Inside the Galaxy S25 Edge: What Samsung Sacrificed for Thinness
Samsung has taken smartphone design to a whole new level with the Galaxy S25 Edge, one of the thinnest phones they have ever made. At 5.8 mm thick, this device pushes boundaries while raising some important questions. What did they sacrifice to make it this thin?
And most importantly, is it repairable?
First Impressions: Like a Slimmed-Down S25 Plus
Right out of the box, the S25 Edge impresses with its sleek design. It feels less like a standard smartphone and more like a design statement. Holding it is a different experience compared to other devices. It's not just something you look at and want. It's something you feel and need to have.
In terms of dimensions, it’s actually just 0.1 mm thinner than the Galaxy A8 from 2015, which puts its engineering into perspective.
Durability Test: Does It Bend?
Naturally, the first question is whether it bends. The phone features a titanium alloy frame that holds up well under pressure. Even with a fair amount of force applied, the phone does not flex or break. Samsung has repositioned the power button to a more structurally secure location, which reduces potential weak points.
Applying pressure to the device shows a slight flex, but it holds its shape well.
Breaking into the S25 Edge: Handle with Care
Removing the rear glass panel was different. While attempting to remove the camera bump, the back glass shattered. The Camera bump glass sits over a larger back glass panel, which adds a point of vulnerability. You should be extremely careful when prying in this area.
Ooops.. My bad.
Inside the S25 Edge: What’s New?
Once inside, we see a familiar layout. The S25 Edge features a single 200MP main camera, the same as the S25 Ultra (kind of), and a 12MP ultra-wide sensor. Samsung has also kept Phillips screws throughout, which is a welcome decision for repairability.
Diving Deep into the Internals
The wireless charging coil supports up to 15W. The phone is QI2-ready, just like the S25 Ultra. The speaker and haptic motor are integrated into a single unit at the bottom, while the SIM tray connects to a small and flexible sub-board.
Samsung has used a layered sandwich-style motherboard with 12GB of RAM stacked directly on top of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. This compact configuration helps save space without compromising performance.
Camera Compatibility Test
I attempted to swap the S25 Ultra’s 200MP camera into the S25 Edge. Unfortunately, it wasn’t compatible. However, the 50MP ultra-wide camera from the Ultra did connect successfully. Though functionally similar on paper, the Ultra's 200MP camera is noticeably larger and includes a more advanced image stabilizer. That’s one of the hidden compromises in this thinner design.
Battery and Charging Port
Samsung nailed it with battery removal. It is by far one of the best battery removal systems I’ve seen, even better than many iPhones. No heat or excessive force needed. Just lift the pull tab and the battery pops out.
The USB-C charging port is fully modular and can be replaced without removing other components. This makes it easier and cheaper to repair compared to soldered ports.
What Makes the S25 Edge Special?
The display removal process was tough, requiring heat, suction, and alcohol to carefully detach it. Beneath it, the vapor chamber stands out as one of the most impressive design choices.
Despite its ultra-thin form, Samsung did not cut corners on cooling. A massive copper vapor chamber allows the S25 Edge to stay cooler than the S25 Plus, which is unexpected given its smaller footprint.
Final Thoughts – Repairability and Durability
For a phone this thin, the S25 Edge manages to pack a lot of power and innovative design. It features a better cooling system than the S25 Plus, a modular charging port, and an impressive display of engineering. There are some trade-offs, especially with the camera system and the fragile back glass, but overall, this is a solid device. It doesn't bend or snap, which is impressive considering its profile.
If you're a repair tech or just love great design, this phone is definitely worth a closer look. And if you plan to open it up yourself, make sure to proceed with caution.
Thanks for tuning in, until the next device begs to be pried open. See you in the next teardown!
