Samsung has launched the Galaxy S25 Edge, notable for its 5.8mm thickness, making it the thinnest smartphone of recent years. Weighing just 163g, it features a 200MP camera but falls short with a smaller 3,900mAh battery compared to the standard S25. Despite its premium pricing, the Edge may not justify the cost against alternatives like the S25 Ultra, which offers a larger battery and advanced camera features for a lower price. The Edge’s potential role in replacing the Plus model is speculated, yet many competitors provide better specs at similar or lower prices.
Samsung has introduced the Galaxy S25 Edge, which is just 5.8mm thick, making it the slimmest smartphone in years. In fact, no device released in the 2020s has been below 6mm thick. Naturally, this comes at a price – here’s a comprehensive price analysis. Is the Edge the phone you’ve been eagerly anticipating, or is Samsung pushing a gimmick that might not resonate?
If you’re inclined towards the former, you’ll be pleased to know that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge delivers more than just a sleek profile; it’s also remarkably lightweight. It only weighs one gram more than the standard Galaxy S25, even with a noticeable difference in screen sizes (6.7” vs. 6.2”). It features a 200MP main camera sensor, previously found only in Ultra models.
However, there are drawbacks, such as the battery size – it’s smaller than the standard S25 (3,900mAh compared to 4,000mAh). Plus, it still uses slow charging (25W wired, 15W wireless). It lacks a telephoto camera, relying solely on the 200MP unit for zoom. Lastly, it carries a hefty price tag – even factoring in the complimentary upgrade to 512GB storage and the £100 Samsung Credit that comes with the phone.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is priced £100 less for the same storage capacity (512GB), thanks to a significant discount. While the Ultra is bulkier (8.2mm, 218g vs. 5.8mm, 163g), it offers a more substantial display (6.9”) and a larger battery (5,000mAh) with quicker wired charging (45W).
The 200MP camera isn’t the only one with zoom capabilities – the Ultra also includes a 10MP 3x (67mm) medium telephoto and a 50MP 5x (111mm) long telephoto lens. Additionally, it has a 50MP ultra-wide camera, while the Edge features a basic 12MP unit similar to the standard and plus models.
There’s speculation that the Edge may take the place of the Plus model in the Galaxy S lineup next year. However, this year, the Galaxy S25+ is priced lower than the Edge. Given current pricing, we’d choose the Ultra over the Plus without hesitation.
For completeness, if you’re considering the S25+, we recommend holding off for a week or two. This model is larger (7.3mm, 190g vs. 5.8mm, 163g) despite having the same screen size. However, it offers a 1,000mAh larger battery (4,900mAh) and quicker 45W wired charging. Instead of a 200MP camera, it has a 50MP main and a 10MP 3x (67mm) telephoto lens.
While the S25 Edge is impressively thin, it still measures 75.6mm in width. The standard Samsung Galaxy S25 measures 70.5mm wide and has the same weight. Which phone do you consider “smaller”? If it’s the S25, you’re essentially getting the same hardware as the S25+, minus the 6.2” display and the 4,000mAh battery (which is nearly the same size as the Edge).
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is compact in other dimensions – it folds down to 85.1 x 71.9 x 14.9mm and weighs 187g. It would have been nice if it included a 200MP camera, but instead, you get a 50+12MP setup. At least its battery surpasses that of the Edge by 100mAh (4,000mAh capacity), but foldable phones typically compromise on battery size. The Z Flip7 is expected in a couple of months, but it will likely have a higher price than the current £900 tag for the 2024 version.
Alternatively, there’s the Motorola Razr 60 Ultra, which is priced similarly to the Edge. It has an IP48 rating like the Flip, and features a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. It doesn’t feature a telephoto lens or a 200MP camera, but its 50+50MP camera setup provides higher-resolution ultra-wide images. Its battery is also larger at 4,700mAh, boasting faster charging capabilities than the S25 Ultra – at 68W wired and 30W wireless.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is another rival, aimed more at the Ultra than the Edge. With a thickness of 8.5mm and a weight of 221g, it features a 6.8” display and a 5,060mAh battery (37W/23W charging). It comes with a setup that includes a 50MP main camera, a 48MP 5x (113mm) telephoto, and a 48MP ultra-wide camera.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is 72mm wide – not as compact as the S25 and on the heavier side at 199g. However, it offers the same hardware as the Pro XL, aside from the 6.3” display and 4,700mAh battery (27W/21W). Both Pixel Pro models are quite expensive, but purchasing one includes a free pair of Pixel Buds Pro 2, which can ease the financial burden if you’re in need of new TWS earbuds.
The OnePlus 13 is similarly sized to the S25 Ultra. It features a large 6.82” display and a robust 6,000mAh battery – a capacity Samsung hasn’t achieved yet. Additionally, it offers fast charging at 100W wired and 50W wireless. Camera options include a 50MP main, complemented by a 50MP 3x (73mm) telephoto, and a 50MP ultra-wide – all for £300 less than the Edge.
The Poco F7 Ultra is priced at half of the S25 Edge. It’s not exactly small (8.4mm, 212g), but features a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a larger 5,300mAh battery, and supports 120W wired and 50W wireless charging. The camera setup includes a 50MP main, a 50MP 2.5x (60mm) telephoto, and a 32MP ultra-wide.
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