Apple and Samsung are competing to produce increasingly slim smartphones, while foldable designs and the need for differentiation are on the horizon.
The new Samsung Galaxy S25 lineup marks the start of the year in the high-end smartphone market and signals the beginning of a new trend: the race to create the thinnest phone. On Wednesday, Samsung briefly showcased the Galaxy S25 Edge, while rumors about an iPhone 17 Air launching next fall are too coincidental to overlook.
Both phones are expected to be the slimmest ever produced by Samsung and Apple, respectively. However, do we really need thinner devices?
History has shown that an obsession with thinness can have consequences. The iPhone 6 (2014) measured just 6.9 mm thick and became infamous for structural flaws the media dubbed “bendgate.” Similarly, the early Galaxy Edge, while innovative, prioritized design at the expense of durability.
What’s particularly intriguing about this trend is the timing. For years, manufacturers have been increasing the size of their devices to accommodate larger batteries, improved camera systems, and additional sensors.
In the last decade, Apple has increased the thickness of its iPhones, moving from 7.6 mm for the iPhone 8 to 8.25 mm for the iPhone 16 Pro. Samsung has made similar adjustments to its Galaxy line. Interestingly, users have never complained about their phones being “too thick.” Instead, they usually request for more battery life, even if it means a slightly thicker device. Although Oppo, Huawei, and Vivo have previously released ultra-thin, they haven’t set a significant commercial trend. That role seems to fall to leaders like Apple and Samsung.
Thinness comes at a cost. According to leaks, the upcoming iPhone 17 Air will reportedly feature a single rear camera instead of two or three and sacrifice one of its speakers. Meanwhile, Samsung has reduced the camera count on its Galaxy S25 Edge to two. These are significant compromises, especially in 2025, when mobile photography is a defining feature of high-end phones.
So why is this happening now? The answer may lie in the rise of foldable phones. Apple has been developing its foldable iPhone for years, while Samsung is the leader in the foldable segment. However, the foldable devices released so far haven’t met the high expectations set when the first ones were introduced in 2019.
A foldable phone needs to be as thin as possible when unfolded to avoid becoming overly thick when folded. These new ultra-thin models could serve as testing grounds for technologies that may ultimately be integrated into future foldables.
The differentiation factor. After years of incremental improvements, both Apple and Samsung need something new to make their devices stand out. Although extreme thinness may seem like a throwback, it’s visually striking, the kind of feature that catches people’s attention. It’s exactly what brands desire.
However, the success of these devices will depend on whether the compromises made are worthwhile. The iPhone mini failed because it addressed a niche that didn’t attract enough customers. Will the ultra-thin approach fare differently? Samsung appears to be proceeding with caution, limiting the launch of the S25 Edge to select markets.
The mobile industry operates in cycles. This wave of ultra-thin devices marks the beginning of a new one. This time, the technology could be paving the way for something even larger: the next generation of foldable phones.
Apple and Samsung are embracing this trend. Time will tell if consumers are willing to sacrifice functionality for style. The competition for the thinnest phone has only just begun.
Image | Xataka
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