Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge probably gives you the impression of an innovative device but the company has basically made a premium phone into a sleek and lightweight body. While people wait for the iPhone 17 Air/Slim model, Samsung has taken the precedent to show the value and purpose of these form factors in the market.

The Galaxy S25 Edge sits between the Plus and Ultra models for now, and its Rs 1 lakh+ price tag brings pressure on the device to not only deliver with its performance but also state its obvious novelty value to the buyer. So the big question is, can a sleek device perform and last long like the regular models? We used the S25 Edge for over a week to find the definite answer to this big question that most people are asking. 

It’s Thin And Light 

The Galaxy S25 Edge banks on the sleek design which measures at 5.8mm and weighs just 163 grams. After using the device and holding it in hand, these figures make a lot of sense and show its actual differentiating qualities compared to the other flagships you get in the market.

Even then, Samsung has managed to fit a regular SIM slot with support for dual SIM networks and offers stereo speakers as well. 

The build quality also does not take a hit because of the design changes and you get a titanium frame that adds further solidity to the device, something that is much needed for a phone as sleek as the Galaxy S25 Edge. The back of the phone has a glass panel which gets Corning Gorilla Victus 2 protection which shows its worth after putting the device through all sorts of disturbances inside the pocket. The 6.7-inch profile becomes less obvious with these sleek dimensions. 

Bright And Strong 

Samsung makes some of the best flagship displays, so much that even Apple relies on its OLED panels for its iPhones. The Galaxy S25 Edge continues with the tradition for its 6.7-inch AMOLED 2X display that offers adaptive 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support.

The screen comes with the new Corning Gorilla Ceramic 2 version which seems extremely durable and did not develop any scratches or dent even after rough use during our time. Apple has used ceramic coating for iPhones in the last few years and it seems to be the ideal way to keep the display protected. 

Besides these upgrades, the display on the Galaxy S25 Edge is crisp, sharp and extremely pleasing to the eye, especially if you binge on a lot of videos. Very little to complain about its quality and most people will be happy with what’s on offer. 

The True Flagship Performer 

Samsung using the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset on the Galaxy S25 Edge was a no-brainer and offering it with 12GB RAM allows the device to deliver the best-possible performance in this category. It is more comparable with the iPhone 16 Plus than the Pixel 9 Pro which has its limitations because of the under-powered Tensor G4 chipset. The Galaxy S25 Edge performs like a workhorse, throws anything at it, and it delivers.

No major heating issues noticed during the tests which is no small feat for the company. Gaming is also going to be easy on the device, however, those users might be few and far between for this device. 

You also get the One UI 7 version out of the box, something that Samsung had a hard time offering for its other premium devices. This version offers a big UI overhaul and AI features like Now Brief, AI notes, translate and more. We have used them extensively with the other Samsung flagships this year and they work effectively in most cases.

Samsung is giving 7 OS upgrades and security updates for the Galaxy S25 Edge as well, which is only matched by Google and Apple to some extent. 

The 200MP Camera Goodness 

Samsung’s offering the 200MP sensor from the S25 Ultra on the Edge model along with the 12MP ultra-wide lens. However, the sleek design has forced the company to drop the telephoto lens, which might not please some of you. The main camera delivers quality photos in both bright and low light conditions. 

The colours are more balanced, the details are clear, and most people will find it impressive for their regular use. Having said that, not having the telephoto lens means your zoom capabilities are limited, and beyond 2x you start to see the shortcomings of missing the hardware to support the feature. 

Having the 12MP ultra-wide lens feels like a mandatory process now, and the Galaxy S25 Edge makes sure you have the basics covered. 

The front of the phone still has a 12MP shooter which does a better job than most of its rivals, giving you clear skin tones and the right amount of light to capture the details, including the textures on the face. 

The Real Sleek Test 

Samsung’s objective to make the Galaxy S25 Edge sleek comes at the cost of the 3,900mAh battery which is the smallest in the S25 series. We definitely had some reservations about its ability to last a day, which did come true, especially with the 9 hour score on PCMark battery test. Having said that, for the battery size, we were easily able to get around 5-6 hours of screen-on-time with moderate usage.

So, yeah, the battery life does take a hit but it is not as bad as we thought but you will need a midday charging to get through the day with the device. 

That’s where the 25W charging support (adapter not in the box again) feels slow compared to the industry standards but adequate if you place it next to the Pixel 9 or the iPhone 16 models. The 3,900mAh battery goes from 20 to 100 percent in over an hour and that is because of the battery size and not its overall charging boost. 

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge had raised some early doubts about how the sleek device can handle daily grind, especially with its battery life. The premium device is durable and the screen can hold its own in most conditions. The hardware is tuned to give you the best performance and even the cameras show their value. The battery life for a 3,900mAh unit is decent but not comparable to its peers especially in the flagship corners.