Apple is preparing for the launch of the iPhone 17 Air next year, while Samsung is no slouch as it is ready to introduce the Galaxy S25 Slim early this year.
This makes many people wonder whether the trend of ultra-thin smartphones will return in the near future, but it is almost certain that the above models will be much thinner than current products.
Why big companies focus on making phones thinner
A big reason is competition from Chinese brands. Affordable phones like the HONOR 200 Lite and OPPO Reno12 Pro are both under 7mm thick, while comparable iPhones and Galaxy models are often closer to 8mm or so. While many people may not notice the difference in weight, Apple and Samsung are targeting the Chinese market, where every saved millimeter counts for aesthetics. Ultra-thin phones could be key to their success in this race.
Both Apple and Samsung want to return to the ultra-thin smartphone market.
In the context of the increasingly saturated smartphone market, thin design is becoming a new creative trend. Apple is aiming to launch the iPhone 17 Air, which is said to be the first step in the company's ambition to develop a foldable smartphone. This phone is expected to use a thinner and more efficient OLED panel from Novatek, making the foldable iPhone more portable than current competitors.
For example, the HONOR Magic V3 is only 4.35mm thick when unfolded and 9.3mm when folded, while the HUAWEI Mate XT Ultimate has a similar size of 4.75mm. Thinness is an important factor when folding a phone because it directly affects the user experience.
More than anyone, Samsung understands that foldable screen smartphones need to be thin.
Meanwhile, with the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series, Samsung is not out of this race. The Galaxy S25 Slim may be part of the company's foldable smartphone development strategy. In particular, the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition has reduced the folded thickness of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 from 12.1mm to 10.6mm, showing Samsung's efforts to improve the design.
Challenges with ultra-thin smartphones
Limited space means hardware specifications will suffer. Batteries will have to be thinner, which reduces capacity, although modern battery technology has somewhat overcome this problem. Limited space also makes it difficult to fit large heatsinks for high-performance chips, and cameras may have to use smaller sensors, which can affect image quality.
Ultra thin puts limitations on specifications.
Furthermore, thinner smartphones tend to have lower specs, especially since the iPhone 17 Air is expected to have the same low specs as the standard models. While foldable capabilities may be a selling point, it could be years before Apple releases a thinner phone with premium features. In fact, a thicker smartphone is likely to have more components.
With the iPhone mini discontinued and the Plus models struggling to gain traction, an affordable iPhone Air could be well received by consumers. Likewise, Samsung is struggling to differentiate its premium models as they look more and more alike. A slim phone with decent specs could be a viable solution.
Price is also a limitation for ultra-thin models.
However, there is no clear indication that consumers are looking for compact smartphones. Many attempts to develop mini-phones have failed, despite their high ratings and loyal user base. Sales of the iPhone Mini and Sony Compact, for example, have not met manufacturers' expectations.
More importantly, consumers still prioritize battery life, photography capabilities, and affordability. Ultra-thin smartphones are unlikely to meet these needs as well as current models. While thinness is an important factor for foldable phones, it is not a big issue for traditional models. However, if these products become a reality, users still expect good news from the market.