Ultra-Slim Smartphone
Samsung Electronics unveiled its slimmest flagship smartphone yet on Tuesday, aiming to gain an edge over rival Apple in the highly competitive premium smartphone market. The newly launched Galaxy S25 Edge features a sleek 5.8mm-thick design, enhanced artificial intelligence capabilities, and a 6.7-inch screen.
With its slim profile and advanced technology, the model is designed to attract younger, tech-savvy consumers—particularly those in their 20s and 30s—who increasingly prioritize portability without compromising performance.
“The feedback was clear – users wanted something slimmer and easier to carry without sacrificing performance,” a Samsung representative stated during the launch. To achieve this, the company redesigned critical internal components, including a thinner printed circuit board and a compact thermal system. These structural changes allowed the device to retain its high-end specifications while offering a more compact and stylish form factor.
The S25 Edge will be available in South Korea starting May 23 and will hit the U.S. market on May 30. Samsung also plans to launch the phone in approximately 30 additional markets, including China and several European countries. The phone will retail at a starting price of $1,099, positioning it firmly within the premium segment.
Industry analysts believe the timing of the release is no coincidence. Apple is widely expected to launch a thinner iPhone later this year, and Samsung’s earlier release could serve as a strategic move to attract customers eager for a slimmer device. “By releasing the product a few months ahead, Samsung could impact Apple and attract consumers looking for thinner smartphones. It appears to be a calculated decision to capture that demand segment,” said Ryu Young-ho, a senior analyst at NH Investment & Securities.
To address potential concerns about performance and overheating in a thinner body, Samsung highlighted new engineering advancements. “We managed to engineer a thinner vapor chamber to fit the slim design, and we put everything into making that happen,” said Moon Sung-hoon, Executive Vice President at Samsung Electronics. “We’re confident the S25 Edge can be used without concerns about overheating.”
The device includes Samsung’s latest suite of artificial intelligence tools, such as multimodal AI that enables users to interact using voice and vision simultaneously. For example, users can point the camera at objects or scenes and ask questions about them in real time, showcasing Samsung’s push into intuitive, AI-powered user experiences.
Samsung’s launch comes at a time when it has regained the top spot in global smartphone shipments. According to Counterpoint Research, Samsung captured 20% of the global market in Q1 2025, narrowly edging out Apple, which held 19%. However, the company has warned that rising tariff risks could impact its second-quarter performance, especially if they dampen global demand.
While Apple recently reintroduced its iPhone 15 Pro models at discounted prices in some European markets and OnePlus launched its compact 13T flagship, Samsung’s S25 Edge appears aimed squarely at dominating the ultra-slim, premium phone segment before Apple’s next move.
