Samsung confirms big durability upgrade for Galaxy S25 Edge – and it’s mostly good news

Honey, wake up. The latest Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge news just dropped, and it’s a big one for those with slippery hands. Ahead of the virtual Samsung Unpacked event on Monday, the Korean giant has shared that the Galaxy S25 Edge will debut with the new Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2.

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Samsung said in a Thursday press release that the new glass display material “features crystals intricately embedded within its glass matrix, enhancing the durability and crack deflection capabilities of the display cover.” Considering how slim the Galaxy S25 Edge is expected to be, a stronger, more resilient screen cover is definitely warranted.

While Samsung isn’t sharing much else about how much more shatter or scratch-resistant the new material is compared to previous versions, it can be inferred that Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 will perform similarly to its predecessor, which launched only a little more than a month ago.

For reference, Corning tested the original Gorilla Glass Ceramic to survive 10 repeated drops from one meter on surfaces replicating asphalt. If the Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 is any better, then the Galaxy S25 Edge should be able to withstand the casual waist-high drop, slip from the table, or outdoor tumble a little better than previous Samsung Galaxy phones.

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I still have my concerns about a more shatter-resistant screen, with its most notable trade-off being how scratch-prone the phone becomes. My Galaxy S25 Ultra, which I’ve been using on and off for about five months now, can attest to that theory.

It would also go a long way if Samsung applies a similar (if not the same) anti-reflective coating as the Galaxy S25 Ultra on the Galaxy S25 Edge. The reduction in glare and light reflections makes a meaningful difference in user experience, especially when outdoors.

What else has been confirmed so far

Ahead of the Monday Unpacked event, Samsung also confirmed a few things about the Galaxy S25 Edge. While its dual camera system won’t suggest it, the upcoming handset is heavily focused on photography. “Even with its slim form, Galaxy S25 Edge’s 200MP wide lens continues Galaxy’s iconic camera experience,” Samsung hinted in a Wednesday press release.

Whether the second camera lens on the new model is a telephoto, ultrawide, or a mere macro sensor remains unanswered.

Also: I saw Samsung’s thinnest Galaxy phone ever at MWC — and it made my devices feel outdated

As for the rest of the phone’s hardware, Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy S25 Edge will be “portable and lightweight without sacrificing power and innovation.” Here’s to hoping that “power” refers to battery life, which remains a disadvantage as phones become slimmer, and the laws of physics simply don’t allow there to be larger-sized lithium-ion batteries to fit within the form factors.

For reference, the upcoming iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature a smaller-than-usual battery and potentially require a dedicated battery case to keep it running for a full day. If the future of slim phones lives in thicker, plastic-built protective covers, then I’m not exactly sure if we’re moving things forward with these innovations.

When is Samsung’s May Unpacked event?

Samsung will be hosting its Virtual Unpacked event for the Galaxy S25 Edge on Monday, May 12, at 8pm ET. Is Samsung hoping we’ll kick back to the live stream after dinner? Maybe.

But a more reasonable explanation is that it’s targeting the demographic it knows will most likely adopt the lighter, slimmer form factor of the S25 Edge: Koreans, who will be tuning in at a more friendly Tuesday morning broadcast.

Also: I’ve tested every Samsung Galaxy S25 model – and my favorite isn’t the Ultra

Unlike most Unpacked events, which feature several new Galaxy products, expect this virtual one to be on the shorter side. If we’re lucky, we’ll hear about the rest of Samsung’s hardware roadmap in 2025. But with the company’s annual summer Unpacked event just a few months away, I wouldn’t be surprised if they hold their cards close to their chest. After all, teasing a tri-foldable phone or an XR headset would potentially steal the thunder of the ultra-slim Galaxy phone.

And if there’s one thing Samsung or Apple don’t want to do, it’s lose interest in their ultra-slim phone aspirations before they even hit the market. After all, both companies (and the others who follow suit) will need to deliver handsets that surpass expectations and convince the masses that maybe the future of mobile is something that fits in pockets a little easier, even if it’s at the expense of endurance and the number of cameras available.

Right now, those who are interested in the Galaxy S25 Edge can reserve a preorder to receive a $50 Samsung credit. You don’t have to commit to buying the phone after making the reservation, but if you do, you’ll save $50.

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