Another day, another iPhone leak, part of which we already covered last week. However, this discussion isn’t limited to the iPhone 17 Air; we’ll also be touching on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. Both devices have been trending in the gadget rumor space, prompting multiple thinkpieces about their implications for phone design.

This year, the focus is on thinness, a trend that I’m not particularly fond of. While I appreciate the concept of thinner, lighter smartphones – the Oppo Find N5 foldable, for instance, had a chassis that I enjoyed – the current emphasis on thinness feels somewhat misplaced. This is especially true with the increasing use of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss and the U.S. government’s shift to the right. It seems that manufacturers are primarily driven by the desire to market their devices as the thinnest, without considering the potential drawbacks. The unexpected battle for sveltness between the world’s two largest phone manufacturers has begun.

Various reports suggest that the iPhone 17 Air will be a precursor to Apple’s foldable devices, laying the groundwork for the essential specifications of future iPhones. The iPhone 16e has already provided some insight into what Apple considers essential, but the iPhone 17 Air is expected to fall between the essential iPhone and the premium iPhone Pro model, likely featuring more robust specifications. There have been rumors and renders of the iPhone 17 Air, including a possible resemblance to Google’s Pixel devices from the back. Noted leaker Ice Universe has expressed enthusiasm for the device.

Samsung’s thin smartphone, the Galaxy S25 Edge, has its own narrative, attempting to differentiate itself from the competition. The device was a surprise revelation after the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event, contradicting the widespread assumption that smartphone design had plateaued.

Despite having seen the Galaxy S25 Edge in person, the full specifications remain unclear, making it difficult to determine what Samsung considers essential. However, it is likely that the processor and memory will be similar to the rest of the Galaxy S25 family, and the device may feature the 200-MP camera sensor from the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The rumored battery pack, with a capacity of 3,900 mAh, is somewhat underwhelming, being over 20 percent smaller than the one in the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

The competition between Apple and Samsung for ultra-thinness is intriguing, given the caveats associated with this form factor. The battery life often suffers, as seen with the Galaxy S25 Edge, and there may not be enough space for high-resolution camera equipment. Ergonomics and practicality are also concerns with such thin devices, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence performance.

The ultimate goal of this competition is unclear, beyond bragging rights. The iPhone 17 Air may be short-lived, as analysts have suggested it is a precursor to the iPhone foldable. When the foldable arrives, what will be the point of the iPhone 17 Air? Will it replace the iPhone Pro variant, or will ultra-thin become the new standard for smartphones? The answers will become clearer when Samsung launches the Galaxy S25 Edge soon.