2025 saw two revolutionary launches in the smartphone market with ultra-slim flagship phones. Apple’s iPhone Air was released in September as the thinnest iPhone yet at 5.6mm, while Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge went on sale in May with a thickness of 5.8mm. Each manufacturer has re-imagined what’s possible when it comes to premium flagship design and performance. These feats of engineering show that flagship features and supermodel thin bodies don’t have to be mutually exclusive. American consumers now have an exciting new option for how to think small when it comes to smartphones. And each signals a different approach to the interplay of thinness, durability, and cutting-edge features.
Design and Construction: Quality, Ultra-Thin Look and Feel
The war between the designs of these two flagships demonstrates two different methods for ultra-thin phone building. Granted, both manufacturers have done amazing work thinning down and still keeping the build quality premium and flagship durability.
iPhone Air: Premium Titanium Design with Ceramic Shield Protection
iPhone Air introduces a revolutionary titanium design that combines beauty with strength in the thinnest phone ever. This 5.6mm thinness has been accomplished by Apple through some of the most advanced internal architecture and materials engineering to date. The display in question is a 6.55-inch spec, and yet despite that, the device weighs just about 163 grams.
Ceramic Shield 2 delivers ultimate protection for front and back panels, offering four times better drop performance than your average smartphone.
The concept behind the iPhone Air is maximised protection with minimal sacrifices in aesthetics. It’s water resistant for up to 6 meters, which is well past what most smartphones are rated for. This allows for exceptional water protection while maintaining practical durability in super slim form.
Read our iPhone 17 Pro review guide to see how Apple continues to refine design and durability in its ecosystem.
Galaxy S25 Edge: Titanium Elegance with Glass Ceramic Science
At 5.8mm and 163 grams with an unyielding titanium frame, the Galaxy S25 Edge would get people all frothy at the mouth. The device demonstrates Samsung’s engineering ability, with its beautifully curved edges and ‘barely-there’ silhouette. The aggressive thermal performance sustains higher speeds on shorter heatsinks allowed by ducting.
The front display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 for engineered toughness and stunning vibrancy. This new glass ceramic technology is both tough and optically clear for the 6.7-inch screen. Premium titanium material provides extreme durability to ensure long-term protection while keeping a slim profile.
Samsung’s thinking is a blend of style and substance within the machine design itself. The redesigned vapor chamber cooling system is both thinner and has a wider surface area for greater heat dissipation. This revolutionary new thermal design even results in performance on par with that of much larger laptops.
For extra protection, check our guide on the best Samsung Galaxy S25 cases.
Screen Technology: Enormous Screens in Non-Existent Bodies
Both show how ultra-thin devices can deliver on display quality and size without concessions. These premium smartphones provide a superior visual experience thanks to cutting-edge display technologies and large screen sizes.
iPhone Air Display: 6.55-Inch ProMotion Greatness
The iPhone Air has a 6.55-inch display, which comes with ProMotion tech for fluid scrolling and quick touch response times. The big screen lets you have a more productive working time and a cinematic multimedia experience. Apple’s display technology offers vibrant colors as well as sharp detail on an expansive screen.
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HDR content support for improved visuals when watching videos
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Automatic brightness adjustment to match indoor and outdoor environments
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High-end panel technology that enhances flagship sophistication and user experience
Galaxy S25 Edge Screen: 6.7-Inch Dynamic AMOLED Awesomeness
The Galaxy S25 Edge has a 6.7-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X with HDR10+, and also supports a 120Hz refresh rate. Brightness goes up to 2600 nits.
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AMOLED technology produces deep blacks and rich colors
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120Hz refresh rate for buttery-smooth gameplay and animations
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44mm in-screen fingerprint sensor for secure and fast access
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High brightness levels ensure great visibility even outdoors
Performance and Power: Top Chips in Svelte Bodies
Neither ultra-thin flagship compromises on processing power to attain its tiny footprint. Powerful chipsets and cutting-edge thermal technology provide optimal performance in slim designs.
iPhone Air: A19 Pro Powerhouse Performance
According to Apple’s announcement in September, the iPhone Air is powered by a 5G-enabled quad-core Apple A19 Pro. The iPhone Air is equipped with an A19 Pro processor, which provides up to 40% improved sustained performance compared to previous generations. This powerful chipset performs consistently and supports multiple applications and multitasking while working or playing.
Apple silicon, in combination with an efficiency design, allows for longer battery life.
The A19 Pro supports:
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High-end computational photography
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Advanced video recording
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On-device AI acceleration for smarter user experiences
Its revolutionary internal technology allows it to achieve this with its sleek, ultra-thin design. Every part of the machine is tuned for performance density. This technique provides sustained flagship-level performance.
Galaxy S25 Edge: Snapdragon 8 Elite Excellence
S25 Edge has the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy that was particularly designed by Qualcomm for peak AI processing. This flagship SOC was designed to provide the best possible user experience, including seamless performance across Google services.
A thinner, wider vapor chamber in the Galaxy S25 Edge keeps its cool during intense use. Thanks to this new cooling system, performance can remain stable without compromise. The thermal management guarantees consistent, game-ready performance in the thinnest chassis.
See how Oppo’s next-gen phones balance power and design for more comparisons.
Camera Systems: Professional Photos in a Smaller Frame
, neither of these smartphones can achieve professional results in tight quarters. These ultra-thin flagship phones are proof that great cameras don’t require bulky designs.
iPhone Air: 48MP Fusion Camera Technology
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48MP Fusion Main Camera with the equivalent of four lenses
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18MP Center Stage front camera for improved selfies and video calls
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Advanced computational photography for studio-quality effects
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Portrait and Night modes for versatile results
Galaxy S25 Edge: 200MP Professional Camera
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200MP wide lens for pro-grade photography
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AI scene optimization for automatic adjustments
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Enhanced image processing for natural tones and sharp details
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Pro Tools is integrated directly into the camera experience
Durable and Reliable: Made to Last
Both brands have managed to prioritize durability on their ultra-thin models. Premium materials and craftsmanship provide the high-quality products; all hold your devices in safety and accessibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are these ultra-thin phones doing to manage heat under load?
Are these thin phones 5G and connectivity-friendly?
Do these phones withstand wear and tear as well as the beefier flagship models?
Are these ultra-thin phones a trade-off in the camera department?
Is the iPhone Air thinner than the Galaxy S25 Edge?
Conclusion
The iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge are both amazing solutions for our smartphone needs, and again, these models make thin form factors synonymous with flagship performance. Apple’s 5.6mm sleeved iPhone Air and Samsung’s 5.8mm Galaxy S25 Edge have shown us that premium features can indeed be wedged in such ultra-slim form factors. The iPhone Air is the king of the ecosystem and longevity, while the Galaxy S25 Edge rocks it with an amazing display and new-age camera tech. Both phones focus on those who don’t want to sacrifice either looks or performance in their smartphone pick. For anyone who wants to strike the perfect balance between thickness and flagship functionality, those are two amazing futuristic pieces of mobile technology.
