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Huawei is reportedly testing an ultra-thin handset that could arrive as the Mate 80 Air. Early leaks from a Chinese blogger suggest the phone will aim to out-slim Apple's iPhone Air while keeping flagship performance and huge storage options.
Slim design, bold goals
Slim phones are back in vogue, and Huawei looks set to stake its claim with a device thinner than the iPhone Air's 5.5mm profile. The company reportedly plans to use next‑generation silicon battery tech to pack more capacity into a narrow frame, trying to avoid the usual tradeoffs between thinness and battery life.
Flagship power in a lightweight body
Under the hood, leaks point to Huawei's new Kirin 9030 5G chipset, promising top-tier speed and efficiency. Storage could reach up to 2TB, an uncommon figure for phones that lets users carry vast libraries of photos, apps and media without relying on cloud storage. Another notable shift: the device may be eSIM-only, and Huawei is said to be building a dedicated eSIM management feature slated for late 2025.
How it stacks up against rivals
Huawei is positioning this model squarely against Apple and Samsung in the ultra-thin segment. The iPhone Air has drawn attention in China for its design, while Samsung's Galaxy S25 Edge is also slim but reportedly lags on battery and camera tech. Huawei's blend of sleekness, Kirin performance and silicon battery innovation could give it a distinctive edge.
Specs at a glance
- Thickness: Target under 5.5mm, aiming to be thinner than iPhone Air
- Chipset: Kirin 9030 5G (rumored)
- Storage: Up to 2TB
- SIM: eSIM-only, with new eSIM management features expected
- Battery: Silicon-based design for improved capacity in a slim shell
- Expected launch: Testing now, potential release in Q4 2025
What this means for buyers
For buyers who prize a strikingly slim handset but don't want to sacrifice speed or storage, the Mate 80 Air could be compelling. Imagine a phone that slips into a pocket like a design statement yet still handles heavy apps and media. That said, the eSIM-only approach may affect users who prefer physical SIM flexibility, depending on carrier support in different markets.
Huawei's leaked Mate 80 Air is still in testing, so details can change. But if the rumors hold, the phone will be a strong contender in the ultra-thin flagship space — and an interesting answer to Apple's iPhone Air and Samsung's S25 Edge.
Source: gizmochina
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