Ever since Samsung’s Unpacked at the start of the year, the Korean giant has been teasing the Galaxy S25 Edge, their slimmest phone yet. And after a series of delays, the phone we’ve all been waiting for is finally here. However, the S25 Edge isn’t the only slim phone we’ll see this year, since Apple is rumored to announce the iPhone 17 Air in the upcoming months as well.
This begs the question: did Samsung gain an edge over Apple, or can the iPhone manufacturer still knock the Air out of Samsung? More importantly, should you pick the Galaxy S25 Edge, or wait for the iPhone 17 Air instead?
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: What’s All the Buzz About?
Now that the S25 Edge is here, we have official details on its specifications. The company took their New Year’s resolution more seriously than I did. It managed to slim down the phone by 1.36mm compared to the regular S25 and almost 2mm thinner than the iPhone 16. This kind of sharp aesthetics makes the device look like a design statement rather than a phone.
But it is not just a pretty face. Samsung has packed it with a sizable 6.7-inch 2K 120Hz LTPO AMOLED panel. However, unlike the previous Galaxy devices with the “Edge” moniker, this one doesn’t come with a curved screen. The giant display also makes room for the 3,900mAh battery in this claustrophobically thin design, along with the beefy internals.
It packs the same powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor (benchmarks) as the rest of the S25 lineup, coupled with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It almost seems like this is a no-compromise version with a slim waistline. But that is not the case. The S25 Edge doesn’t have a telephoto camera. Instead, it features only two cameras at the back: a 200MP main and a 12MP ultrawide lens.
To play the Devil’s advocate, the main camera should suffice for most of your zoom needs without a massive loss in quality. With these specs, Samsung went with a titanium frame to keep the phone durable, while still weighing only 163 grams. And to prevent any water damage, the phone is secured with an IP68 rating. This complete package is going to feel light on your pocket. But not on your wallet, as the S25 Edge will cost you $1,099 with 256GB of storage.
Apple’s Countermove: What We Know About the iPhone 17 Air
Apple hasn’t officially shown its hand yet, but leaks (and Apple’s naming history) suggest the iPhone 17 Air is coming this fall, along with the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup. Supposedly, the iPhone 17 Air will be thinner than the S25 Edge, possibly around 5.5mm, and will bring a lighter titanium build, smaller bezels, and the latest A19 chip.
The screen will be around 6.6 inches with Dynamic Island and get the same Pro Motion treatment as the Pro models. This size makes a lot more sense when you realize that the iPhone 17 Air will replace the “Plus” model this year. While we don’t know the actual battery capacity, reports indicate that Apple will use a high-density cell this year, implying the use of a silicon-carbon battery. The leaked dummy units also confirm the MagSafe on the iPhone 17 Air.
Additionally, similar to Samsung, Apple will make tradeoffs in camera setup, using a single 48MP camera on the rear. Not sure what’s with Apple releasing single-lens devices in 2025. First, the iPhone 16e and now possibly the Air. Another feature brought over from the 16e is Apple’s C1 modem, which has proven to be quite reliable in daily use.
Will iPhone 17 Air Stand a Chance against Galaxy S25 Edge?
To clear the clouds of confusion, we have summarized everything we have on the two phones in this table. Have a look:
| starts at $1,099 | $899 |
| May 2025 | September 2025 |
| 5.84mm | 5.5mm – 6.25mm |
| 163g | Unknown |
| Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 + Titanium Frame | Ceramic Shield Glass+ Titanium Frame |
| IP68 | IP68 |
| 6.7-inch 2K 120Hz LTPO panel | 6.6-inch 2K 120Hz LTPO panel |
| Snapdragon 8 Elite | Apple A19 Chip |
| 12GB RAM + 256GB storage | 12GB RAM + 128GB storage |
| 200MP Main + 12MP UW + 12MP Front | 48MP Main + 12MP Front |
| 3,900mAh | Unknown |
| 25W | 25W |
| One UI 7 (on Android 15) | iOS 19 |
| Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner | Face ID |
With all the evidence in front of you, both phones are shaping up to be pretty similar options. Both boast a big display with a high refresh rate, a sharp design refresh, and somewhat debatable camera offerings. So it all comes down to ecosystem, battery life, and pricing.While the first one is up for debate, if the iPhone 17 Air can pack a larger battery and get the price right, then Apple might just have an edge over Samsung.
So, who’s winning the slim phone war? Right now, Samsung can have its moment. The Galaxy S25 Edge is here, real, and turning heads. Apple? They’re still building suspense. But make no mistake, if the iPhone 17 Air lands with the usual polish, integration, and battery life Apple is known for, this could turn the tide real fast.
Ultimately, the “winner” won’t just be the thinnest phone. It will be the one that best balances a unique design, powerful performance, and good battery life, all at a competitive price. What do you think? Are you all about the super-slim design, or do other features top your list? Let us know in the comments below!
