Tech firms are recognized for, let’s consider, “borrowing” options from one another. Any time Apple or Samsung releases a brand new telephone or software program replace, you will be certain arguments over who did it first, or higher, will ensue amongst hardcore followers.
It stands to cause 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. In that case, a number of options on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge are on my wishlist for the rumored iPhone 17 Air. Studies recommend the skinnier iPhone may finally substitute the iPhone Plus, and would have an identical $900 price ticket. However whether or not or not tariffs will have an effect on that value 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 certainly one of my favourite telephones I’ve ever used, due to the contemporary kind issue. The truth is, regardless of my preliminary skepticism, I am now satisfied skinny and light-weight telephones are the best way to go. You’ll be able to take a look at my overview 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. Despite its thinness, it is also surprisingly sturdy, it does not really feel like it should 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 Professional mannequin telephones, so it might 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’ll undoubtedly want further 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. Nonetheless, analyst Jeff Pu mentioned in February that the iPhone 17, 17 Professional and 17 Professional Max will all have aluminum frames, and that the iPhone 17 Air might be the outlier with a titanium body. I actually hope that is true.
A 120Hz refresh fee
Samsung’s S25 Edge has a 120Hz refresh fee for smoother scrolling. Truthfully, 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 fee in 2025 does 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 fee, which is really thoughts boggling. Hopefully, Apple cures that with the whole 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 see 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 foremost digital camera that you will additionally discover on the S25 Extremely, and pairs it with a 12-megapixel ultrawide digital camera. This makes for some fairly nice pictures — pictures are sharp, colours are balanced and portraits actually pop.
Some rumors recommend the iPhone 17 Air may 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 “finances” 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 obtained 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 function you may need to compromise with when choosing a slim telephone is battery life. Much less room means a smaller battery, which suggests 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 way more than that.
I problem Apple to interrupt previous that limitation and provides us a thin telephone that does not skimp on battery. It might be a good way to set the iPhone 17 Air aside from opponents — and in flip can push these opponents to enhance their choices, too.
Beneficiant storage and RAM
I used to be pleasantly shocked 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 pictures, movies and video games. All of that RAM helps to energy the S25 Edge’s many AI options it shares with the remainder of the S25 lineup.
Your entire 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 embody a 512GB storage possibility. That manner, you possibly can actually take pleasure in having a skinny telephone, with out curbing your use of it.
We’ll see what Apple’s obtained up its sleeve, and whether or not it actually will launch a cutting-edge competitor to Samsung’s S25 Edge.
