iPhone 17 Air vs Galaxy S25 Slim: Expected Key Differences
This year, smartphone makers are shifting focus toward introducing sleek, innovative form factors. Samsung has already set the stage with the Galaxy S25 Edge, and Apple is rumored to follow suit with a brand-new design in the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup — the iPhone 17 Air. Early reports suggest it could be Apple’s thinnest phone yet, potentially measuring under 6 mm in thickness.
Based on current leaks and industry reports, here’s how the two upcoming devices compare:
Chipset: Snapdragon vs Apple Silicon
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is expected to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 “Elite for Galaxy” chip — the same powerful processor found in the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the standard S25. This custom-tuned chip should offer top-tier performance and AI capabilities.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Air is likely to run on Apple’s next-gen A19 chip, the same silicon expected in the base iPhone 17 models. Apple’s Pro models will reportedly use the more advanced A19 Pro chip. As always, Apple is expected to prioritize efficiency and deep integration with iOS.
Design Focus: Ultra-Thin Profiles
Both devices are aiming to push the boundaries of slim smartphone design. Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and other sources suggest the iPhone 17 Air could be just 5.5 to 6 mm thick — making it the thinnest iPhone ever, surpassing the 6.9 mm iPhone 6.
Samsung isn’t far behind. The Galaxy S25 Edge is rumored to be around 5.8 mm thick, which is also remarkably slim by today’s standards. Both phones promise sleek, lightweight designs, though it’s still unclear how this thinness will affect thermal management and battery life.
Cameras: Single vs Dual Setup
Early renders of the iPhone 17 Air show a single rear camera housed in a horizontal bar — reminiscent of the Pixel 9’s design. By contrast, the Galaxy S25 Edge is confirmed to feature a dual-camera system, likely comprising a 200MP main sensor and an ultra-wide lens.
If camera versatility is your priority, the S25 Edge seems to have the edge — at least on paper. However, Apple may offset the hardware difference with software enhancements like Fusion Camera technology, which allows for high-quality digital zoom and computational photography improvements, as seen in previous iPhone models.
