Samsung Electronics has launched its most compact flagship phone so far—the Galaxy S25 Edge—geared towards tech-savvy users seeking a blend of portability, power, and cutting-edge intelligence. Unveiled on Tuesday, the device arrives just ahead of Apple’s expected thinner iPhone, signaling Samsung’s intent to lead in the high-end smartphone race.

Designed with younger buyers in mind, especially those in their 20s and 30s, the S25 Edge delivers a streamlined experience without sacrificing processing strength. According to Samsung, consumer requests played a major role in guiding the redesign, which focused on trimming size while enhancing usability.

“People made it clear—they wanted a slimmer device that remains powerful and convenient to use,” Samsung said.

To meet these demands, Samsung overhauled internal hardware, including a redesigned circuit layout and updated heat-control mechanisms, resulting in a significantly slimmer build.

Launched Before Apple’s Next Move

Industry analysts believe Samsung timed this release carefully to stay a step ahead of Apple, which is rumored to introduce its own thinner model later this year.

“Bringing out the S25 Edge months in advance might help Samsung sway users interested in slim smartphones before Apple enters the space,” explained Ryu Young-ho, a lead analyst at NH Investment & Securities. “This launch appears aimed at capturing early interest in the thin-device category.”

This strategy may help Samsung secure a solid foothold in the premium phone market before Apple’s upcoming launch draws attention.

Slim Frame, Large Screen, Smart Features

Set to become available in South Korea on May 23, and in the United States by May 30, the S25 Edge will also reach over 30 countries, including China and major European markets, in the weeks that follow.

Retailing from $1,099, the S25 Edge boasts:

• A 6.7-inch (170 mm) AMOLED display

• A super-thin 5.8 mm body

• A slightly larger and marginally heavier design compared to the standard S25

The smartphone comes loaded with Samsung’s latest artificial intelligence capabilities, particularly multimodal AI, which lets users interact through both voice and visuals. Using the camera, users can ask questions about what they’re seeing and get real-time answers, all processed directly on the device.

No Performance Loss, Says Samsung

Some tech observers voiced concern that compressing high-end features into a thinner shell could lead to overheating or reduced efficiency. But Samsung’s executives reassured customers during the product reveal that the new model handles heat just fine.

“People might assume that a slimmer body means trade-offs in speed or heat control,” said Moon Sung-hoon, Executive VP at Samsung Electronics.
“We redesigned the vapor cooling system to fit the reduced frame and maintain top-tier performance. We’re confident users won’t face heat-related issues with the S25 Edge.”

The revamped cooling system allows the phone to remain cool during heavy use, such as gaming or video editing, despite its ultra-thin profile.

AI-Powered Tools Enhance Everyday Use

The S25 Edge also introduces smarter user interactions with multimodal AI—a technology that merges voice commands with visual input. This lets users identify landmarks, translate foreign text, and get object descriptions simply by pointing the camera and asking questions.

These smart features represent Samsung’s push into next-gen AI experiences, as the company seeks to make everyday tasks faster and more intuitive without depending on cloud-based processing.

Samsung Tops Q1 Global Sales

Samsung’s latest offering comes after a strong performance earlier in the year. According to Counterpoint Research, Samsung topped global smartphone sales in the first quarter of 2025, capturing 20% of the market compared to Apple’s 19%.

Despite this lead, the company warned in April that global trade issues and tariff concerns could impact its second-quarter shipping figures by reducing consumer demand in certain regions.

Production Location Not Disclosed

Samsung has not released details about where the S25 Edge is being manufactured. This decision comes amid ongoing global supply chain uncertainties and intensifying geopolitical pressures related to tech manufacturing, particularly in Asia.

Redefining Flagship Design

The release of the Galaxy S25 Edge represents Samsung’s most aggressive move yet to redefine what a flagship smartphone looks and feels like. With its ultra-slim build, intelligent tools, and minimal marketing hype, the company aims to establish itself as the standard-bearer in both design and innovation.

By beating Apple to market and offering a compelling blend of form and function, Samsung hopes to attract buyers eager for a smarter, sleeker mobile experience. Whether the strategy works will become clearer once the S25 Edge hits store shelves later this month.