According to several rumors, Apple and Samsung are preparing new super thin smartphones. But beyond the technical prowess, it is appropriate to question the real interest of these models which will undoubtedly not be cheap.
For some time now, the small tech world has been buzzing around a persistent rumor according to which Apple and Samsung are preparing new super thin smartphones. Often referred to as the iPhone Air, in reference to the MacBook Air, the thin and light laptop from the Apple brand, the Apple model would not be released for several months – probably in the fall of 2025, with the livery expected iPhone 17 -, while Samsung’s “slim” mobile would be presented at the end of January, with the Galaxy S25 family.
iPhone Air and Galaxy Slim: less than 7 mm thick
According to the multiple leaks and predictions that the specialized media have been relishing in recent weeks, the iPhone Air and the Galaxy S25 Slim – assuming that these are their final names – would break thinness records that would make the followers of Comme green with envy. I love and other miracle diets. Well-informed visionaries thus announce a thickness of between 5 and 6 mm for the Apple smartphone, or around 2 mm less than a standard iPhone 16 for example, while the Samsung model would be around 6.5 mm, compared to 7 .6 mm for a Galaxy S24. Predictions which gave rise to various sketches imagined by graphic designers
But if we can be ecstatic about this technical feat which testifies in both cases to real progress in terms of integration, it is appropriate to question its consequences and, above all, its interest.
iPhone Air and Galaxy Slim: a slimming diet for the rest
In fact, as some attentive and critical observers have already pointed out, this slimming treatment will come at the cost of several sacrifices. First, on the optical unit, which must have already required many years of miniaturization work and multiple innovations to fit lenses into thin devices. Of course, electronics will always be there to compensate for optical problems by calculation, but is this a good thing when we know that photos and videos today constitute major arguments on high-end smartphones? Next, onto the battery. Because due to the reduced space, and unless using new technology offering higher energy density, these ultra-thin smartphones had to make do with batteries with a capacity of 3000 to 4000 mAh, much lower than that of the most durable models currently, from 5000 mAh and more.
Clearly, the thinness would “weigh” both on photo capabilities and on autonomy, two critical points on smartphones, especially since high-end models, with their powerful chips, are generally not known for their endurance, which requires them to often go back through the recharge box.
But that’s not all! Because beyond their reduced performance, the iPhone Air and the Galaxy S25 Slim could also find themselves impractical. Or rather, not very pleasant in the hand. Indeed, their extreme thinness could make them significantly less ergonomic than thicker traditional models, simply because of a question of grip. And as their future owners, too proud to show off their new marvel, will undoubtedly be reluctant to equip them with a protective shell, we could witness some acrobatic manipulations, as long as the manufacturers adopt slippery materials… Not to mention the problem of temperature. Because as long as these slim models are equipped with high-end chips, it is not impossible that they will start to heat up during intense use, with games for example.
And let’s not talk about strength, because unless you use ultra-resistant, and therefore expensive, materials, it is not certain that ultra-thin smartphones can withstand falls or twists.
Of course, in the absence of official announcements and real-world testing, these are just assumptions. But if the rumors are confirmed, the direction followed by the two mobile giants raises questions about the future of smartphones and, above all, their suitability for the needs of “normal” users. There is no doubt that geeks fond of new things will be happy to rush to these latest phones. But apart from their perhaps attractive design which could serve as a social marker, slim smartphones should not bring any practical advantage – or rather “useful”.
iPhone and Galaxy: innovation broken down
And here we touch on the big problem of the current world of mobile telephony. And its two major specialists, Apple and Samsung. Because no offense to their leaders and their aficionados, it is clear that innovation is becoming increasingly rare and that smartphones have reached a plateau for several years. All models now look more or less the same – experiment by placing phones back against a table side by side and play the 7 differences game with a non-specialist… – and real progress becomes incremental, not to say negligible. Even though it sells tens of millions of copies worldwide, the iPhone 16 has not had the success hoped for, due to a lack of significant developments compared to the iPhone 15. And, like many experts pointed out, the differences between the Galaxy S24 and its predecessor, the Galaxy S23, are minimal.
To restart the cash machine, smartphone manufacturers are therefore exploring new avenues, as Samsung is doing with its foldable models. And the slim trend is going in this direction. But we clearly feel that innovation is stalling and that inspiration is no longer there, the developments being logarithmic. The revolution initiated by the first iPhone is behind us and although real progress has been made since then, the very concept of this multifunctional device seems to have reached its limits. In the absence of major developments on the physical level, manufacturers are today turning towards the new El Dorado that AI represents, promising wonders with functions whose usefulness has yet to be demonstrated.
Smartphones in 2025: back to basics
And while thin or folding smartphones will undoubtedly appeal to a few enthusiasts, the vast majority of consumers will prefer to stick to the essentials by favoring classic models that are more affordable and more classic for daily use. It is also on this ground that some less adventurous and more realistic manufacturers are now banking, like Motorola – owned by Lenovo for several years – which has just presented a series of very simple models, but with solid arguments. , such as the Moto G Power, a phone with a sober design and very ordinary characteristics sold for 300 dollars which stands out for its watertightness and its great robustness: certified IP68 and IP69, it resists immersion complete, at extreme temperatures (from -20°C to 60°) and at falls of 1.2 m. Not ultra sexy, certainly, but much more in tune with real needs than models mainly intended to parade during the fashion week…