Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge First Impressions: Slim, Sharp, and Pricey

The Galaxy S25 Edge occupies a unique place in Samsung’s flagship lineup that, by the end of the year, should include a total of five phones, if the launch of the S25 FE goes according to plan. The slimmest Galaxy ever is seemingly targeted towards not just fans of Galaxy phones but also towards those who desire some novelty with their purchases. That novelty is its 5.8mm slim profile. Its price? A good Rs. 1,09,999. Amidst all this, the mind still wonders what compromises have been made to achieve this thin profile. We’ll find that out in our full review soon, but before that, let me give you my first impressions of the device.

A Sleek In-Hand Feel

Let’s start with the design, which is undoubtedly the S25 Edge’s headline feature. The moment you pick it up, you realise just how shockingly thin this phone is. At 5.8mm, it feels unlike any smartphone you’ve likely used in recent years. It’s almost surreal, like holding a premium slice of glass and metal in your hand. Despite its slimness, the phone doesn’t feel fragile. Samsung has done a good job making the chassis feel solid with aluminium and Gorilla Glass protection on the front and back. Notably, this is the first phone ever to feature Corning’s new Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 protection.

The flat sides with slightly curved edges give it a comfortable grip, though people with larger hands might feel it’s a bit too sharp at the corners. The weight is also something that stands out, or rather, doesn’t. At just 157 grams, it’s incredibly light, making it feel even more futuristic.

Feels Fast

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) chip, the Galaxy S25 Edge feels every bit as fast as you’d expect from a flagship. Switching between apps, gaming, or even some light video editing during my short hands-on time didn’t show any noticeable lag or stutter. The phone comes with 12GB of RAM and a choice of 256GB or 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage as standard, which should be plenty for most users.

Camera Situation

The S25 Edge sports a dual-camera setup. It grabs the Ultra variant‘s 200MP main camera, but rather than opting for a telephoto lens, it stays content with a 12MP ultra-wide shooter. My limited testing in controlled lighting showed promising results with sharp details and Samsung’s usual vibrant colour processing, but the real test will be in low light and zoom performance. The front camera is a 12MP shooter, neatly tucked into a punch-hole cutout, and it seems capable enough for selfies and video calls.

Stunning Display As Always

Just like always, Samsung didn’t cut corners with the display, at least at first glance. The 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel delivers vibrant colours, deep blacks, and excellent sharpness. It supports a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+. However, it’s a flat display, not curved, despite the “Edge” branding. This might disappoint some Samsung fans who associate the Edge moniker with curved displays, but I personally don’t mind the change. Flat screens are less prone to accidental touches and are more practical for daily use.

Battery and Other Early Thoughts

The biggest question mark, of course, is battery life. The phone houses a 3900mAh battery, which seems modest given the display size and processor. While Samsung claims that its OneUI 7 optimisations and the more efficient chipset will offer all-day battery life, I’m reserving my judgment until I can test it over a few days.
One thing I appreciate is the inclusion of 45W fast charging support, though, as expected, Samsung doesn’t bundle a charger in the box.

The Verdict So Far

The Galaxy S25 Edge is Samsung flexing its design muscle, no doubt. It’s slim, light, and feels like something from the future. But whether this slimness comes at the cost of battery endurance or camera versatility is something I’ll explore in the full review. Stay tuned as I put this ultra-thin flagship through its paces to find out if it’s just style over substance or a genuinely well-rounded device.