IPhone 17 Air vs Galaxy S25 Edge: Should you buy the ultra-thin phone?

Apple and Samsung are set to launch their thinnest flagship phones yet this year: the iPhone 17 Air and Galaxy S17 Edge. These “super-thin” phones certainly have attractive designs, but is that enough to warrant a purchase over safer alternatives?

Table of Contents

• 1. Battery life and durability are affected
• 2. Lighter and less bulky when put in pocket
• 3. Compensate for the thickness of the phone case
• 4. Poor heat dissipation may affect performance
• 5. Disproportionately large camera protrusion
• 6. The case can fit the camera protrusion
• 7. Poor value for money

1. Battery life and durability are affected

These ultra-thin phones will most likely have worse battery life than regular phones simply because there is less space inside the case to accommodate a large battery.

You can mitigate this drawback by using new silicon-carbon batteries with higher energy density, but neither company has started using that technology yet. Even then, most people would still prefer to keep the phone as thick as possible but get longer battery life.

A prime example is that the S25 Edge will have a 3,900mAh battery according to a leaked certification. That's 100mAh less than the base Galaxy S25, which is a significantly smaller phone.

Thinner phones are also less durable by design, as they are less resistant to bending and impact. Their poorer shock absorption can also make accidental drops more dangerous.

2. Lighter and less bulky when put in pocket

The standout feature of these thinner phones is that they are significantly lighter, so they won't strain your hands as much and be cumbersome to carry in your pocket.

According to reliable leaker Ice Universe, the Galaxy S25 Edge will weigh the same as the base S25 (162 grams) despite having a screen almost as large as the S25+, which weighs 190 grams.

3. Compensate for the thickness of the phone case

Most people put a case on their phone, which adds to the overall weight and thickness, especially if it's a rugged case or has a built-in kickstand or card holder.

A thinner frame can help offset these unintended consequences, so your phone stays protected without adding weight.

The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to have a 5.5mm chassis (not counting the camera bump), while the Galaxy S25 Edge could be slightly thicker at 5.84mm.

4. Poor heat dissipation may affect performance

The thinner design leaves less space for large heatsinks, so the S25 Edge and iPhone 17 Air may suffer from poorer heat dissipation than other models.

This can potentially impact performance, as devices are forced to throttle to avoid overheating, but if you only use your phone for basic tasks, you'll probably be fine.

5. Disproportionately large camera protrusion

A thinner case can make the camera bump look bulky by comparison. Camera components can be the hardest to shrink without sacrificing quality, as smaller image sensors tend to produce worse photos.

Additionally, an unintended consequence of this design can be that the phone is much heavier at the top. This can make the phone more prone to dropping because the center of gravity is further away from your palm, so you may want to buy a ring phone holder to ensure a secure grip.

6. The case can fit the camera protrusion

There is one important bright spot here, though. Since the camera bump is larger, manufacturers can design cases that fit snugly around it.

That way, the camera bump won't stick out and wobble when placed on a flat surface.

7. Poor value for money

The S25 Edge lacks a telephoto lens and is expected to start at $999, like the Galaxy S25+. Likewise, the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to have a single rear camera and could cost close to the $899 iPhone 16 Plus .

We don't know at this point whether this was done to make a little more room for the battery or to keep the price down, but either way, you're not getting the value for your money. Additionally, the speakers on both devices are likely to be smaller.

A thinner design isn't a huge advantage, especially when it comes with so many sacrifices. Ultra-thin phones are a cool idea, and it's tempting to try them out, but many people probably won't actually buy an ultra-thin phone for its own sake. Apple and Samsung will have to do better than that to convince people.