It’s typically stated that Apple doesn’t do issues first; it does them proper. However not every little thing may be accomplished proper. And my concern is that the faults of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, which launched this week an excellent 4 months earlier than the iPhone 17 Air, are innate to such a gadget quite than one thing that may be mounted.
There are clearly constructive factors to this kind issue, which is why Samsung and Apple are each happening the sub-6mm highway. In addition to being simply 5.8mm thick, the S25 Edge weighs 163g, which is amazingly gentle for a cellphone with a 6.7-inch show and truly lighter than every of Apple’s present 6.1-inch handsets. I haven’t held one, however by all accounts, the Edge’s lack of heft is strikingly noticeable within the hand, and I can see why that appeals… it simply doesn’t attraction to me.
In case you supplied to make my 3.5-pound MacBook Professional lighter, I’d soar on the probability. Much less weight within the rucksack once I take it to the workplace could be a welcome improve. Similar for my iPad Air (460g) and AirPods Max (386g, plus one other 135g for the silly case). However weight merely isn’t a ache level for my iPhone 16 Plus (6.7 inches, 199g). And I’d go additional and say that I’d actively dislike it being made any lighter.
Ever discover {that a} tennis ball is tougher to catch than one thing more durable and heavier, like a baseball or cricket ball? It’s as a result of weight makes an object sink into your hand and keep there, whereas lighter objects should be actively gripped. A 199g cellphone, plus case, sits properly in my hand. A cellphone that’s 163g (which probably isn’t cased since you wish to showcase the groundbreaking slimline design) is way extra prone to be dropped, particularly if it’s nearly fully product of clean glass. After which, enhanced crack safety or no enhanced crack safety, you’re risking catastrophe.
What does this doubtful present of lightness value us? A lot. The S25 Edge comes with three essential compromises: decrease battery capability (1000mAh lower than the S25+ with considerably slower charging), a weaker digicam system (no telephoto lens, therefore worse zoom), and the next worth. Cellphone cameras have debatably reached a stage of evolution the place any one in every of them is nearly as good as nearly anybody wants, however worth and battery life are, not like weight, lively ache factors. I discover it baffling that somebody would willingly pay extra for a cellphone that lasts much less time purely for the sake of constructing it thinner.
It’s not like it is a notably enticing design, both. It’s simply the identical outdated glowing rectangle, digicam lenses arrayed vertically on the again within the normal Galaxy type, pinhole digicam cutout on the entrance. And due to the design impediment that’s the USB-C port (if solely there was some solution to do away with that…), the underside edge appears to be like wonky, with the port sitting nearer to the rear of the chassis than the entrance. It’s simply not a design that has something to suggest it aside from being skinny.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
All of those compromises—and extra—are anticipated to afflict the iPhone 17 Air. Apple’s ultra-thin handset will reportedly have only one rear digicam, the next worth than the iPhone 16 Plus, and battery life so unhealthy that it’s going to promote an adjunct simply so customers can get by means of the day. Granted, individuals who have held dummies have come away very impressed with the design, however bear in mind, these aren’t working fashions. First impressions are one factor; really utilizing it after the wow issue wears off is one other.
A typical argument in favor of main change is to say that you simply’ll really feel in another way when you’ve had an opportunity to get used to it. And till now Apple watchers have been holding out hope that the iPhone 17 Air would pull off an identical trick, that whereas it appears impractical in concept, we’ll fall in love with the article as soon as it’s in our palms, as soon as we’ve spent a while with it and grown accustomed to its advantages. That’s why rival merchandise are so vital for our understanding of the 17 Air. They offer reviewers an opportunity to really expertise the truth of a sub-6mm smartphone.
The launch of the S25 Edge, then, has been an fascinating train for Apple followers. But when that is what’s in retailer for the iPhone 17 Air within the fall, I really feel much less optimistic than ever. Not for me, thanks.
