If there's one thing customers want to see from the established phone titans, it's something new. Years of incremental improvements in processors, cameras and displays can occasionally be exciting, but unless you're upgrading from a several-years-old model, the differences tend to be relatively minor.
So when Samsung released the super thin Galaxy S25 Edge earlier this year, it got our attention. And, naturally, it sparked speculation that Apple would also release a new slim phone, which arrived last week in the form of the new iPhone Air. (Notably, it's not the "iPhone 17 Air," which suggests Apple may treat it as a special case that doesn't get yearly updates.)
How do these two slim phones stack up against each other? And if you press them together, are they combined much thicker than a regular iPhone 17 or Galaxy S25? I'm here to do the math and compare features.
Looking to preorder the iPhone Air? Check out our preorder guide to learn if you can get it free and other great deals.
Want to buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge? Find out which carriers and retailers have the best deals on Samsung's slim phone.
Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.
The iPhone Air starts at $999. Apple
iPhone Air vs. S25 Edge price comparison
iPhone Air: $999 . The iPhone Air takes the place formerly held by the iPhone 16 Plus, making it the only model with a screen larger than the iPhone 17 that isn't an iPhone 17 Pro.
Galaxy S25 Edge: $1,100. The S25 Edge joins the S25 and S25 Ultra in this year's Galaxy lineup.
... continue reading