Samsung
Samsung’s One UI 7.0 update installs 71 new features on Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Stable One UI 7.0 update delivers 71 new features to the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Samsung’s Android 15-based One UI 7 is rolling out to the Galaxy S23 series sequentially. If not yet, the update will land on your device shortly!
This update focuses on smarter AI tools, a cleaner design, and better productivity. Galaxy AI now helps with writing, call transcription, and image creation. New accessibility options, like one-finger zoom, ensure the update works for everyone.
Samsung has published the complete changelog of the Stable One UI 7.0 update for the Galaxy S23 Ultra; each feature was counted as a distinct addition or significant enhancement, grouped to avoid overlap, justifying 71 features.
One UI 7.0 delivers 71 upgrades to the Galaxy S23 Ultra
Home and Lock screens are more customizable, with new clock styles and a Now bar for quick task access. Notifications and quick settings are now split for faster use, and camera controls are streamlined for better photos and videos.
Theft protection locks your phone if stolen, while Samsung Health adds medication reminders and mood tracking. From gaming tweaks to battery-saving options, One UI 7 makes your Galaxy S23 smarter and more personal. Category-wise update details as follows:
Galaxy AI
Write like a pro
Let Galaxy AI help you with writing tasks by tapping the 4-star icon that appears whenever you select text. You can correct spelling and grammar, change tone, summarize, or apply formatting. You can even start with a short snippet and let the AI do the writing for you.
Transcribe and summarize recorded calls
It’s easier than ever to review the content of your recorded calls in the Samsung Phone app. You can view the entire conversation as a text transcript on the Recents screen or summarize the transcript for quick review. Availability of this feature may vary depending on your country, region, or lauguage.
Effortlessly create images
Drawing assist makes it easier than ever to create fun images. Start with a simple sketch, add an image, or type in what you want to create. You can generate images in a variety of different styles.
Read webpage highlights aloud
Listen to highlights from articles and websites as you browse, or queue up top stories from a news site for seamless listening in Samsung Internet. Some websites may not be supported.
Get useful suggestions in AI select
When you select part of the screen with AI select, useful actions will be suggested based on what you selected. If event details are part of your selection, you’ll have an option to add it to your calendar. If you select an image, options for editing the image will be suggested.
Quickly access AI features
Galaxy AI features are now available with a quick swipe no matter which app you’re using. When you swipe inward from the edge of the screen to open the Apps edge panel, useful Galaxy AI features will appear at the top of the panel.
Instantly access useful information
Press and hold the Side button to access Google Gemini
The Side button is a new way to access Google Gemini or other digital assistant app quickly instead of using the corner swipe. You can change what the Side button does in Settings.
Complete multiple tasks with one ask
Google Gemini is now seamlessly integrated with Samsung apps such as Calendar, Notes, Reminder, and Clock. You can complete tasks in these apps using information from Gemini with one simple command. Try asking Google Gemini to ask about a YouTube video and save the result in Samsung Notes, or try asking Google Gemini to find your favorite sports team’s schedule and add the games to your calendar.
Circle it, find it. Hear it, find it
Circle to Search with Google allows you to search anything on your screen and get information faster with AI Overviews. Just circle an object—including images, videos, or text—and you’ll get results immediately. You can even search for a song that you hear in the moment without switching apps.
Bold new look
Visual enhancements
Enjoy a more sophisticated and unique look. One UI 7 introduces a stunning redesign to key components including buttons, menus, notifications and control bars, providing a more consistent visual experience with curves and circles. Beautiful new colors, soft animations, and an innovative blur effect that’s unique to One UI make information hierarchy clearer and help you focus on important information.
Reimagined Home screen
Fresh new app icons will look great on your Home screen with new visual metaphors and color schemes that make it easier to recognize the app you need. Widgets have been completely redesigned with more colorful images and more consistent layouts. Folders on your Home screen can also be made larger so you can instantly access apps without opening the folder first.
One UI 7 notifications and quick settings panel
Simplified Home screen grid
Your Home screen now looks even better than before. A new standard grid layout keeps things symmetrical and makes it easier to use One UI widgets in standard sizes.
Improved Home screen landscape view
Get a more consistent look for your Home screen, even when using your phone horizontally. Widgets now have a similar aspect ratio in landscape view, and text labels appear below icons instead of beside them.
Customize your app and widget style
Make your Home screen look just the way you like it. You can now adjust the size of app icons and choose whether or not to show text labels below app icons and featured widgets. You can also adjust shape, background color, and transparency in the settings for each widget.
Lock screen and Always On Display
Stay on top of important tasks with the Now bar
Check the information you need right now and start essential features without unlocking your phone. Ongoing tasks will appear in the Now bar at the bottom of your Lock screen so you can check key information quickly. Information includes media controls, Interpreter, Stopwatch, Timer, Voice Recorder, Samsung Health, and more.
Samsung One UI Now Bar (Credit – SammyFans)
Make your clock look just the way you like it
Discover a variety of new clock styles for your Lock screen. You can adjust the thickness of lines in the default clock style, or try one of the new animated clocks to match your tastes. You can also resize your clock to any size you like and drag it to your desired position on the Lock screen.
More widgets and shortcuts
You can now see more and do more even when your phone is locked. Add a widget to show pictures and stories from your Gallery, or try a shortcut that opens the QR code scanner with a quick swipe.
Quick panel and notifications
Separate notification and quick panels
Instantly access the panel you need with more space for quick settings. Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to open the quick settings panel. Swipe down from anywhere else on the top of the screen to open the notification panel.
Customize your quick panel
Create the quick panel layout that’s right for you. You can tap the pencil icon at the top of the quick panel to enter Edit mode, then move buttons and controls up and down to match your preferences.
Live notifications
Stay on top of what’s happening right now. Live notifications show you the progress of ongoing activities like timers, voice recordings, exercises, and more so you can take quick actions related to them. Live notifications will appear in the Now bar on the Lock screen, on the status bar, and at the top of the notification panel.
New notification layout
Icons on notifications are now the same as the icon that appears on your Home screen, making it easy to recognize which app sent each notification. Grouped notifications appear as a stack of cards. Tap a stack to show all notifications in the group.
Capture images with ease
New Camera layout
Camera buttons, controls, and modes have been reorganized to make it easier to find the features you need and to give you a clearer preview of the picture you’re taking or the video you’re recording.
Mode selection improvements
The More modes menu has been redesigned. Instead of filling the whole screen and blocking the camera view, you can now choose a mode from a small pop-up that only covers the bottom of the screen.
Enhanced zoom controls
It’s now easier to choose the right zoom level. A 2x zoom button is now available by default, and additional zoom options appear after you select a lens.
Upgraded filter experience
Camera filters have been completely revamped. New filters are now available and existing filters have been improved. Each filter allows fine-tuned adjustments of intensity, color temperature, contrast and saturation, making it easier to get the look you want. You can also create custom filters based on the style and mood of pictures you choose.
Save exposure settings for each mode
Control how bright or dark your images are with the Exposure option in the camera quick controls. After you set the exposure for a mode, it will stay set in that mode even if you switch to a new mode and come back.
Improved Pro/Pro video modes
Pro and Pro video modes have a simplified layout that makes it easier to focus on the picture you’re taking or the video you’re recording. A new zoom control is available whenever you’re recording in pro video mode that lets you control the zoom speed for smooth transitions. Mic controls in Pro video mode have been moved to quick controls.
Play audio while recording videos
You can now record videos without interrupting music, podcasts, or other audio content you’re listening to. Just turn on Audio playback in Advanced video options.
Line up the perfect shot
Get help adjusting the camera’s position with grid lines and levels. Grid lines can now be turned on and off separately from the horizontal level. There’s also a new option to show a vertical level.
Enjoy your special moments
Free-form collages
Go beyond the preset layouts for collages in Gallery. You can now adjust the size, position, and rotation of images in your collage to create your own unique layout.
Edit collages in stories
Make your story’s collage look just the way you like it. You now have full control to edit collages created in stories. Replace images, remove or add images, or adjust the position and size.
Put your best face forward
Replace a face with closed eyes or an awkward expression with one you like better. When you take motion photos, each frame is analyzed to suggest faces you might want to choose.
Motion photo effects
Apply fun playback effects to your motion photos such as slow motion or boomerang. After applying an effect, you can instantly share the result as a video.
Powerful video editing
Easily undo your edits
Don’t worry about making mistakes. Undo and Redo options are now available when editing videos for actions such as transformations, filters, and tone changes.
Animate your videos
Add fun animation effects to stickers and text in your videos in Studio. Choose from fade in, fade out, wipes, rotation, and more.
Manage your health
Stay mindful
The new Mindfulness feature in Samsung Health can help you manage stress and anxiety in your daily life. Keep track of your moods and emotions, practice breathing exercises and meditation, and more.
Never forget your medications
You can now set up medication reminders in Samsung Health so you always know when it’s time to take your medicine. You can also check precautions and interactions for the medication you take.
Check your health records
Securely access your health records from hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers all in one place in Samsung Health.
New Samsung Health badges
Stay motivated and work toward your health goals while earning new badges in Samsung Health. Challenge yourself to earn the new badges for energy score, exercise, activity, food, water, body composition, and more.
Easier food recording
It’s easier than ever to keep track of what you eat. Just scan the barcode on the food’s packaging to automatically add its information to Samsung Health.
Boost your productivity
Previews for minimized apps
When multiple pop-up windows from the same app are minimized, they’ll be combined into a single icon. Tapping the icon will show a preview of all open windows from the app, allowing you to easily select the window you want.
Group your alarms
Create groups of alarms that you want to control together in the Clock app. You can turn off all the alarms in one group with a single tap.
Keep all your alarms at the same volume
For simpler setup, all of your alarms will use the same volume by default. If you prefer to set different volumes for each alarm, you can choose this in Clock Settings.
Enhanced file selection
The new File Picker makes it easier to attach and select files in a variety of apps. It’s easy to switch between different storage locations and categories, and previews are shown to make sure you get the right files.
Advanced options for routines
Program your phone to do almost anything you want. Routines are more powerful than ever before with If-Else logic and the ability to get data as variables.
Plan tasks and events
Easily reschedule calendar events
Just drag and drop an event from one date to another on your calendar in Month view to change the event date.
Show separate calendars on widgets
You now have more control over which calendars appear on your calendar widgets. You can choose just one calendar and show only events from it on your Home screen, or create 2 separate calendar widgets with a different calendar on each one.
Count down the days to an important event
It’s easier than ever to create a countdown widget for an event on your calendar. Go to the event details, then select Add countdown widget from the more options menu. A widget will appear on your home screen showing the number of days until your birthday, anniversary, vacation, or any other event that you choose.
Move all events from one calendar to another
Avoid the hassle of moving events one at a time. You can now move all events from one calendar to another, such as moving all events from the calendar on your phone to a cloud-based calendar.
More options for repeating reminders
When you create a repeating reminder, you can now choose multiple dates for repeating instead of just one.
Enhanced quick add menu
It’s now easier to create reminders quickly. The quick add menu now provides preset options for time and location conditions.
Manage your completed reminders
It’s easier to clear out the clutter from your reminder list. A new setting lets you automatically delete completed reminders after a certain period of time. You can also duplicate completed reminders so you can reuse them without entering all of the information again.
Connect and share
Easily connect to nearby devices
It’s easier than ever before to connect to other Samsung devices such as TVs, tablets, PCs, watches, earbuds, and more. Tap Nearby devices in the quick panel to see devices available near you, then drag a device to your phone to instantly connect. You can also tap on a device to see the features available when connected to your phone. For example, when you tap on a TV, you’ll see an option to start Smart View.
Recommended devices for Quick Share
Easily find the right device to share with. Devices signed in to your Samsung account and devices you’ve shared with in the past will appear at the top of the list so they’re easy to find.
Continue sharing over the internet
Finish file transfers even when devices are far apart. When sharing files using Quick Share, if the devices become too far apart to continue a direct transfer, the transfer will continue seamlessly over the internet using Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Protect your security
Protect your data in case your phone is stolen
New theft protection features help protect your apps and data in case your phone is stolen. The screen will lock automatically if theft is detected or if your network connection is lost, or you can lock the screen manually by going to android.com/lock. You can also require biometric verification before changing sensitive settings.
Check the security status of your devices
Find out about security risks and solve them quickly. Knox Matrix monitors supported devices signed in to your Samsung account and lets you how to solve security risks if any are found.
Stay safe from security threats
Auto Blocker does even more to protect you from cyber attacks when Maximum restrictions is turned on. 2G networks are now blocked, and your phone won’t automatically reconnect to non-secure Wi-Fi networks. These restrictions can help prevent an attacker from intercepting your network traffic.
Battery and charging
More options for power saving
You now have more control over what happens when your phone is in Power saving mode. Choose exactly the features you want to limit to save the amount of battery that’s right for you. You can even change these options while Power saving is on.
More control over battery protection
When you turn on Battery protection, you can now adjust the maximum charging level anywhere between 80% and 95%.
New charging effect
When you plug in a charger, the charging confirmation is smaller and appears at the bottom of the screen instead of the middle to prevent interruptions while still making it easy to check the charging status.
Accessible to everyone
Zoom in and out with just one finger
Zooming in and out just got easier. For people who have difficulty using pinch zoom, you can now activate 1-finger zoom from the Assistant menu. Swipe up or right to zoom in. Swipe down or left to zoom out.
Enhanced screen controls
The Assistant menu now does even more to help you control the screen. You can now double tap and touch and hold just by tapping a single button. New scrolling controls let you move around the screen a specific distance by tapping the start and end points on the screen.
Customize your touch interactions
Get help choosing the settings that are most comfortable for you. New tests are available for the Touch and hold delay, Tap duration, and Ignore repeated touches settings. The test can tell you if your current settings are appropriate or need adjustments.
Even more improvements
Watch videos again
In Video Player, a button will appear at the end of each video that lets you start the video over again from the beginning.
Improved contacts list
For a more consistent experience, the same contact list now appears in both the Phone app and Contacts app. Menus and options are the same in both locations so you can always find what you’re looking for. When searching for contacts, contacts you’ve searched for frequently appear at the top of the search results, helping you find the right person quickly.
Quickly add boarding passes to Samsung Wallet
When you view a supported airline or travel webpage that includes a boarding pass in Samsung Internet, a button will appear so you can add it to Samsung Wallet quickly and easily.
Activity forecasts
It’s now easy to check if the weather is suitable for outdoor activities such as running, gardening, camping, and more. You can choose up to 3 activities to show in the Weather app.
Custom place labels
It’s easier to keep track of different locations in the Weather app. You can now set custom labels to the locations you add, such as Home, Office, School, or any other place where you want to check the weather.
Boost your gaming
Game Booster’s in-game panel has been redesigned, making it easier to change settings quickly without leaving the action.
Set performance for each game
Game Booster now lets you adjust performance settings separately for each game. You can set some games to high performance and others to save battery for longer gameplay time. Find the settings that work best for you.
End of support for downloading Edge panels
Edge panels can no longer be downloaded from the Galaxy Store in One UI 7. Edge panels that you’ve already downloaded can continue to be used.
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With One UI 7.0, Samsung has devoted its Galaxy devices to the Gemini app, and when you use the side button, the software will summon Google’s assistant and not Bixby. Does that mean Samsung has abandoned its homegrown voice assistant? The answer is no, given that Bixby has its share of upgrades in the latest One UI version.
Samsung brought Bixby in 2017 as an alternative to Google Assistant. It kept receiving new features and expanding its reach through smartphones, speakers, and other home devices. Features such as Bixby Vision, Home, and Wakeup also evolved since its initial release.
However, Samsung’s growing partnership with Google has reduced Bixby’s reputation, and at Unpacked 2025, the Korean tech maker made it official that Gemini is taking the driver’s seat. On top of that, the One UI 7.0 changelog confirms that the side button now belongs to Gemini. This move is widely related to the growing partnership between the two companies and Gemini’s massive AI capabilities.
But One UI 7.0 has evidence that makes us believe that Samsung is still making progress for Bixby. The company has rebranded its home-grown assistant with a dedicated app to input text and voice commands. The UI is simple and appears the same as Gemini, but Bixby won’t facilitate a conversation. Instead, you can ask it to change any settings, create an event, open any app, or respond to similar phone-level commands.
Since you can still use Bixby, here are the two ways to assign it to the side button.
- Open settings > Advanced features > Side button > Long Press > select Bixby.
- Open the Bixby app > Settings (top right corner) > Side button settings > Long press > select Bixby.
I’ve compared the new Bixby summon UI with its older version and found that the voice screen controls are better than before. The new interface is interactive and provides a modern look to the entire application, with space efficiency.
Bixby Summon on One UI 6 (left), One UI 7 (right)
You can also expand the on-screen UI with the top handle to see the conversation history. Similar to its dedicated app interface, Bixby summon doesn’t have live voice-to-voice conversation capability.
In conclusion, we want you to know that Bixby Vision also brings a redesign to its Bixby voice sibling.
Google’s early Android 16 launch is bringing the new OS early to Samsung devices as well. At the recent Google I/O 2025 preview, Google and Samsung officially announced the Android 16 launch for Galaxy phones in the Summer.
The Pixel maker has also introduced plenty of new Android 16 features at the I/O 2025 show. Material 3 Expressive design language was also teased, which will sequentially be deployed across the Android ecosystem and Google apps and services.
Android 16 also introduces enhanced personalization features for Pixel devices. The new OS also brings enhanced dynamic color themes and bold typography, making the Pixel and stock Android phones feel unique and more personal.
Samsung’s Android 15 update comes with bold changes over the previous versions. It caused a massive delay, resulting in, One UI 7 Beta shifted from a typical July timeline to December and Stable from October to April (around 6 6-month delay).
With One UI 7 delayed so much, Samsung users assumed that the same would be repeated with One UI 8. However, Samsung and Google have already prepared the script, with the first official announcement made at the I/O preview.
Minseok Kang, Samsung VP and Head of Smartphone Planning, announced that Android 16 for Galaxy phones is arriving “this summer.” It’s a preliminary timeline, which would be any month among June, July, and August 2025.
Android 16 announcement for Galaxy devices, that too from Google’s stage, was pretty shocking to me. I have been covering Samsung for half a decade, and it’s a bold yet significant shift in the company’s software strategy.
In the past, Samsung disclosed its software plans at Galaxy flagship launches and the annual developer conference. It initiates One UI Beta built on the new OS around a quarter earlier than the Samsung Developer Conference.
Note that early July is supposed to be the launch timeline for the company’s new foldable phones. The Galaxy Z Flip7 and Galaxy Z Fold7 are almost confirmed to release with the new Android 16-based One UI 8 operating system.
As the official Android 16 launch is near, Samsung should complete the remaining Android 15 deployment on Galaxy devices. The mid-range and budget phones are yet to be upgraded to the One UI 7 update, but the rollout has picked a pace.
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Samsung has introduced its new AI Bubble Washing Machine, bringing advanced technology to make laundry easier and more efficient. This new washing machine comes with several AI-powered features designed to improve cleaning, save energy, and protect clothes.
This 2025 Washing Machine model features an AI Customized Laundry. This function automatically adjusts the water supply based on the weight of your laundry.
Moreover, it also detects the type of fabric, such as delicate, towel, or regular clothes, and changes the washing and rinsing settings accordingly. This helps ensure your clothes are cleaned well while being treated gently.
The AI Vibration Noise Reduction System of Samsung’s washing machine reduces vibrations by up to 33%, depending on the type of floor in your home. It makes the washing process quieter.
Image via Samsung
Aside from this, the Samsung AI Bubble Washing Machine also connects to SmartThings. This allows you to use AI Saving Mode, which can reduce energy use by up to 20%.
The Bubble Waterfall feature mixes water, detergent, and air to create rich bubbles that clean clothes more effectively while using less water and energy. This feature reduces energy use by 31% and water by 14%, while also causing 21% less fabric damage.
The new washing machine comes in four colors – black caviar, deep charcoal, white, and lavender gray. Prices range from 640,000 won to 950,000 won, depending on the model and color.
Samsung’s newly revealed Galaxy S25 Edge has been compared with the Galaxy S25 Plus in an early hands-on test for battery and performance. The video contains comparison on key aspects of the devices including battery life and performance.
Launched this week, the Galaxy S25 Edge has sparked excitement with its ultra-slim 5.8 mm design. However, its smaller 3,900 mAh battery raises questions compared to the S25 Plus’s 4,900 mAh battery. Let’s compare their battery life and performance.
Battery Life
The Galaxy S25 Edge packs a 3,900 mAh battery, notably smaller than the 4,900 mAh battery in the S25 Plus. Despite this gap, early tests suggest the Edge holds up well.
A hands-on video by Korean channel Amazing ddongcan shows the Edge trailing the Plus by just 2% after 3 hours and 20 minutes of use. After 7 hours and 22 minutes, the gap widens to 5%.
These tests, conducted on Wi-Fi with airplane mode enabled, may not reflect everyday scenarios like mobile data or heavy app usage.
Performance
Both phones are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, delivering top-tier performance. According to reported Geekbench 6 results, the S25 Plus scores 3,095 single-core and 9,753 multi-core, while the S25 Edge hits 2,889 and 9,282, respectively.
In 3DMark’s WildLife stress test, the S25 Plus achieves a best loop score of 20,049 with 50.5% stability, compared to the S25 Edge’s 18,138 and 45.6% stability.
These figures suggest a ~5% performance advantage for the S25 Plus, likely due to better thermal management and software tuning.
Choose the Galaxy S25 Edge if you value a lightweight, ultra-thin phone with strong performance and a premium camera. It’s ideal for users who don’t mind charging more often. Opt for the S25 Plus if battery life, faster charging, and a telephoto lens are priorities.
The S25 Plus, priced around $100 less than the S25 Edge, offers better value for users needing longer battery life and faster charging.
Don’t Miss:
Why the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is a hard pass for me and many
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As a long-time Samsung enthusiast and a proud user of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, I was buzzing with excitement when I heard about the Galaxy S25 Edge first time. Samsung’s promise of an ultra-slim flagship with cutting-edge tech felt like a bold move to shake up the smartphone market. But after watching the launch event and getting a quick hands-on with the device, my enthusiasm fizzled out. The S25 Edge, despite its sleek design, feels like a misstep—overpriced, overhyped, and poorly promoted. Here’s why this phone misses the “recommendation”.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is the latest addition to the S25 lineup, which includes the base S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra. Launched in May 2025, it’s marketed as a premium, ultra-slim flagship with a 5.8mm titanium frame, a 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED display, and a 200MP main camera. It’s powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset as its siblings but without some features, like a telephoto lens and a larger battery. Priced around $1,099, it sits between the S25+ ($999) and the S25 Ultra ($1,299), aiming to carve out a niche for users who want a big screen in a featherlight package.
Samsung positions the S25 Edge as a direct competitor to Apple’s rumored iPhone 17 Air and Google’s Pixel 9 Pro, emphasizing its thinness and premium build. But while it’s undeniably sleek, the compromises it makes leave it struggling to stand out in a crowded market.
Questionable Promotional Strategy:
Samsung’s marketing for the S25 Edge has been a letdown, leaning heavily on its slim design while glossing over its shortcomings. The campaign revolves around buzzwords like “revolutionary thinness” and “premium elegance,” with glossy ads showing the phone slipping effortlessly into pockets. But the messaging feels empty. Samsung wants us to believe the S25 Edge is an essential upgrade, yet it fails to explain why we need a thinner phone at the cost of key features.
Compare this to Samsung’s past campaigns, like the S21 series, which highlighted bold colors, versatile cameras, and 5G connectivity to appeal to a wide audience. Or the S24 Ultra’s launch, which leaned into Galaxy AI features like real-time translation and photo editing, giving users tangible reasons to upgrade. Then, there is S25 Edge’s ads, by contrast, feel like they are selling a concept—thinness—rather than a phone. There’s little focus on how the slim design improves daily use or why it’s worth the premium price. Social media discussion reflects this disconnection with users and questions the phone’s value.
Samsung also missed a chance to target specific audiences, like mobile gamers or content creators, who might appreciate the lightweight design. Instead, the broad “everyone needs this” approach feels forced, especially when the S25 Ultra offers more for just $200 extra (well, you can get the Ultra for less than the S25 Edge if you go for a better deal).
Overpriced:
At $1,099, the Galaxy S25 Edge is a tough sell. Let’s break it down. The S25+ costs $999 and offers a near-identical 6.7-inch AMOLED display, the same Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a larger 4,900mAh battery, and a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The S25 Ultra, at $1,299, throws in a 50MP ultrawide camera, dual telephoto lenses (3x and 5x), a 6.9-inch display, and an S Pen. Meanwhile, the S25 Edge skimps on the telephoto lens, has a measly 3,900mAh battery, and uses a 12MP ultrawide camera that’s outclassed by the Ultra’s 50MP sensor.
Compared to competitors, the S25 Edge looks even less appealing. The Google Pixel 9 Pro, priced at $999, offers a 6.3-inch LTPO AMOLED display, a 50MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 48MP telephoto with 5x zoom, plus a 4,700mAh battery. The iPhone 16 Pro, at $999, boasts a 6.3-inch display, a 48MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 5x telephoto, with a battery that lasts longer than the Edge’s. Both competitors deliver more (technically) robust camera systems and better battery life for less money.
The “premium tag” for the Edge’s slim design and titanium frame doesn’t justify the price. The new Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 are nice, but the S25+ uses similar materials for $100 less. The HOP 3.0 display tech, which allows finer refresh rate adjustments, is a minor upgrade over the S25+’s LTPO panel. For $1,099, you’re paying for aesthetics, not performance. As an S25 Ultra user, I’d rather spend the extra $200 (without the offer and discount) for a phone that doesn’t compromise on cameras or battery life.
Do we really need the Galaxy S25 Edge?
Samsung wants us to believe the S25 Edge is a must-have, but it’s hard to see why. The slim design is the star of the show, but does it solve a real problem? Most users don’t complain about their phones being too thick—the S25+ is 7.3mm and feels perfectly fine. The Edge’s 5.8mm profile is impressive, but it comes at the cost of a 3,900mAh battery that’s worryingly small for a 6.7-inch display. Early tests suggest it struggles to last a full day of heavy use, especially with power-hungry apps like games or video editors.
The 200MP main camera is a highlight, borrowed from the S25 Ultra, but the lack of a telephoto lens is a dealbreaker for anyone who loves zooming in for photos or videos. The 12MP ultrawide is still usable but lags behind the 50MP ultrawide on the Ultra and the 48MP ultrawides on the Pixel 9 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro. Features like Galaxy AI’s “Now Brief” and “AI Select” are neat but available across the S25 lineup, so these are not exclusive to the Edge.
The slim design might appeal to users who prioritize portability, like those who keep their phone in tight pockets or prefer a lightweight device for one-handed use. But for most people, the standard S25 or S25+ offers the same performance and better battery life without sacrificing camera versatility and a heavy price. The Edge feels like a niche experiment rather than a necessary addition to the lineup.
What users are saying:
The online reaction to the S25 Edge has been lukewarm at best, with many users echoing my disappointment. Here’s a sampling of opinions from early adopters and average consumers:
What users are saying:
Jake, tech enthusiast
I was hyped for the S25 Edge, but $1,099 for a phone with no telephoto lens and a tiny battery? My S25 Ultra takes better zoomed shots and lasts longer. Pass.
Sarah, casual user
It’s super thin, sure, but I can’t afford $1,100 for a phone that feels like a downgrade from the S25+. Samsung’s pricing is getting out of hand.
Mike, photographer
The 200MP camera is great, but the ultrawide is meh, and no telephoto means I’m sticking with my S24 Ultra. Why pay more for less?
Emily, student
I love the look of the Edge, but the battery life scares me. My base S25 lasts all day, and it’s way cheaper. Not worth it.
Chris, gamer
The slim design is cool, but it gets warm when I play games, and the battery drains fast. My S25 Ultra handles gaming so much better.
My Opinion:
As a Galaxy S25 Ultra user, I am spoiled by its robust hardware, and the S25 Edge feels like a downgrade in every way that matters. The 3,900mAh battery is a major concern. Running resource-intensive apps like Adobe Lightroom or Call of Duty Mobile on my Ultra is smooth, with its 5,000mAh battery lasting through hours of editing or gaming. The Edge, with its smaller battery and thinner vapor chamber for cooling, struggles to keep up. Early reviews note thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, which is a red flag for power users.
The lack of a telephoto lens is another head-scratcher. My Ultra has 3x and 5x telephoto lenses; the Edge relies on pixel binning for up to 10x zoom, but it can’t match the clarity of optical zoom. For a phone priced so close to the Ultra, this feels like a cheap shortcut. The 12MP ultrawide camera sounds downgraded in comparison to the Ultra’s 50MP sensor, especially in low light.
The slim design is undeniably cool, but it’s a gimmick that doesn’t justify the trade-offs. My S25 Ultra feels premium and delivers on every front—cameras, battery, performance. The Edge sacrifices too much to chase a trend that Apple might perfect with the iPhone 17 Air.
Recommandation: A Big NO
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is a classic case of style over substance. Samsung’s promotional strategy hypes its thinness without addressing why it’s worth $1,099, leaving users confused. Priced too close to the”real” flagship S25 Ultra and outclassed by competitors, it’s hard to justify the cost. The slim design is neat but not necessary, and the hardware limitations—small battery, no telephoto lens, underwhelming ultrawide—make it a tough sell. User feedback mirrors my disappointment, with many calling it overpriced and underwhelming.
As someone who was initially thrilled about the S25 Edge, I am now firmly in the “no thanks” camp. My S25 Ultra remains the king of Samsung’s lineup, and for anyone considering the Edge, I’d say save your money or go for the Plus or Ultra instead. Samsung needs to rethink its approach if it wants the Edge to be more than a flashy footnote in its flagship story.
Hey Sammy Fans, what do you think of the Galaxy S25 Edge? Love the ultra-thin design, or are the battery and missing telephoto a dealbreaker? Share your thoughts by DM on my X handle @SamsungSWUpdate.
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