iPhone Air vs Galaxy S25 Edge: The Battle of Ultra-Slim Phones

Although this is based on personal observation, I have noticed many people walking into Apple retail stores planning to buy the iPhone 17 Pro with its powerful new camera system, vapor chamber cooling, and that eye-catching bright orange color, but leaving with the slimmer iPhone Air instead. Something similar happened when Samsung launched the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Ultra. What really turned heads was the surprise reveal of a thinner model that later became the Galaxy S25 Edge.

If you're suddenly thinking about getting a slim phone, 2025 seems like the perfect year.

So how do these two thin devices compare? And if you put them together, do they end up being as thick as a regular iPhone 17 or Galaxy S25? Let’s break it down and also compare their features side by side.

iPhone Air vs. S25 Edge price comparison

iPhone Air: $999

The iPhone Air takes the spot that previously belonged to the iPhone 16 Plus. This makes it the only model with a screen larger than the iPhone 17 that is not part of the iPhone 17 Pro lineup.

Galaxy S25 Edge: $1,100

The Galaxy S25 Edge is the new addition to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 family, which also includes the S25 and S25 Ultra.

The iPhone 17 Air has fewer features compared to the iPhone 17, mainly in terms of cameras. However, it offers a bigger display, the A19 Pro processor, and comes with 256GB of storage as the base option. Apple has always charged a premium price for its thin and stylish designs. A good example is the original MacBook Air, which could fit inside a slim envelope. It cost $1,799 at launch, even though it was less powerful compared to other MacBooks. Later, over several generations, it became Apple’s affordable entry-level laptop at $999, where it remains today.

The Galaxy S25 Edge’s slightly higher price of $1,100 might be Samsung’s way of attracting customers who want a phone that feels special. Interestingly, there are already big discounts on the Edge model, with drops of up to $300.

For both devices, it is also important to note that their pricing has not been affected by the US tariffs.

iPhone Air vs. S25 Edge dimensions and weight

Now let’s talk about size, or more specifically, how thin these phones are.

No brand will ever call their phones bulky or thick, even when they release large models like the iPhone Pro Max. Still, the depth difference between the iPhone Air, the S25 Edge, and the regular models of each family is very noticeable.

The iPhone Air’s body, not counting the raised camera section Apple calls the “plateau,” measures only 5.64mm. The Galaxy S25 Edge is a bit thicker at 5.8mm. In comparison, the iPhone 17 is 7.9mm thick and the Galaxy S25 is 7.2mm.

Foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 are technically thinner when opened, at just 4.2mm, but they spread their components over a larger surface. Chinese foldables from Huawei, Oppo, and Honor also come out thinner when unfolded, but that is not quite the same as a traditional slab phone.

If you place the iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge together back to back, their combined thickness is 11.44mm, which is chunkier than the iPhone 17, the Galaxy S25 and even the iPhone 17 Pro Max at 8.75mm. However, the combined thickness is surprisingly close to the original iPhone from 2007, which was 11.6mm thick.

Weight-wise, going thinner does not always mean a big drop. The iPhone Air weighs 165 grams compared to the iPhone 17’s 177 grams. The Galaxy S25 Edge weighs 163 grams, just a bit heavier than the regular Galaxy S25 at 162 grams.

As for size in hand, both phones are almost the same. The iPhone Air is 156.2mm tall and 74.7mm wide, while the Galaxy S25 Edge is slightly taller and wider at 158.2mm by 75.6mm.

iPhone Air vs. S25 Edge displays

Apple has fitted the iPhone Air with a 6.5inch OLED Super Retina XDR display. It runs at 2,736x1,260 resolution at 460 pixels per inch. It can reach up to 3,000 nits outdoors and go as low as 1 nit for dark environments.

Samsung has gone slightly bigger, packing a 6.7inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel on the S25 Edge. It boasts 3,120x1,440 resolution at 513 pixels per inch. The maximum brightness hits 2,600 nits.

Both phones also come with adaptive 120Hz refresh rates for smooth performance.

Comparing the iPhone Air and S25 Edge cameras

Up until now, the specs have been close enough to make the phones feel evenly matched. But when it comes to cameras, the differences stand out.

The iPhone Air includes a single 48-megapixel wide rear camera with a 26mm field of view and a fixed f/1.6 aperture. By default, it captures 24-megapixel “fusion” photos, combining data from a 12-megapixel binned image and a 48-megapixel detailed reference. The Air can also deliver a 2x cropped zoom equivalent to 52mm, producing 12-megapixel shots.

The Galaxy S25 Edge comes with two cameras: a 200-megapixel wide and a 12-megapixel ultrawide. Like the iPhone Air, it does not have a dedicated telephoto lens but offers a 2x digital crop that outputs 12-megapixel photos.

Front cameras are also different. Apple introduces an 18-megapixel selfie camera on the iPhone Air with f/1.9 aperture. But the unique part is its Center Stage feature, which uses a square sensor that can adapt aspect ratios automatically. It switches between portrait and landscape depending on how many people are in the frame. The Galaxy S25 Edge, by comparison, offers a 12-megapixel front camera with a standard 4:3 ratio.

iPhone Air vs. S25 Edge batteries

Battery life is one of the biggest concerns for thin phones. Slimmer design usually means less space for the battery. So how much are you really giving up?

Apple does not reveal the exact battery size of the iPhone Air, but claims it can last “all day” with up to 27 hours of video playback. Apple also sells a special MagSafe Battery accessory designed only for the iPhone Air. In CNET’s review, the phone lasted about 12 hours during heavy use, but still managed to keep around 20 percent on a normal day.

Samsung gives a clear number. The Galaxy S25 Edge has a 3,900 mAh battery, promising up to 24 hours of video playback. Reviews show that it lives up to Samsung’s “all-day battery” claim. Even though it is slimmer, the Edge still delivers enough battery life to get you through the day.

Both phones support fast charging. With a 20-watt or higher charger, you can get from zero to 50 percent in just 30 minutes.

iPhone Air vs. S25 Edge processor, storage and operating system

The iPhone Air is powered by the A19 Pro processor, the same chip used in the iPhone 17 Pro. It likely has 8GB RAM, enough to handle Apple’s AI features. Storage starts at 256GB and goes up to 1TB. It runs iOS 26, which Apple just rolled out.

The Galaxy S25 Edge uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, also found in the S25 and S25 Ultra. It comes with 12GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB or 512GB. It ships with Android 15 preinstalled.

iPhone Air vs. S25 Edge full specs

Final Thoughts

The iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge highlight how 2025 is shaping up to be the year of slim yet powerful smartphones. Apple focuses on simplicity, premium build, and smooth performance with the A19 Pro chip, while Samsung delivers a larger display, more camera options, and extra RAM for multitasking. Both compromise slightly on battery size due to their ultra-thin design, but still provide reliable all-day use with fast charging support. For Bangladeshi users, the iPhone Air appeals to those who value Apple’s ecosystem, while the Galaxy S25 Edge stands out for feature lovers seeking style with versatility.