in everyday life.

You can use up to two physical SIMs and one eSIM in the device. For wireless use, there is an antenna Bluetooth 5.4, which in addition to its high range, allows you to listen to high-quality audio.

Audio

In addition to having support for Dolby Atmos, which optimizes the quality of wireless transmission, the Galaxy Edge S25 It has an interesting setting that can enhance dialogue in videos. This is interesting to use if you are on public transport or even in a park, with loud external sound.

And when you're using headphones, you can use the UHQ optimizer to make music sound clearer, and the same goes for videos. The speakers are stereo, located near the USB-C connection.

Regarding the microphone, I have only one comment: be careful not to cover the microphone with your little finger, as I experienced this while using the device, having to re-record audios on WhatsApp after they had already been sent. Any obstruction will muffle the audio.

Battery and charging

We have reached the Achilles heel of the Galaxy Edge S25. I looked for an excuse for the Samsung, in fact, has chosen to place a device with less battery than the other devices in the line Galaxy S25 and I didn't find any. I also looked for some excuse for the company to finally start using batteries made of carbon silicon, which are thinner and more durable than those made of lithium, and I didn't find any.

The truth is that when opting for a Galaxy Edge S25, you're going to have to compromise at some point: the battery. The device was launched with just 3.900 mAh and there will be times when it will let you down if you don't have a planned use. Therefore, the battery is the biggest disappointment of this model, as it delivers a great user experience, but for a somewhat limited time.

In daily use, intensively, going to events for the showmetech, using 5G, heavy usage lasted 06h47, with 03h41 of screen on. In my day-to-day life, I used the Galaxy AI a few times, accessed social networks, took photos and also played a little. See below:

When I used the device at home, only on Wi-Fi, the battery life went up to 06 hours, but if you think that my everyday smartphone lasts 10 hours, even with intense use and games, that's very little compared to what I'm used to.

And if you enable Always On Display, the battery will last even less: using 5G and having it enabled, I got a battery life of 03 hours, with it being the main factor in battery usage. Who knows, a future update might improve this, but here, I preferred to leave it disabled.

This is not only due to outdated battery technology (lithium), but also to a problem that Samsung doesn't seem to want to solve the problem in their smartphones: low battery life. And you're left wondering whether it's really worth having an ultra-thin smartphone that delivers such low battery life compared to models from other brands.

The device supports 25W charging, but a 15W power brick is included in the box, so you'll need to buy a more powerful brick separately. Charging time from 0% to 100% was 59 minutes with the charger included in the box, which is expected among smartphones from the Samsung.

And it supports wireless charging up to 15W and reverse charging (Wireless PowerShare) for devices like headphones, smartwatches, and even other smartphones.

It’s the famous double-edged sword: you’ll have an ultra-thin and ultra-light smartphone, but then you’ll have to remember to always carry a charger in your bag. You might say, “Is there a way to use an external charger?” — yes. But then, if you have to carry an external battery with you all the time, it’s not as thin, right? It’s a decision you have to weigh up and decide whether it would impact your life that much.

Rear cameras

A Samsung placed two lenses on the back of the Galaxy S25 Edge: a 200 MP main lens, which comes close to the sensor seen in the Galaxy S25 Ultra (but with 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom) and a 12 MP ultrawide lens.

The device records videos in 8K resolution at 30 FPS and supports the algorithm  nightography, in addition to the LED flash to provide support in darker environments.

In open spaces, the 200 MP main sensor takes great photos and the processing is the icing on the cake, giving that final touch to have a great photo to post on social media.

Close-up photos are also great, especially if the natural lighting is favorable. Check out this great image:

In night mode, it also performed well with the support of the flash, I got good results. See:

Zoom, even though it's only 2x in optical mode, also works well, and when you switch to digital, post-processing takes care of this so you don't end up with a photo with so much noise. The photos below were taken at night, with 2x and 10x zoom so you can get an idea of ​​the results.

The 12 MP ultrawide lens is best suited for capturing wider images: I also have nothing negative to say about the sensor, which, even though it doesn't have much resolution, manages to capture interesting details. The photo below shows how well the details are captured here:

The model can also record videos with a blurred background in 4K quality, and you can also use the dual camera mode directly in the native camera application, also to record videos in 4K quality.

The conclusion I come to is that the model really falls a little short of the Galaxy S25 Ultra in terms of camera, this is because the heavier model has a third telephoto lens, essential for capturing videos and photos from further away due to the better zoom. Even so, the delivery is quite satisfactory and within the premium smartphone category that the device is allocated.

Frontal camera

For selfies, there is another 12 MP lens that surprised me a lot because Samsung has also invested a lot in post-processing. Selfies get that good correction after less than five seconds and you have that quick record, with total assertiveness and without even needing to do any subsequent editing.

The front lens can also record videos with a blurred background in 4K at 30 FPS or 4K at 60 FPS in traditional mode. Selfies and video calls look great in any environment, especially since the device can identify darker environments and brighten the screen when necessary.

Browsing a little more, I also discovered that the effects created from a photo in the gallery (via AI) can be applied at the time of capture, so you don't have to go through all the work of editing the photo after capture.

And finally, the Samsung finally managed to improve its algorithm to avoid washing out the skin of people with darker skin, especially when portrait mode is activated. Check out this result:

This is a topic I've mentioned in my latest Samsung device reviews, such as the one on Galaxy z flip6 and also the Galaxy S24FE. Now, the original tone of my skin is respected and captured with great assertiveness.

Price and availability

O Galaxy Edge S25 was launched in Brazil on May 22, with a suggested initial price of R$8.799. At the time, the value was even higher than the Galaxy s25 ultra. About 40 days after its launch, the ultra-thin smartphone from Samsung could be found for the following values ​​during the closing of this review:

• R$9.799 na Amazon in the 256 GB version;
• R$9.799 in the 256 GB version or R$8.799 in the 512 GB version in Mercado Livre;
• R $ 9.799 in the 256 GB version or by R $ 8.359,05 in the 512 GB version in Magazine Luiza.
• R$9.999 in the 512GB version on Samsung Official Store.

The current competitor of Galaxy Edge S25 is iPhone 16 Pro, currently found for around R$7. But it is worth mentioning that there are rumors of the launch of a iPhone 17 Air, which will be only 5,5 millimeters thick, becoming the direct competitor of the ultra-thin Samsung. Let's wait until September to compare the two models.

Conclusion

The Galaxy S25 Edge shows that the era of increasingly lighter and thinner smartphones is here to stay. Some company had to take the first step, and Samsung did. The difference in use is noticeable from the very first moment and, as the days go by, you come to the conclusion that the Korean company has a point. And a very strong point.

But the fact remains: the Galaxy S25 Edge doesn't deliver great battery life. It all gets worse when we remember that Samsung is already not known for delivering great battery life on its smartphones, but having only 3.900 mAh in a model like this left the user experience a little disappointing.

The model is not bad and in fact, it is far from it: its high performance and the availability of the best artificial intelligence platform for smartphones on the market, combined with good cameras and a good screen, make it an interesting device, even though the battery is not all that.

The Galaxy S25 Edge should have an interesting price during periods like Black Friday and, while I was writing this review, it can already be found for less than R$7. And this should drop even further over the next few months.

Anyone who buys this device knows exactly what they're getting and what they're giving up. Maybe they prefer the telephoto lens and battery of the S25 Ultra, or maybe they just want an ultra-thin smartphone. In the end, it's a matter of taste.

Technical specifications

Brand	Samsung
Córdoba	Galaxy Edge S25
Fabric	6,7 screen inches Quad HD resolution Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen 120Hz Adaptive Super Smooth Refresh Rate (1~120Hz) Vision booster support 159 x 76 x 5.9 mm 1632 grams
Camera	200 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.56″, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), PDAF 2x optical zoom 8K video recording at up to 30 FPS 12 MP front camera, (wide), 1/3.2″, 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF 4K video recording at up to 120 FPS
Processor (AP)	Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
Memory and Storage	12GB RAM + 512GB 12GB RAM+ 256GB
Battery	Capacity: 3.900 mAh Wired charging up to 25W 15W power supply shipped in the box
Operating System (OS)	Android 15 via OneUI 7
Network and Connectivity	5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth 5.4
Safety	Samsung Knox, Samsung Knox Vault
Water Resistance	IP68 Rating: Water resistant in up to 1,5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes and protected against dust, dirt and sand. Not recommended for use on the beach or pool. Your device's water and dust resistance is not permanent and may decrease over time.
Colors	Titanium Icyblue (Blue) Titanium Silver (Silver) Titanium Jetblack (Black)
Price	R$9.799 na Amazon in the 256 GB version; R$9.799 in the 256 GB version or R$8.799 in the 512 GB version in Mercado Livre; R $ 9.799 in the 256 GB version or by R $ 8.359,05 in the 512 GB version in Magazine Luiza; R$9.999 in the 512GB version on Samsung Official Store.

See also other features

Samsung launches Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra with new cameras and more AI

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: Which is better?

reviewed by Tiago Rodrigues in 28 / 06 / 2025