Device Review: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on T-Mobile 5G Network

The smartphone market is a fiercely competitive arena, with manufacturers constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Samsung has consistently been at the forefront of this innovation, and with the release of the Galaxy S25 Edge, Samsung's engineers show they are capable of expanding their vision while shrinking the width of the lithe device. 

From the moment you lay eyes on the Galaxy S25 Edge, its design captivates. Samsung has refined its signature Edge aesthetic, making the curves even more elegant and the device feel incredibly ergonomic in hand. The premium materials – a robust, yet lightweight frame and the latest generation of Gorilla Glass – contribute to a luxurious feel that exudes quality. The subtle refinements in button placement and the seamless integration of the camera module into the overall design speak volumes about the meticulous attention to detail. It's a phone that looks as good as it feels, a true piece of modern art that fits comfortably in your palm.

The display, as expected from Samsung, is nothing short of breathtaking. The Dynamic AMOLED 3X panel on the S25 Edge is a visual feast, boasting unparalleled color accuracy, incredible brightness, and deep, inky blacks. Whether you're streaming high-resolution videos, browsing vibrant photo galleries, or simply navigating the UI, every pixel pops with stunning clarity. The adaptive refresh rate, now even more intelligent, ensures buttery-smooth scrolling and responsiveness while efficiently conserving battery life. The Edge itself isn't just a design flourish; it subtly enhances the viewing experience, making content feel like it spills over the sides, drawing you deeper into what you're watching.

Photography enthusiasts will find the camera system on the Galaxy S25 Edge to be a revelation. Samsung has taken an already excellent setup and elevated it to new heights. The main sensor captures an astonishing amount of detail and dynamic range, even in challenging lighting conditions. Low-light performance is particularly impressive, producing bright, clear, and noise-free images that rival dedicated cameras. The versatility offered by the enhanced ultra-wide lens and the improved telephoto capabilities means you're always equipped to capture the perfect shot, no matter the scenario. Features like advanced AI scene optimization and refined video stabilization make capturing professional-grade content effortless.

Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Edge is a powerhouse. Equipped with the latest generation processor and ample RAM, it handles everything from demanding games to intensive multitasking with remarkable ease on T-Mobile's remarkably fast 5G network. Apps launch instantly, transitions are fluid, and there's never a hint of lag. This raw power is complemented by Samsung's optimized software, providing a user experience that is both intuitive and highly customizable. And despite its powerful components, the battery life is surprisingly robust. Samsung has clearly worked wonders on efficiency, ensuring that the S25 Edge can comfortably last a full day of heavy usage, and often beyond, alleviating the common smartphone anxiety of constantly searching for a charger.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is a triumph of mobile engineering. It combines a stunning, refined design with an unparalleled display, a class-leading camera system, and blistering performance, all wrapped up in a package that offers excellent battery longevity. It's a device that exceeds expectations, proving itself to be an investment that will undoubtedly bring joy and productivity for years to come.

T-Mobile provided device for review.

Book Report: Crossroads

 

Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jonathan Franzen continues to establish himself as one of the definitive literary voices of his generation. "Crossroads" delves into the psychological angst of growing up and raising children amid a hypocrisy-laden structure in a time of tremendous cultural upheaval. Like Franzen's "The Corrections" and "Freedom," the writing pulses with rich dialogue, fascinating character development and sly cultural insifght.

Set in 1970s small-town Illinois, "Crossroads" centers around a family whose father is a minister at a powerful church. In addition to its numerous other connotations, the title serves as the name of the edgy youth group, which shepherds teens into channels of emotional expression and spiritual searches as a distraction from the allure of drugs and booze.

I was captivated throughout. Franzen's characters are all dense and soulful, and his writing shifts to guide you toward sensing their yearnings and drives as you see similar situations from differing perspectives. His clever narrative design allows for sudden flashbacks, insightful streams of consciousness and distanced, third-person bridges that allow you to lose yourself in his steady, confident storytelling.

Arresting themes emerge, as the parents and childrens come of age in intertwining paths. Deception, trust, religious-driven masking of psychological issues and sexual repression. It all flows naturally, with arresting storytelling threads pulling you along at high speed.

The first part of a proposed trilogy, "Crossroads" was a tantalizing effort, and by far my favorite of Franzen's considerable roster of novels thus far.

View all my reviews

Box Break: 2025 Bowman Baseball Value Box

 I pulled an autograph from a value box!

Broadway in Tucson Review: 'A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical'

"A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical," is the Neil Diamond retrospective you didn't realize how much you needed it.

Boasting electric choreography, stunning song and dance numbers and an overpowering energy that captures the spirit of Diamond's many incarnations over the decades, the musical serves as a glorious celebration of all things Diamond.

Borrowing its title from Diamond's 1976 album, the jukebox musical runs through the highlights of the rock star's catalogue, dating from his early days as a songwriter for the Monkees. 

A loose, somewhat weak framework has a modern-day Diamond talking to a psychiatrist, who tries to psychoanalyze Diamond via his song lyrics. No matter, whatever excuse to pump "Coming to America" and "Sweet Caroline" into the crowd multiple times is an inherent win.

The entire enterprise is clearly a well-earned Diamond ego trip, careful to touch on controversial aspects of his life while glorifying in his many successes. On multiple occasions, Diamond humblebrags that he drew more fans and outsold Elvis.

A musical like this is only as good as the actor cast as Neil Diamond, and this production thrives on the back of Joe Caskey, who fills in admirably for Nick Fradiani, the 2015 "American Idol" champ. Thriving with a charisma that echoes off the rafters, the electric Caskey seizes ownership of the crowd with a voice that, in the words of the book, sounds like gravel wrapped in velvet.

Most of the musical's most powerful moments belong to Fradiani, with a share going to his present-day counterpart, Robert Westenberg, but arguably the most powerful performance belongs to Hannah Jewl Kohn, a Disney princess musical national tour vet who thrives as Marcia Murphey, Diamond's second wife, and delivers a showstopper with a stunning rendition of "Forever in Blue Jeans."

Buttressed by an impressive ensemble that includes the likes of Zoe Maloney, Vanessa Aurora Sierra and Tasheim Ramsey Pack, who run through costume changes and shifting dance styles like wildfire, the show rarely loses its sense of headlong momentum. 

The crowd-pleasing bows, which enlist the audience to sing along to a pair of Diamond's grandest smashes, sends the production off in thunderous delight, with the soundtrack shifting to the beautiful noise of unbridled cheering and applause.

"A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical" plays through June 29 at Centennial Hall. Buy tickets here.

Hot on Home Video: 'A Minecraft Movie'

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Now that the likes of Sonic and Mario have shattered the curse of video games adapted to movies, "A Minecraft Movie" takes the ball and runs with it. Filled with clever gags, abundant fan service and original music by lead Jack Black, the film is more fun than it has any right to be. A spiritual successor to "Napoleon Dynamite" and "Nacho Libre," the film bears director Jared Hess's signature penchant for absurdist satire. Jason Momoa, Roy Lee, Job Berg, Mary Parent and Jill Messick round out the cast, which complements Black's manic style.

Extras include a slew of featurettes, including "Building the World of Minecraft Block Party," "Creepers, Zombies and Endermen Oh My!," "A Minecraft Movie: Block Beats," "A Minecraft Movie: Pixel Pals" and "Marlene + Nitwit."

 

Box Break: 2025 Topps Series 2 Baseball Hobby

See which autograph I pulled.

Box Break: 2025 Topps Heritage Hobby Box

 See which relic I pull.

Box Break: 2023 Bowman Chrome Baseball Mega Box

 

Not the best box.