5 Minutes
Slim phones are back — the contenders
Apple and Samsung have both leaned into the thin-and-light trend with the new iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge. This head-to-head comparison breaks down size, display, performance, cameras, battery and real-world use cases so you can decide which narrow-profile flagship fits your needs.
Size and build
Dimensions and materials
The iPhone Air measures 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm and weighs 165 g; the Galaxy S25 Edge is 158.2 x 75.6 x 5.8 mm at 163 g. That makes Apple marginally thinner by 0.2 mm but 2 g heavier — differences you’re unlikely to notice day to day. Both phones use titanium frames: the iPhone opts for a polished finish while Samsung goes matte, and Apple’s rounded corners create a visually slimmer profile. The iPhone’s pronounced camera plateau contrasts with the Galaxy’s more compact island.
Apple iPhone Air Light Gold Cloud White Space Black Sky Blue Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Titanium Icyblue Titanium Silver Titanium Jetblack
Display
Both phones use LTPO OLED panels with 120 Hz refresh. Samsung fits a larger 6.7" 1440 x 3120 display at 513 ppi and a smaller front cutout. Apple’s 6.5" 1260 x 2736 panel is rated to a higher peak brightness (3000 nits vs 2600 nits), though independent measurements show real-world values can differ. Ceramic Shield 2 protects the iPhone while Samsung uses Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2. The iPhone adds an anti-reflective coating.
Performance and thermal design
The iPhone Air ships with the Apple A19 Pro (3 nm), while the Galaxy uses Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm). Both start with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage; the iPhone tops out at 1 TB versus 512 GB on the Galaxy. Samsung includes a vapor chamber to aid heat dissipation in a very slim chassis — a practical advantage for prolonged gaming or heavy workloads.
Cameras
Samsung’s camera array is geared for versatility and resolution: a 200 MP main sensor plus a 12 MP ultrawide and 12 MP selfie system capable of 8K video. Apple focuses on computational imaging with a 48 MP main sensor and an 18 MP front camera optimized for wide, horizontal framing. If pixel count and 8K capture matter, the Galaxy is the camera leader; for color science and flagship iOS processing, the iPhone will appeal.
Battery and charging
Battery capacity is an important differentiator: Galaxy S25 Edge packs 3900 mAh and supports 25W wired charging (about 55% in 30 minutes) and 15W wireless. iPhone Air uses a 3149 mAh cell, 20W wired (around 50% in 30 minutes) and faster 20W MagSafe/Qi2 wireless charging. For endurance in a thin device, Samsung’s larger cell gives it the nod.
Features, connectivity and ports
Both support Wi‑Fi 7 and UWB; Apple includes second‑generation UWB and Bluetooth 6.0 versus Bluetooth 5.4 on the Galaxy. Samsung equips a USB‑C 3.2 port and stereo speakers; iPhone Air has USB‑C 2.0, a single top speaker and is eSIM‑only. These platform-level differences matter for workflows, accessories, and futureproofing.
Advantages and use cases
- Choose Galaxy S25 Edge for higher-resolution display, bigger battery, 8K video and USB‑C 3.2 connectivity — ideal for media creators and power users who need endurance.
- Choose iPhone Air for lighter ecosystem integration, polished iOS camera processing, MagSafe wireless speeds and options up to 1 TB — best for users invested in Apple services and accessory ecosystems.
Market relevance and price
Pricing currently favors Samsung: the Galaxy S25 Edge is positioned around $840/€725, while iPhone Air starts near $1,000/€1,200. That gulf influences perceived value, especially given the S25 Edge’s hardware advantages in display, battery and ports.
Verdict
Both phones are excellent examples of what a premium slim phone can be. The Galaxy S25 Edge wins on raw specs for display, cameras and battery, while the iPhone Air leans on platform strengths, premium materials and Apple's silicon. Your choice should come down to whether you prioritize Android hardware specs and value or the Apple ecosystem and iOS experience.
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