Apple has announced a completely new model called the iPhone Air — not the iPhone 17 Air. It’s now the slimmest iPhone ever, measuring just 5.6mm thick, compared to 8mm on the standard iPhone 17 and 8.8mm on the iPhone 17 Pro models.
This year, Samsung also launched its ultra-thin premium phone, the Galaxy S25 Edge. Naturally, many are asking: which one is thinner? The answer is the iPhone Air, as the Galaxy S25 Edge comes in at 5.8mm.
At just 0.2mm thinner, what’s the real trade-off?
Both Apple and Samsung are pushing ultra-thin designs as the new standard for premium devices. But with slimness comes compromise. For starters, the iPhone Air only features a single 48MP rear camera. Apple advertises that it can achieve “optical-quality” 2x telephoto shots. But compare that to the Galaxy S25 Edge, which boasts a 200MP main camera, also with optical-quality 2x zoom, plus a dedicated 12MP ultrawide camera—something the iPhone Air simply doesn’t offer.
Battery life is another area where thinness takes its toll. The iPhone Air comes with a 3149 mAh battery, while the Galaxy S25 Edge packs a 3900 mAh unit. Surprisingly, despite its larger battery, the Galaxy S25 Edge still manages to be 2g lighter than the iPhone Air.
That said, Apple’s move to introduce a super-thin flagship iPhone is still a welcome addition. At the very least, it gives users the choice between a flagship device that prioritizes an ultra-slim design and one that offers more versatility. Both phones deliver powerful processors, long-term software support, and super-bright OLED displays.
The real battle continues next year. Reports suggest that Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 Edge could push the boundaries even further, with a thickness of just 5.5mm. Stay tuned for more.
