Tech giants Apple and Samsung are gearing up for a battle of ultra-thin smartphones in 2025, with the anticipated launch of the iPhone 17 Air and Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.
While Samsung has already teased the S25 Edge as one of its slimmest devices, Apple has remained tight-lipped about the iPhone 17 Air.
However, industry insiders suggest that the device will debut alongside the iPhone 17 series later this year.
Ultra-thin design and display
Apple’s iPhone 17 Air is expected to replace the iPhone 16 Plus, offering a significantly slimmer profile at 5.5mm at its thinnest point.
The device is tipped to feature a 6.6-inch OLED display with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, a standard Dynamic Island, and a shift towards an eSIM-only model to maintain its sleek form.
Samsung, on the other hand, is set to introduce the Galaxy S25 Edge, which is rumoured to measure between 5.6mm and 6.4mm in thickness.
The device is likely to sport a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, promising smooth visuals and vibrant colours.
Performance and chipset
Under the hood, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to be powered by Apple’s A19 chip, based on the 3nm process, along with 8GB of RAM. The device may also incorporate Apple’s in-house C1 modem chip, aimed at improving power efficiency, though it is reported to lack mmWave 5G support.
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge is rumoured to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, paired with 8GB of RAM. The company is expected to focus on optimised heat dissipation to manage performance in its slim frame.
Battery and charging
There were earlier concerns that Apple might reduce battery size to achieve a thinner design.
However, reports indicate that battery performance will remain comparable to current models, thanks to efficiency improvements in the C1 modem.
The device is also expected to support MagSafe wireless charging, along with wired charging speeds similar to the iPhone 16 lineup.
The Galaxy S25 Edge, in contrast, is tipped to feature a battery capacity between 3,800mAh and 4,200mAh, which is lower than Samsung’s flagship S25 Ultra (4,900mAh). The device is expected to support 25W wired charging, slower than the 45W fast charging seen in Samsung’s premium models. AI-driven battery optimisations are likely to help compensate for the smaller battery size.
Camera capabilities
Apple’s iPhone 17 Air is expected to house a single 48MP primary camera, relying on computational photography and sensor cropping for 2x optical-quality zoom. The approach mirrors the strategy seen in the iPhone 16e but with an improved sensor for better image processing.
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, meanwhile, is rumoured to feature a dual-camera setup, including a 200MP primary sensor and an ultra-wide lens. The device will also introduce AI-powered photography enhancements, further strengthening Samsung’s imaging technology.
AI and Software
Apple’s iPhone 17 Air will run on iOS 19, integrating Apple Intelligence for AI-driven features, such as enhanced Siri capabilities, on-device text summarisation, and smart photo-editing tools.
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge will feature Samsung Galaxy AI, offering real-time language translation, AI-enhanced photography, and cross-app automation. The company is expected to prioritise seamless AI integration across its ecosystem.
Launch timeline and pricing
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 Air in September 2025, alongside the iPhone 17 series. Pricing is anticipated to be in line with the iPhone 16 Plus, around $899 (₹89,900 in India).
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge could debut between April and June 2025, possibly alongside the company’s next-generation foldable lineup. Pricing details remain uncertain, but the device is expected to replace the Galaxy S25 FE, which costs approximately $649.
With both brands vying for the title of slimmest flagship of 2025, the competition between the iPhone 17 Air and Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is set to intensify in the coming months.
