Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Launching April 16th, a Featherlight Challenge to the iPhone 17 Air

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Launching April 16th, a Featherlight Challenge to the iPhone 17 AirAt Samsung's global product launch last month, the highly anticipated ultra-thin flagship, the Galaxy S25 Edge, was finally unveiled. While Samsung didn't announce a specific launch date, a Samsung executive revealed post-launch that the phone was slated for release around April 2025

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Launching April 16th, a Featherlight Challenge to the iPhone 17 Air

At Samsung's global product launch last month, the highly anticipated ultra-thin flagship, the Galaxy S25 Edge, was finally unveiled. While Samsung didn't announce a specific launch date, a Samsung executive revealed post-launch that the phone was slated for release around April 2025. However, the latest reports suggest a much earlier launch date: April 16th, 2024. Numerous details about the device have also surfaced.

Recently, a hands-on video of the Galaxy S25 Edge appeared online. The video shows that the phone's thickness is almost identical to the unfolded Galaxy Z Fold6. Considering the unfolded Galaxy Z Fold6 is 5.6mm thick, and previous leaks suggested a 5.85mm thickness for the Galaxy S25 Edge, the video corroborates this information. Samsung's main aim in releasing this ultra-thin flagship is reportedly to compete with Apple's rumored iPhone 17 Air.

Currently, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be between 5.5mm and 6mm thick. To meet this challenge, Samsung reportedly tested two different Galaxy S25 Edge prototypes. One featured a triple-camera setup and a 6.4mm thickness; the other boasted a slimmer 5.84mm design but with some feature compromises. Latest information points to Samsung choosing the 5.84mm variant.

Leaks suggest the Galaxy S25 Edge's precise dimensions are 158.2 x 75.5 x 5.84mm, making it one of Samsung's thinnest smartphones ever. However, this extreme thinness presents challenges. The thinner body results in a more prominent camera bump, impacting the overall aesthetic. Including the camera bump, the total thickness reaches nearly 10mmalmost double the body thickness. To mitigate this, Samsung employed a "pill-shaped" camera design to visually minimize the bump.

Previous leaks indicate the Galaxy S25 Edge will have an aluminum side frame and a ceramic back for enhanced durability. However, it's unclear if the back is entirely ceramic or a glass composite with ceramic elements. It certainly differs from the Galaxy S25 series' Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, a choice likely made to reduce weight.

The ultra-thin Galaxy S25 Edge has appeared on Geekbench, listed as model SM-S937B. The Geekbench 6.4.0 for Android AArch64 benchmark shows a single-core score of 2806 and a multi-core score of 8416. The device is powered by a high-frequency octa-core chip, speculated to be the next-generation Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, paired with 12GB of RAM.

Specifications suggest a 3900mAh battery with 25W fast charging, a 200MP main camera alongside an ultrawide lens, and a 12MP front-facing camera. It's expected to feature a 6.7-inch flat display. The lack of a telephoto lens and a larger battery are compromises made for the slim profile, which is undeniably the phone's key selling point and differentiator.

The Galaxy S25 Edge's thinness comes at a cost. The relatively small 3900mAh battery might impact battery life, and the absence of a telephoto lens limits its photographic capabilities, particularly at longer distances. However, for consumers prioritizing portability and aesthetics, the slim design might be irresistible.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge marks a significant advancement in ultra-thin phone design, directly competing with the iPhone 17 Air and showcasing Samsung's commitment to this design philosophy in the high-end market. While some features might be compromised, its slim profile and powerful specifications make it a highly anticipated flagship. Its market success will depend on consumer acceptance of the trade-off between thinness and other features. The April 16th launch will reveal the final verdict. Note that all information provided is based on online leaks and speculation; the final product may differ. Official information should be considered definitive.