iPhone 17 Air vs Galaxy S25 Edge: The ultra-thin flagship race of 2025

Apple and Samsung are gearing up to redefine smartphone design with two of the slimmest flagships ever built. Samsung has confirmed a May 13 launch for its Galaxy S25 Edge, while Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 Air in September.

Though neither device has hit shelves yet, early leaks reveal what to expect as these ultra-slim contenders prepare for a high-stakes showdown.

The competition for the slimmest flagship smartphone is intensifying. While official specs remain under wraps, recent leaks offer a closer look at the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and the rumored iPhone 17 Air — two devices poised to rival each other in design, craftsmanship, and performance.

Here's a comparison based on the leaked information so far.

Samsung is first out of the gate in what’s shaping up to be 2025’s battle of thin smartphones. The Galaxy S25 Edge will launch worldwide on May 13 at 9 AM KST (5:30 AM IST), following its preview at MWC 2025 in Barcelona. It’s touted as the thinnest Galaxy S model to date.

Apple is expected to follow in September with the debut of the iPhone 17 Air, possibly replacing the iPhone 16 Plus. This move may signal a shift toward lighter, slimmer devices in Apple’s standard iPhone lineup. 

Leaks suggest the Galaxy S25 Edge will measure just 5.85mm in thickness and weigh approximately 163 grams. It is said to feature a high-end titanium frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back, and Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the front—balancing durability with sleek aesthetics.

The iPhone 17 Air could push the boundaries even further, reportedly coming in at only 5.5mm thick. To maintain rigidity at this extreme thinness, Apple may use aluminum instead of titanium, aligning with its environmental goals. The model may also drop the physical SIM tray in favor of an eSIM-only setup — a move that could restrict its availability in regions like China, according to reports.

Samsung is expected to equip the S25 Edge with a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, featuring a resolution of 1440x3120 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. An ultrasonic fingerprint scanner is likely embedded under the screen.

Apple’s iPhone 17 Air may sport a slightly smaller 6.6-inch OLED panel with ProMotion technology, bringing a high refresh rate to a non-Pro iPhone model for the first time. Both displays aim to deliver immersive viewing experiences within slim, premium designs. 

Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Edge is expected to run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, coupled with 12GB of RAM and storage options up to 512GB. It will ship with Samsung’s latest AI-powered One UI, built on Android 15.

Apple’s device is rumored to feature the A19 chip built on a 3nm architecture, with 8GB of RAM and Apple’s in-house modem. iOS 19 will likely debut alongside, offering tighter integration, an enhanced Siri, and improved AI features for tasks like photo editing and productivity. 

The S25 Edge is expected to include a 200MP primary camera—likely the same one featured on the S25 Ultra—paired with advanced AI tools to enhance image quality.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Air may take a more minimalistic route with a 48MP main camera and a 24MP front-facing sensor. Apple appears to be focusing on computational photography rather than raw megapixel numbers.

Despite its thin frame, the S25 Edge may house a 3,900mAh battery with support for 25W wired and 15W wireless charging. Samsung appears committed to maintaining all-day battery life even in a slim form factor.

Apple’s thinner design may come at the cost of battery capacity. Reports suggest it may only offer full-day usage for most users under typical conditions. To offset this, Apple could reintroduce a redesigned Smart Battery Case tailored for the iPhone 17 Air.

The Galaxy S25 Edge is expected to start at $1,349 for the 256GB variant, with the 512GB model priced around $1,479. It will be available in Titanium Jet Black, Titanium Icy Blue, and Titanium Silver, with European availability projected by late May.

The iPhone 17 Air could start at around $899, although final pricing will likely vary by market. Its eSIM-only design may pose challenges in regions with limited eSIM support.

Both Samsung and Apple are taking bold steps to redefine premium smartphone aesthetics. Samsung appears to be prioritizing hardware innovation, including high-end materials and flagship cameras in an ultra-slim shell. Apple, meanwhile, seems to be emphasizing design efficiency, ecosystem harmony, and AI-driven performance—even if it means scaling back on hardware specs.

As the Galaxy S25 Edge prepares to launch in May and the iPhone 17 Air follows in September, the competition is shaping up to be thinner, smarter, and more refined than ever.