Samsung has historically been at the forefront of the smartphone market, frequently establishing trends that others eventually embrace. This includes the ultra-slim smartphone aesthetics, which Samsung has advocated through its Galaxy lineup. Nonetheless, this year, Apple appears ready to take the initiative in the ultra-slim competition with its newest offering, the iPhone Air.
The iPhone Air stands as Apple’s slimmest iPhone thus far, measuring merely 5.6mm in thickness. This impressive thinness is accomplished through a design that incorporates a prominent camera plateau, which accommodates the phone’s vital components. Even with its slender profile, the iPhone Air features a 6.5-inch display, achieving a midpoint between the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max regarding size. However, the iPhone Air does have certain compromises, such as a single rear camera, the absence of a bottom speaker, and reduced battery longevity compared to earlier models.
Conversely, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, although not as thin as the iPhone Air, presents a more adaptable option. It comes with a dual-camera arrangement featuring a 200MP primary lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens, giving users more photography possibilities. The Galaxy S25 Edge also boasts a more expansive 6.7-inch display and a quicker USB-C port, positioning it as a formidable rival in the ultra-slim segment.
Both the iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge are designed for individuals who value a lightweight and sleek form factor over prolonged battery life and professional-grade camera capabilities. For these consumers, the practicality of carrying a slim device outweighs the necessity for added functionalities, which can be enhanced with accessories like MagSafe battery packs or dedicated cameras as needed.
Regarding design, the iPhone Air’s 5.6mm thinness is noteworthy, but its sizable camera plateau may not attract everyone. On the other hand, the Galaxy S25 Edge, with its 5.8mm thickness, provides a more harmonious design with a smaller camera bump and a larger screen. Both smartphones feature AMOLED displays with 120Hz LTPO support, although the iPhone Air excels with a brighter screen at 3,000 nits.
In terms of hardware, the iPhone Air is driven by the A19 Pro chip, albeit a binned variant with one less GPU core. It facilitates Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, yet it does not support mmWave 5G. The Galaxy S25 Edge, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, delivers comparable performance while including mmWave support and a quicker USB 3.2 Gen 1 port.
The primary benefit of the iPhone Air lies in its compatibility with MagSafe and Qi2 charging, enabling convenient battery recharges. In contrast, the Galaxy S25 Edge necessitates a case and battery pack for magnetic charging, which somewhat undermines the advantages of its slim profile.
Ultimately, the decision between the iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge may hinge on personal preference for iOS or Android, alongside the significance of features like MagSafe charging and camera adaptability. Both devices symbolize a movement towards thinner, more easily portable smartphones, catering to users disenchanted with cumbersome devices.
