The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge officially launched in late May, showcasing a super-slim design that was marketed as its standout feature. However, shortly after its release, reports indicated that the sales of this sleek phone were disappointingly low. Even with enticing pre-order deals, consumer interest in the Galaxy S25 Edge has not met Samsung's expectations.
Recent insights from The Elec, a Korean news outlet, reveal that the Galaxy S25 Edge is selling fewer units than Samsung had projected. As a result, the tech giant has decided to scale back its production numbers for this model. Historically, flagship smartphones experience robust sales within the first three months post-launch, but this trend has not held true for Samsung's slimmest offering yet.
The weak consumer interest in the Galaxy S25 Edge has also complicated Samsung's plans for its future smartphone lineup. The company intended to replace the Galaxy S26 Plus with the Edge variant next year, primarily because the Plus model has consistently underperformed in sales compared to its regular and Ultra counterparts. However, the lukewarm reception of the Edge variant has forced Samsung to rethink its strategy.
While the Galaxy S25 Edge boasts impressive specifications, including cutting-edge internals housed in a mere 5.8mm chassis, it sacrifices several key features to achieve its slim profile. Notably, the device is equipped with a modest 3,900mAh battery and omits a telephoto camera, raising concerns that the compromises may be too significant for consumers to overlook.
In light of the Galaxy S25 Edge's production cuts, Samsung is pivoting its strategy toward increasing the production of its upcoming foldable devices. The company is set to ramp up manufacturing of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 specifically for the US market. Reports indicate that Samsung plans to produce 600,000 units of these foldables in June, a notable increase from the 400,000 units produced for the previous Fold 6 and Flip 6 models last year.
Interestingly, this production increase is not solely driven by heightened demand for the new foldables; rather, it is a strategic move to introduce more units to the US market ahead of an impending 25% tariff. Overall, Samsung aims to manufacture approximately 930,000 units of the Fold 7, Flip 7, and Flip 7 FE, which is less than its original target of 1.34 million units. The company will assess market demand and may consider further production increases in July.
The challenges faced by the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge underscore the complexities of smartphone marketing in a competitive landscape. As Samsung navigates production adjustments and consumer preferences, its focus on foldable technology may signal a shift in its approach moving forward.