Galaxy S25 Edge Doesn’t Trade Snapdragon Power For Thinness – Just Battery Size

The Galaxy S25 Edge has officially launched with a Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, contrary to previous rumors that the phone would bring a lesser version of the SoC. Samsung did cut some corners in other places, like the battery.

Recent leaks and rumors corroborate that the Galaxy S25 Edge would bring a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC to the table. In the initial phase, during Samsung’s tease at Galaxy Unpacked, it was thought that the new device would equip a lesser Snapdragon 8 Elite with only 7 cores. Considering it’s size and weight, it would make sense that Samsung would go with something slightly less powerful. In reality, it looks like Samsung is officially opting for power.

The Galaxy S25 Edge uses a Snapdragon 8 Elite “for Galaxy,” which means Samsung had a hand in ensuring that the chip would meet the company’s standards and work well with the phones it produces. This is often the case for Samsung’s flagships, and Snapdragon SoCs usually carry the “for Galaxy” tag.

That also means that Samsung is using an overclocked version of the chip. How much extra power this provides is unknown, but it’s supposedly more than what the chip typically handles in its standard configuration. Samsung clearly thinks the tradeoff is efficient, considering they went with a much smaller battery.

Samsung’s small but ‘smart’ battery

Where your average flagship in 2025 carries a battery somewhere around 5,000mAh, the Galaxy S25 Edge equips a 3,900mAh cell. Samsung calls this a “smart” battery, with little further explanation. The unit supposedly optimizes energy by saving power when possible and optimizing usage. With that, Samsung promises “long days of streaming, gaming, and capturing.

Translating that estimate into hours is difficult, but it sounds like Samsung believes the Galaxy S25 Edge can go a whole day on a charge.

The measured 3,900mAh would be a little more exciting if the Galaxy S25 Edge’s battery were silicon-carbon, as those cells tend to transfer energy more efficiently and last longer. However, the company isn’t at the point of bringing that newer battery standard to the field, especially in what is considered more of an experimental launch in the Galaxy S25 Edge.

The Galaxy S25 Edge is currently available from Samsung for pre-order, starting at $1,099.

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