Meet the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Comparison, Release Date, and Buying Guide

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Hands-On: Slimmest Flagship Yet With 200MP Camera

On Tuesday, May 13th in South Korea, Samsung officially unveiled the Galaxy S25 Edge, trading off a more robust battery and camera similar to it's predecessors for the slimmest design yet. Here is everything you need to know about the new addition to the Galaxy S25 series, and comparisons to consider if you're in the market for a new phone. 

Galaxy S25 Edge: Slim Design and High Performance

The Galaxy S25 Edge is just 5.8mm thick and weighs only 163g, making it Samsung's slimmest flagship smartphone to date. It features a durable titanium frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 for enhanced protection.

The device boasts a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with QHD+ resolution and a 1–120Hz adaptive refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals and responsive touch interactions.

Powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and 12GB RAM, the S25 Edge delivers robust performance for multitasking, gaming, and AI-driven applications.

The smartphone features a 200MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide lens with autofocus, enabling high-resolution photography and detailed macro shots.

Samsung's Galaxy AI suite, including features like Now Bar, Drawing Assist, and Gemini Live, enhances user experience through intelligent assistance and creative tools.

Things to Consider: Battery and Camera Limitations

While the Galaxy S25 Edge excels in design and performance, there are a few trade-offs to consider.

The device houses a 3,900mAh battery, which is smaller compared to other models in the S25 series such as the Galaxy S25 Ultra which boasts a 5,000mAh battery. Samsung claims up to 24 hours of video playback, but real-world usage may vary.

Unlike every other phone in the Galaxy S25 series, the S25 Edge lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, relying on digital zoom. This means that photos that are taken from a distance will be grainier and overall lower quality. So if you're planning on going to any comeback concerts this season, don't count on having the best videos from nosebleed seats.

Galaxy S25 Edge vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Quick Feature Comparison

Galaxy and Apple are always neck and neck when it comes to developing the next popular smartphone, if you're on the fence about which to purchase, here are a few key differences between them.

• Performance:

  • Galaxy S25 Edge: Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset and 12GB RAM.

  • iPhone 16 Pro: Powered by the A18 Pro chip with 8GB RAM.

• Camera System:

  When it comes to the camera, the Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone 16 Pro each have strengths in different visual areas. The S25 Edge features a massive 200MP main camera that captures incredibly detailed shots, perfect for crisp daytime photography or zooming into fine textures. However, it lacks a dedicated zoom lens and relies on digital zoom, which can result in grainy or blurry images when capturing subjects from far away. In contrast, the iPhone 16 Pro uses a 48MP main sensor but delivers consistently strong results across various lighting conditions, thanks to Apple’s advanced image processing. However, quite crucially includes a 5x telephoto lens that provides real optical zoom (similar to a DSLR), making it far superior for photographing distant subjects like concert performers, wildlife, or people at a distance. The iPhone’s zoomed photos will be significantly clearer and less pixelated than those from the S25 Edge. Both phones offer a 12MP ultra-wide lens for landscapes and group shots, and selfie performance is comparable, though the iPhone tends to produce more natural tones. Overall, the S25 Edge is best for high-detail daytime images, while the iPhone 16 Pro excels in zoom and low-light situations.

  • Galaxy S25 Edge: Dual-camera setup with a 200MP main sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide lens.

  • iPhone 16 Pro: Triple-camera system featuring a 48MP main sensor, 48MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom.

• Battery & Charging:

  • Galaxy S25 Edge: 3,900mAh battery with 25W wired and 15W wireless charging.

  • iPhone 16 Pro: 4,685mAh battery supporting 27W wired and 25W MagSafe 2.0 wireless charging.

• Design & Build:

  • Galaxy S25 Edge: Ultra-thin at 5.8mm and lightweight at 163g, featuring a titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2.

  • iPhone 16 Pro: Thicker at 8.25mm and heavier at 227g, constructed with a titanium body and Ceramic Shield glass.

• Display:

  • Galaxy S25 Edge: 6.7-inch OLED display with a 1–120Hz adaptive refresh rate and peak brightness of 2,600 nits.

  • iPhone 16 Pro: 6.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion technology (1–120Hz) and peak brightness of 2,000 nits.

In summary, the Galaxy S25 Edge offers a sleek, lightweight design with a high-resolution main camera, while the iPhone 16 Pro provides a more versatile camera system and larger battery capacity. Your choice would depend on whether you prioritize design aesthetics or camera versatility and battery longevity.

Pricing and Availability

In the United States, the Galaxy S25 Edge starts at $1,099.99 for the 256GB model and $1,219.99 for the 512GB variant.

The device will be available in South Korea on May 23 and in the United States on May 30, with a broader global rollout to follow.

Recommended Accessories for Galaxy S25 Edge

To protect and enhance your Galaxy S25 Edge experience, consider getting a tempered glass screen protector with easy installation to protect against scratches and impacts, maintaining screen clarity and touch sensitivity, or a MagSafe Hybrid Clear Case to utilize the best of Apple MagSafe's wireless charging technology with a sleek minimalist design. Shop all of the latest Galaxy S25 Edge Accessories and read our other blog posts for other helpful tech insights like how to make your Galaxy Device MagSafe Compatible!