Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge First Impressions: Slim Is Back in Style

The Galaxy S25 Edge is Samsung's boldest design pivot after Fold and Flip - a flagship phone that puts slimness and weight reduction front and center, ahead of even the rumoured iPhone 17 Air. After using it for 36 hours, I get the hype. It's sleek, featherlight, and refreshingly different in a market filled with bulky powerhouses.

But does slimmer always mean better? That's what I set out to answer based on less than two days of my use.

Design That Turns Heads, Not Always Hearts

Let's start with what hits you first: the thinness. At just 5.8 mm and 163g, the Galaxy S25 Edge feels almost unreal. Slide it into your pocket, and it doesn't feel like you're carrying around a 6.7-inch flagship.

Samsung has used titanium for the frame and Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the front - it feels sturdy despite the compact body. And while it brings back the "Edge" branding, there's no dramatic curved screen here. From the front, it replicated the same look and feel of the Galaxy S25 Ultra (Read Review).

Yet, not everyone I showed it to was floored. Most loved the form factor and lightness, but several said they'd still pick the S25 Ultra on discount, citing more features and no real improvement in usability - since the screen is still 6.7 inches, it's not exactly small. A few even said they'd prefer a smaller screen over a slimmer phone - if they have to pick between the two.

The design is premium, and sturdy from all aspects - but if you look at it from a distance, it doesn't feel as refreshing as it could have been since it's a completely new product line. Maybe more colour options or a slightly different camera arrangement would've given it a distinctive look.

Samsung says we can expect the same performance, thermal management and software experience as we saw on the S25 Ultra, which sounds very promising.

Specs Still Flex

Despite its slim shell, the S25 Edge doesn't compromise on raw hardware.

• Display: 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
• RAM: 12GB
• Battery: 3,900mAh
• Camera: 200MP main + 12MP ultrawide
• Software: Android 15 + One UI 7

The screen is typically Samsung - vibrant, sharp, and smooth with 120Hz refresh. The slight edge curve is subtle and doesn't interfere with use.

Performance-wise, the phone flies. I didn't notice any lag, whether multitasking or playing a quick game. It's running the same chipset as the Ultra, minus one performance core - but so far in my use, I've not felt the difference.

Weight Over Width

Personally, I've always liked slim phones - but I'm now realizing it's the weight reduction that truly changes usability.

The Edge feels far less tiring to hold for long durations - calls, reading, late-night scrolling. It's like someone finally respected our wrists. Compared to the 218g S25 Ultra, this feels like a breath of fresh air.

But let's be real: the overall footprint is still big. If you're hoping this will bring back one-handed usability, it won't. It's tall and wide - just thinner and lighter.

Cameras & Battery: What's the Catch?

This is where the Edge makes a few trade-offs.

• Main Camera: 200MP with great detail
• Ultrawide: 12MP with autofocus
• Selfie: 12MP
• Zoom: No dedicated telephoto lens

Zoom is handled by cropping into the 200MP sensor. The results are good up to 2x, but don't expect Ultra-level telephoto shots. For casual photography, it's more than enough.

Battery life is decent so far, and I am yet to test it fully. The 3,900mAh unit lasts a day with moderate use, but power users may need to charge before bed. You get 25W wired charging (no charger in the box) and 15W wireless - again, slower than the Ultra or Plus.

My colleague has written about how the slim form factor comes with a caveat that might not sit well with aggressive users.

Edge vs Plus vs Ultra: Which Makes Sense?

• S25 Plus (₹95,000 approx): More battery, 3x telephoto, slightly thicker
• S25 Ultra (₹1,25,000+): Bigger, heavier, but a beast in features - S Pen, zoom, larger battery
• S25 Edge (₹1,10,000 approx): Slimmest, lightest, with most flagship specs but a few trimmed corners

The Edge sits in between - you pay a slight premium over the Plus for the form factor, and save a bit over the Ultra but miss out on top-tier features.

It's a performance-centric, lifestyle-first phone. If you value comfort and portability, this will win you over. If you're into heavy camera usage or all-day battery, then you might have to consider other options.

Final Verdict (So Far)

The Galaxy S25 Edge is one of the most refreshing takes on a flagship phone in years. It doesn't try to outgun every spec-sheet, but instead offers an experience that feels better day-to-day - light in hand, easy to carry, and still powerful where it counts.

But it's not made for everyone. You're giving up some endurance and versatility for the slim build. So if you chase specs, buy the Ultra. If you want practicality, the Plus is solid.

But if you're like me - someone who's tired of flagship bricks and just wants a phone that doesn't weigh down your pocket - the Edge is quietly brilliant.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge India Price and Sale Date

The smartphone is priced at ₹1,09,999 for the 12GB/ 256GB variant, while the 12GB /512GB model will cost you ₹1,21,999. As part of a pre-order offer, customers can purchase the 512GB variant at the same price as the 256GB model. Pre-orders are now live via the Samsung India e-store and Flipkart, with sales set to begin on May 27. It is available in two colour options: Titanium Silver and Titanium Jet Black.