Samsung's Galaxy S25 Edge presents a compelling case of prioritizing style, particularly its remarkable thinness, over utilitarian substance, though this isn't inherently a drawback. It shares many characteristics with its S25 siblings, drawing closest to the premium S25 Ultra. However, its pursuit of an ultra-slim profile necessitated several key compromises, primarily to achieve its slender design.

While the S25 Edge isn't the absolute thinnest or lightest phone ever created, it stands out as potentially the most slender and lightweight device to feature such an expansive and brilliant screen, coupled with robust durability claims and a powerful internal processor. It offers surprisingly competitive performance in many areas when compared to the S25 Ultra, despite being 2.5mm thinner and 55g lighter. For context, Apple has yet to release an iPhone this thin, though rumors suggest one is in development, and the last iPhone this light was the iPhone 13 mini. The central question remains whether achieving maximal thinness and lightness is a worthwhile pursuit. For those who don't prioritize these aspects, the $1850 price tag may seem steep, especially when other options offer zoom lenses and extended battery life—two features notably absent in the S25 Edge.

Conversely, the S25 Edge delivers a phenomenal display, impressive performance, and high-quality photo output. The significant weight reduction offers tangible benefits, particularly for users who frequently hold their phone one-handed or balance it for photography, making a large-screen device feel exceptionally manageable. Despite its featherlight feel, the S25 Edge largely performs on par with the S25 Ultra.

Examining the S25 Edge independently, its specifications are futuristic. Measuring less than 6mm in thickness and weighing around 160g, it features a durable construction of Gorilla Glass on the front and back, sandwiching a titanium frame, and boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water ingress protection. The display nearly covers the entire front surface. This display is a 6.7-inch HDR OLED panel with a QHD+ resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, with a small punch-hole for the selfie camera, making it one of the most impressive screens available.

The rear camera system is likely to be a point of discussion. It houses two lenses: the same 200MP main shooter found in the S25 Ultra, and an ultrawide lens that also functions as a macro camera thanks to its autofocus capabilities. However, accommodating this advanced camera hardware within a sub-6mm frame results in a two-step bump of glass and metal. While not aesthetically displeasing, this protrusion causes the phone to wobble noticeably when placed face-up on a flat surface.

In terms of camera performance, the main unit produces results virtually identical to the S25 Ultra on default settings: photos are sharp, well-defined, captured quickly, and feature a slightly hyper-real color enhancement, comparable in quality to the category-leading iPhone 16 Pro, with differences boiling down to user preference. Portrait mode is excellent, and macro shots can be impressive, though the automatic focus enhancer sometimes activates too readily. Night mode, conversely, may require manual activation but yields great results. Video recording is also commendable, offering 4K resolution at 60fps with image stabilization in good lighting conditions. The primary photographic downside is the absence of a telephoto lens, limiting effective zoom to a maximum of 2x before image quality noticeably degrades.

Internally, the S25 Edge is powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip as the S25 Ultra, providing more raw processing power than most users will typically require. However, when pushed with resource-intensive tasks like 3D gaming or modeling, performance tends to taper off more quickly than on the S25 Ultra, likely due to insufficient space for an adequate cooling system within its slim chassis. Compared to other devices, the Galaxy S25 Edge measures 5.8mm thick, while the iPhone 16 is 7.8mm and the Pixel 9a is 8.9mm.

Battery life is another area of compromise. The 3900 mAh battery is small by 2025 flagship standards and significantly smaller than the 5000 mAh unit in the S25 Ultra. While it has been reported to last longer than initially expected, it consistently makes it through a day with about 15% charge remaining by bedtime, whereas an iPhone or S25 Ultra might retain 30% or more. Charging speed is also not exceptional, capped at 25W. Nevertheless, Samsung successfully integrated a wireless charging coil, allowing for convenient top-ups via Qi chargers.

On the software front, the S25 Edge runs the same OneUI Android experience found on other S25 series phones. This iteration of Samsung's operating system is considered by many to be its best yet, despite being heavily populated with various AI features and utilities.

Ultimately, the Galaxy S25 Edge positions itself somewhere between the S25+ and S25 Ultra in terms of overall capabilities, making it an incredible phone in its own right. Its unique selling proposition is its extremely light and skinny frame. However, this comes with the trade-offs of no optical zoom, shorter battery longevity, and potentially reduced sustained performance for hardcore gamers. Priced at $1850, it also sits between these models financially, though it's anticipated that resellers might offer the S25 Ultra for less over time. Therefore, the S25 Edge primarily appeals to users who deeply value its svelte aesthetics and are willing to accept its inherent compromises.