Samsung Electronics has officially introduced its slimmest flagship smartphone ever, the Galaxy S25 Edge, combining portability with high-performance capabilities and advanced artificial intelligence features. The tech giant made the announcement on Tuesday, unveiling a sleek new device aimed particularly at consumers in their 20s and 30s who increasingly demand compact, powerful, and intelligent mobile solutions.
The launch comes as part of Samsung’s ongoing push to strengthen its grip on the premium smartphone market, just months ahead of a widely anticipated thinner iPhone release from rival Apple. According to Samsung, the new design was based on extensive user feedback emphasizing the need for a lighter and slimmer smartphone without compromising functionality.
“The feedback was clear – users wanted something slimmer and easier to carry without sacrificing performance,” the company stated.
To achieve this goal, Samsung implemented structural modifications to internal components, notably redesigning the printed circuit board and thermal systems, allowing the company to reduce the device’s overall thickness while maintaining power and performance.
Strategic Timing Ahead of Apple’s Next iPhone
Market watchers view the timing of the S25 Edge’s launch as a deliberate and tactical move. Apple is expected to release a thinner iPhone model in the latter half of 2025, and Samsung appears to have taken the opportunity to pre-empt the competition.
“By releasing the product a few months ahead, Samsung could inflict some impact on Apple and attract consumers looking for thinner smartphones. It appears to be a calculated decision to capture that segment of demand,” said Ryu Young-ho, senior analyst at NH Investment & Securities.
By targeting design-conscious users now, Samsung is hoping to lock in buyers before Apple unveils its own upgraded models, which will likely feature design refinements and new AI capabilities.
S25 Edge Specs: Slim, Large, and Smart
The new S25 Edge will go on sale in South Korea on May 23, followed by a U.S. release on May 30, according to Samsung. The device will roll out in approximately 30 countries, including China and several European markets, shortly thereafter.
Starting at $1,099, the S25 Edge features:
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A 6.7-inch (170 mm) display
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A remarkably thin 5.8 mm body
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A slightly larger size than the base S25 model, yet only marginally heavier
The smartphone integrates Samsung’s most recent AI technology, including multimodal AI functions. These features allow real-time interaction using both vision and voice inputs—users can, for instance, point the camera at an object or scene and ask questions about it, receiving instant answers powered by the phone’s onboard intelligence.
Performance and Heat Management Reassured
Some industry observers raised concerns that compressing so much technology into a thinner frame could lead to overheating or reduced performance. However, Samsung executives addressed these worries during the launch event.
“Some may worry that a thinner phone compromises performance or struggles with heat management,” said Moon Sung-hoon, Executive Vice President of Samsung Electronics.
“We managed to engineer a thinner vapor chamber to fit the slim design, and we put everything into making that happen. We’re confident the S25 Edge can be used without concerns about overheating.”
The vapor chamber, a key component for thermal regulation in modern smartphones, was redesigned to match the new form factor without compromising on efficiency.
AI Becomes Samsung’s Selling Point
The multimodal AI integration stands out as one of the S25 Edge’s most significant upgrades. With AI-powered vision and voice capabilities, Samsung aims to cater to a market increasingly fascinated by smarter, context-aware devices. These features build on Samsung’s broader push into on-device AI, designed to deliver fast, secure, and intuitive responses without relying on the cloud.
The phone can analyze scenes through its camera and allow users to engage with what they see, whether it’s identifying landmarks, translating signs, or interacting with on-screen content—all through natural language commands.
Samsung Tops Global Smartphone Market in Q1 2025
The launch also comes on the heels of a positive first quarter for Samsung. According to Counterpoint Research, the South Korean tech firm edged ahead of Apple in global smartphone sales, capturing 20% of the market compared to Apple’s 19%.
This momentum gives Samsung a strong base heading into the second quarter, although the company did caution last month that geopolitical tensions and potential tariff risks could impact demand and slow shipment growth.
Production Site Undisclosed
Despite the product unveiling, Samsung has not revealed where the S25 Edge is being manufactured. This omission comes amid heightened sensitivity around global supply chains and the shifting geopolitics surrounding tech production hubs, particularly between South Korea, China, and Southeast Asia.
A Calculated Leap in Smartphone Design
By launching the Galaxy S25 Edge, Samsung aims not only to attract trend-conscious buyers but also to assert its technological leadership ahead of Apple’s next move. Its blend of ultra-slim design, immersive AI, and thermal innovation marks a new chapter in flagship phone development.
Whether consumers will embrace this refined balance of form and function remains to be seen. However, with global rollout dates locked and an aggressive pricing strategy in place, Samsung seems ready to capitalize on a market hungry for smarter and sleeker devices.
