Galaxy S5 Edge review: Lean, luxe and loaded

S25 Edge review

Rating: 8.5/10

It does not happen often in the tech world where you come across a smartphone that brings the excitement of something new, something different, just like phones in earlier eras used to do. That spark in design, innovation, has somehow started to feel more boring. I mean, look around – every other phone is a bar phone, they all are covered in display from the front and cameras at the back. And that’s the whole story of the design of the phone today. But, Samsung has taken a bold new direction with the Galaxy S25 Edge, its latest addition to the flagship Galaxy S series. Unlike the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which continues to push the boundaries of performance and camera technology, the S25 Edge focuses on delivering a premium experience in a slim and lightweight form, more of a lifestyle device.  With a sleek 5.8mm profile and weighing just 163 grams, it’s the thinnest Galaxy phone ever.

But that slim profile of the phone, while admirable, comes with some caveats. The question to ask is whether those caveats affect the true nature of a flagship phone, or the compromises Samsung has made are well calculated and measured in millimetres, just like the thickness of the phone.

S25

The phone is priced starting at Rs 1,09,990, and that wallet-slimming figure. For the amount, you get good things here – like Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset – same as the Ultra – and 200MP camera at the back, a display which is as good as other phones in the Galaxy S25 lineup.

All said and done, let’s come to the point – how does it feel to use the slimmest smartphone money can buy today? Does it deserve to be in the Galaxy S25 lineup or the phone falls short of expectations? Let’s find out.

Galaxy S25 Edge: Design and display

It feels surreal. I  mean, there’s nothing – literally – like this out there in the market. A bar design phone that feels trendy, sleek and stylish at the same time. It is certainly a head turner, and the most striking thing about the Galaxy S25 Edge is its ultra-slim profile. At 5.8mm thin, it’s thinner than most modern flagships, yet the phone feels solid and premium in hand. The titanium frame adds rigidity, while the matte back finish keeps fingerprints at bay. Despite the thinness, Samsung has managed to retain IP68 dust and water resistance, which adds to the phone’s durability credentials.

edge vs ultra

The minimalist design continues on the front, with slim bezels surrounding the 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. It’s a clean look that feels modern without being flashy.

Samsung’s AMOLED panels have always been industry-leading, and the S25 Edge is no exception. The 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED display supports a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and delivers rich colours, deep blacks, and impressive brightness. It performs well in all lighting conditions, from direct sunlight to dim interiors. But there’s no anti-reflection coating like the Ultra here.

Ege vs Ultra

Samsung hasn’t compromised on display quality. HDR content looks stunning, scrolling is smooth, and touch response is quick and accurate. For media consumption, the Galaxy S25 Edge is one of the best devices in this form factor.

Galaxy S25 Edge: Performance and Software

Let me start with the fact that the Galaxy S25 Edge isn’t rooting for a powerhouse of a phone like Galaxy S25 Ultra is. Yet, the phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM. Storage options include 256GB and 512GB, and while there’s no microSD card slot, the internal storage should be sufficient for most users.

S25 Edge vs Ultra

This part is exactly similar to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and this is where the surprising element comes in about the Galaxy S25 Edge. Packing hardware that is powerful and keeping the device calm and composed in a form factor that’s slimmer than your Natraj pencil is something worth admiring about the Galaxy S25 Edge.

Now, let’s talk about performance.  In day-to-day usage, the phone is snappy and responsive. Apps open quickly, multitasking is seamless, and even graphically intensive games run without stutters. The device runs Android 15 with Samsung’s One UI 7 skin on top, offering a clean and customisable interface.

The phone also gets 7 years of software support, the maximum for an Android ecosystem. Which means, the Galaxy S25 Edge will stay relevant till Android 22.

Galaxy S25 Edge: Galaxy AI features

Samsung hasn’t compromised on AI features here. The Galaxy AI in its full version is available on the Galaxy S25 Edge. Running One UI 7 out of the box, the phone benefits from system-wide AI integration that goes beyond visual flair. At the heart of it is Google Gemini, now the default assistant, replacing Bixby. Gemini enables contextual, cross-app commands—like adding a calendar event or setting a reminder—using simple prompts, making everyday tasks more seamless.

AI Select is another useful addition, intelligently recognising on-screen content to offer quick actions. For example, users can generate a GIF from a social media video or transform a photo into a lockscreen wallpaper with a single tap. The Gallery app’s Generative Edit goes even further, letting users remove or add objects to images while maintaining natural shadows and lighting.

S25 Edge side

Now Brief is present to, which is a personalised AI-powered feed for weather, news, and routines. While its content curation needs refinement, it shows Samsung’s direction toward predictive and personalised intelligence.

Add to that a revamped quick settings layout, live app updates via the new Now Bar, and smarter AI search within settings, and the Galaxy S25 Edge delivers one of the most intelligent Android experiences in its class.

Galaxy S25 Edge: Camera

Till now, there’s not one thing that feels like Samsung has compromised with Galaxy S25 Edge and the camera is a place where you might feel that Samsung could have done slightly more. So, the Galaxy S25 Edge comes with the same 200MP main camera and a 12MP ultrawide shooter. There’s a 12MP front camera too. The setup may not have the versatility of the S25 Ultra’s quad-camera system, but it delivers consistent and sharp results in various lighting conditions.

S25 Edge camera

While it skips the telephoto options of the Ultra model, the S25 Edge still delivers solid results across most scenarios.

In daylight, the 200MP sensor captures detailed shots with excellent contrast and a wide dynamic range. Colour tones look natural and consistent. Samsung’s ProVisual engine helps ensure minimal shutter lag, making it easier to click fast-moving subjects. The AI also kicks in smartly, adjusting exposure and detail without making things look too processed.

The ultrawide camera handles edge distortion well, and colours remain close to what you get on the main lens. There’s also better shadow handling than last year’s model, and switching between lenses now feels more seamless. Even without optical zoom, digital zoom performance up to 10x remains usable for most conditions.

Portrait shots show good edge detection with natural depth separation. Samsung’s computational tuning ensures the subject stands out without overdoing the blur. Low-light performance has also improved thanks to night mode enhancements, with photos retaining colour without excessive noise.

On the video side, the S25 Edge can shoot up to 4K at 60fps. Stabilisation is reliable, and the new layout of the camera app puts all the essential controls upfront. Samsung has done a good job refining usability, and that helps make the overall experience more enjoyable.

The front camera captures good detail with natural skin tones, and it’s capable of 4K video recording. Overall, the camera experience on the S25 Edge is polished and reliable, suitable for users who want quality without needing the Ultra’s pro-level features.

That’s not it, the phone also includes the Expert RAW mode that allows users to use the S25 Edge’s camera for better and tunable photography and videography.

Galaxy S25 Edge: Battery 

Now, this is the place where it feels a bit of a compromise that comes with the slimmer profile of the phone. It packs a 3,900mAh battery, which is smaller compared to most flagships today. However, Samsung uses AI-based battery optimisation that adapts to user behaviour to extend screen-on time.

S25 Edge charging

In typical daily usage—comprising social media, video streaming, email, and occasional gaming—the Galaxy S25 Edge comfortably lasts a full day. Power users might need a top-up by the evening, but for most, battery life should be sufficient.

The phone supports 25W wired charging and fast wireless charging. While not the fastest in the industry, the charging speed is adequate.

Galaxy S25 Edge: Verdict

The Galaxy S25 Edge is a flagship phone in every sense—it delivers top-tier performance, a brilliant display, a premium build, and smart AI features. It handles everyday tasks, photography, and entertainment with ease, living up to its high-end positioning.

But the true flagship crown remains with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The Edge, however,  is more of a lifestyle flagship — sleek, lightweight, and trendy, designed for users who want substance with style in a compact, modern package.