Who Will Win the Race for Slim Smartphones: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge or the iPhone 17 Air?

As tech giants Apple and Samsung prepare to possibly unveil their contenders in 2025—the officially announced Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and the rumored iPhone 17 Air—the competition for the best thin smartphone is getting more intense. This growing "slim race" suggests that the industry is once again concentrating on creating incredibly thin designs without, ideally, compromising the potent capabilities anticipated from flagship devices. Many customers are drawn to the appeal of a stylish, portable, and visually appealing smartphone, and Apple and Samsung are well-positioned to capitalize on this demand with their next products.

Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy S25 Edge will launch on May 13, 2025, making its intentions clear. They set a high standard for the competition with their audacious claim that it is the thinnest Galaxy S series device ever, with a reported thickness of only 5.85mm. This dedication to a fragile profile points to a major focus on portability and design for Samsung's flagship device in 2025. The plan to create a device that feels both lightweight and premium despite its slender form is further supported by the selection of high-end materials, such as a possible titanium frame.

Conversely, the iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to launch in September 2025, is still largely hidden behind Apple's trademark secrecy. A profile as thin as 5.5mm is suggested by some persistent rumors, which suggest an even more ambitious pursuit of thinness. Should these rumors turn out to be true, the iPhone 17 Air might be the thinnest flagship smartphone in 2025. Despite its possibly small thickness, the device will feel incredibly refined in the hand thanks to Apple's design philosophy, which is frequently focused on seamless integration and minimalist aesthetics. A design that maximizes internal space efficiency to achieve this ultra-slim form factor is further hinted at by the reported removal of the physical SIM card tray.

What We Can Expect from the Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone 17 Air

Despite the lack of official specifications for the iPhone 17 Air and the recent announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, we can infer some expectations from previous releases, industry trends, and reliable rumors.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Now that its May 13, 2025, launch date has been confirmed, we know a little more about Samsung's competitor. It's claimed 5.85mm thickness, which makes it Samsung's thinnest Galaxy S ever, is without a doubt the standout feature. In addition to its thin design, the S25 Edge is anticipated to have a top-notch AMOLED screen, probably measuring 6.7 inches, with a smooth refresh rate of 120 Hz for improved visual fluidity. It is expected to have a top-tier chipset—likely the Snapdragon 8 Elite—under the hood, along with lots of RAM for smooth operation. Although all the specifics of the camera have not yet been made public, Samsung flagships usually have high-quality, multipurpose camera systems, and the S25 Edge is anticipated to be no different. One major area of interest will be the battery life of such a thin device; rumors indicate that it will have a capacity of about 3,900 mAh and support both wired and wireless charging. Premium build quality is also anticipated, with the latest Gorilla Glass and titanium possibly used for durability.

iPhone 17 Air: Information about the iPhone 17 Air is mostly based on leaks and industry conjecture, as is customary with Apple before formal announcements. Its potential for an even thinner design than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge—possibly around 5.5 mm—is the main focus of the rumors. This quest for extreme thinness points to a strong focus on efficient design and internal component miniaturization. There is great expectation that ProMotion technology—adaptive refresh rates up to 120 Hz—will be included for the first time on a non-Pro iPhone model, and the display is anticipated to be an OLED panel, probably measuring around 6.6 inches. Apple's next-generation A-series chip will surely drive performance, guaranteeing strong and effective operation. Although Apple usually concentrates on computational photography and providing consistent image quality, camera details are less clear. Apple may mainly rely on the performance of its chip and iOS, or it may look into cutting-edge battery solutions or accessories, as battery life in such a thin form factor is a big unknown. It is anticipated that the build will follow Apple's high standards for quality, perhaps incorporating their distinctive design language and an aluminum frame. The device's streamlined design and efficient use of internal space may also be influenced by the reported removal of the actual SIM card tray.