Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: iPhone 17 Air Competitor

Samsung may have pulled the rug out from under us all with its latest teaser at the Galaxy Unpacked event in San Jose. Right when we thought they were finally going minimalist with the rumored Galaxy S25 “Slim,” they dropped a curveball, or rather, the absence of one. Instead of sticking to the “Slim” moniker, Samsung resurrected a branding from the dead—the iconic “Edge.” Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we’re getting the Galaxy S25 Edge. Only... it’s not really “edgy” anymore.

Now, before we dive into this branding conundrum, let’s set the stage. The Galaxy S25 Edge is poised to challenge Apple’s rumored iPhone 17 Air in the battle of who can make their phone slim enough to double as a bookmark. At an astonishing rumored thickness of just 6.4mm, the S25 Edge shaves off nearly 2mm from the current S25 Ultra, making it as slender as a wafer (or as some might say, an overly ambitious potato chip). For context, the standard Galaxy S25 sits at 7.2mm, which is practically bloated by comparison. Though, let’s be fair—these numbers conveniently ignore the notorious camera bulge. But hey, what’s a little dishonesty between tech companies and their marketing?

I was lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you feel about being elbowed by an overenthusiastic tech blogger) to get a first look at the Galaxy S25 Edge during the demo. Sadly, Samsung must have taken the “hands-off” approach a little too literally because getting my paws on the device was an absolute no-go. Forget touching it—I couldn’t even get close enough to a staffer to bribe them with a free latte. What I did get was a glimpse of the device sitting next to block forms about the size of your average flagship smartphone. And yes, it’s as slim as the rumors suggest, though my measuring tape was confiscated at the door, so don’t quote me on the decimals.

A Flat Twist on the "Edge" Brand

Now, here’s where things get a little dicey. Back in the day, the Edge series was synonymous with curved displays. Remember the Galaxy S7 Edge? Those beautifully swooping screen edges? It was the epitome of "look, I’m rich!" But the S25 Edge has done away with all that. Instead, it sports a flat display. Yep, Samsung took a brand built on the idea of curves and made it… straight. You’d think they’d rebrand this phone as the “Galaxy S25 Flat” for accuracy’s sake, but that wouldn’t exactly roll off the tongue, now would it?

Jokes aside, the display itself is what you’d expect—minimal bezels and a punch-hole selfie camera. It’s clean, it’s modern, and it looks like it’s been on a strict no-carb diet. But that doesn’t change the fact that the lack of curves makes the revival of the Edge brand feel a bit like they’re trotting out your high school band’s name for a reunion tour while ditching the lead singer.

Could This Have Been the Galaxy Alpha 2.0?

Speaking of branding choices, can we talk about the Galaxy Alpha? For those of you who remember 2014 (congratulations, you’ve survived a lot), the Galaxy Alpha was Samsung’s ode to slimness, inspired by the 2006 Samsung Card Phone (SGH-P310). This little legend was famous for being stylish, thin, and so compact it could disappear into your pocket. Bringing back the Alpha name for a phone like this would’ve made so much sense! It could have leaned into the legacy of slim sophistication rather than confusing us with a term that now feels out of place. But alas, the Edge brand won the lottery this time.

A Peek at the Back (and the Rumors)

Now let’s flip this pancake over. The Galaxy S25 Edge reportedly comes with a dual rear-camera setup. While that’s nothing revolutionary these days, it’s nice to see Samsung resisting the urge to slap on 15 cameras just because they can. I couldn’t confirm any other specs, though. Samsung kept mum on the processor, screen size, battery capacity, and whether this phone is durable enough to survive a drop from your pocket into the nearest puddle (spoiler: probably not).

What we do know is that Samsung is leaning heavily into the sleek-and-sexy narrative here. The flat display, the ultra-slim design, and the name itself scream, "I’m here to be seen, not necessarily practical." But hey, who buys a slim flagship for practicality, anyway? If you wanted that, you’d get a Galaxy XCover and call it a day.

The Crowd Swarm

Let me paint a picture of the demo area: a sea of humans, shoulder to shoulder, all craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the S25 Edge. The vibe was part Black Friday sale, part live concert mosh pit, and fully exhausting. I managed to maneuver close enough to squint at the phone from an awkward angle but not close enough to snap a decent picture. By the end, I felt like I’d just completed an Olympic sport in crowd navigation.

Final Thoughts: Slim Hopes?

So, where does that leave us with the Galaxy S25 Edge? On the one hand, Samsung’s commitment to pushing design boundaries (or, in this case, shrinking them) is impressive. A 6.4mm-thin phone that can still pack in dual cameras and a presumably decent battery is no small feat. On the other hand, the misuse of the Edge branding feels like a missed opportunity, especially when the Alpha name was sitting right there.

Still, whether you’re a die-hard Samsung fan or just someone who appreciates a phone that can slide under a door, the S25 Edge is bound to make waves when it officially launches. Just don’t expect it to bring back the curves. Those, it seems, have been left in 2016 where they belong.

From the Peak to the Plains: Rihanna’s Romantic Journey

Rihanna’s love life has always been a topic of fascination. From her high-profile relationships with the likes of Chris Brown, Drake, and a Saudi billionaire, to her current partnership with ASAP Rocky, the narrative surrounding her choices has sparked countless debates. Let’s take a closer look at this saga, peppering it with some wit, humor, and a dash of cultural commentary.

In her prime, Rihanna was the epitome of allure—beauty, talent, and a billionaire’s net worth to boot. She had the likes of Chris Brown crooning in her honor, Drake making sad-boy anthems about her, and a Saudi billionaire ready to throw the GDP of a small nation at her feet. But as the saying goes, “Time waits for no one.” Rihanna, like everyone else, hit her 30s, faced life’s realities, and decided to settle with ASAP Rocky, a rapper often considered B+ when compared to industry giants like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, or J. Cole.

Now, ASAP Rocky isn’t your average Joe. He’s got style, charisma, and a fanbase that’s devoted. But let’s face it: he’s not headlining Madison Square Garden or packing out the O2 Arena. While Drake is busy selling out State Farm Arena for the umpteenth time, ASAP might struggle to fill half the venue. Even Nigeria’s Asake, with his meteoric rise, could arguably outshine ASAP in the ticket-selling department. So, why did Rihanna choose him?

The "Wall" and Its Unforgiving Reality

Ah, the infamous "wall"—a concept popularized in internet discourse, often used to describe the point in a woman’s life when her market value, as some perceive it, begins to decline. High-value men, the argument goes, are always on the lookout for younger, fresher, and more malleable options. Rihanna, once the queen of the ball, may have found herself in a situation where the high-value men she once attracted moved on to newer prospects.

Now, to her credit, Rihanna didn’t let this reality turn her into a bitter internet commentator. Instead, she came to terms with her position and made what some might call a pragmatic choice. ASAP Rocky may not be a titan of industry or a chart-topping heavyweight, but he represents stability, companionship, and perhaps a shared understanding of fame’s unique pressures. If anything, Rihanna’s choice demonstrates self-awareness—a trait often missing in today’s dating market.

Sheng-nus and Their Unrealistic Standards

Let’s pivot to the “sheng-nu” phenomenon. Originally a Chinese term referring to “leftover women,” it describes women who, often by their 30s, have not yet married. The modern iteration extends to any woman with high standards and dwindling options. The delulu (delusional) mindset is strong here—an expectation for a high-value man to come riding in on a white horse, ignoring reality and the ticking clock.

The irony is particularly glaring in communities riddled with poverty and limited opportunities. You’ll find individuals—let’s call them "almajiris in wigs"—demanding partners who meet an impossibly high bar. Six figures, six feet tall, six-pack abs. Meanwhile, their own offerings are modest at best. The cognitive dissonance is baffling, and the humor writes itself.

If Rihanna, a billionaire with global influence, can embrace her reality and make a seemingly humble choice, why can’t the average person do the same? There’s a lesson here about humility, self-awareness, and understanding one’s position in the dating market. Sure, it’s easy to mock ASAP Rocky’s perceived shortcomings, but it takes strength to recognize that life isn’t about chasing unattainable ideals.

Rihanna and ASAP Rocky’s union also underscores the importance of shared values and chemistry over superficial metrics. Love, after all, isn’t a competition or a spreadsheet.

The next time you see someone with no discernible assets, no savings, and an inflated sense of self-worth demanding the moon and stars in a partner, ask them: “What’s the color of your delulu?” Because really, if Rihanna can date “down,” why can’t they adjust their expectations?

Life isn’t a fairy tale, and Prince Charming doesn’t exist. Instead, there are real, flawed people doing their best in an increasingly complicated world. The sooner people accept this, the happier they’ll be.

And let’s not forget: dating down is a relative concept. To Rihanna, ASAP Rocky may not be a Drake or a billionaire, but he’s still a talented artist with charisma and swagger. Perspective is everything.

Rihanna’s choice to settle with ASAP Rocky isn’t a tale of defeat but one of maturity and self-awareness. She reminds us that life’s realities don’t care about our delusions. Whether you’re a billionaire pop star or an everyday individual, finding someone who aligns with your values is more important than holding out for a fantasy.

So, to all the delulu dreamers out there: take a page out of Rihanna’s book, adjust your expectations, and embrace life’s realities. The wall isn’t the end—it’s just a new beginning.

The Importance of Legal Representation in Record Deals: A Case Study and Lessons for Artists

When Asake signed with YBNL, his decision to bypass legal representation out of trust for Olamide was a testament to his faith in his boss’s intentions. However, fast-forward three years, and the dynamics of the relationship appear strained. Asake’s silence on social media, the deletion of his posts, and his absence from major events—including those organized by YBNL—have sparked rumors of a split. Unfortunately, without proper legal counsel, the contractual terms he agreed to may now pose significant challenges to his departure.

This situation highlights an often-overlooked truth in the music industry: contracts are the foundation of an artist’s career. Trust is valuable, but contracts are binding, and their implications often extend beyond the surface. Every artist, no matter their level of trust in their label, needs an experienced entertainment lawyer to safeguard their interests. Below, we explore critical clauses every artist should consider when negotiating a record deal, along with practical compromises labels might accept.

1. Ownership and Control of Masters (Master Rights)

What It Means:

Master rights refer to the ownership of the original recordings of an artist’s music. Whoever owns the masters controls how the music is distributed, monetized, and licensed.

Why It Matters:

Ownership of masters is one of the most contentious aspects of artist-label relationships. Artists like Taylor Swift have highlighted how the lack of control over masters can limit creative and financial freedom.

Artist’s Demand:

Negotiate to retain full ownership of your masters or agree to a reversion clause, where ownership returns to you after a set period.

Label’s Compromise:

Labels often invest heavily in production and marketing, so they may require master ownership during the contract’s term. A reasonable compromise is to agree on a fixed buyout fee or a reversion clause after 5–10 years.

2. Term and Options (Contract Duration)

What It Means:

The term specifies how long an artist is obligated to the label. This can be based on years or the number of albums delivered. Labels often include options to extend the contract unilaterally.

Why It Matters:

A long-term contract with limited flexibility can stifle an artist’s growth and prevent them from exploring better opportunities.

Artist’s Demand:

Request a short initial term with limited or no options for extension. For example, agree to a two-album deal rather than a five-album contract.

Label’s Compromise:

Labels might accept an initial term of two albums with an option to extend based on performance metrics, such as album sales or streaming numbers.

3. Creative Control

What It Means:

Creative control dictates how much authority an artist has over their music, branding, and artistic direction.

Why It Matters:

Without creative control, an artist may feel stifled or forced to produce music that doesn’t align with their vision.

Artist’s Demand:

Negotiate for full creative control or, at the very least, a veto power over significant decisions regarding your music and image.

Label’s Compromise:

Labels may insist on approval rights for major decisions. A fair compromise is shared control, where both parties must mutually agree on creative aspects.

4. Royalty Rates and Escalation

What It Means:

Royalty rates determine the percentage of revenue an artist earns from music sales, streams, and other uses.

Why It Matters:

Low royalty rates can leave artists underpaid despite commercial success.

Artist’s Demand:

Push for a royalty rate of at least 20–25% and a mechanism for escalation (increased royalties) as milestones are achieved.

Label’s Compromise:

Labels may start with a standard rate of 12–15% but agree to an escalation clause after specific sales or streaming benchmarks.

5. 360 Deal (Revenue Sharing)

What It Means:

A 360 deal allows labels to take a percentage of an artist’s earnings from all revenue streams, including touring, merchandise, endorsements, and acting.

Why It Matters:

While 360 deals provide labels with additional revenue streams, they can significantly reduce an artist’s income.

Artist’s Demand:

Negotiate to limit the label’s share of non-music revenues, such as endorsements and merchandise, to 10–20%.

Label’s Compromise:

Labels often justify 360 deals by arguing they invest in building the artist’s brand. A fair compromise is to allow revenue sharing only on activities directly facilitated by the label.

6. Sunset Clause

What It Means:

A sunset clause ensures that an artist continues to receive royalties even after leaving the label, albeit at a reduced rate.

Why It Matters:

Without a sunset clause, artists may lose out on earnings from music created during their contract.

Artist’s Demand:

Request a sunset clause with clear terms for royalties after leaving the label, such as a 50% reduction.

Label’s Compromise:

Labels may agree to reduced royalties for a limited period, such as 5–10 years post-contract.

7. Marketing and Promotion Commitment

What It Means:

This clause defines the label’s responsibility for promoting the artist’s music.

Why It Matters:

A lack of marketing support can leave even the most talented artists struggling to gain traction.

Artist’s Demand:

Negotiate for a minimum marketing budget or specific promotional activities to be guaranteed in the contract.

Label’s Compromise:

Labels may agree to a flexible marketing budget tied to projected revenues or artist milestones.

8. Touring and Merchandise Rights

What It Means:

These rights dictate who controls touring schedules and merchandise sales.

Why It Matters:

Touring and merchandise are significant income sources for artists. Losing control over these can limit financial independence.

Artist’s Demand:

Retain full control of touring and merchandise rights or limit the label’s share to a reasonable percentage (10–15%).

Label’s Compromise:

Labels may agree to co-manage these rights and take a smaller share if they are not directly involved in organizing tours.

9. Audit Rights

What It Means:

Audit rights allow artists to review the label’s financial records to ensure accurate royalty payments.

Why It Matters:

Without audit rights, artists have no way to verify if they are being paid fairly.

Artist’s Demand:

Request the right to audit financial records annually, at the label’s expense.

Label’s Compromise:

Labels might agree to audits but limit their frequency to once every 2–3 years and require the artist to bear the cost if no discrepancies are found.

10. Exit Clause

What It Means:

An exit clause outlines the conditions under which an artist or label can terminate the contract.

Why It Matters:

Without a fair exit clause, artists may feel trapped in an unfavorable deal.

Artist’s Demand:

Negotiate for a straightforward exit clause, such as the ability to terminate after a fixed term or if specific benchmarks aren’t met.

Label’s Compromise:

Labels may require repayment of unrecouped advances or a buyout fee as a condition for termination.

Conclusion

The music industry is fraught with stories of artists regretting contracts they signed in haste or without proper legal counsel. Asake’s rumored struggles with YBNL underscore the importance of understanding and negotiating contract terms. Trust in a label or its executives is not enough; the fine print of a contract can have lifelong implications.

Artists should remember:

Knowledge is power. An informed artist is less likely to fall victim to unfavorable terms.

Seek professional advice. A competent entertainment lawyer is an invaluable ally.

Be patient. Never rush into signing a deal out of excitement.

By adhering to these principles and negotiating key clauses effectively, artists can build sustainable careers without compromising their creative and financial freedom.