Tech firms are recognized for, let’s assume, “borrowing” options from one another. Any time Apple or Samsung releases a brand new telephone or software program replace, you could be certain arguments over who did it first, or better, will ensue amongst hardcore followers.
It stands to purpose that as Apple reportedly plans to debut a thinner model of the iPhone 17 this fall, it’d look to opponents to see what resonates with customers. If that’s the case, just a few options on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge are on my wishlist for the rumored iPhone 17 Air. Reviews counsel the skinnier iPhone might in the end exchange the iPhone Plus, and would have the same $900 price ticket. However whether or not or not tariffs will affect that price is not clear.
Samsung’s super-thin S25 Edge clocks in at 5.8mm and 163 grams. It prices $1,100 and is on the market for buy now. It is also one in all my favourite telephones I’ve ever used, due to the recent kind issue. The truth is, regardless of my preliminary skepticism, I am now satisfied skinny and lightweight telephones are the way in which to go. You’ll be able to check out my review for a extra in-depth breakdown of my expertise utilizing the telephone.
For now, although, I need to share 5 Galaxy S25 Edge options I would like to see on the iPhone 17 Air. Apple could not have confirmed the existence of this slim system simply but, however that may’t cease a lady from dreaming.
A titanium body
Regardless of the Galaxy S25 Edge’s spacious 6.7-inch show, it nonetheless feels impressively feather-light. Regardless of its thinness, it is also surprisingly sturdy, it would not really feel like it will snap in my hand or pocket.
That light-weight sturdiness is due to the telephone’s titanium body, which is one thing I hope Apple adopts for its skinny iPhone, too. Apple makes use of titanium frames in its Pro model phones, so it would be nice to see that very same therapy utilized to a skinny iPhone. Since I am certain it will even have a premium value, it’s going to positively want additional reinforcement to maintain it from bending.
Rumors have gone backwards and forwards on whether or not Apple’s upcoming iPhones may have aluminum or titanium frames. Nevertheless, analyst Jeff Pu said in February that the iPhone 17, 17 Professional and 17 Professional Max will all have aluminum frames, and that the iPhone 17 Air may very well be the outlier with a titanium body. I actually hope that is true.
A 120Hz refresh charge
Samsung’s S25 Edge has a 120Hz refresh charge for smoother scrolling. Actually, with that $1,100 value, I would be fairly irritated if it did not. If the iPhone Air goes to be marketed as a premium system, then it additionally must have a premium show. Easy as that.
Asking for a 120Hz refresh charge in 2025 would not sound like an extravagant request — till you do not forget that Apple’s baseline 16 and 16 Plus iPhones solely have a 60Hz refresh charge, which is actually thoughts boggling. Hopefully, Apple cures that with your entire iPhone 17 lineup, and particularly with the iPhone 17 Air.
Multiple digital camera, please
Quantity three on my want record is the iPhone 17 Air’s cameras — and spot I mentioned “cameras” with an “S,” as a result of I do not need only one.
One of many compromises with thinner telephones is that the digital camera {hardware} can get scaled again. The Galaxy S25 Edge has two rear cameras, which is lower than the remainder of the S25 lineup. However Samsung has, impressively, carried over the 200-megapixel main camera that you will additionally discover on the S25 Ultra, and pairs it with a 12-megapixel ultrawide digital camera. This makes for some pretty great shots — pictures are sharp, colours are balanced and portraits actually pop.
Some rumors counsel the iPhone 17 Air might observe within the footsteps of the iPhone 16E and have only one rear lens. However that might be an enormous bummer, for the reason that 16E is technically a “price range” telephone — even when that $600 price ticket suggests in any other case.
Though the iPhone 16E has a 48-megapixel digital camera with 2x magnification, I would nonetheless really feel cheated if that is all I bought with a extra premium system just like the iPhone 17 Air. If I’ll spend round $1,000 on a telephone, I would like the cameras to reside as much as the worth tag.
Beat Samsung on battery life
One other characteristic you may need to compromise with when choosing a slim telephone is battery life. Much less room means a smaller battery, which implies shorter battery life. The S25 Edge has a 3,900 mAh battery, which is the smallest capability throughout the S25 collection. It is lasted me all day, even with my extreme display screen time, however not far more than that.
I problem Apple to interrupt previous that limitation and provides us a thin telephone that does not skimp on battery. It may very well be a good way to set the iPhone 17 Air other than opponents — and in flip can push these opponents to enhance their choices, too.
Beneficiant storage and RAM
I used to be pleasantly stunned that the Galaxy S25 Edge packs 12GB of RAM, with 256GB and 512GB storage choices. Since expandable storage is such a rarity — and is virtually out of the query with a skinny telephone — it is nice to not fear an excessive amount of about filling up your telephone’s reminiscence with photographs, movies and video games. All of that RAM helps to energy the S25 Edge’s many AI features it shares with the remainder of the S25 lineup.
The complete iPhone 16 lineup has 8GB of RAM, which appears to be working simply superb, even when powering Apple Intelligence options. So perhaps asking for 12GB of RAM on the iPhone 17 Air is pointless. However what I actually hope is {that a} skinny iPhone will not reduce on reminiscence, and also will embrace a 512GB storage choice. That approach, you possibly can actually take pleasure in having a skinny telephone, with out curbing your use of it.
We’ll see what Apple’s bought up its sleeve, and whether or not it actually will launch a cutting-edge competitor to Samsung’s S25 Edge.
