I do not suppose there’s another approach round it: Samsung’s Galaxy S25 trio is a little bit of a letdown. Months of rumors teed us up for a reasonably acquainted set of telephones, however virtually nothing significant has modified between generations. I do not suppose anybody is anticipating a radical change to present smartphone design — when was the final time you noticed a really distinctive machine, in spite of everything? Nonetheless, as Samsung’s rivals revitalize their iconic digicam bars or add all types of new (if not significantly good) shortcut buttons, it is retaining on the same old observe.
Enter the Galaxy S25 Edge. Samsung saved its massive shock for a final second reveal throughout Unpacked this 12 months, rolling credit on stage earlier than interrupting the printed one closing time. I even bought to take a look at the Galaxy S25 Edge within the firm’s hands-on space, although contemplating the group surrounding it, getting a superb look wasn’t significantly simple. In contrast to the remainder of this lineup, I feel the Edge is in a great spot to probably wow clients when it launches later this 12 months, nevertheless it definitely nonetheless has its work lower out for it.
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It is bought a reputation destined to catch Samsung followers’ consideration
Even when it is fairly disconnected from the Edge lineage
I’ve spoken with fellow reporters who disagree with me — together with on AP’s very personal podcast — however I feel Galaxy S25 Edge is a implausible title for this machine. Main as much as its unveiling at Unpacked final week, virtually everybody anticipated one thing like “Galaxy S25 Slim” to match no matter product Apple’s cooking up for later this fall. As an alternative, the S25 Edge depends on a product title Samsung hasn’t utilized in practically a decade, and if there’s one factor the final 20 years of blockbuster filmmaking has taught me, you possibly can’t underestimate nostalgia.
Positive, there’s an argument to be made that the “Edge” model by no means fairly caught on, operating for only a few years within the mid-2010s till Samsung adopted curved shows for your complete Galaxy S8 lineup. However the response all through AP’s Slack on the title reveal tells me that, sure, there’s a sure Android fan who has fond reminiscences of decade-old Edge telephones. I do not suppose the brand new concentrate on thinness issues — if Samsung can recreate the thrill that these preliminary Edge fashions delivered in 2014, it’s going to greater than earn its proper to this title.
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Samsung’s slim chassis is eye-catching, nevertheless it might additionally convey operate to type
It simply wants an excellent concept or two to tie all of it collectively
If the Galaxy S25 sequence really is peak glass-and-metal slab, at the very least the Galaxy S25 Edge takes it to an excessive we have not seen earlier than. Samsung is clearly specializing in making its chassis as slim and modern as doable, and with that discount in sheer mass comes an equally-exciting discount in weight. We do not know the place the precise motivation behind the S25 Edge’s look got here from — you realize, past some rumored Apple inspiration and a must give you something recent — nevertheless it’s exhausting to name this machine unexciting.
My greatest hope, after all, is that this cellphone’s slim chassis really comes with some actual adjustments to the general expertise. A 6.7-inch show in a cellphone that weighs lower than Samsung’s personal 6.2-inch smartphone, maybe, or a smaller bodily battery than what’s within the S25 Extremely that also manages to outlive by the day. Older Edge gadgets pushed Samsung to dream up new visible alerts, sliding shortcuts panels, and way more. Here is to the Galaxy S25 Edge undertaking comparable, as-yet-unrevealed issues.
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The Galaxy S25 Edge might convey again Samsung’s popularity for innovation
Even when it is coming from a spot of Apple-based inspiration
Talking of Apple, it is exhausting to not see the Galaxy S25 Edge as something however a response to the yet-to-launch iPhone 17 Air. Apple’s rumored ultra-slim iPhone is about to reach someday this fall alongside the remainder of its iPhone 17 siblings, however with a rumored spring launch, the Galaxy S25 Edge will beat it with months to spare. This head begin is nice information for Samsung, giving it the flexibility to get forward of the “Samsung copies Apple” debate whereas concurrently delivering an opportunity to actually push ahead within the {hardware} area for the primary time in years.
Not since 2019’s Galaxy Fold — or, should you’re being a bit of extra beneficiant, 2020’s unique Galaxy Z Flip — has Samsung actually managed to seize the zeitgeist with its output. The Galaxy S25 Edge offers the corporate an opportunity to wow early adopters and Android fanatics in a approach it hasn’t since, effectively, the pre-COVID period. I do not wish to say every part’s driving on this cellphone, but when Samsung needs to silence its doubters, the easiest way to take action can be to knock this cellphone proper out of the park. Show you are still on the high of the smartphone {hardware} sport, the way in which you had been within the tail finish of the 2010s.
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That is the primary actual redesign we have seen for a Samsung flagship in years
Is not that thrilling sufficient?
Even when the Galaxy S25 Edge finally ends up feeling prefer it’s “simply” a slimmer Galaxy S25, that may be sufficient to get some customers to improve. Do not get me unsuitable — that is undoubtedly a contemporary Samsung cellphone, for higher and for worse. However the brand new chassis and restricted lenses promise one thing a bit of unfamiliar to these searching for a brand new sensation. In the event you aren’t all in favour of upgrading to a folding cellphone — otherwise you’re merely locked into Samsung’s ecosystem — the S25 Edge might scratch that new-look itch in a approach even its most up-to-date foldables have failed to take action.
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The Galaxy S25 Edge strikes the dialog again to what Samsung does greatest
No offense, One UI followers
Virtually every part new in regards to the Galaxy S25 sequence comes from its software program. One UI 7 and this new spherical of Galaxy AI options are, in some ways, higher than their fast predecessors, delivering a vertical app drawer, reorganized fast settings, and instruments like Now Bar and Now Temporary. However basing a brand new {hardware} launch round a group of software program methods is certain to depart some die-hard followers feeling a bit of dissatisfied, and I completely suppose that is the case right here.
Frankly, Samsung’s all the time been greatest as a {hardware} firm first. From Bixby to TouchWiz to its (ever-shrinking) assortment of duplicate apps, software program has merely by no means been this model’s forte. The Galaxy S25 Edge — assuming it is as spectacular as Samsung’s tease implied — might transfer the dialog again to the place the corporate succeeds most. Whereas I feel a real Be aware substitute, full with a headphone jack, a microSD card slot, and a Bluetooth-enabled S Pen, might go a good distance in making amends with some lapsed Samsung followers, possibly a super-slim smartphone can do the identical.
We’re on the edge of our seats right here, Samsung
Contemplating Samsung’s tease on the finish of Unpacked, it does not seem to be we’ll be ready significantly lengthy to see the Galaxy S25 Edge in all its slim-and-sleek glory. Personally, even after getting loads of hands-on time with the present S25 trio — together with the supersized Galaxy S25 Extremely, evaluation coming quickly — I can not assist however be excited for the Edge’s eventual launch. After all, I will attempt to sit right here and be a bit of additional affected person; in spite of everything, ready is half the enjoyable.
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