The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge has arguably been the most controversial smartphone release of the year. From its launch, this ultra-slim device faced criticism from both tech enthusiasts and consumers alike, primarily due to its underwhelming battery life and premium price tag.
Recent reports indicate that the Galaxy S25 Edge is struggling with low sales figures, leading to rumors from reliable sources suggesting that this sleek device might be discontinued after just one year. This means there may not be a Galaxy S26 Edge next year.
Currently, the Galaxy S25 Edge’s price has plummeted to record lows across various markets. On international e-commerce platforms, the phone’s price has dropped significantly from $1,099 to $690. In Vietnam, the device has seen a price reduction of over 10 million VND.
Retailers are now offering the phone at prices ranging from 20 to 22 million VND, with some even dropping to 18.5 million VND, compared to its initial launch price of 30 million VND.
While this price drop may delight users eager to experience Samsung’s ultra-slim design, it’s a cause for concern for the South Korean tech giant, whose once-promising flagship has fallen short of expectations.
Why is the Galaxy S25 Edge Criticized While the iPhone Air is Praised?
This year, we’ve seen two smartphones push the boundaries of design and portability: the Galaxy S25 Edge and the iPhone Air. Both represent the latest efforts by Samsung and Apple to carve out a new niche in the market.
Despite similar hardware specifications, the iPhone Air seems to be capturing more attention than its Galaxy counterpart. This has left many wondering why.
While both devices have been criticized for their battery life, the iPhone Air outperforms the Galaxy S25 Edge, albeit slightly.
The Galaxy S25 Edge’s 3,900 mAh battery, packed into a 5.8 mm frame, delivers an impressive 6 hours and 22 minutes of screen-on time, according to Phone Arena’s tests. However, the iPhone Air, with its 3,149 mAh battery, manages 6 hours and 43 minutes.
The 21-minute difference may seem minor, but it highlights Apple’s edge in power optimization. While Samsung’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip is efficient, Apple’s optimization remains a step ahead.
Additionally, integrating wireless charging into an ultra-slim design is a remarkable engineering feat. Apple achieved this by incorporating MagSafe into the iPhone Air, maintaining 20W wireless charging speeds in a 5.6 mm device.
However, battery life isn’t the deciding factor.
Samsung leveled the playing field by equipping the S25 Edge with the 200 MP primary camera from the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and it paid off. Phone Arena’s camera scores show the S25 Edge at 140 points, surpassing the iPhone Air’s 126 points.
Apple’s 48 MP single camera produces good photos, but the lack of a second lens limits its capabilities and overall score. The S25 Edge’s images are sharper, with better dynamic range and cleaner digital zoom, even without a dedicated telephoto lens.
In other words, Samsung has the upper hand in camera performance. So, why isn’t the Galaxy S25 Edge receiving more praise than the iPhone Air?
The Power of Storytelling Makes the Difference
In hand, the S25 Edge is undeniably a technical masterpiece. Its 5.8 mm thickness and 163-gram weight are impressive on paper, but the in-hand experience is even more remarkable. It’s as elegant as the iPhone Air.
The difference lies in how the two brands market their new devices. Apple positions the Air as a luxury item, a “status symbol,” distinct from its Pro Max lineup (even omitting the number 17 from its branding).
Apple avoids mentioning drawbacks like the single speaker, global eSIM-only support, inferior haptic feedback, or missing features like Macro and Cinematic modes.
In contrast, Samsung positions the Edge as a standard flagship, on par with the S25 Ultra, just thinner. This sets higher expectations for battery life and Ultra-like features in a different form factor.
This positioning harms the product more than any spec sheet. The S25 Edge doesn’t need to be a “thinner S25 Ultra.” It should stand on its own, existing in a “parallel universe” alongside its siblings. Its primary selling point should be its design.
If Samsung embraced this identity and marketed the Edge as an elegant Galaxy rather than a slimmed-down flagship, it could shift public perception entirely.
Apple knows exactly who the iPhone Air is for: those who value design, portability, and the novelty of a “jewelry-like” device. Samsung, however, seems uncertain about the target audience for the Galaxy S25 Edge.
The S25 Edge boasts impressive hardware but sends mixed messages. It’s thin yet tries to compete on specs with bulkier rivals. Its pricing, nearly matching the S25 Ultra, makes it even harder to sell.
As a result, the S25 Edge lacks the appeal to convince buyers to choose it over the Ultra.
Unmissable Deal: Latest iPhone Now Slashed by Millions in Price!
Just one month after its release, the iPhone Air has seen a significant price drop across authorized dealers, a rare move for a newly launched Apple product.
Samsung Phone Model Plummets in Price to Unbelievable Levels: Premium Features Rivaling S25 Ultra Now $11 Million Cheaper
This is a price point that will delight users but may trouble Samsung, as their once-promising “darling” product has fallen short of expectations.
“Expert Review: ‘I’ve Tested Every iPhone 17 Model This Year—Here’s the One I’d Never Buy’”
This doesn’t mean it’s a bad iPhone, and many will still love it. However, I wouldn’t personally recommend this particular model.
Samsung’s Missed Punch: Playing with Fire and Getting Burned – Can They Ever Truly Outshine the iPhone?
Samsung’s abrupt decision to discontinue the Edge line reveals more than just a failed attempt to emulate Apple; it underscores a deeper identity crisis within the company.
iPhone Air: Vietnamese Critics, Chinese Enthusiasts
While the iPhone Air sold out within minutes of its launch in China, Vietnamese consumers have shown little interest in this ultra-slim iPhone model. Its modest specifications, high price tag, and lack of appeal compared to the Pro Max series have failed to captivate the local market.
