The ultra-thin smartphone revolution peaks in 2025 with Apple’s iPhone 17 Air and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge competing head-to-head for the title of the slimmest phone, bringing cutting-edge engineering, refined design, and flagship performance into impossibly thin profiles.
Table of Content
Design excellence
The iPhone 17 Air embraces an ultra-slim profile of 5.6 mm thickness while maintaining a premium titanium frame and robust protection, positioning itself as the thinnest mainstream flagship from Apple to date.
The Galaxy S25 Edge counters with a near-identical thinness of 5.8 mm, flat-edge aesthetic, and a titanium structure aimed at balancing minimal thickness with durability and comfort in hand.
Both devices achieve IP68 water and dust resistance and utilize next-gen protective glass compositions engineered to withstand daily wear despite the reduced chassis thickness.
Display technology
The iPhone 17 Air features a Super Retina XDR OLED panel with adaptive 120Hz refresh, prioritizing high brightness, accurate color calibration, and strong sunlight legibility.
The Galaxy S25 Edge uses a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with QHD+-class clarity and adaptive 120Hz, emphasizing contrast, saturation, and curved-edge immersion for media and gaming.
Brightness and outdoor visibility are top-tier on both, with Apple leaning into peak brightness headroom and Samsung optimizing with vision-boosting tone and contrast controls.
Performance and thermals
The iPhone 17 Air runs on Apple’s latest A19-series processor, designed on cutting-edge fabrication for higher efficiency and consistent single-core power in creative apps and everyday tasks.
The Galaxy S25 Edge deploys a top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite platform across regions, delivering excellent multi-core throughput and enhanced on-device AI capabilities for imaging and productivity.
Ultra-thin designs challenge heat dissipation; both brands implement advanced thermal solutions, with Samsung favoring a wider, thinner vapor chamber and Apple using tightly integrated heat spreading.
Cameras compared
The iPhone 17 Air relies on a refined 48MP system boosted by computational photography, offering natural color science, stable video, and reliable low-light performance.
The Galaxy S25 Edge adopts a high-resolution 200 MP main sensor approach with robust stabilization and AI-powered post-processing tools, catering to enthusiasts who value resolution and editing flexibility.
Video philosophies differ: Apple focuses on consistent 4K quality and cinematic stabilization, while Samsung provides broader resolution options and feature-rich shooting modes.
Battery and charging
Both phones balance slimness with endurance through efficient chipsets and tight power management, targeting full-day mixed-use under normal conditions.
The Galaxy S25 Edge has a 3900 mAh battery and supports fast wired charging of 25 Watts and reverse wireless charging for accessories, making it convenient for power sharing and quick top-ups.
The iPhone 17 Air has a 3149 mAh battery and emphasizes efficiency gains and ecosystem-friendly wireless charging of 20 Watts and accessories that fit neatly into Apple’s accessory ecosystem.
Checkout Latest Mobiles Deals Here.
Software and AI
The iPhone 17 Air ships with the latest iOS, integrating seamlessly with Macs, iPads, AirPods, and Apple Watch, focusing on privacy, smooth updates, and continuity features.
The Galaxy S25 Edge runs Android with One UI enhancements and deep AI features across the interface, editing, and productivity, backed by long-term software support commitments.
Choice comes down to platform preferences: Apple’s closed, polished ecosystem versus Samsung’s customizable, AI-forward experience within Android.
Pricing and positioning in India
The iPhone 17 Air positions as a premium device with higher entry pricing of 1,19,900 INR, appealing to buyers seeking the thinnest iPhone with top build and seamless ecosystem value.
The Galaxy S25 Edge is generally more affordable at like-for-like storage tiers 1,09,999 INR, offering strong value with competitive hardware, long software support, and generous retail offers.
Both brands support trade-ins and EMI plans; during festive sales, the Samsung often sees aggressive bank and bundle offers, while Apple maintains consistent pricing with occasional partner promotions.
Real-world usability
Extreme thinness impacts ergonomics, camera module stability on flat surfaces, and heat dispersion under heavy loads like gaming and 4K video recording.
Titanium frames help both devices remain rigid; protective cases with raised lips and grippy textures are recommended to preserve the slim chassis without sacrificing drop protection.
Haptic quality, speaker tuning, and antenna performance remain impressively consistent despite the reduced internal volume, highlighting careful component integration.
Verdict: iPhone 17 Air Vs Galaxy S25 Edge – Battle for the slimmest phone
The iPhone 17 Air is the pick for those who want the thinnest iPhone experience with class-leading polish, brightness, and smooth integration across Apple devices.
The Galaxy S25 Edge is the choice for customization, aggressive value, high-resolution imaging flexibility, and longer OS support within a slim design that still feels premium.
For minimalists and creators embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 17 Air shines; for Android power users and value-focused buyers, the Galaxy S25 Edge delivers a compelling balance.
iPhone 17 Air Vs Galaxy S25 Edge – Key takeaways
- Both push ultra-thin engineering with titanium frames and advanced protective glass.
- Displays are flagship-grade at 120Hz; Apple emphasizes peak brightness, Samsung emphasizes curved immersion.
- Performance is top-tier on both; platform preference will steer the choice more than raw speed.
- Camera philosophies differ: Apple’s computational consistency vs Samsung’s high-resolution versatility and AI tools.
- Pricing favors Samsung in India; Apple counters with ecosystem cohesion and resale value.
FAQs
Which phone is thinner?
The iPhone 17 Air edges ahead as the thinner mainstream flagship at 5.6 mm, with the Galaxy S25 Edge extremely close behind at 5.8 mm.
Which has better battery life?
Both aim for a full day; actual endurance will depend on usage, with Samsung leaning on faster charging and Apple on efficiency gains.
Which camera is better?
Apple delivers stable video and balanced color, while Samsung offers higher-resolution flexibility and powerful AI-enabled editing.
Which is better for gaming?
Both excel; Samsung’s thermals and multi-core strengths suit sustained loads, while Apple’s single-core and optimization benefit frame stability.
Which offers better long-term value?
Samsung provides longer stated OS support and sharper pricing, while Apple’s ecosystem, accessories, and resale value balance total cost over time.
Final word
If the priority is the absolute thinnest iPhone with seamless cross-device workflows, choose the iPhone 17 Air; if the goal is the slimmest Android with strong value, customization, and AI-forward features, pick the Galaxy S25 Edge.