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Rumors mentioned that Samsung would unveil the Galaxy S25 Slim cellphone at Unpacked on Wednesday, however the system wouldn’t be obtainable for buy for a number of months. Samsung did precisely that, saving the Galaxy S25 Slim teaser for the “yet one more factor” announcement on the finish of the present.
That’s once we discovered the cellphone’s business title. We’ll name it Galaxy S25 Edge any longer as a result of that’s what Samsung puzzingly settled on. This Galaxy S25 Edge has nothing to do with the Edge telephones that preceded it, not that cellphone names actually matter.
What’s extra attention-grabbing right here is that Samsung truly confirmed Galaxy S25 Edge prototypes after the press convention. Whereas these attending the occasion couldn’t contact or use the Edge, they positive took loads of pictures and movies.
As somebody enthusiastic about the iPhone 17 Air Apple will launch this year, I’m already seeing the compromises ultra-thin non-foldable telephones will make. Whereas I’m able to embrace them, I’m unsure others will.
As you’ll see in The Verge’s video under, the Galaxy S25 Edge generated loads of curiosity within the hands-on space on the occasion, one thing that didn’t occur with the common fashions. The other three Galaxy S25 phones are “boring,” in fact, and that’s completely nice for 2025 flagships. However that’s why the Galaxy S25 Edge could be so thrilling to crowds of tech fanatics who already comply with each leak and rumor about each new cell system on the town.
The pictures and movies present a really skinny system, although it’s unclear how thick the Edge truly is. The Galaxy S25 has a 7.2mm profile, so the Edge must be thinner than that.
The primary compromise that involves thoughts is battery life. The Edge received’t match the opposite Galaxy S25 telephones. However the benefit of the Galaxy S25 sequence is that it options the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, which ought to convey notable battery life enhancements. Subsequently, the Edge might pack first rate battery life, even when the battery will probably be a lot smaller than the opposite fashions.
The identical will apply to the iPhone 17 Air. Apple’s A19 chip ought to ship the efficiencies wanted to offer dependable battery life in an ultra-thin type issue.
The second compromise considerations the digital camera. Samsung goes for a dual-lens setup that makes the Galaxy S25 Edge seem like an iPhone 16 from the again. The 2 cameras sit vertically, just like the remainder of the Galaxy S25 telephones. However all these gadgets pack at the least three cameras on the again.
Samsung’s resolution to chop a digital camera from the Edge’s rear module indicators that inner house is extremely constrained. Subsequently, Samsung may need needed to sacrifice a digital camera to make sure the cellphone encompasses a adequate battery.
On that be aware, Samsung teased the Edge’s inner parts on the finish of the presentation. From the seems to be of it, the cellphone would possibly pack two separate batteries moderately than a single module, however I’m solely speculating right here.
The iPhone 17 Air is already anticipated to function a single-lens digital camera on the again. The issues should be related. Apple would possibly need to save house for the battery and different key parts.
The third compromise to count on from ultra-thin foldables just like the Galaxy S25 Edge and the iPhone 17 Air considerations the design. The thinner these telephones get, the thicker that digital camera bump on the again will probably be. Whereas Samsung determined to stay with a vertical digital camera alignment, Apple is reportedly giving the Air a Pixel-like digital camera bar on the high.
The digital camera module redesign means the iPhone 17 Air won’t wobble as a lot when positioned on flat surfaces with the display screen up, in comparison with the Edge.
There could be different issues to think about. For instance, the Galaxy S25 Edge pictures don’t inform us whether or not the cellphone has a bodily SIM slot on the underside. The iPhone 17 Air is already mentioned to lack bodily SIM help worldwide, not simply within the US.
Then there’s the massive antenna cutout seen on the left facet of the Galaxy S25 Edge. Given how skinny the body is, that’s hopefully not going to trigger any sturdiness points. The iPhone 17 Air will want an antenna cutout of its personal.
Lastly, we will’t know what to anticipate from the Galaxy S25 Edge’s audio system and cooling techniques till the cellphone turns into obtainable. These are different potential compromises that the iPhone 17 Air may additionally should cope with.
But when we wish ultra-thin telephones in our pockets, we’ll want to simply accept no matter compromises smartphone distributors make, at the least with the first-gen fashions. All I do know is I desire a cellphone with a big show and a skinny profile in my pocket. I’m keen to half methods with some parts and options to make that occur this yr.
