Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge 14

The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge offers a sleek, ultra-thin design in a unique Sapphire Blue finish, blending gray, silver, and a hint of blue. Available in 14-inch and 16-inch models, the larger 16-inch version delivers an immersive experience thanks to its AMOLED display, which offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent clarity for content consumption and image editing. Despite its size, the Book4 Edge is surprisingly lightweight and portable, weighing just 3.4 pounds and measuring only 0.48 inches thick. It’s easy to carry and ideal for working on the go, though the large screen is best used on a stable surface. The laptop includes a solid selection of ports for modern connectivity. On the left side, there are an HDMI and two USB-C ports, while the right features a microSD card slot, headphone jack, and a USB-A port—an increasingly rare addition in ultra-thin laptops. The full-size keyboard offers a functional layout, but the number pad on the right side feels cramped. The trackpad is spacious and responsive, making navigation across the expansive display smooth. Under the hood, the Galaxy Book4 Edge is powered by the Snapdragon X Elite processor, a high-performance chip that delivers smooth operation and fast response times. Windows 11 runs efficiently, with faster wake times and improved multitasking capabilities. The processor also supports AI-driven features like Samsung's Copilot app, which can be accessed via a dedicated key. Copilot enables tasks such as answering questions, performing calculations, and even generating images using DALL-E 3. Though AI features are useful, it’s important to verify the information as AI-generated content can sometimes be inaccurate. The Copilot app also supports productivity tools and integrates well with other Galaxy devices, allowing for seamless file sharing and phone mirroring.

In terms of performance, the Book4 Edge excels in both everyday tasks and optimized applications, making it ideal for productivity and light creative work. However, some software that isn’t optimized for the Snapdragon platform may encounter compatibility issues. Samsung’s ecosystem integration is a highlight, especially if you own a Galaxy phone or tablet, as the laptop allows easy syncing of texts, files, and even control of the phone directly from the laptop. Battery life on the Galaxy Book4 Edge is less impressive. While AMOLED displays generally consume more power, the laptop achieves just under 10 hours of video playback, which is decent but not outstanding compared to competitors like the Dell XPS 13 (20 hours) or Surface Laptop 7 (15 hours). Nonetheless, with its quick wake-from-sleep functionality, the device is efficient enough for a full workday if topped off periodically. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge is a versatile and sleek ultrabook, ideal for users seeking a portable and powerful device with solid performance and vibrant visuals. However, its battery life could be improved, and users should consider whether the price aligns with their needs in terms of longevity and efficiency.

Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam