The Battle of the Super-Thins: iPhone 17 Air vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

 The smartphone world is shifting. For years, "bigger and more" was the mantra, leading to bulky Pro and Ultra models. But in 2025, the trend has pivoted toward "ultra-slim flagships." This new category is defined by the iPhone 17 Air and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge—two devices that prioritize a razor-thin profile without sacrificing top-tier performance.

Design: A Race to the Bottom (in a Good Way)

If portability is your priority, both of these phones are engineering marvels. The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be the thinnest iPhone ever made, coming in at a staggering 5.65mm. Samsung isn't far behind with the Galaxy S25 Edge, which measures 5.8mm. While the difference is less than a hair's breadth, the feel in the hand is distinct.

Both devices utilize high-grade titanium frames to ensure that being thin doesn't mean being fragile. Apple’s "Air" features a unique "camera plateau" on the back to house its internals, while Samsung’s "Edge" focuses on a sleek, consistent profile that fits perfectly into a front pocket.

Display: Brightness Meets Scale

Samsung takes the lead in size with a 6.7-inch Quad-HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. It’s expansive and sharp, offering the high-end visual experience Galaxy fans expect. Apple counters with a slightly more compact 6.6-inch Super Retina XDR display. However, Apple may have the upper hand in outdoor visibility, with rumors pointing toward a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, outshining the already impressive screen on the S25 Edge. Both support 120Hz adaptive refresh rates for buttery-smooth scrolling.

Cameras: Minimalism vs. Versatility

This is where the two phones diverge most sharply. The Galaxy S25 Edge is for users who want options; it packs a massive 200MP main sensor alongside a 12MP ultra-wide lens. This setup allows for incredible detail and creative wide-angle shots.

Apple has taken a "less is more" approach for the iPhone 17 Air. To achieve its ultra-thin frame, it features a single 48MP Fusion camera. While it lacks a physical zoom or ultra-wide lens, Apple uses advanced computational photography to offer "optical-quality" 2x cropping. If you’re a simple "point-and-shoot" photographer, the iPhone is perfect; if you want a full toolkit, the Samsung is the clear winner.

Performance and Intelligence

Under the hood, both phones are powerhouses. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite, paired with 12GB of RAM. It is deeply integrated with Galaxy AI, offering tools like Circle to Search, real-time translation, and advanced photo editing.

The iPhone 17 Air utilizes the A19 chip, Apple’s latest silicon, which is optimized for Apple Intelligence. While it may have less RAM (estimated at 8GB to 12GB), iOS efficiency usually means it feels just as fast in daily tasks. The iPhone also features a vastly improved 24MP front camera, making it a superior choice for selfie enthusiasts and video callers.

Battery Life and Daily Use

Squeezing a battery into a 5mm frame is no easy feat. Samsung managed to fit a 3,900 mAh battery into the Edge, which is impressive for its size. Apple hasn't disclosed the exact capacity for the Air, but it focuses on efficiency to promise "all-day" battery life. Both support fast charging, though Samsung typically holds a slight lead in wired charging speeds.

The Verdict: Which Slim Flagship Is for You?

The choice between these two depends on what you value most in a "thin" phone:

• Choose the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge if you want a more traditional flagship experience—multiple cameras, a larger screen, and the flexibility of Android—all wrapped in a remarkably thin body.

• Choose the iPhone 17 Air if you want the absolute thinnest, lightest device possible and prefer a minimalist design that integrates seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem.

No matter which you choose, the days of heavy, brick-like smartphones might finally be coming to an end. This is the era of the ultra-slim, and both Samsung and Apple have set a very high bar.