Samsung has been toying with my emotions, gradually releasing teasers of its upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge since it was first revealed at Unpacked in January. I had a closer look at the device during Mobile World Congress a few months ago, and ever since, it’s been lingering in my thoughts every time I try out a new phone and question just how much slimmer these devices can really become.
It looks like I’ll finally get my answer next week, as Samsung has officially announced a Virtual Unpacked event for the Galaxy S25 Edge, scheduled for Monday, May 12, at 8 p.m. ET. Could Samsung be hoping we’ll relax and tune in after dinner? Possibly.
However, a more likely reason is that it’s aiming at the audience most likely to embrace the S25 Edge’s lighter, slimmer design: Korean consumers, who’ll be watching at a much more convenient time on Tuesday morning.
Ahead of the event, Samsung has revealed a few details about the phone. Despite its dual-camera setup not necessarily indicating it, the upcoming device places a strong emphasis on photography. “Even with its slim form, Galaxy S25 Edge’s 200MP wide lens continues Galaxy’s iconic camera experience,” Samsung stated in a press release on Wednesday.
What remains unclear is the role of the second camera lens—whether it’s telephoto, ultrawide, or simply a macro sensor.
Regarding the rest of the hardware, Samsung has stated that the Galaxy S25 Edge will be “portable and lightweight without sacrificing power and innovation.” Here’s hoping that “power” refers to battery life—a persistent drawback as phones get slimmer, constrained by the physical limitations of fitting larger lithium-ion batteries into ever-thinner designs.
For comparison, the forthcoming iPhone 17 Air is rumored to include a smaller-than-average battery, possibly necessitating a dedicated battery case just to last a full day. If the future of slim smartphones depends on bulkier, plastic-built protective cases to maintain usability, it raises the question of whether these so-called innovations are truly pushing progress forward.
Unlike typical Unpacked events that showcase a range of new Galaxy products, this virtual launch is expected to be more concise. If we’re fortunate, Samsung might hint at the rest of its 2025 hardware roadmap. Still, with the company’s larger summer Unpacked event only a few months away, it wouldn’t be surprising if they keep major announcements under wraps. After all, unveiling a tri-foldable device or an XR headset now could overshadow the spotlight meant for their ultra-slim Galaxy phone.
