5 alternatives to consider instead of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

      It’s an undeniable reality that smartphones have significantly increased in size over the years. Samsung aims to reverse this trend with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, a smartphone that encompasses all the aspects we adore about contemporary phones while attempting to be a touch sleeker. The outcome is a device that measures just 5.9mm in thickness, making other flagship models appear clunky by comparison.

      Of course, the slim design of the Galaxy S25 Edge will come with trade-offs — primarily, the battery capacity is reduced compared to its competitors, and while the build is thinner, there is concern that this could make the phone more susceptible to damage. All of this speculation stands until we have the opportunity to evaluate the phone, and if you’re thinking of purchasing the S25 Edge, we advise waiting for our completed review before making your choice. Nevertheless, it remains true that there are numerous excellent smartphones available that can perform similarly to the S25 Edge, and in some cases, even better. Here are five phones you might consider purchasing instead of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.

      Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      First on our list is Samsung’s own device, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, which closely resembles the S25 Edge. While it may not be as slim as its counterpart, it boasts some features that could sway your decision.

      Most notably, the S25 Plus includes an additional camera lens compared to the S25 Edge. This 10-megapixel telephoto lens provides a 3x optical zoom for clear and detailed zoom shots. Edge users won’t be completely out of luck, though, as utilizing the massive 200MP main lens can mimic a similar level of optical zoom, but having a specific lens for this purpose is definitely beneficial.

      Another significant advantage is the battery size. The thicker design of the S25 Plus allows for a considerably larger battery—an entire 1,000mAh, roughly 25% more than the Edge’s 3,900mAh battery. During our testing, this battery lasted the S25 Plus a day and a half on a single charge, demonstrating solid performance. If you're concerned about the Edge’s battery, this option could provide similar specs at a slightly lower price.

      Speaking of similar specs, the S25 Plus is equipped with the same 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the same storage options of 256GB and 512GB, and the same 12GB of RAM. In fact, if you examine the specs closely, you’ll find that the Edge’s CPU has been slightly downgraded by removing a core, likely to accommodate the limited space in the Edge. While this minor change may not have a large impact, it indicates that the Plus is more powerful.

      The similarity between the S25 Plus and the Edge is such that Samsung is rumored to be considering eliminating the Plus in favor of the Edge in next year’s Galaxy S26 lineup, but much will depend on how the Edge performs with consumers. Regardless, the Plus is still available and is a fantastic alternative to the S25 Edge, especially since you can save $100 by choosing the S25 Plus.

      Google Pixel 9 Pro

      Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends

      When it comes to competing with the S25 Edge’s impressive 200MP main camera, the Google Pixel 9 Pro stands out as a strong contender. Google’s flagship phones are celebrated for their exceptional camera capabilities, and while this recommendation could easily point to either the Pixel 9 Pro or the Pixel 9 Pro XL—both of which excel in photography—we opted for the smaller option due to the size of many phones on this list.

      The Pixel 9 Pro is thicker than the S25 Edge, but its overall size is more compact. The display measures 6.3 inches and does not compromise on visual quality or color depth compared to the Edge. Similarly, the Tensor G4 processor is robust and competes well with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, although it's worth noting that the Google-made chip can face temperature management issues.

      However, the camera is the main focus of this recommendation and where the Pixel 9 Pro truly excels. Its rear camera setup includes a 50MP main lens, a 48MP ultrawide lens, and a 48MP telephoto zoom lens. While the total megapixel count is lower than the S25 Edge’s main 200MP lens, the effectiveness of the megapixels in producing excellent images is what truly matters. The Pixel 9 Pro captures impressive shots in various conditions and lighting, making it one of the best camera phones available. Although we haven't tested the S25 Edge’s camera, the Pixel 9 Pro is likely to offer more versatility with its additional lenses.

      Moreover, the Pixel 9 Pro is priced $100 less than the S25 Edge, adding to its appeal. Prices start at $999 for this remarkable smartphone.

      Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

      Apple iPhone