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.

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

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:

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.

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.