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iPhone Air vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Which Ultra-Thin Flagship Wins in 2025?
Apple iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge are two of 2025’s thinnest and most powerful flagships. Here’s a complete side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right one.
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Choosing a new phone in 2025 isn’t easy, especially when the battle is between two of the biggest names in tech: Apple and Samsung. Both are ultra-thin, big display, powerful, and packed with advanced features. So, if you’re stuck wondering “Should I buy iPhone Air or Galaxy S25 Edge?”, you’re in the right place.
In this guide, we’ll do a detailed comparison of the latest iPhone Air vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge from their design and performance to cameras and battery life. By the end, you’ll know exactly which phone is the better fit for you.
iPhone Air vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: Quick Specs
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s get an overview of how these two stack up.
| Feature | iPhone Air | Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge |
| Display Weight Thickness | 6.5″ OLED, ProMotion 120Hz 165g 5.6mm | 6.7″ Dynamic AMOLED, Adaptive 120Hz 163g 5.8mm |
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro Bionic | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB |
| Cameras | 48MP Fusion main | 200MP main + 12MP ultra-wide |
| Battery | ~3,149mAh | ~3,900mAh |
| OS | iOS 26 | One UI 7 (Android 15) |
| Price (Base) | $999 | $1,099 |
Design and Build
This year, both tech giants have focused on making the thinnest smartphone ever.
Apple has used aerospace-grade titanium for the frame and Ceramic Shield 2 glass on the front and back.. It’s 3x scratch-resistant, anti-reflective, and the 5.64mm thin body feels super light in hand. Matching the Pro models, Apple has added the plateau camera bump. Overall, you get a premium vibe.
On the other hand, Samsung has also used a titanium frame with Corning Gorilla Glass protection. It’s slightly lighter (163g) than the iPhone Air, although the display size and width are bigger. I preferred its sleekly curved edges that provide an immersive experience.
Verdict: iPhone is great for ergonomics, but Samsung wins on lightness with a larger display.
Display Technology
Both phones offer jaw-dropping screens, but in slightly different manners:
- iPhone Air: 6.5-inch Super Retina OLED with ProMotion 120Hz, ultra-bright (1600 nits peak). The HDR support and anti-reflective coating ensure colors are natural and spot-on.
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: 6.7-inch 2X AMOLED with adaptive refresh rate (1–120Hz). Insane brightness (2600 nits) and QHD+ Dynamic display provide vibrant colors so movies and games look stunning.
Verdict: Samsung for binge-watchers and gamers, iPhone for color-accuracy lovers. However, as I go out frequently, Apple’s brighter panel (3000 nits) stands out to me.
Performance: Apple Silicon vs Qualcomm
Under the hood, these phones are ready to tackle your daily multitasking. Let’s see how the A19 Pro vs. Snapdragon 8 Elite compare:
| Aspect | iPhone Air | Samsung S25 Edge |
| Processor | A19 Pro Bionic (5nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB |
The latest A19 Pro chipset with 6-core CPU hits 2,112,459 score on AnTuTu 10 where the Snapdragon 8 Elite is at 2,759,190. Samsung’s on-device AI processing is also faster thanks to a reconfigured vapor chamber and ProScaler image processing.
On Apple’s side, this year, the iPhone 17 series has introduced a new N1 chip for wireless connectivity and a C1X modem. So overall, Air offers smooth multitasking and better internet than the iPhone 16 Pro.
Verdict: Apple wins in efficiency and long-term smoothness, Samsung wins in raw specs, AI features, gaming, and multitasking. If you want more storage space, go for the iPhone Air.
Cameras
Snapping pics is half the fun of a new phone. So, the camera is a main aspect in my iPhone Air vs. S25 Edge comparison.
The iPhone Air keeps it simple with a single 48MP Fusion main camera with optical quality 2x Telephoto. The highlight is the 18MP Center Stage front camera that lets you take landscape selfies without rotating your phone. Moreover, you can easily record videos with the rear and front camera together with Dual Capture. In terms of videos, Air offers 4K60fps Dolby Vision with ProRes.
Samsung goes all-in with a 200MP main camera powered by ProVisual Engine and a 12MP ultrawide for landscapes or macros. The digital zoom is up to 10x. If you love night photography, its f1.7 aperture is unbeatable. Video hits 8K with pro stabilization and generative AI tools. However, the front camera is only 12MP.
Verdict: Samsung dominates AI-powered photography variety, but Apple still wins for video creators thanks to its advanced processing.
Battery and Charging
Nobody wants a phone that dies mid-Netflix dies. However, packing a good amount of battery is challenging in these ultra-thin devices. So, expect a decent battery life.
- iPhone Air: Smaller battery (~3,149mAh), giving up to 27 hours of video playback. However, the A19 Pro chip and Adaptive Power mode make it efficient. With the 40W Dynamic Power Adapter, you can get a 50% charge in 20 minutes.
- Samsung S25 Edge: Slightly bigger battery (~3,900mAh) offering 24 hours of video playback. With 25W fast charging, it takes 30 minutes to top up 55%.
Verdict: With Apple’s optimization, iPhone Air gives you all-day use if you’re not a power user.
Software Experience
The main user experience depends on how optimized the software is. The main difference between the iPhone Air and the S25 Edge is that one is iOS and the other is Android.
iPhone Air runs iOS 26. It is clean, intuitive, and features Liquid Glass design, with updates available for over 7 years. It also offers seamless integration with your Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch. Moreover, features like Emergency SOS via Satellite, Crash detection, and numerous accessibility features are life-saving. Apple is also coming forward in AI with Apple Intelligence.
On the other hand, Samsung S25 Edge uses One UI 7 based on Android 15. It gives more customization (themes, multitasking, split-screen). Ecosystem works well with Galaxy Watches, Buds, Windows laptops, and SmartThings. Updates promised for 5–6 years. S25 Edge truly shines with Galaxy AI and integration with Gemini.
Verdict: Apple wins in long-term updates and ecosystem reliability, Samsung is for customization and advanced AI features.
Connectivity
This year, Apple has focused on connectivity across the iPhone 17 series. The Air model comes with an Apple-designed N1 wireless chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Threads support. Also, there is a new C1X modem, which is 30% more efficient than the previous C1 chip. Let’s see how it stacks up against S25 Edge:
| Feature | iPhone Air | Samsung S25 Edge |
| 5G | Yes (global) | Yes (global) |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | v6 | V5.4 |
| Satellite | Emergency SOS | Limited Satellite Messaging |
| Security | Face ID (ultra-fast) | In-display ultrasonic fingerprint |
| Extras | AR/VR tie-in with Apple Vision Pro | S-Pen support, Knox Vault |
Verdict: If you want a blazing-fast network, go for the iPhone Air. For serious note-takers, Galaxy S25 Edge is better.
Price and Value
- iPhone Air starts at $999 for 256GB. It’s a great value with Apple’s long support and resale perks. Trade-in offers can provide more value.
- Samsung S25 Edge starts at $1,099 for 256GB, but deals and financing make it accessible. You get more advanced features for the buck, like better battery, more camera, and AI tools.
So, Apple is about ecosystem loyalists, and Samsung is for versatility fans.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
Here comes the final question: Which is better, the iPhone Air or the S25 Edge?
iPhone Air shines with its ultra-slim design, best-in-class efficiency, long software support, unbeatable video recording, and seamless Apple ecosystem.
The Galaxy S25 Edge offers a bigger, brighter display, powerhouse cameras, better AI features, more customization and extras.
Who should buy what?
- If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, love simplicity, or care about video and long updates, grab the Air.
- If you want more raw specs, zoom-heavy photography, and Android freedom, go for the S25 Edge.
Honestly, both are winners; the “best” phone is the one that fits your lifestyle and priorities. Which one’s calling your name? Drop a comment below!
Don’t miss these related reads:
- iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: The Biggest Upgrade Apple Made This Year
- Apple Watch Series 11 vs Series 10: The Upgrade No One Expected
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Pro 2: Big Upgrade or Hype?
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Ava Biswas
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