Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge vs S25 Ultra: Slim Appeal or Power Beast?
The Galaxy S25 Edge and Galaxy S25 Ultra may share a name, but they cater to completely different types of users. The Edge is sleek, slim, and lightweight – an engineering flex that sacrifices power for portability. The Ultra? It’s Samsung’s powerhouse, equipped with all the flagship bells and whistles.
First, let’s address the price confusion. In Europe, the Ultra is actually cheaper than the Edge, despite being more feature-packed. In the U.S., the Edge is cheaper by $200, while in India, the Edge undercuts the Ultra by ₹20,000. Bottom line: pricing is a regional circus.
Design & Build
The Edge wins style points for its absurd 5.8mm thin profile and 163g weight, making it Samsung’s lightest large-screen device ever. But many users question its practicality. Some feel the Edge sacrifices too much to chase aesthetics. The Ultra, in contrast, embraces bulk – bigger battery, more cameras, and better cooling.
Both phones use a titanium frame with Gorilla Glass, but the Ultra has the tougher Gorilla Armor 2 on the front.
Display
Same size? Almost. Same resolution? Yes. The Edge has a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED; the Ultra has a 6.9-inch version. Both hit over 1,400 nits brightness, but only the Ultra offers an anti-reflective coating. It’s a small but notable advantage under bright sunlight.
Battery & Charging
The S25 Ultra dominates here. A 5,000 mAh battery vs. the Edge’s 3,900 mAh means longer life across the board. While Samsung’s conservative charging speeds keep both in the same ballpark (64 minutes vs 59 minutes full charge), the Ultra wins at quick top-ups – 41% in 15 minutes vs 30% on the Edge.
Speakers & Audio
The Ultra’s bigger body allows louder, fuller speakers. The Edge sounds flat in comparison, though they share similar audio tuning.
Performance
Both phones run the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, but the Ultra pulls ahead due to better thermals. The Edge throttles quickly during heavy use like gaming. On paper, their benchmark scores are close, but in reality, the Ultra sustains performance longer.
Camera Showdown
The S25 Ultra features a full quad-camera system: 200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 3x and 5x telephoto lenses. The Edge? Just two: 200MP main and a 12MP ultrawide. Despite that, the Edge surprisingly holds its own. Thanks to clever software, its 3x zoom crops are nearly identical to the Ultra’s dedicated lens. But the 5x shots – and video – clearly favor the Ultra.
Real-World Verdict
The Galaxy S25 Edge is an impressive concept phone that made it to retail – razor-thin, pocket-friendly, and premium. But many argue it lacks purpose beyond being thin. With a weaker battery, reduced camera setup, lower RAM/storage ceilings, and throttled performance, it feels more like a design experiment than a flagship alternative.
The Ultra is the obvious all-rounder. Whether it’s for the better display tech, longer battery life, full camera suite, S Pen (albeit no longer with Bluetooth), or solid performance – it justifies its name and price, especially in regions where it’s cheaper than the Edge.
Pro Tips
- Want style? Go Edge.
- Want substance? Go Ultra.
- Want both and Bluetooth S Pen? Consider the S24 Ultra – it’s cheaper and nearly identical to the S25 Ultra.
In conclusion, these phones aren’t really direct competitors. They’re more like expressions of different user priorities. But if you want flagship without compromise, the S25 Ultra remains king – unless Samsung’s pricing in your region says otherwise.