For the past two years, key players in the smartphone industry, like Oppo and Honor, have fiercely competed for the title of the world’s thinnest smartphone. While these brands have traded the crown in the foldable category, the race for ultra-thin non-folding smartphones is heating up with Samsung and Apple at the forefront.
Rumored to launch the iPhone 17 Air this September, Apple is stepping into the fray. Samsung has already teased its Galaxy S25 Edge, unveiled recently, measuring a sleek 5.8mm at its thinnest point. Although it is thicker than some foldable phones, the Galaxy S25 Edge currently claims the title of the thinnest non-folding smartphone.
Having spent a month with the Galaxy S25 Edge, I found it surprisingly delightful. It cleverly addresses various issues without being too hefty, proving to be both thin and lightweight while offering a pleasant user experience.
A true flagship experience
The Galaxy S25 Edge encapsulates many flagship features while tackling the inherent challenges of designing a thinner smartphone. After a month of daily use, it exceeds my expectations in several aspects.
| Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Specs | |
| Size | 158.2 x 75.6 x 5.8mm |
| Weight | 163 grams |
| Screen | 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120 x 1440 pixels, 120Hz |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM and Storage | 12GB, 256GB/512GB |
| Software | Android 15 with One UI 7, seven years of OS and security updates |
| Cameras | 200MP with 2x optical quality zoom, 12MP wide-angle, 12MP selfie camera |
| Durability | IP68 |
| Battery and charging | 3,900mAh, 25W wired, 15W wireless |
| Colors | Titanium Silver, Jet Black, Icy Blue |
| Price | $1,099 (approximately €1,030)/$1,199 (approximately €1,115) |
Looking at the specs, the Galaxy S25 Edge retains essential features from its siblings, including the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, and both RAM and storage options akin to the Galaxy S25 Plus.
The battery life dilemma
The biggest question for any smartphone maker focusing on thinner designs is how to provide sufficient battery life. Brands like Oppo and Honor have turned to Silicon Carbon battery technology for increased density.
Despite this trend, Samsung opted for traditional Lithium-Ion technology. The S25 Edge carries a 3,900 mAh battery, slightly less than the standard Galaxy S25. It also features the same charging capabilities as its counterparts.
Is battery life an issue in everyday use? It really depends on usage. I found the Galaxy S25 Edge sufficient for a full day with moderate to heavy usage. During testing, I achieved a maximum of 28 hours from a single charge, with about seven hours of screen-on time, although heavier use like gaming can reduce this significantly.
The camera system’s trade-offs
The Galaxy S25 Edge features a 200MP primary camera—a slightly downsized version of the one found in the Galaxy S25 Ultra—paired with a 12MP ultrawide lens. Notably, it lacks a telephoto lens.
Throughout the month, using it as my daily camera, I found the quality surprisingly good, despite the absence of telephoto. If you seldom zoom beyond 2x, the camera handles your basic shooting needs quite well.
Final thoughts on the Galaxy S25 Edge
I underestimated how much I would enjoy the Galaxy S25 Edge. Yes, its thin design comes with a few compromises, but those quickly fade once you experience how good it feels in hand. At just 5.8mm thick, it’s lighter than the Galaxy S25 Plus while delivering a comparable performance.
This makes the Galaxy S25 Edge ideal for anyone who wants top-notch specs without the added bulk of its siblings. Interested in exploring similar tech advancements? Be sure to check out more at Moyens I/O.