Did you get some holiday money that you've earmarked for a new phone? Perhaps this is the year to change up your everyday smartphone by getting a thin and light model. Apple and Samsung introduced slim phones in 2025, tempting those of us who have lugged increasingly larger phones over the years. But what are the trade-offs? Let's look at the Apple iPhone Air and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge to compare all the differences.
If you press them together, are they much thicker combined than a regular iPhone 17 or Galaxy S25? And do they overcome trade-offs in battery life, camera and sound quality that come with a thinner design? I'm here to do the math and compare features for you.
Looking to order the iPhone Air? Check out our order 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 are offering the best deals on Samsung's slim phone.
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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.
The iPhone Air includes fewer features than the iPhone 17, such as the number of cameras. However, it features a larger display, an A19 Pro processor, and is equipped with 256GB of storage to begin with. Additionally, Apple has consistently applied premium pricing for minor design changes. The original MacBook Air fit into an inter-office envelope and cost $1,799, despite being underpowered compared to the rest of the MacBook line. (Over a few generations, it would eventually become Apple's entry-level affordable laptop at $999, where it still resides.)
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