Summer Game Fest 2025 is just around the corner and it’ll be a weekend packed with video game news. The event kicks off on June 6, with roughly a dozen livestreams scheduled to take place from then through June 8. Among them is the Latin American Games Showcase, which will highlight over 50 titles from Latin American indie developers. You can tune into the YouTube stream on Saturday, June 7 at 2PM ET (11AM PT).
Last year’s Latin American Games Showcase at SGF gave us a glimpse at a ton of games to be excited about, like the recently released title, Despelote, that’s both memoir and soccer game. We don’t know yet what the 2025 showcase will bring, but there’s sure to be some gems. Before the Latin American Games Showcase on Saturday, Summer Game Fest Live will usher in the festivities on June 6 at 5PM ET (2PM PT).
We have all the info you need to know right here ahead of Summer Game Fest and will be on the ground getting some hands-on time with many of the games you’ll see featured in the showcases, so be sure to check back in for the latest news.
An AI-powered system could soon take responsibility for evaluating the potential harms and privacy risks of up to 90% of updates made to Meta apps like Instagram and WhatsApp, according to internal documents reportedly viewed by NPR.
NPR says a 2012 agreement between Facebook (now Meta) and the Federal Trade Commission requires the company to conduct privacy reviews of its products, evaluating the risks of any potential updates. Until now, those reviews have been largely conducted by human evaluators.
Under the new system, Meta reportedly said product teams will be asked to fill out a questionaire about their work, then will usually receive an “instant decision” with AI-identified risks, along with requirements that an update or feature must meet before it launches.
This AI-centric approach would allow Meta to update its products more quickly, but one former executive told NPR it also creates “higher risks,” as “negative externalities of product changes are less likely to be prevented before they start causing problems in the world.”
In a statement, Meta seemed to confirm that it’s changing its review system, but it insisted that only “low-risk decisions” will be automated, while “human expertise” will still be used to examine “novel and complex issues.”
As more companies expand their presence across borders, global relocation has become a key strategy for growth. But while international assignments can drive business and career development, they also come with a unique set of challenges—from rising costs to cultural adaptation and regulatory hurdles.
To help employers plan ahead, we’ve outlined the most pressing global mobility challenges and how to address them effectively.
Common Challenges in International Relocation—and How to Solve Them
Cultural Adjustment
Relocating to a new country often means more than just a change in job title or location—it’s a shift in daily life. Cultural norms, social expectations, and even workplace etiquette can be dramatically different.
For example, in the U.S., tipping is customary and expected in many service industries—a nuance that may surprise employees from other countries. Preparing employees with a cultural orientation or relocation handbook can help minimize culture shock and ease the transition into their new environment, both in and out of the office.
Building a Global Mobility Strategy
Successful international relocations begin with a solid strategy. A global mobility plan should outline clear relocation policies, define support structures, and prioritize transparent communication with relocating employees and their families.
Programs that offer pre-departure briefings, language support, and checklists for common pain points can empower employees and help your company stay organized and consistent.
Immigration and Work Authorization Hurdles
Immigration requirements are becoming more complex around the world. Even for companies that frequently relocate staff, staying compliant with visa rules, documentation, and work authorization timelines is a moving target.
When in-house expertise isn’t available, outsourcing immigration support to a relocation services partner can ensure employees get where they need to go—legally and on time.
Rising Relocation Costs
International relocation comes with a price tag. From visa fees to temporary housing, shipping costs, and tax equalization, the expenses can add up quickly. Industry estimates place the cost of relocating a single employee between $30,000 and $100,000.
To manage this, organizations should structure relocation packages carefully, balancing competitiveness with cost control. Being transparent about what’s included helps employees plan—and builds trust.
Housing Market Pressures
A smooth housing transition is essential for helping employees settle in quickly. But in high-demand locations like the U.S., finding affordable, quality housing can be a challenge.
To ease the burden, many employers are offering solutions such as short-term corporate housing or connections to vetted local real estate agents. Supporting employees in finding comfortable, well-located homes can dramatically improve their relocation experience and productivity.
Navigating International Tax and Legal Compliance
International assignments often come with tax implications in both the home and host countries. Without a thorough understanding of tax treaties, dual-taxation risks, and labor regulations, companies can run into costly compliance issues.
A strong relocation policy should involve coordination between HR, finance, and legal teams—or the use of trusted external providers—to ensure the company and its employees remain compliant from day one.
Final Thoughts
Relocating talent across borders is a complex process, but with the right systems in place, it can be a powerful driver of global business success. By proactively addressing cultural integration, immigration, housing, compliance, and employee well-being, companies can create a smoother experience for their teams—and a more effective global mobility program overall.
Doctor Who‘s latest season has just come to an end—and with it, we just got hit with an absolute shocker of a cliffhanger. Let’s discuss, shall we?
Preparing to sacrifice himself to shift time and save the young Poppy–a descendant of human and Time Lord biology–by shunting his regenerative energy into the Time Vortex, “The Reality War” climaxes as the 15th Doctor shuts himself in his TARDIS and flies away from Earth, bracing to give it all. The paradox of time itself splitting apart, however, gives him a helping hand… in the form of none other than Jodie Whittaker’s 13th Doctor. Who doesn’t take much convincing, strewn out of her own timestream by the impending schism, to help this new Doctor say goodbye for the sake of reality.
After an emotional farewell where the two of them ruminate on lives cut short–a pointed nod, perhaps–the Doctor exposes himself to the TARDIS’ console, practically ripping the regenerative energy out of his own body to blast the time machine. Everything shatters, and the Doctor realises that his time his up. Delaying regeneration as long as possible and finding himself back on Earth, and right in Belinda’s back garden the 15th Doctor starts his long goodbye, realising that he’s managed to save the day and bring Poppy to back to existence.
Bidding a tearful goodbye to Belinda and Poppy (who has become human in the process of being restored), the Doctor returns to the TARDIS. Unable to hold it back any longer, the 15th Doctor begins his regeneration, bursting with golden light as he stands leaning out of the TARDIS doors and into the whole universe.
He changes. Into a woman. A blonde woman. She looks an awful lot like Rose Tyler, because Billie Piper is the Doctor.
“Oh hello,” the new Doctor says. And that’s how Doctor Who‘s current season comes to an end.
Just how long we have to wait to see the ramifications of the 16th Doctor’s familiar face remains to be seen. The BBC and Disney have yet to confirm just when, or if, Doctor Who will return in its current form. There’s probably something to be said with the fact that the episode credits Piper as-is, rather than introducing Billie Piper “as The Doctor”, as is the usual tradition with these things. For what it’s worth, by Ncuti Gatwa and Jodie Whittaker were credited as such, making the absence for Piper stand out all the more.
What further complicates things is that this era of the series was already bookended by pretty much identical “stunt” casting: of course, Whittaker’s own Doctor regenerated shockingly in “Power of the Doctor” not into Gatwa, but David Tennant, who returned to play a new, 14th incarnation of the Doctor for Doctor Who‘s 60th anniversary specials, before passing the regenerative torch over to Gatwa in the (equally tumultuous) arrival of ‘bi-regeneration’, letting a Time Lord inadvertently split into two bodies in the moment of their regeneration.
Neither company has yet to officially confirm future seasons of DoctorWho, although a regeneration, with Piper or otherwise, obviously leaves things open for a new era to begin at some point. Not even a Christmas special for 2025 was commissioned, and with the upcoming spinoff War Between Land and the Sea on the way, it might be a good while yet until we see just what the real deal is here.
Regardless though, Ncuti Gatwa’s time on Doctor Who has come to an end… and very uncertain future lies ahead of the TARDIS’ latest inhabitant.
We’ll be back on Monday to deliver our full recap of “The Reality War.” In the meantime, let us know what you thought in the comments.
When starting a building project, whether it’s a new build, a large renovation, or a one-of-a-kind custom design, selecting the right design-build company is essential to making your dream a reality while doing so efficiently, creatively, and on budget. Design-build companies and service firms at industry leaders such as Cad Crowd offer a complete set of services, from architectural design services to construction management, all in one convenient package.
This can ease the process and lessen the intricacy of dealing with various contractors and designers. But to get the most out of employing such a company, it is crucial to take some things into consideration carefully before deciding. Here is an in-depth guide on everything you need to consider when employing a design-build firm and services firm.
🚀 Table of contents
Understanding the design-build approach
A design-build company works differently from the conventional process in which the client contracts a designer (most likely an architect) and another contractor. With the design-build method, one company undertakes both the design and construction stages of the project. This hybrid model has a number of benefits:
Efficient communication: Because the design and construction staff belong to the same company, communication becomes more streamlined and integrated.
Project completion at a quicker rate: Because both design and construction are executed simultaneously, projects complete faster than through conventional means.
Cost reduction: The combined process of design-build can save costs because the company can refine designs with regard to real-world construction experience, and problems are confronted early in the design stage.
Single point of accountability: You don’t have to worry about dealing with multiple contracts, which makes it easier to handle issues and hold someone responsible if something goes wrong.
Although the design-build approach can be effective, it’s crucial to make sure the firm you select can address your particular needs and expectations. Here’s a closer examination of what to look for.
Even before you start looking for a design-build company, take the time to clarify the scope of the project. What are your particular needs and aspirations? This will shape your decision-making process and enable you to locate a company that can adapt to your vision.
Project type: Is the project residential or commercial? Each firm has a specialization. Some will be more used to residential work, some to commercial drawings services, and some to specific types of buildings (e.g., green or passive house constructions).
Budget: Establish a clear budget, as this will impact which firms you should contact. A good design-build company should give you cost quotes upfront and be honest about what is included in their charge.
Timeline: Do you have a time frame you must work within? Some companies may be able to turn around your work more quickly because of their integrated process, while others might have longer lead times, depending on how available they are and the complexity of the project.
Understanding precisely what you require will assist in guaranteeing that you hire the proper firm that will be able to satisfy your project’s unique demands.
Research and limit your choices
Begin by conducting research on potential design-build firms that work with your type of project. Identify firms with a good reputation and a list of finished projects like yours. The following are some techniques to assist you in limiting your choices:
Portfolio review: Look at the firm’s portfolio to make sure that their style is what you want. A firm that has worked on your exact type of project will have a track record you can review.
Client testimonials and reviews: Past clients’ feedback can give you an idea of the firm’s communication, dependability, and capability of meeting deadlines and budget expectations. Look for patterns in their reviews.
Referrals: Word of mouth is usually one of the most accurate means to identify reliable service providers. Obtain referrals from colleagues, friends, or professionals within the industry.
Certifications and credentials: Verify that the company possesses required certifications and licenses. For instance, architects and contractors in the United States are required to be licensed by the state. Professional association membership, like that of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) or the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), can also serve as a marker of credibility.
Evaluate their design and construction expertise
A design-build company must possess the balance of design and construction abilities. An architectural planning and design company that is high in one aspect but not specialized in the other can pose project problems. The following is the way to review their abilities on both sides:
Design experience: Look at the firm’s design portfolio to see their creative vision and capabilities. Are their designs innovative and consistent with your project objectives? Do they consider functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability?
Construction knowledge: Enquire from the firm about their experience in construction and how they combine it with the design. Are they able to anticipate during construction any possible problems that will arise from the design? An effective design-build company should be able to understand how to implement design changes for buildability reasons.
Collaboration: Ask how their construction and design teams interact with each other. A collaboration-based approach allows the project to be executed with minimal hitches and early conflicts, if any.
Any project thrives on proper communication. Your construction firm of choice should present high levels of communication skills, starting from the consultation to the ultimate handover.
Initial interaction: Pay attention to how the firm communicates during your first meeting. Are they attentive to your needs? Do they ask insightful questions to understand your vision? Are they responsive to emails and phone calls?
Project management tools: Ask how the company will manage the project. Do they utilize project management software to monitor timelines, budgets, and progress? Will you have access to such tools to monitor your project’s progress?
Regular updates: A design-build company should give regular updates during the process, informing you of progress, any delays that may arise, and budget revisions.
Cost and payment structure
Talking about the expenses before anything is underway can avoid later confusion. A dependable design-build company should give an accurate cost estimate that itemizes both design and construction expenses.
Fixed or hourly rates: A few companies offer fixed rates, while others charge an hourly rate. Figure out what model suits you best and ensure you know how changes to the scope could impact costs.
Payment milestones: Negotiate a payment schedule that aligns with the project milestones. For instance, a down payment may be requested before work can start, with additional payments due at certain points of the completion of the project.
Transparency: A reliable firm will offer upfront, transparent pricing. Be cautious of firms providing ambiguous or changing estimates. Always ask for a clear breakdown of what is included in the costs.
Check for sustainability and innovation
In the current world, most clients are searching for sustainable solutions and creative design. Whether energy-efficient building or the utilization of sustainable materials, make sure the firm is aware of sustainable practices.
Sustainable design: Does the firm utilize eco-friendly design aspects, including energy-efficient systems, water-conserving technologies, and sustainable materials?
Innovative techniques: Are they familiar with modern construction techniques, such as modular construction, 3D printing, or passive house design? Firms with a forward-thinking approach can offer creative and efficient solutions that go beyond the conventional.
Evaluate the team’s professionalism
You will be working hand-in-hand with the design-build company for quite some time, so the team’s professionalism is important. Observe how the architectural design experts conduct themselves at meetings and whether they meet your expectations.
Work ethic and attitude: Are they organized and on time? Do they appear to be enthusiastic about your project, or are they simply going through the motions?
Team composition: Ask about the key members of the team who will be working on your project, including the designers, project managers, and contractors. Do they have experience in your specific type of project?
Once you’ve selected a firm, ensure that all terms, expectations, and costs are laid out in a detailed contract. This document should outline every aspect of the project, including:
The scope of work
Project timeline and milestones
Payment schedule
Responsibilities of each party
Clauses for resolving disputes or delays
A well-drafted contract safeguards both you and the firm and ensures a more enjoyable project experience.
Trust your instincts
Lastly, trust your instincts. If you don’t feel right about something during your interaction with a firm, it’s worth exploring other possibilities. A design-build project is an investment, and you want an expert design and drafting team that makes you feel confident and at ease during the process.
Conclusion
Getting the right design-build firm can make a huge difference in the success of your project. By weighing the points presented above — from establishing your requirements to evaluating the firm’s experience and communication — you will be in a more informed position. With a professional, experienced, and talented team from Cad Crowd, you are able to take your concepts to life with productivity, innovation, and reassurance. Reach out to us right now and get your quote for free.
MacKenzie Brown is the founder and CEO of Cad Crowd. With over 18 years of experience in launching and scaling platforms specializing in CAD services, product design, manufacturing, hardware, and software development, MacKenzie is a recognized authority in the engineering industry. Under his leadership, Cad Crowd serves esteemed clients like NASA, JPL, the U.S. Navy, and Fortune 500 companies, empowering innovators with access to high-quality design and engineering talent.
Lunar Remastered Collection’s physical edition is back in stock for Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One. The physical edition is exclusive to Amazon in the US and has been hard to secure since the two-game collection became available to purchase on launch day (April 18). The Nintendo Switch version in particular tends to sell out quicker than the PS4 and Xbox One versions. Lunar Remastered Collection’s physical edition retails for $55, five bucks more than the digital edition for consoles and PC.
The Lunar Remastered Collection includes enhanced versions of Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and its sequel, Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete.
Both games feature retouched graphics, enhanced audio, new English localizations, and gameplay tweaks like optional battle speed increases to make the classic RPGs more approachable.
The Amazon-exclusive physical editions have reversible cover art featuring both Lunar and Lunar 2 by series illustrator and anime artist Toshiyuki Kubooka.
A digital version of the collection is also available for consoles and PC via Steam.
This collection offers a great way to experience two of the most important RPGs from the 16-bit and 32-bit console eras. The original Lunar: Silver Star Story is considered a landmark title in the Japanese RPG lineage and was one of the first console RPGs to feature voice acting, animated cutscenes, and CD-quality music thanks to its original platform, the Sega CD. It was later remade for PS1 and Sega Saturn as Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete, which is the version included in the Lunar Remastered Collection. Its sequel, Lunar 2: Eternal Blue, also launched on PS1 and Saturn and built upon the gameplay and story presentation of the first game, featuring even more voiced dialogue and a larger cast.
Voice acting, cutscenes, and high-quality soundtracks are now common elements of video games, they were groundbreaking at the time–though the voice performances are now notorious for their uneven quality. However, the new Remastered Collection includes all-new English voice acting for both games–though the scripts for both remasters are based on the original localizations. Lunar Remastered Collection also includes the option to play with Japanese voice acting, and you can also swap between the new enhanced visuals or the PS1 visuals for both games.
Before asking the actual question let me explain why I decided to post in SO instead of SuperUser or any other Chrome-related community for that matter. Even though the answer may have to do with Chrome itself the question is heavily related to Visual Studio 2022 and I highly doubt that any user in those other communities would be able to provide a sufficient answer.
To debug an ASP.NET Core Web App (MVC) I select the "IIS Express" profile in Visual Studio 2022 and the Google Chrome browser to launch when debugging starts.
I like the "Stop debugger when browser window is closed, close browser when debugging stops" option, which I believe is checked by default in Visual Studio 2022.
I have never had any problems with the Chrome window that the debugger opens, attaches to and then closes when I click "Stop Debugging" in Visual Studio. All other opened Chrome windows were never affected in any way and would always remain open when debugging was stopped.
But the last couple of days whenever I click "Stop Debugging" in Visual Studio all opened Chrome windows get closed! This is super annoying. I am pretty sure that only the debugger’s Chrome window used to close when debugging stopped.
I did some trial-and-error by deleting Chrome profiles and even uninstalling and re-installing Chrome but to no avail. When I select Microsoft Edge in Visual Studio everything works as expected. That makes me think Chrome is to able and not Visual Studio but I cannot really pinpoint what might have changed and would very much appreciate any ideas, workarounds or hints.
UPDATE: Let’s take one step further and make the question a little bit more technical. Is there any way I can configure the way Visual Studio 2022 debugger attaches to the Chrome browser so that other, unrelated-to-the-debugging-session browser windows do not close when the debugging session ends?
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Companies hope that this year, like last year, will be remembered for AI breakthroughs in smartphones. However, there’s another trend this year that I expect we’ll not forget: the era of the thin phone.
The OPPO Find N5 pushed the boundaries of thickness in folding phones, and now Samsung has done the same in smartphones with the Galaxy S25 Edge. Ahead of the rumored iPhone 17 Air’s debut in September, Samsung’s latest flagship has already ruined thicker phones for me.
At first glance, the Galaxy S25 Edge may be considered a downgrade compared to its siblings. It has the smallest battery and one less camera, but as the adage goes, seeing is believing. In this case, it would be more apt to say that holding is believing.
There’s room for improvement, but the Galaxy S25 Edge is a beautiful phone that you can only appreciate once you hold it. When you do, you may forgive its shortcomings.
Nirave Gondhia
Nirave is a veteran tech journalist and creator at House of Tech. He’s reviewed every Samsung flagship phone and more than 1,000 phones over the past 20 years. A heart attack at 33 inspired him to consider the Impact of Technology on our physical, mental, and emotional health. Say hi to him on Twitter or Threads!
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Price and Availability
(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia / Android Central)
The Galaxy S25 Edge was first teased at the Unpacked event for the Galaxy S25 launch on January 22, 2025. The official launch happened on May 13, 2025, with the phone officially on sale as of May 30, 2025.
There are two storage options available, both of which come with 12GB of RAM. The base model comes with 256GB for $1,099.99 (UK £1,099 / AU$1,849), while the 512GB model costs $1,219.99 (UK £1,199 / AU$2,049).
Unlike its siblings, it doesn’t come in a huge range of colors, and there are no Samsung.com exclusive colors, but it is available in three hues: Silver, Jet Black, and Icy Blue.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Design & display
(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia / Android Central)
The S25 Edge is extremely thin at 5.8mm.
It weighs 25% less than the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
It has a titanium frame, an IP68 rating, and Gorilla Glass front and back.
If there’s one reason to buy the Galaxy S25 Edge, it’s the design, and in particular, the thickness. Measuring 5.8mm thick (excluding the camera bump), it’s currently the thinnest flagship phone, although it is still much thicker than the OPPO Find N5, which is 4.21mm thin when unfolded. For comparison, the Edge is between 1.4mm and 2.4mm thinner than the rest of the Galaxy S25 lineup.
It’s not just about the thickness, as arguably the more impactful feature is the weight. At 163 grams, it’s just one gram heavier than the regular Galaxy S25, but features the larger display of the Galaxy S25 Plus and the primary camera of the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The Galaxy S25 Plus weighs 27 grams more, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra is a whopping 55 grams more, or over a third of the total weight.
These numbers may seem inconsequential, but they are core to the Galaxy S25 Edge offering. It combines the best features of the Galaxy S25 series into a phone that’s thinner, lighter, and much more pocket-friendly.
Once you hold the Galaxy S25 Edge in your hands, the thin profile and light weight quickly assuaged many of my concerns around missing features, the smaller battery, or the lack of a telephoto lens. I didn’t realize that phone thickness was important to me until I used the Galaxy S25 Edge.
Beyond the design, you get a structure that Samsung has refined over the past few years. There’s a titanium build that feels extremely premium, and it’s paired with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back. Despite some concerns about the thickness, especially considering other phones in history that have been thin and bent easily, the Galaxy S25 Edge has shown no signs of bending easily during daily usage.
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The 6.7-inch display on the front is protected by Corning’s new Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, which is virtually identical to the Ceramic glass used in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but lacks the anti-glare finish. The display is identical to the one found on the Galaxy S25 Plus, further highlighting how the Galaxy S25 Edge captures many of the best parts of its siblings in an entirely new device.
Having used the Galaxy S25 Edge for almost two weeks, it’s become increasingly harder to use any other phone. The design may not feel that impressive on paper, but once you hold it, you’ll quickly realize that this is a special phone. If phones have been too big or heavy for you, the Galaxy S25 Edge may be the solution you’ve been looking for.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Specs & performance
(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia / Android Central)
Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy is fast, fluid, and fantastic.
Excellent flagship specs sheet
The battery is the smallest in the range but still lasts a day.
For the most part, the Galaxy S25 Edge features the same flagship hardware as the rest of the Galaxy S25 lineup. It’s equally the best and the worst parts of this phone, especially considering one of the biggest concerns, the battery.
First, the good parts. The Galaxy S25 Edge is powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor as the rest of the lineup, offering flagship performance as expected. I’ve used it for light gaming, heavy multitasking, and more, and there have been no signs of lag or slowdown.
The result is incredible performance, and the higher clock speeds on the Galaxy variant Snapdragon 8 Elite mean it is the most powerful Android phone on the market.
In daily usage, there’s not a huge difference between this and the Snapdragon 8 Elite used in other phones, but it should be future-proofed for longer. Samsung is promising seven years of software and security updates for the Galaxy S25 Edge. With AI playing a significant role in the current and future smartphone featureset, the Galaxy S25 Edge should remain extremely capable even at the end of this period.
(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia / Android Central)
There’s also the huge set of features that you’d expect from a flagship phone, including an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor that’s fine, albeit not as good as rival flagships I’ve used. There’s also support for Snapdragon Satellite, which means the S25 Edge can send and receive SMS messages via satellite when your cellular network isn’t available.
That’s the good, but it comes at a price: the battery. Even Samsung can’t beat physics, and the big display, flagship specs, dual camera, and thin profile meant there would be a compromise. In this case, it’s the battery and charging, but it’s not as big as it sounds on paper.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Battery Life & Charging
(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia / Android Central)
All-day battery life, but only one day.
Slower charging than you’d expect.
The Galaxy S25 Edge features a 3,900mAh battery, 100mAh smaller than the base Galaxy S25, and significantly smaller than the Galaxy S25 Plus (4,900mAh) and S25 Ultra (5,000mAh). When Samsung first revealed the battery capacity, I expected this to be my biggest challenge, but as it turns out, this is only partially true.
Like many phone makers, Samsung has been promising all-day battery life on its phones for many years, and most phones deliver with some charge remaining at the end of the day. The Galaxy S25 Edge also delivers all-day battery life, but it gets dangerously close to needing a recharge before the end of the day.
Battery life isn’t phenomenal, but it’s also not as bad as you would expect.
Everyone’s usage varies, so what does all-day battery life look like? Charging to full at 11 a.m. (having forgotten to charge it overnight), the Galaxy S25 Edge lasted a total of 28 hours on a full charge with just under seven hours of screen time and around seven percent battery remaining. It’s fairly representative of the maximum battery life you can expect, and that was with light gaming, a lot of streaming, web browsing, and some calls, with half the day on Wi-Fi and half without.
The battery life meets my expectations for moderate to heavy usage in a day, and should be sufficient for most users. However, it’s much harder to excuse the slower 25W charging, which takes around 80 minutes to charge the phone. Samsung opted against including the 45W charging from the S25 Plus, despite the S25 Edge costing more, which is harder to accept considering the price.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Cameras
(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia / Android Central)
200MP primary camera from the S25 Ultra.
12MP ultrawide camera.
No telephoto lens, quality degrades after 2x.
The Galaxy S25 Edge has two rear cameras. The main one is 200MP and is supposedly the same camera found in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but reduced in size by almost 40%. The ultrawide is the same 12MP ultrawide found in the Galaxy S25 Plus.
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The Galaxy S25 Edge offers a 2x ‘zoom’ achieved through an in-sensor crop, as well as 4x and 10x zoom options, with 10x being the maximum. At 2x, the camera is still fairly capable, but above this, the images do not feel like they were captured by a flagship phone.
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At higher resolutions, the OIS is somewhat ineffective, and the camera is unable to compensate for the loss of detail. Instead, you get photos that have slight motion to them and lack the finesse of other cameras. You also need the larger pixel size to compensate for light in low-light conditions, so the 12MP photos tend to be the best overall.
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Color point 2x(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)
(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)
There is good news: if you take mostly portraits, the Galaxy S25 Edge has the same excellent portrait mode, including Color Point, my favorite portrait mode feature of any phone, as the rest of the Galaxy S25 lineup. There’s also 8K video at 30fps, 4k at 120fps, and FullHD video that can capture slo-mo videos at 240fps.
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(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)
(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)
(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)
(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)
(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)
(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)
(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)
The Galaxy S25 Edge boasts mostly flagship camera specs on paper, but while the main camera does leave me wanting, it remains more than capable. If you want the best smartphone camera, you have no choice but to look at the OPPO Find X8 Ultra or Galaxy S25 Ultra. However, if design is important and you don’t mind a camera that’s just good enough, the Galaxy S25 Edge is great.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Software and AI
(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)
Android 15 with One UI 7 on top.
Seven years of software and security updates.
Samsung DeX, Galaxy AI, and Gemini included.
As with every company, AI plays a significant role in the Galaxy S25 Edge experience. Unlike Samsung’s past Edge phones, such as the Galaxy S6 Edge and its waterfall display design, there are no exclusive software tricks on this phone. Rather, you get the same, great One UI 7, Galaxy AI, and Gemini experience that you’ll find across the rest of the lineup.
That includes a smooth interface with bubble-like, rounded edges; a split notification center and quick settings similar to iOS; an app drawer that can finally be laid out vertically in alphabetical order; and greater consistency with other Android devices. I’ve been a fan of One UI for many years, but One UI 7 feels better than ever before.
(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)
Another great addition to the software is the deep partnership between Samsung and Google. Instead of competing visions, the Galaxy S25 Edge — and the rest of the Galaxy S25 lineup — use Google apps (like Messages) as default, and have been the first phones to get many new Google Gemini features like Circle to Search.
Paired with Galaxy AI features and Samsung’s fantastic image editing capabilities, you have an accomplished AI suite, even if it somewhat relies on you needing to invest heavily in the Galaxy ecosystem. Samsung and Google have figured out how to work together, and the result is a software experience that’s akin to the old Google Play Edition in its seamless and streamlined nature.
The Galaxy S25 Edge is the first commercially available ultra-thin flagship candybar smartphone, although Apple is also expected to launch the iPhone 17 Air later this year.
At 5.8mm, the Galaxy S25 Edge is not the thinnest smartphone overall, however. Companies like OPPO and Honor have both launched ultra-thin folding phones, such as the Find N5 and Honor Magic V3, measuring 4.21mm and 4.35mm, respectively. However, when it comes to non-foldable phones, the Galaxy S25 Edge is truly unique in its thin build.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Should you buy it?
iPhone 16 Pro (left) vs Galaxy S25 Edge (right). (Image credit: Nirave Gondhia / Android Central)
You should buy this if…
You are tired of thick or heavy phones in your pocket
You want a big screen and camera without the weight
Design is more important than raw specs to you
You shouldn’t buy this if…
You want the absolute best camera or battery life
You want a dedicated telephoto camera for enhanced zoom
You don’t want to make any compromises
If the Galaxy S25 Edge weren’t the thinnest smartphone you can buy right now, the answer to this question would likely be no; there are enough trade-offs that this isn’t the best phone you can buy right now. However, the thinness makes this incredibly appealing, and far more so than I had expected.
Going into this review, I had three primary concerns: the battery life, the build quality, and the camera. Everything else was likely to be extremely solid. Having spent time with the Galaxy S25 Edge, it delivers on two out of the three, but the camera falls short.
Yet, for some people, this could be the ideal phone. If you want the best of the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25 Plus without the thickness or weight, the Galaxy S25 Edge could be perfect.
Personally, the Galaxy S25 Edge has changed my thoughts on slim phones. There will always be trade-offs, but the Galaxy S25 Edge shows that a thin phone can be great. There’s room for improvement, but this phone has me smitten.
Holding is believing
The Galaxy S25 Edge demonstrates that thin phones can still offer impressive specs. It offers the best of the Galaxy S25 series in a truly special design. Holding is believing, and when you hold the S25 Edge, you won’t want to put it down.
The latest reports from Apple Insider suggest that the new iPhone 17’s screen could match that of the iPhone 17 Pro’s, but there are plenty of other rumors about the new iPhone, including the possibility of a skinny iPhone 17 Air.
We’re tracking all the biggest leaks and rumors and sharing what we know so you can get an idea of what’s coming next with the iPhone.
Watch this: iPhone SE 4 vs. iPhone 17 Air Rumors: Does Size Matter Over Cost?
iPhone 17 release date: When is the next iPhone coming out?
Over the last several years, Apple has consistently announced its new phones in the first half of September. This will likely be the case with the full iPhone 17 lineup, with the exception of the iPhone 17E, which could arrive in early 2026, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and a report from The Information.
The iPhone 17 lineup may be the last to follow this fall-release model. Starting with the iPhone 18, Apple will reportedly split its phone releases so that lower-cost iPhones launch in the first half of the year and the higher-end Pro models become available later in the year. But that isn’t expected to happen until 2026, so you can likely still expect the iPhone 17 Pro to become available this fall.
Preorders for a new iPhone typically begin the Friday after the announcement, with the phone shipping a week later.
iPhone 17 price: Will tariffs increase the cost of the next iPhone?
President Trump has raised, lowered and paused tariffs a dizzying number of times since February, all of which could affect the cost of the iPhone 17.
However, all the reprieves appear to be temporary, so reciprocal tariffs could still affect prices by the time the iPhone 17 is released.
Trump threatened Apple with a 25% tariff on all iPhones made outside the country in a social media post on May 23. Later that day, he said that all smartphones — not just iPhones — would be hit with the 25% tariff by the end of June if they don’t move operations to the US.
Regardless of how tariffs play out, Apple plans to raise iPhone prices later this year, The Wall Street Journal reported. Apple apparently plans to ascribe the price increase to better features and design costs so it can avoid pointing the finger at tariffs and incurring the wrath of Trump (like Amazon temporarily did).
CNET Managing Editor Patrick Holland, who’s been reviewing phones for CNET since 2016, points out that the iPhone is overdue for a price bump. He noted that Apple has never increased the price for an iPhone Pro ($999) since the iPhone X was first introduced in 2017.
So yes, you should expect to pay more for the iPhone 17, regardless of tariffs.
Rumors of a new color for the iPhone started in April, when Twitter user and leaker Majin Bu (not the Dragon Ball Z character) posted that the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max could get a sky blue option. The latest MacBook Air models come in sky blue, which could give you some idea of the soft hue we’ll see on the iPhone if it goes in the same direction.
For reference, the iPhone 16 and Plus made a splash last year when they debuted pink, teal and ultramarine color options, alongside the standard white and black. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max introduced a new color, desert titanium — a restrained shade of peach — alongside the classic natural titanium, white titanium and black titanium options.
iPhone 17 Pro camera bump redesign
The iPhone 17 Pro’s camera has been the subject of multiple rumored changes, most notably that Apple could add a horizontal camera bar that spreads across the width of the phone. The front-facing “selfie camera” could also be getting an upgrade.
That raised the question of whether the iPhone 17 Pro would align the three camera lenses in a single row or leave them stacked in a pyramid design, as it did with the iPhone 16 Pro.
In February, Bu posted CAD renders of what could be the iPhone 17 lineup, and Front Page Tech also shared iPhone 17 Pro renders in a video. Both showed horizontal camera bars for the iPhone 17 Pro models that keep the stacked lens layout.
And as for your selfies: The front-facing camera will reportedly be upgraded from the iPhone 16’s 12 megapixels to 24 megapixels on all iPhone 17 models, according to analyst Jeff Pu.
Pu wrote in March that the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will feature a 48-megapixel telephoto rear camera, up from 12 megapixels on the iPhone 16 Pro models. That would mean all three cameras on the iPhone 17 Pro models — Fusion, ultrawide and telephoto — would be 48 megapixels.
Leaked Specs: iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max
Specs for the iPhone 17 are more grist for the rumor mill.
Display
The iPhone 17 could get a larger display than the iPhone 16, according to Apple Insider. It reported that DSCC founder and Counterpoint Research VP Ross Young posted on X that the base iPhone 17 will be 6.3 inches, an upgrade from the iPhone 16’s 6.1-inch display. In theory, that means the iPhone 17 would have the same screen size as the iPhone 17 Pro.
After the backlash over Apple not updating the 60Hz display on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, rumors of a 120Hz display (Pro Motion) on all iPhone 17 models could be welcome news, along with possibly adding the always-on display to the baseline model.
One feature you likely won’t see with the new iPhone 17 Pro models is an antireflective display, which CNET’s Patrick Holland called one of the best attributes of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. A source told MacRumors that Apple had to scrap plans for a more scratch-resistant display because of scaling issues with the coating process.
Additionally, Pu said the iPhone 17 Pro Max may reduce the size of its Face ID sensor, so it could have a narrower Dynamic Island, but the other iPhone 17 models would likely stay the same size.
Memory
Apple Intelligence and AI are likely to play more prominent roles with the iPhone 17. To support the new features, all the iPhone 17 models will step up to 12GB of RAM, tipster Digital Chat Station reported in April. Kuo has also suggested this could happen, according to Digital Trends.
Considering that the iPhone 16 lineup had 8GB of RAM across all models, this could be a big upgrade for the iPhone 17.
Frame
There’s been plenty of discussion about whether the iPhone 17 Pro will ditch its titanium alloy frame for an aluminum one. The most recent rumors, according to Pu, predict that the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will all have aluminum frames.
iPhone 17 battery life
The iPhone 17 Air might have to scale back on battery life to make a thinner design possible, although the latest rumor from AppleInsider is that it might use a silicon-anode battery that could help extend the battery life. However, rumors are that the iPhone 17 Pro will likely get a battery boost.
In May, Pu said the baseline iPhone 17 will likely feature Apple’s in-house A19 chip, while the Pro could have the A19 Pro chip. The iPhone 16 is powered by an A18 chip, which offers improved efficiency for better battery life. According to a report by 9to5Mac this month, the iPhone 17 Pro Max may be 8.725mm thick, compared with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which clocks in at 8.25mm thick. That larger size could potentially make room for more battery.
Are new iPhone rumors and leaks to be trusted?
Here’s the part where I come in and say: Everything’s a rumor until Apple officially releases the next iPhone. Rumors and speculation leading up to the iPhone’s release are often based on insider knowledge or leaked information from teams working on the iPhone’s designs, but those designs are works in progress — not necessarily the final product.
