At the recently held Samsung Unpacked 2026 event, Samsung unveiled the latest Galaxy S26 Ultra, which is just 7.9mm thick and weighs only 214g, making it the lightest and thinnest flagship on the market today. In recent years, major manufacturers have been working hard to make smartphones thinner, but we’ve also noticed that the previous generation’s focus on slim designs, such as the S25 Edge, has been dropped in the S26 lineup. In fact, both the 2025 Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air, which emphasized slim designs, have shown poor sales performance. This seems to reflect a gap between the designers’ vision and consumer demands. So, would you really sacrifice battery life for a thinner phone? In this post, I’ll present the performance specs of these two models, compare them with other devices in the same series, explore the reasons behind their poor market performance, and share real user feedback.
Comparison of Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air with Other Models in the Same Series
| Specifications | Galaxy S25 Edge | Galaxy S25 | Galaxy S25+ | Galaxy S25 FE | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 158.2 × 75.6 × 5.8 mm | 146.9 × 70.5 × 7.2 mm | 158.4 × 75.8 × 7.3 mm | 161.3 × 76.6 × 7.4 mm | 162.8 × 77.6 × 8.2 mm |
| Weight | 163 g | 162 g | 190 g | 190 g | 218 g |
| Storage | 12GB RAM 256GB / 512GB |
12GB RAM 128GB / 256GB |
12GB RAM 256GB / 512GB |
12GB RAM 128GB / 256GB |
12GB RAM 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) | Exynos 2400 (4nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) |
| Camera System | Dual Camera 200MP Wide + 12MP Ultra-Wide 12 MP Front Camera |
Triple Camera 50MP Wide + 10MP Telephoto + 12MP Ultra-Wide 12 MP Front Camera |
Triple Camera 50MP Wide + 10MP Telephoto + 12MP Ultra-Wide 12 MP Front Camera |
Triple Camera 50MP Wide + 8MP Telephoto + 12MP Ultra-Wide 12 MP Front Camera |
Quad Camera 200MP Wide + 10MP Telephoto + 50MP Periscope + 50MP Ultra-Wide 12 MP Front Camera |
| Battery Capacity | 3900mAh | 4000mAh | 4900mAh | 4900mAh | 5000mAh |
| Starting Price (USD) | $1099.99 / $1219.99 | $799.99 / $859.99 | $999.99 / $1119.99 | $649.99 / $709.99 | $1299.99 / $1419.99 / $1659.99 |
| Specifications | iPhone Air | iPhone 17 | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 156.2 × 74.7 × 5.6 mm | 149.6 × 71.5 × 8.0 mm | 150 × 71.9 × 8.8 mm | 163.4 × 78 × 8.8 mm |
| Weight | 165 g | 177 g | 206 g | 233 g |
| Storage | 12GB RAM 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
12GB RAM 256GB / 512GB |
12GB RAM 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
12GB RAM 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro (3nm) | Apple A19 (3nm) | Apple A19 Pro (3nm) | Apple A19 Pro (3nm) |
| Camera System | Single Camera 48MP Wide 18MP Front Camera |
Dual Camera 48MP Wide + 48MP Ultra-Wide 18MP Front Camera |
Triple Camera 48MP Wide + 48MP Periscope + 48MP Ultra-Wide 18MP Front Camera |
Triple Camera 48MP Wide + 48MP Periscope + 48MP Ultra-Wide 18MP Front Camera |
| Battery Capacity | 3149mAh | 3692mAh | 3998mAh / 4252mAh (eSIM) | 4823mAh / 5088mAh (eSIM) |
| Starting Price (USD) | $999 / $1199 / $1399 | $799 / $999 | $1099 / $1299 / $1499 | $1199 / $1399 / $1599 / $1999 |
From the key specifications comparison above, you may notice that choosing the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge or iPhone Air over other models in the same series is not an easy decision. Although these ultra-thin smartphones offer a slim design and large display, the compromises seem significant. Their battery capacity is smaller than the base models, and the main camera system is more limited, yet the price is higher.
This raises an important question: has there been a gap between what developers think users want and what consumers actually need in real life? We are no longer in the era when smartphones were bulky and heavy. Today, most flagship phones already provide a comfortable grip, balanced size, and reasonable weight. In this context, extreme thinness may only solve a problem for a very small group of users — and the market performance seems to confirm this.
Compared to shaving off a fraction of a millimeter in thickness or reducing a few dozen grams in weight, most consumers may find a more advanced camera system or an extra 1,000mAh of battery capacity far more practical.
Although the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air may not look very attractive in terms of specifications and pricing, they still appeal to a specific group of consumers. In Samsung and iPhone-related Reddit communities, it is easy to find positive reviews about these ultra-thin smartphones. Many users praise the large display, lightweight design, comfortable grip, and premium appearance.
In one discussion about whether thin phones are underrated, a comment stood out: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air are not underrated — they are simply overpriced. When a phone offers reduced specifications but comes at a higher price than the base model, it becomes difficult for most consumers to justify paying more just for a few millimeters of reduced thickness. Some users argue that the smaller battery capacity can easily be compensated for with a portable power bank. However, carrying an extra power bank defeats the original purpose of choosing a slim and lightweight phone.
In the end, market results speak louder than words. Samsung had to offer discounts on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge to avoid excess inventory and eventually removed the Edge model from the S25 lineup. Apple also reduced production of the iPhone Air due to weak sales. These facts suggest that only a small number of consumers are willing to sacrifice battery life and camera performance for a thinner smartphone design. At a time when the smartphone market is often said to lack true innovation, perhaps brands do not need to create features based on demand that may not really exist. Instead, they should focus on improving what consumers care about most — battery life, camera performance, and overall value.
While ultra-thin smartphones may not be the ideal choice for everyone, you can still make your travel lighter by simplifying your accessories. Try the SwanScout 713S or SwanScout 713A — compact and lightweight 3-in-1 wireless chargers that replace multiple charging cables for your phone, earbuds, and smartwatch. With just one charger, you can reduce clutter and travel with ease. Subscribe to our newsletter today to enjoy exclusive discounts.
What do you think about the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air? Feel free to share your thoughts with us!
