The last time Samsung released an Edge device was nearly a decade ago, and it featured a signature screen that's curved on the sides.
Now, the company has revived the Edge branding, but this time slim's the name of the game with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.
First teased at January's Unpacked, the device seems to be a breath of fresh air in an era of smartphones getting bulkier as manufacturers cram in more components to power their features. The National takes a deeper look.
Form: It has the edge
At 5.8mm thin, the Galaxy S25 Edge is one slim phone, equivalent to about seven or eight credit cards stacked. For perspective, its bigger brother, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, is way up there 8.1mm, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is even thicker at 8.25mm.
Still, it's not the slimmest: while still a concept, the Tecno Spark Slim, which is a hairline thinner at 5.75mm, was teased at this year's Mobile World Congress. Meanwhile, the Motorola Moto Z from 2016 measured just 5.2mm.
The rumoured iPhone 17 Air is also allegedly coming in at 5.5mm.
Interestingly enough, the Galaxy Z Fold6 – when unfolded – is slimmer than the Galaxy S25 Edge at just 5.6mm.
And since everything – buttons, USB-C port, etc – are in the same places as the rest of the Galaxy S25 line-up, this is literally a slimmer version of the Galaxy S25+ – except, however, for the camera.
Which leads to a pet peeve: phone makers may tout their slim phones as such, but you do have to consider the camera bump.
In the case of the Galaxy S25 Edge, it has a really big snapper bump that spikes its thickness to 8.45mm – which means this is what you'll be dealing with after slapping on a protective case. It takes the edge off its slimness.
Galaxy AI stays put
Samsung has chosen to keep its generative artificial intelligence platform, Galaxy AI, intact as it is on the Galaxy S25 Edge. It is a little surprising that there are no major boosts for the new device.
To recap, Galaxy AI was launched last year and it ushered generative AI into Samsung mobiles. Gradual improvements have been rolled out, and the Galaxy S25 Edge Samsung is heavily promoting its Now Bar, a little strip on the lower area of the lock screen that lets you control supported apps.
One advantage that Samsung's Now Bar has over the Apple iPhone's Dynamic Island is that it is easier to access being below the screen and allowing for more convenient one-hand use. Additionally, it is possible to set up and scroll through multiple apps on the Now Bar for added flexibility.
A disadvantage, on the other hand, is that things are still being worked out to let third-party apps use the Now Bar.
Additionally, Google Gemini's incorporated as well, so that's a bonus.
Make do with two
The biggest downsizing on the Galaxy S25 Edge is on its camera, as it only sports a dual-lens system compared to the rest of the S25 line-up's triple setup. The last Galaxy S device with a dual camera was 2019's Galaxy S10e.
It does, however, make up for that with a massive 200MP main sensor, and we do have to give it props for the crisp and clean shots, with good lighting balance. You can also capture videos in 4K.
But the device lacks a telephoto camera, limiting its zoom capabilities. This was to be expected, since a telephoto sensor requires more space, so there might not have been a way to cram it into the device's thin frame.
Battery's on the low side
The Galaxy S25 Edge has the smallest battery in the S25 series, clocking in at just 3900mAh, lower than even the base S25 – and that isn't exactly a surprise, given its thinner frame.
From a full charge in the morning and with some intense use throughout the day, we found ourselves in the mid-30s by late afternoon, meaning that it was necessary to charge it up to make sure it doesn't conk out by night. That can be a little frustrating especially for those who have days that are unpredictable.
In our standard one-hour YouTube-at-full-brightness test, the device lost 8 per cent, and it shot up to 47 per cent with a 30-minute charge, below its advertised 55 per cent, using a 45w adapter.
Verdict: Who's this for?
In Samsung's promotional materials and our first look, the Galaxy S25 Edge was being positioned as a lifestyle device, with shots of it snugly fitting into the pockets of tight jeans and really small purses.
Having a slim device is refreshing take amidst all thicker devices out there.
The Galaxy S25 Edge seems to be the non-foldable version of the Galaxy Z Flip, given some attributes they share such as the 6.7-inch (170mm) screen.
But we see the smartphone as more of a statement device. We're unsure if users will find that the device's premium build and more unique look cancel out the toned-down specs. And more importantly – the Galaxy S25 Edge is more expensive than its most comparable peer, the Galaxy S25+.
It will be interesting to find out the trickle-down effects of this – if we'd see an emergence of slimmer smartphones at lower price points; there are triple (and even quad) camera phones in the Dh1,000 range.
It could be the start of a trend: aside from Apple's rumoured slimmer iPhone, word has it that the next Galaxy Z devices, the Fold7 and Flip7, are also tipped to be even slimmer than their predecessors. We'll have to wait and see who'll really have the edge in this race.
Full list of Emmy 2020 nominations
LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
Don Cheadle, Black Monday
Ted Danson, The Good Place
Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method
Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek
Ramy Youssef, Ramy
LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Christina Applegate, Dead to Me
Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Linda Cardellini, Dead to Me
Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek
Issa Rae, Insecure
Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish
OUTSTANDING VARIETY/TALK SERIES
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jason Bateman, Ozark
Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us
Steve Carell, The Morning Show
Brian Cox, Succession
Billy Porter, Pose
Jeremy Strong, Succession
LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show
Olivia Colman, The Crown
Jodie Comer, Killing Eve
Laura Linney, Ozark
Sandra Oh, Killing Eve
Zendaya, Euphoria
OUTSTANDING REALITY/COMPETITION PROGRAM
The Masked Singer
Nailed It!
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Top Chef
The Voice
LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
Jeremy Irons, Watchmen
Hugh Jackman, Bad Education
Paul Mescal, Normal People
Jeremy Pope, Hollywood
Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True
LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
Cate Blanchett, Mrs. America
Shira Haas, Unorthodox
Regina King, Watchmen
Octavia Spencer, Self Made
Kerry Washington, Little Fires Everywhere
OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES
Little Fires Everywhere
Mrs. America
Unbelievable
Unorthodox
Watchmen
OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Dead to Me
The Good Place
Insecure
The Kominsky Method
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Schitt’s Creek
What We Do In The Shadows
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
Better Call Saul
The Crown
The Handmaid’s Tale
Killing Eve
The Mandalorian
Ozark
Stranger Things
Succession
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
Day 1, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dimuth Karunaratne had batted with plenty of pluck, and no little skill, in getting to within seven runs of a first-day century. Then, while he ran what he thought was a comfortable single to mid-on, his batting partner Dinesh Chandimal opted to stay at home. The opener was run out by the length of the pitch.
Stat of the day - 1 One six was hit on Day 1. The boundary was only breached 18 times in total over the course of the 90 overs. When it did arrive, the lone six was a thing of beauty, as Niroshan Dickwella effortlessly clipped Mohammed Amir over the square-leg boundary.
The verdict Three wickets down at lunch, on a featherbed wicket having won the toss, and Sri Lanka’s fragile confidence must have been waning. Then Karunaratne and Chandimal's alliance of precisely 100 gave them a foothold in the match. Dickwella’s free-spirited strokeplay meant the Sri Lankans were handily placed at 227 for four at the close.
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
MATCH INFO
Everton v Tottenham, Sunday, 8.30pm (UAE)
Match is live on BeIN Sports
Company%20profile
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THE SPECS
Touareg Highline
Engine: 3.0-litre, V6
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 340hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh239,312
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
The%20pillars%20of%20the%20Dubai%20Metaverse%20Strategy
%3Cp%3EEncourage%20innovation%20in%20the%20metaverse%20field%20and%20boost%20economic%20contribution%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20outstanding%20talents%20through%20education%20and%20training%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20applications%20and%20the%20way%20they%20are%20used%20in%20Dubai's%20government%20institutions%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAdopt%2C%20expand%20and%20promote%20secure%20platforms%20globally%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20the%20infrastructure%20and%20regulations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Gandhi Murder
- 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
- 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
- 7 - million dollars, the film's budget
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEmonovo%20(previously%20Marj3)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECairo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2016%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E12%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeducation%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Ethree%20rounds%2C%20undisclosed%20amount%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450
Price, base / as tested Dh525,000 / Dh559,000
Engine: 3.0L V6 biturbo
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 369hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm at 1,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.0L / 100km
'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEjari%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYazeed%20Al%20Shamsi%2C%20Fahad%20Albedah%2C%20Mohammed%20Alkhelewy%20and%20Khalid%20Almunif%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPropTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%241%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESanabil%20500%20Mena%2C%20Hambro%20Perks'%20Oryx%20Fund%20and%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
More on animal trafficking
'Skin'
Dir: Guy Nattiv
Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
DUBAI%20BLING%3A%20EPISODE%201
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
