Samsung unveils $1,099 S25 Edge, Starts Thin-phone Trend
Samsung has introduced the Galaxy S25 Edge, a sleek, lightweight smartphone that could redefine premium mobile design. At just 5.8 millimeters thick and 163 grams in weight, it’s approximately 30% thinner and 25% lighter than the S25 Ultra. Despite the reduced dimensions, the device doesn’t compromise on key features. It boasts a titanium frame, a 200-megapixel rear camera, and advanced AI capabilities.
Launching in the U.S. on May 30 at $1,099, the S25 Edge includes a 6.7-inch screen, 12GB RAM, and storage options of 256GB and 512GB. Although it lacks a 1TB model and telephoto cameras, Samsung believes customers will value its refined design. According to Blake Gaiser, Samsung’s head of smartphone product management for the Americas, the priority was to create a phone that feels “invisible in your pocket.” Consumers have repeatedly asked for lighter phones, especially as other models grow bulkier.
This release arrives ahead of Apple’s expected iPhone 17, which is also rumoured to be slimmer. While that device may offer a single rear camera, the S25 Edge provides two, giving it a competitive edge. Samsung first teased the Edge back in January but kept its specs and price under wraps until now.
Thinner Body, Smaller Battery But Smart Tradeoffs
To achieve such a slim profile, Samsung had to make a few compromises. The S25 Edge doesn’t include support for the S Pen or the large 6.9-inch screen featured in the Ultra model. It also comes with a smaller 3,900mAh battery—less than the base S25 and far below the Ultra’s 5,000mAh capacity. Still, Samsung says software-based AI improvements help the battery last longer than last year’s Galaxy S24.
Importantly, the device isn’t manufactured in China. Instead, Samsung produces it in South Korea, Vietnam, and India, which may help it navigate shifting trade policies. This choice also aligns with Samsung’s pricing strategy, which avoids tariff-related price hikes.
Looking Ahead: Market Impact and Strategy Shift
Originally planned for an April release, the S25 Edge was delayed following the sudden death of Samsung’s Co-CEO Han Jong-Hee. Nevertheless, the company is banking on this model’s success. With its semiconductor division under pressure, strong smartphone sales are now more critical than ever.
Interestingly, Samsung will let users interact with the Edge more freely in stores. Rather than using heavy security tethers, a new adhesive solution will secure demo models. Shoppers can hold and pocket the phone without distraction a move designed to highlight its lightweight build.
Samsung’s return to ultra-thin designs recalls a time when sleekness defined smartphone innovation. Now, with the S25 Edge, the company is betting that consumers still care just as much about how a phone feels as what it does.
