iPhone Air vs Galaxy S25 Edge: Comparing 2025’s Slimmest Flagships

Apple and Samsung offer ultra-thin flagship phones in 2025: the iPhone Air vs Galaxy S25 Edge. Both prioritize slim design, but they take different approaches to hardware, display, and ecosystem features. Choosing between them comes down to portability, daily use, and which features matter most to your workflow.

In this blog, we explore how these phones compare across design, performance, cameras, and battery, and highlight how pairing the iPhone Air with the right iPhone Air case can preserve its sleek profile while keeping it protected.

Released in September 2025 as part of the iPhone 17 lineup, the iPhone Air is Apple’s thinnest non-Pro phone at 5.6mm. Its slim profile prioritizes portability while maintaining performance with a tuned A19 Pro chip. For the first time in a non-Pro model, it includes a 120Hz ProMotion display and Always-On screen, making daily use smoother and more responsive.

Apple gave the iPhone Air several firsts for a non-Pro model. It features:

• Single 48MP Fusion rear camera with software-assisted zoom

• 18MP Center Stage front camera for adaptable framing

• 6.5-inch Super Retina OLED, 120Hz, up to 3,000 nits brightness

• Connectivity: eSIM-only, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, iOS 26 with Apple Intelligence

The Galaxy S25 Edge launched in May 2025 as a slimmer alternative to the standard S25. At 5.8mm, it remains compact without sacrificing performance. It delivers dual cameras, a large display, and AI-enhanced features while keeping the body thin enough for easy handling.

The Galaxy S25 Edge may be thin, but it does not cut back on important features. Samsung built it to deliver speed, strong visuals, and reliable software support in a compact body. It also includes advanced AI tools that enhance daily use, making it one of the most balanced slim phones on the market.

• Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset

• Dual cameras with 200MP main and 12MP ultrawide

• 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with 120Hz

• 3,900mAh battery with 25W charging

• Seven years of Android and security updates

• Galaxy AI tools including Circle to Search and Live Translate

Now that we’ve seen what each phone offers on its own, it’s time to compare them directly. From design and durability to cameras, performance, and battery life, the iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge reveal clear differences worth noting.

For both the iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, design and build quality are defining features, prioritizing extreme thinness while maintaining durability. While they share premium titanium frames and robust glass, their distinct design philosophies create different user experiences.

The iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge both have bright, sharp screens but focus on different things.

The iPhone Air’s 6.5-inch screen is smaller, yet it can reach 3,000 nits, making it easier to see outdoors.

It also reduces glare with a special anti-reflective layer and adds smooth ProMotion and Always-On features. The Galaxy S25 Edge is bigger at 6.7 inches, with slightly crisper detail and a small hole-punch camera that leaves more room for viewing.

The iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge handle cameras very differently.

The iPhone Air keeps things simple with one 48MP rear camera, but it uses smart software to add features like 2x zoom and better portraits. Its 18MP selfie camera with Center Stage adjusts to keep you in the frame.

The Galaxy S25 Edge gives more flexibility, with a powerful 200MP main camera and a 12MP ultrawide lens, plus a standard 12MP front camera for selfies and video calls.

Both the iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge are fast, but they shine in different ways.

The iPhone Air runs on Apple’s A19 Pro chip, which is slightly less powerful than the Pro models but still excellent for everyday use. It is known for strong single-core performance and smooth integration with iOS.

The Galaxy S25 Edge uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, which delivers higher multi-core power, making it better for heavy tasks like gaming or multitasking.

Thin designs limit battery size, so both phones make trade-offs. The iPhone Air uses a smaller battery but leans on Apple’s efficiency to last through a day of normal use. It supports slower 20W wired charging but works well with Apple’s magnetic charging accessories.

The Galaxy S25 Edge includes a larger 3,900mAh battery and slightly faster 25W wired charging, giving it more stamina. Both phones also support wireless charging, though Samsung’s version is Qi2 ready for wider accessory use.

The iPhone Air runs on iOS 26, designed for smooth integration with other Apple products like the iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. It emphasizes simplicity and consistency, with Apple Intelligence adding new AI features.

The Galaxy S25 Edge runs Android 15 with Samsung’s One UI 7, offering deep customization, Galaxy AI tools, and longer update support. Choosing depends on whether you prefer seamless integration or flexibility.

When you’re investing in ultra-thin flagships like the iPhone Air or Galaxy S25 Edge, the case you choose matters as much as the phone itself. Slim phones need protection that won’t add bulk or spoil the design.

ThinBorne specializes in ultra-thin cases built for premium devices. Made from aerospace-grade aramid fiber, these cases are lightweight, durable, and MagSafe-compatible. They provide modern protection without hiding the phone’s sleek form. For those who want grip, daily durability, and a clean design, ThinBorne’s ultra-thin cases are among the best options available.

Other choices include leather wallet-style cases from TORRO or Burkley for the iPhone Air, and rugged grip-focused options like Speck Presidio2 or Spigen MagFit for the Galaxy S25 Edge. Each offers protection, but ThinBorne focuses on keeping these slim flagships just as thin as they were meant to be.

Ultra-thin phones like the iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge work best when paired with a case that preserves their slim profile. A thin phone case provides protection against daily wear and drops without adding bulk, letting you fully experience the portability and design these phones offer. Choosing the right case is a practical step to maintain both usability and aesthetics while keeping the device safe.