The two best ultra-thin phones, head-to-head: iPhone Air vs. Galaxy S25 Edge comparison

Apple 's latest release — its first ultra-thin smartphone, the iPhone Air — predictably sparked competition with Samsung 's Galaxy S25 Edge , the most recognized Android in the segment.

Following the confirmation of the new Apple model, both leading brands now have ultra-thin and ultra-light models in their catalogs. But behind these cutting-edge designs, several technical differences emerge that determine which one best suits each user.

The first thing that strikes you about this new generation of smartphones is their extreme silhouette : both the Galaxy S25 Edge and the iPhone 17 Air are just a few millimeters thick, almost imperceptible in your pocket.

The question is inevitable: what is gained and what is lost with this design? And, above all, which of the two models is more convenient?

The Galaxy S25 Edge is 5.8 mm thick and weighs 163 grams , while the iPhone Air breaks the record at just 5.6 mm and 165 grams . The difference is minimal, but enough to earn Apple the title of “thinnest phone on the market.”

Both models are made with titanium frames and high-strength glass, although Apple goes a step further by combining titanium with Ceramic Shield 2 , a material that the company says offers up to four times more resistance against drops .

Apple, as with the MacBook Air, aims to make the iPhone Air an instantly recognizable product aimed at users who prioritize aesthetics and portability .

For its part, Samsung equipped the S25 Edge with a 6.7-inch 120Hz OLED panel , while Apple offers a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED with the same adaptive refresh rate (1-120Hz) and a maximum brightness of 3,000 nits, ideal for outdoors.

In this regard, Apple is committed to maximum brightness and color accuracy , while Samsung seeks a balance between fluidity and energy efficiency .

The Air's design also introduces a notable change: the camera module extends across the width of the device, concentrating much of the internal structure there.

The Galaxy S25 Edge packs a powerful 200MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, along with a 12MP front-facing camera. It doesn't include a telephoto lens , though Samsung promises up to 2X optical zoom and AI enhancements up to 10X.

The iPhone, on the other hand, makes a concession: it has a single 48 MP fusion camera (with 2X digital zoom and up to 10X zoom), which records 4K video at 60 frames per second; accompanied by an 18 MP selfie that uses twice the size of the previous ones so as not to use the rear ones and can even capture horizontally .

In this technical section, which compares the "brains" of phones, the Galaxy S25 Edge integrates the latest generation of the 3-nanometer Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, accompanied by 12 GB of RAM and storage starting at 256 GB. It is powerful, efficient, and supports 7 years of updates .

The iPhone Air, meanwhile, comes equipped with the A19 Pro , The same processor as the Pro and Pro Max models, so its performance is guaranteed . However, Apple doesn't officially detail the amount of RAM, but specialized sites claim it also comes with 12GB of memory and 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage configurations.

According to specialists, here is one of the biggest differences: although both processors are latest generation, the A19 Pro makes better use of resources , which impacts graphics performance, battery life, and artificial intelligence processing.

Both guarantee plenty of power for gaming, editing and multitasking, although Apple adds its Apple Intelligence ecosystem, with AI functions integrated into iOS 26 , while Samsung offers the new features of Galaxy AI on Android.

Here are the biggest compromises. The S25 Edge features a small 3,900mAh battery , which falls far short of the Galaxy S25's 5,000mAh, 25W fast charging, and 15W wireless charging.

Apple doesn't reveal the Air's exact battery capacity, though it's estimated to be around 3,149 mAh . The company claims a full-day battery life and is pairing the launch with a thinner MagSafe battery, reinforcing the idea that battery life may be limited.

The iPhone Air marks a significant change: it eliminates the SIM tray and only works with an eSIM , something that could complicate matters for users who rely on multiple physical lines or travel abroad. The Galaxy S25 Edge, on the other hand, hasn't given up the option of a physical SIM alongside an eSIM, offering more flexibility .

Both support 5G, WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and are IP68 certified. In terms of artificial intelligence , Apple incorporates Apple Intelligence in iOS 26, while Samsung adds Galaxy AI features.

The Galaxy S25 Edge hit the global market at the end of May with a price tag of $1,100 , although for now there is no news of its official arrival in Argentina for the remainder of the year and doubts persist as to whether it will finally arrive in 2026.

The iPhone Air , on the other hand, has been confirmed for sale in the country: major local resellers announced they will offer it for a price range between 1,999,990 and 2,549,999 pesos . In US stores, it sells for $999 for the 256GB version, $1,199 for the 512GB version, and $1,399 for the 1TB version.

Samsung and Apple's phones represent a new chapter in their battle for market dominance. The Korean giant and Android giant seeks a balance between design and functionality , while the American company takes miniaturization to the limit, relying on the exclusivity of premium materials and its A19 Pro processor as its main attraction.