iPhone Air vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
Which flagship slim phone should you buy?
Apple’s annual event has come and gone and, as expected, a fresh lineup of devices took the stage. But one reveal stood out, the iPhone Air. What caught my attention wasn’t just the phone itself but how it mirrors Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge.
Both are currently the thinnest flagship devices in the traditional smartphone lineup of their brands, and they sit in this curious middle ground of premium phones. They are not quite the ultimate high-end option, yet far from the budget tier. That raises the big question: if you’re eyeing a slim flagship, should you go for Apple’s iPhone Air or Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge?
/1. Design
The iPhone Air takes the crown for slimness, measuring just 5.64mm compared to the S25 Edge’s 5.8mm. Apple also has the edge in durability with its Ceramic Shield 2, while Samsung counters with Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2. Both phones carry IP68 water resistance, though Apple promises depth up to 6 metres versus Samsung’s 1.5 metres.
That said, the Edge is lighter at 163g, and some will notice the difference in hand. Still, the Air manages to look sleeker without giving up much else.
Winner: iPhone Air
/2. Display
Samsung’s 6.7-inch screen beats Apple’s 6.5-inch on size, and its real-world brightness hits nearly 2,400 nits, according to Samsung.
That’s already impressive, but Apple is promising 3,000 nits on the Air. If Apple’s numbers hold up, this will be one of the easiest phones to use outdoors.
Winner: iPhone Air
/3. Camera
Samsung packs more versatility with a 200MP main shooter plus a 12MP ultrawide, compared to Apple’s lone 48MP rear sensor.
Night shots and flexibility lean in Samsung’s favour, though Apple’s new 18MP front camera with wider framing could be a significant change for selfies.
Winner: Galaxy S25 Edge
/4. Performance
Samsung’s Snapdragon 8 Elite is no slouch, powering some of the fastest Android phones this year.
But Apple’s new A19 Pro chip is already posting stronger single-core benchmarks. Multi-core results still tilt Samsung’s way, so it depends on whether you care more about everyday speed or heavy multitasking.
Winner: Tie
/5. Battery Life and Charging
Thin phones always struggle with battery, and the Edge managed 12 hours and 24 minutes in web tests. That’s good but not great compared to bulkier devices.
Apple hasn’t revealed its Air’s battery size, so efficiency will make or break it. Both charge to around 50% in 30 minutes, so there’s no clear winner yet.
Winner: Galaxy S25 Edge (for now)
/6. Software and Updates
Samsung promises seven years of Android and security updates, which is a huge step forward. Apple doesn’t give numbers, but historically supports iPhones for six years or more. Both also pack in their latest AI tools — Galaxy AI on Samsung’s side, and Apple Intelligence for the Air.
Winner: Tie
/7. Price
The iPhone Air starts at $999, which is $100 cheaper than the Edge’s $1,099. Even at higher storage tiers, Apple manages to undercut Samsung, and it even offers a 1TB option that the Edge lacks.
Winner: iPhone Air
Conclusion
The choice between the iPhone Air and the Galaxy S25 Edge really comes down to what's most important. Apple is pushing innovation in thinness, screen brightness, and price, which makes the Air the sleekest option for design and everyday usability purists. Samsung, on the other hand, focuses on performance balance and camera versatility, and thus provides the Edge with more meat for power users. Both phones prove that "thin" no longer needs to mean "compromise," but they take drastically different routes to arrive at that point.
David Adubiina
