Galaxy S25 Edge and the Thin Phone Problem

Summary

The video explores Samsung's ultra-thin S25 Edge smartphone, comparing its 5.8 mm design to thicker models like the S25 Ultra and Plus. The host examines the trade-offs of extreme thinness, praising the lightweight feel and impressive build while noting reduced battery life, absence of telephoto zoom, and potential table wobble without a case. The camera performs well, though some compromises exist. The discussion extends to the future of ultra-thin phones, including rumors about the iPhone 17 Air, highlighting the need for advanced battery tech like silicon carbon batteries to balance thinness with all-day performance. Ultimately, the video questions if ultra-thin design truly enhances daily usability.

Takeaways

• 📏 The S25 Edge is extremely thin at 5.8 mm, compared to the S25 Ultra (8.2 mm) and a pencil (7.7 mm).
• ⚡ Ultra-thin phones prioritize thinness and lightness over battery life, which can be a major trade-off for users.
• 📱 The S25 Edge retains the core features of the S25 Plus, including a 6.7-inch 1440p 120 Hz display and fast ultrasonic fingerprint reader.
• 📷 The main camera is the same 200 MP sensor as the S25 Ultra, but the S25 Edge lacks telephoto cameras, relying on a 12 MP ultrawide as the secondary camera.
• 🔋 Battery life is compromised in the S25 Edge, with a smaller 3,900 mAh battery, leading to roughly 4.5–5 hours of screen-on time for heavy users.
• 💡 Samsung uses thin materials like graphite and copper for battery life, but sacrifices thickness and weight to achieve the ultra-thin design.
• 🤲 The thin and light design creates a unique in-hand feel that impresses users immediately, even if the effect may diminish over time or with a case.
• 🛡️ The phone is built with Gorilla Glass, ceramic, and a titanium frame to prevent durability issues, addressing past problems with bending phones.
• 🔮 Future ultra-thin phones, like the rumored iPhone 17 Air, may also struggle with battery life unless they adopt new technologies like silicon carbon batteries.
• ⚡ Silicon carbon battery tech allows for either ultra-thin phones with normal battery life or standard phones with massive battery capacity and fast charging.
• 📈 Concept phones, like Realme’s 10,000 mAh prototype, showcase the potential of battery tech advancements, hinting at what could be possible in upcoming models.
• 💬 Ultimately, the trade-off for ultra-thin phones is a visually stunning design and lightweight feel, but users must accept reduced battery performance.

Q & A

What is the main feature of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge that the reviewer focuses on?

The main feature highlighted is the ultra-thin and lightweight design of the S25 Edge, measuring only 5.8 mm thick.

How does the thickness of the S25 Edge compare to the S25 Ultra and a pencil?

The S25 Edge is 5.8 mm thick, which is thinner than the S25 Ultra at 8.2 mm and even thinner than a standard pencil at 7.7 mm.

What are the trade-offs of the S25 Edge's ultra-thin design?

The main trade-offs are reduced battery capacity (3,900 mAh), lack of a telephoto camera, and potential table wobble when placed on a flat surface without a case.

How does the camera system on the S25 Edge differ from the S25 Ultra?

The S25 Edge uses the same main 200 MP camera as the Ultra, but it lacks telephoto cameras and instead has a smaller 12 MP ultrawide sensor, suitable for general and macro photography but less capable for far zoom shots.

What are the expected battery performance and screen-on time for the S25 Edge?

Battery life is noticeably smaller than the S25 Plus, with an estimated screen-on time of 4.5 to 5 hours for heavy usage, while light users can manage a full day with some remaining battery.

How does the reviewer describe the tactile experience of holding the S25 Edge?

The reviewer emphasizes that the thinness is much more impressive when holding the phone in person, describing it as a unique and satisfying feel that stands out even compared to other thin devices.

What software features are noted on the S25 Edge?

The S25 Edge runs One UI7 with familiar features like the vertically scrolling app drawer and ultrasonic fingerprint reader. Some minor annoyances exist, like extra swipes to access quick settings, but can be adjusted in settings.

What does the reviewer suggest about future ultra-thin phones and battery technology?

The reviewer notes that ultra-thin phones could become practical with silicon carbon battery technology, which allows higher battery density. This could enable ultra-thin phones with 4,500–5,000 mAh batteries while keeping long-lasting battery life.

How does the S25 Edge’s durability compare to past thin phones?

The reviewer believes the S25 Edge is more durable than past thin phones due to its Gorilla Glass, ceramic back, and titanium frame, reducing the risk of bending or damage, though only long-term usage will confirm this.

What does the reviewer imply about the appeal of ultra-thin phones in marketing versus real use?

While ultra-thin phones are visually appealing and make for impressive marketing videos, their real-world value is more nuanced. The tactile feel impresses users, but practical compromises like reduced battery life make them less universally desirable.

Why does the S25 Edge not include a telephoto camera?

The telephoto camera was likely omitted due to space constraints in the thin design, and because a 2x digital zoom from a high-quality main sensor can sometimes perform better than a small optical zoom sensor.

What are the industry trends mentioned regarding ultra-thin phones?

The reviewer mentions that the ultra-thin trend might continue with devices like the rumored iPhone 17 Air. However, these devices might struggle with battery life if they do not adopt advanced battery technologies like silicon carbon batteries.