Bond or Batman? Here's why the Galaxy S25 Edge is the ideal phone for trendy personalities.

      “I refer to it as the James Bond phone,” said Annika Bizon, Samsung’s vice president of mobile product and marketing for the U.K. and Ireland, during a discussion with Digital Trends about the newly announced Galaxy S25 Edge.

      “I call it the Bruce Wayne phone,” added Kadesh Beckford, Samsung’s smartphone specialist product manager, during the same conversation.

      What prompted these names, and how are they connected to the sleek new smartphone? It seems that understanding the rationale behind these comparisons is crucial for grasping the essence of the Galaxy S25 Edge and Samsung's bold strategy for it.

      A statement maker

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      I was eager to learn who Samsung targeted when creating the Galaxy S25 Edge—a 5.8mm, 163 gram flagship smartphone—so I engaged in an extensive conversation with Bizon and Beckford shortly after the device's announcement.

      “Samsung has recognized the demand for lightweight and slim devices, where users want the very best technology,” Bizon noted. “The S25 Edge is designed for those who wish to make a statement, and it's astonishing how much we've packed into such a compact device. I call it the James Bond of phones. He would surely opt for the coolest phone available.”

      While the association with a cool character is logical, what she shared next indicated that, while Bond is a fitting comparison, the S25 Edge is positioned and marketed distinctly compared to other Samsung mobile offerings.

      “We're focusing on the younger demographic,” Bizon shared, “but we aren’t yet certain who else might be interested, which is intriguing. Our research has shown there is a demand, so we've got a solid foundation to build on. Now, we need to discover who is purchasing it, how they’re using it, and how they’re enjoying the experience.”

      A phone with presence

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      As our conversation about the Galaxy S25 Edge progressed, it became increasingly apparent that the device is intriguingly experimental—not in terms of technology, but rather in how it fits within Samsung's lineup and the audience the company anticipates it will resonate with. This is when Batman entered the discussion.

      “I refer to it as the Bruce Wayne phone,” Beckford chuckled, “In Jet Black, it would pair nicely with the Batmobile.”

      Beckford elaborated on what the phone represents to him, suggesting that his allusion to a well-known character related more to the S25 Edge’s presence than its cool factor. “It allows me to make a statement. When you place an S25 Edge on a table, it signifies something.”

      He provided valuable insight into how the Galaxy S25 Edge ventures into new territory for Samsung:

      “Our Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 6 phones are labeled as ‘Life Maximizers,’” he explained, “while the base Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and FE models are termed ‘Social Expressers.' What we’re observing is a desire among consumers for a blend of both. They want to express themselves while also benefiting from the power and performance that a Life Maximizer brings. The S25 Edge serves as a device that merges these two aspects.”

      Internal innovation

      Samsung

      It became increasingly evident that the S25 Edge represents more than just another addition to the S25 lineup, as understanding some of the engineering challenges it faced reveals its innovative alignment with the Z Fold series. Beckford mentioned some of the hurdles encountered during its development: “The camera module posed a challenge,” he said. “The 200-megapixel main sensor is relatively thick, but we managed to reduce its size by 18% to accommodate it. This ensures the phone maintains balance. In a compact design, you typically lose processing performance without adequate heat dissipation. We implemented specialized cooling and a vapor chamber to allow the phone to operate at peak performance without overheating. These challenges arise when creating such a slim device, but we found solutions.”

      Why doesn't the S25 Edge include a telephoto camera? After all, the Galaxy S25 Plus is equipped with one. It goes back to the phone's aim of appealing to two typically distinct buyer groups. The main and wide-angle cameras are essential on the Galaxy Z Flip 6, and the S25 Edge is as much part of that lineage as it is of the S Series. Beckford pointed out that even though there are just two cameras, users still benefit from a macro mode and a 2x optical quality zoom.

      A new direction for Samsung

      The Galaxy S25 Edge incorporates elements of the technological innovation characteristic of Samsung's ongoing line of foldable devices, combined with the broad appeal of its S series. What sets it apart is its exceptionally slim and lightweight design. Bizon summarized our discussion by expressing how this influenced her view of the S25 Edge.

      “I think it’s beautiful,” she stated. “It’s a representation of you; I appreciate that it encourages conversation, and I see it as stepping further into fashion