Samsung’s Galaxy Book4 Edge marks an intriguing entry in the world of thin and light laptops, aiming to combine style, power, and portability. The result is a sleek device, but with significant trade-offs in performance that might leave power users wanting more. Let’s dive into what makes the Book4 Edge a visually stunning laptop and where it falls short when compared to the competition.

A Beauty in Design and Portability

The Galaxy Book4 Edge stands out in the crowded laptop market with its ultra-thin profile and minimal weight. At just under half an inch thick and weighing only 3.42 pounds, this 16-inch machine is among the most portable large-screen laptops available. Samsung’s meticulous attention to design is clear: the metal chassis is rock-solid, the hinge is sturdy, and the overall build quality feels premium. The understated sapphire blue finish (which looks more silver to me) blends perfectly with the gray keyboard, making for a clean and modern aesthetic.

From a usability perspective, the Edge excels in portability. It’s comfortable to carry around all day, and thanks to its balanced weight distribution, it’s easier to handle than some of its smaller counterparts. This is a big plus for those who prioritize portability without compromising on screen real estate.

A Mixed Bag of Performance

While the Galaxy Book4 Edge is a looker, its performance tells a different story. The laptop features Qualcomm’s top-tier Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 chip, a processor that promised a leap forward in power and efficiency for Windows on Arm. On paper, it’s supposed to be up to 20% faster than the next model down. However, Samsung’s choice to prioritize slimness over performance results in an underpowered experience.

Despite being packed with Qualcomm’s fastest chip, the Book4 Edge struggles to unleash its full potential. The processor’s clock speeds never reach their advertised peaks, and power consumption remains low compared to other Snapdragon-based laptops. This performance bottleneck stems from Samsung’s decision to limit power delivery to keep the laptop cool and thin. The result is a laptop that performs similarly to lower-tier Snapdragon devices, which is disappointing considering the premium price.

Battery Life That Impresses

Where the Galaxy Book4 Edge truly shines is in battery life. The efficiency of Qualcomm’s chip allows the laptop to deliver up to 14 hours of usage on a single charge. Whether you’re juggling dozens of browser tabs, streaming videos, or working on documents, this machine can easily power through almost two full workdays without needing a charge. This is particularly impressive given that the laptop’s 61.8Wh battery is relatively small, yet it outlasts many Intel-based laptops with larger batteries.

The 16-inch 3K AMOLED display also contributes to battery efficiency. With a resolution that balances sharpness and power consumption, the screen offers vivid colors and crisp images while keeping the workload on the processor manageable. The result is a display that looks stunning without compromising on battery life — a rare feat in this category.

The Verdict: Is It Worth It?

The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge is a great choice for those seeking a premium, ultra-thin, and light laptop with excellent battery life. It’s perfect for students, professionals, or anyone who prioritizes portability and style. However, if you’re a power user looking to get the most out of Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon chip, this laptop might not be for you. The underutilization of the processor means that you’re paying a premium for power that you can’t fully access. In this case, the base model with the less powerful Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 chip offers a better value for most users.

While the Galaxy Book4 Edge has its strengths in design, portability, and efficiency, its beauty comes at the cost of performance. Samsung’s decision to sacrifice processing power for a sleek design makes it a stylish but limited choice in the ever-competitive laptop landscape.

Pros:

• Ultra-thin and lightweight design
• Excellent build quality and aesthetics
• Impressive battery life
• Vibrant and sharp AMOLED display

Cons:

• Limited performance due to power constraints
• Higher price with minimal performance gains
• Better options available for power users

For those who prioritize style and battery life over raw power, the Galaxy Book4 Edge is a compelling choice. However, if you need a laptop that can keep up with demanding tasks, consider exploring alternatives in this price range that offer better performance.

A Close Look at the Competition

When stacking the Galaxy Book4 Edge against similarly priced competitors, it becomes clear that there are better options for those who need more power. Take the Asus Zenbook S 16 for example. Priced similarly at around $1,699, it offers better performance with a more capable processor and more RAM. While it’s slightly heavier and has shorter battery life, it’s the better choice for users who need raw power for creative work, multitasking, or running demanding applications. The Dell XPS 13 and Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x, both powered by lower-tier Snapdragon chips, surprisingly outperform the Galaxy Book4 Edge in benchmark tests despite their modest hardware. This highlights how the Edge’s design limitations ultimately restrict its true performance potential.

The Book4 Edge does stand out in a few key areas. Its battery life, thanks to the efficient Snapdragon processor, is among the best you’ll find in a laptop this size. The AMOLED display is another strong point, offering a balance between visual clarity and energy efficiency. However, if you’re willing to trade a couple of hours of battery life for better performance, there are alternatives that deliver more bang for your buck.

Who Should Buy the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge?

The Galaxy Book4 Edge is ideal for users who prioritize portability, style, and battery life above all else. If you’re a student, a professional who mostly handles web-based tasks, or someone who spends long hours on video calls, this laptop will serve you well. It’s also a good pick for those who simply want a high-quality, large-screen laptop that’s easy to carry around. The 16-inch screen offers more workspace without the bulk typically associated with larger laptops.

However, if your workflow involves heavy multitasking, video editing, or gaming, this laptop isn’t the best choice. The limited performance doesn’t justify the premium price for those kinds of tasks. Creative professionals, in particular, may find that the underpowered Snapdragon chip and modest GPU capabilities hinder their ability to work efficiently on intensive applications.

Is Windows on Arm Ready for Prime Time?

One of the broader implications of the Galaxy Book4 Edge’s performance is the current state of Windows on Arm. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors have made significant strides in turning Windows on Arm into a more viable platform, especially for devices focused on portability and battery life. However, this review highlights the challenges manufacturers face when balancing performance, power efficiency, and design. While Windows on Arm has become a solid option for everyday computing, it’s still not quite ready to compete head-to-head with Intel or AMD machines in demanding use cases.

For now, Windows on Arm is best suited for lightweight tasks, where battery life and portability take precedence. As software compatibility continues to improve and hardware evolves, it’s likely we’ll see more impressive devices emerge. But in the case of the Galaxy Book4 Edge, Samsung missed an opportunity to showcase the full power of Qualcomm’s flagship processor.

Final Thoughts: Beauty Isn’t Everything

The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge is a solid laptop in many respects, but it doesn’t fully deliver on its promise as a high-performance machine. Its ultra-slim design, excellent battery life, and premium build make it appealing, but the performance limitations prevent it from standing out in a crowded market. For those willing to invest in a premium Windows laptop, there are more well-rounded options available that offer better value.

In short, the Galaxy Book4 Edge is a beautiful device that’s built for portability and efficiency, but it falls short when it comes to delivering the brawn to match its beauty. If design and battery life are your top priorities, you’ll likely be satisfied with what this laptop has to offer. However, if you need more power for demanding tasks, you may want to look elsewhere.