The Skinny Phone Obsession: Is Thinner Really Better?
Smartphones, once objects of fervent desire and technological marvel, have settled into a predictable rhythm. The frenzy surrounding new releases has largely dissipated. The iPhone, the device that revolutionized the industry with its glass touchscreen, debuted eighteen years ago. Now, incremental updates rarely inspire the kind of rabid anticipation that once saw people camping out for days.
Foldable phones emerged as a potential disruptor, promising to inject excitement back into the market. However, their high price tags have kept them largely confined to the realm of early adopters and tech enthusiasts. Undeterred, smartphone manufacturers are now pursuing a different strategy: ultra-thin phones.
Rumors are swirling about impending releases from both Samsung and Apple that will showcase extreme slimness. Samsung has already unveiled the Galaxy S25 Edge, while leaks suggest that Apple will unveil the "iPhone 17 Air" alongside its standard iPhone 17 lineup.
Leaked images of dummy units depict both the S25 Edge and iPhone 17 Air as incredibly slender. They appear to be barely thicker than the USB-C port. Evan Blass, a well-known phone leaker, reported that the S25 Edge will measure a mere 5.8mm thick and weigh only 165 grams. Several Apple insiders, including Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities, and YouTubers like Unbox Therapy, have corroborated rumors that the iPhone 17 Air will measure between 5.5mm and 6mm thick. Sam Kohl, who runs the Apple Track YouTube channel, created a video showcasing a dummy model of the iPhone 17 Air and comparing it to the rest of the iPhone 17 family.
The obsession with thinness feels like a nostalgic return to the past. If phones had remained sleek and slim like the iPhone 6 from 2014, and if "bendgate" hadn’t happened, this current hoopla over thin phones wouldn’t exist. As phones gained larger screens, their camera systems evolved from single lenses to dual or triple setups. The apps, especially 3D mobile games, demanded more powerful processors. The only way to ensure that these devices lasted a full day was to increase the battery size. This led to phones becoming thicker and heavier.
Phone makers catered to consumer demands for longer battery life, but now they’re seemingly trying to sell compromised phones for the sake of aesthetics. Is there a genuine demand for a phone that could snap in half if you grip it too hard or slip it into tight jeans? Even those who dislike the unwieldy size of modern smartphones must wonder if the tradeoffs are truly worth it.
A thinner phone necessitates a smaller battery, inevitably leading to shorter battery life. These ultra-thin phones will also likely feature fewer rear cameras. The S25 Edge and the leaked iPhone 17 Air images suggest that they will each have a single-lens camera system. While chipsets are more efficient than they once were, and a single camera lens can do a lot if the sensor has many megapixels, there are still limitations. The question remains: will the weight loss justify these compromises? Despite their slimness, these phones will still sport large screens, measuring approximately 6.6 inches, making them difficult to fit into reasonable pants pockets.
The initial media and influencer attention may portray these phones as revolutionary, but will that excitement translate into sales? Will consumers embrace these super-thin phones in significant numbers? The answers remain elusive, but the rumored prices may make them a tough sell.
Mark Gurman speculates that Apple could price the iPhone 17 Air at $900, only $100 more than the standard iPhone 17 and $100 less than the iPhone 17 Pro. However, this assumes that Apple maintains its current pricing structure. Tariffs could impact prices. Other rumors suggest that the iPhone 17 Air could cost more than the smaller iPhone 17 Pro. The Samsung S25 Edge could also command a premium price. Leaks suggest that this phone could start at around $1,200. Will consumers be willing to pay significantly more for the sake of owning the thinnest phone on the market? This is especially questionable given the current economic climate.
Furthermore, slapping a protective case on these thin iPhones negates their primary selling point. You end up with a regular-sized phone lacking the better features found on other models.
Phone makers should focus on more meaningful improvements instead of prioritizing thinness. Apple could integrate anti-glare displays, like those used by Samsung in its Galaxy Ultra phones. This would significantly reduce reflections in outdoor settings. Apple considered using this technology for the iPhone 17 Pro, but it was scrapped for unexplained reasons. Better cameras that rival or surpass those from Chinese brands like Oppo and Xiaomi should also be prioritized. American consumers are largely unaware of how advanced the cameras are on phones like the Oppo Find X8 Ultra and Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Ridiculously fast wired charging that can fully charge a phone in ten minutes would also be a valuable innovation.
Apple and Samsung have fallen behind other brands, particularly those that primarily operate in China and Asia. The emphasis on thinness seems misguided.
Ultimately, the success of these skinny phones will depend on whether consumers value aesthetics over functionality. If rumored prices hold true, they may face an uphill battle. The market will ultimately decide whether the quest for the thinnest phone is a worthwhile endeavor.
