The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is praised for its ultra-slim, lightweight design, premium materials, and flagship specs, but criticized for its small 3,900 mAh battery, slow charging, and lack of a zoom camera, which involve significant trade-offs. The reviewer highlights that while the device excels in design and performance, its compromises in battery life and pricing may limit its appeal to most users.
The video provides a hands-on review of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, highlighting its ultra-slim design as the first flagship in the West to embrace the trend of extreme thinness. The reviewer is impressed by the 5.8 mm thickness, which makes it noticeably thinner than the S25 Ultra, and appreciates how the edge feels in hand. The device features a titanium frame for added stiffness and Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 for durability, with a design that minimizes camera protrusion and maintains a sleek appearance, despite the boring color options.
Samsung has equipped the S25 Edge with flagship specs, including a Snapdragon 8 Elite 44 Galaxy Edition processor, 12GB of RAM, and a vapor chamber for cooling, promising excellent performance. The display is top-tier, with a 6.7-inch QHD+ resolution, symmetric bezels, and a variable refresh rate from 1 to 120Hz. The device also offers IP68 water resistance, wireless charging (including G2 compatibility with a magnetic case), reverse wireless charging, and weighs only 163 grams, making it very lightweight and comfortable to hold.
However, the reviewer points out significant trade-offs due to the slim design, primarily the small 3,900 mAh battery, which is less than the smaller S25 and other compact phones like the Flip 6. The charging speed is limited to 25W, which is considered slow, and the battery life is expected to be short given the large display and high-end specs. The reviewer criticizes Samsung for not opting for a larger battery or reducing display resolution to improve battery performance, and suggests that using advanced battery tech like silicon carbon batteries could have been a better solution, but Samsung couldn’t implement it in time.
Another notable omission is the lack of a zoom camera, which the reviewer finds less problematic since the main 200-megapixel sensor is capable of sufficient digital zoom for most users. The absence of a dedicated zoom lens is seen as a compromise, but one that might not be a major issue for many. The reviewer also comments on the pricing, noting that the S25 Edge is positioned between the Ultra and Plus models, with the trade-off being a less powerful device for a higher price, which may not appeal to most power users but could attract those prioritizing design and slimness.
The video concludes with a brief mention of animation smoothness and a transition to promoting NordVPN, emphasizing its benefits for travelers and users concerned about security and geoblocking. The reviewer explains how NordVPN can help access blocked apps and content, enhance privacy on public Wi-Fi, and offers a special deal with a 2-year plan that includes four extra months and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Overall, the review balances admiration for the S25 Edge’s innovative design with critical insights into its compromises and pricing.