Apple launched the iPhone Air on September 19, 2025, as its slimmest device to date. It competes directly with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge in a new market segment focused on ultra-thin profiles and premium aesthetics.

The 5.6 mm vs 5.8 mm battle

The iPhone Air, released September 19, 2025, measures just 5.6 mm, making it the thinnest smartphone Apple has ever produced. According to the source, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is slightly thicker at 5.8 mm. While the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge weighs 163 grams, the iPhone Air is recorded at 165 grams.

This pursuit of a minimal footprint represents a shift in premium phone design, where physical dimensions are becoming as much of a status symbol as processing power. both devices target users who prioritize portability and a sleek hand-feel over the bulkier chassis typically associated with "Ultra" or "Pro Max" models.

The 200 MP camera advantage

Samsung has prioritized optics in the S25 Edge, equipping it with a 200 MP main camera. as the report says, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge shares the same chipset and high-resolution sensor as the thicker S25 Ultra, while also including both telephoto and ultra-wide lenses.

In contrast, the iPhone Air takes a more minimalist approach to photography. It features a wide camera similar to the one found in the iPhone 17 Pro, but it completely lacks the telephoto and ultra-wide cameras that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge provides. This creates a significant gap in versatility for mobile photographers.

The 3,900 mAh battery paradox

There is a significant discrepancy in raw power capacity between the two devices. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge houses a 3,900 mAh battery, which is considerably larger than the 3,149 mAh cell found in the iPhone Air.

Despite this gap in capacity, the source notes that independent tests have shown both the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and the iPhone Air last roughly the same amount of time on a single charge. This suggests that Apple's software optimization or the iPhone Air's hardware efficiency is offsetting the smaller battery size.

The 3.9 mm Z Trifold benchmark

The push for thinness is not limited to traditional slabs; it is a broader trend across Samsung's entire portfolio. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, for instance, measures 8.9 mm when unfolded, allowing it to fit in a pocket similarly to an iPhone 17 Pro while offering more internal space for a telephoto camera and storage options up to one terabyte.

Even more extreme is the Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold, which achieves a remarkable 3.9 mm thickness when unfolded. By utilizing a foldable form factor, Samsung can distribute components across a larger area, allowing for a thinner profile than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge without sacrificing the high-end hardware found in the S25 Ultra.

The $100 price gap and missing lenses

The iPhone Air is positioned as a slightly more affordable entry in the ultra-thin category, coming in at roughly $100 cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. However, this price reduction coincides with the omission of critical camera hardware.

Several questions remain regarding the iPhone Air's value proposition. Specifically, it is unclear why Apple chose to omit the ultra-wide lens entirely in a premium device, and the source does not clarify if the iPhone Air's thinner chassis leads to thermal throttling compared to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.