- Ultra-thin phones will be back in fashion next year
- The iPhone 17 Air is supposed to be the thinnest iPhone in history
- But he probably won’t beat the ten-year-old record
Ten years ago, smartphone manufacturers were competing to introduce the thinnest phone. The battle of hundredths of millimeters was finally won by the Vivo brand with its X5 Max smartphone, which was only 4.85 mm in size. But he was not the only one of his kind – the Oppo R5 also came under five millimeters.
In past years, smartphone manufacturers have pushed this parameter to the sidelines – probably assessing that customers value a more powerful chipset, longer battery life or better cameras instead of a thin profile. The only exceptions are flexible smartphones, for which the smallest possible thickness is desirable both when closed and when open. Next year, however, even ultra-thin phones with a classic design could experience a revival.
The iPhone 17 Air is supposed to have a waist of only 6 mm
In 2025, both Samsung and Apple will reportedly introduce their “razors”. The former is said to be preparing the Galaxy S25 Slim smartphone, the latter the iPhone 17 Air. None of them will try to usurp the ten-year-old primacy of the Vivo brand, but at least we should expect impressive values from the iPhone 17 Air.
Recently there were rumors that the iPhone 17 Air should have a waist of something around 6 millimeters, now these predictions are confirmed by the well-known analyst Jeff Pu in a research report for the Hong Kong investment bank Haitong. If this information is confirmed, the iPhone 17 Air will be the thinnest iPhone in history – in the apple world, the record is still held by the iPhone 6 with a thickness of 6.9 mm. The current generation is significantly thicker:
- iPhone 16 a 16 Plus – 7,8 mm
- iPhone 16 Pro a 16 Pro Max – 8,25 mm
The existence of the iPhone 17 Air was confirmed by the usually accurate analyst Ming Chi Kuo, according to whom the upcoming novelty should receive an approximately 6.6-inch display with a Dynamic Island cut-out and Face ID support, as well as an aluminum chassis, a main 48MP camera, a 24MP selfie camera and a powerful 3nm chipset Apple A19 supplemented with 8 GB of RAM and a 5G modem of its own design.
The iPhone 17 Air is to be introduced in September next year, and will probably replace the Plus variant in Apple’s portfolio. It can be assumed that Chinese manufacturers who want to beat Apple in this discipline will react to the announcement of a thin iPhone. So it is possible that next year and the year after that we will again have a race in which hundredths of a millimeter will play a big role.
Author of the article
Jakub Karásek
The Battle of the Thin: iPhone 17 Air vs. the World
By Jakub Karásek, but for this performance, let’s say it’s a collaboration between Jimmy Carr, Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais, and Lee Evans. Buckle up!
Ultra-thin Phones: A Shallow Comeback
Guess what? The ultra-thin phone trend is making a comeback next year! Yes, folks, it’s time to dust off your old razor blade and start measuring your phone’s girth. I can just imagine all those disgruntled smartphone manufacturers stumbling into design meetings saying, “Why can’t we make it thinner?!” Well, I’ve got a news flash: that’s like asking if your jeans can fit after 10 wine spritzers. Personally, I’m just as keen on having a phone that doesn’t snap like a twig when I drop it. But hey, who doesn’t love a good waistline statement?
The iPhone 17 Air: The Thinnest iPhone Ever (Until the iPhone 18 Flops Out)
The upcoming iPhone 17 Air is projected to be slimmer than your average runway model at 6 mm! I mean, let’s not kid ourselves, they’re not exactly thinking about practicality when they’ve got a phone that’s not much thicker than a crisp. Remember the victories of the Vivo X5 Max way back when, at a staggering 4.85 mm? Spoiler alert: it’s still the slimmest even after a decade! Apple might think the iPhone 17 Air is the dainty darling of their lineup, but can it topple a ten-year-old record? If I could put my bank up for sale to bet on that, I wouldn’t!
The Challenge of Becoming the Best: Who Knew Thickness Could Drive Such Innovation?
Over the past few years, manufacturers seemed to have taken a breather from the “thinnest phone” race—probably because having a battery last more than a few hours seems to have taken on some urgency. And manufacturers began realizing that users preferred their phones with a bit of meat on their bones. “When in doubt, chuck a 3nm chipset in there and call it a day!” Oh, how I long for simpler times, like when we didn’t have to worry about phones creaking under the pressure of our TikTok obsessions.
Thinspiration: The Tech Giants’ Slim Fast Plans!
So, brace yourselves for 2025 when both Apple and Samsung are rumored to drop their “razor” phones. Samsung’s reportedly calling their device the Galaxy S25 Slim. Now, isn’t that just a little too on-the-nose? You could take a slice of pizza and just call it a Galaxy fat—just a thought. Meanwhile, Apple’s iPhone 17 Air is on a quest to dethrone the iPhone 6’s record of 6.9 mm thickness. And as it stands, the iPhone 16 a 16 Plus are waiting in the thick of it at 7.8 mm—sorry, girls, that day is going to come and none of these devices will actually have the waistline of a supermodel.
Conclusion: The Thin Line Between Genius and Insanity
In conclusion, the obsession with slimness in the smartphone world is just the latest episode of “tech meets vanity.” Yes, we want fancy gadgets, but how thin is too thin? Will the iPhone 17 Air float away in the breeze or remain a cherished companion? As the race continues, expect both cheers and jeers in this absurd world of millimeter contests! At the end of the day, if my phone can’t withstand a drop or facilitate my extreme dissatisfaction with life, what’s the point? So let’s all try to gain a little perspective—next time we’re reaching for that ultra-thin phone, why not take a moment to ask: “How about we make it thicker, but with a better battery?”
- Ultra-thin smartphones are set to make a comeback next year
- The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to be the thinnest iPhone ever crafted
- However, it is unlikely to surpass a decade-old benchmark
As history recalls, ten years back, a fierce competition erupted among smartphone companies to unveil the slimmest devices possible. The pinnacle of this contest was reached by Vivo, whose X5 Max smartphone achieved an astonishing thickness of just 4.85 mm. Notably, the Oppo R5 also made headlines with its similarly impressive measurement, falling under the five-millimeter mark.
In recent years, the emphasis on creating ultra-slim smartphones has diminished significantly. Manufacturers seemed to have determined that consumers prioritize more powerful chipsets, extended battery life, and superior camera quality over a sleek form factor. The notable exception to this trend has been flexible smartphones, where maintaining a minimal thickness is crucial in both folded and unfolded positions. However, next year promises a resurgence of ultra-slim phones, even those boasting a traditional design.
The iPhone 17 Air is projected to boast a slender profile of just 6 mm
Anticipation is building for 2025, as both tech giants Samsung and Apple are reportedly preparing to launch their “razor-thin” models. Samsung is believed to be gearing up for the introduction of the Galaxy S25 Slim, while Apple’s plan revolves around the iPhone 17 Air. Neither device is expected to claim the title for the thinnest phone from Vivo, but significant advancements are anticipated, especially for the iPhone 17 Air.
Recent rumors suggest that the iPhone 17 Air may achieve a thickness around 6 millimeters, a speculation that has been substantiated by renowned analyst Jeff Pu in a report for the Hong Kong investment firm Haitong. Should this assertion hold true, the iPhone 17 Air will set a new record as the thinnest iPhone in history, surpassing the previous record held by the iPhone 6 at 6.9 mm. Comparatively, the current iPhone generation is noticeably thicker:
- iPhone 16 and 16 Plus – 7.8 mm
- iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max – 8.25 mm
Confirmation of the iPhone 17 Air’s existence comes from the accurate analyst Ming Chi Kuo. He indicates that the new device will feature an approximately 6.6-inch display adorned with a Dynamic Island cut-out and Face ID capabilities. Additionally, it will sport an elegant aluminum chassis, a primary 48MP camera, a 24MP front-facing camera, and the robust 3nm Apple A19 chipset accompanied by 8 GB of RAM and a proprietary 5G modem.
The unveiling of the iPhone 17 Air is slated for September of next year, with predictions suggesting it may replace the Plus variant in Apple’s lineup. Furthermore, it can be speculated that Chinese manufacturers, eager to outpace Apple, will respond to the announcement of such a slim iPhone. This implies that the following year and beyond could reignite the competitive race, where the minutest measurements once again hold immense significance.
How does the push for ultra-thin designs impact the overall durability and battery life of smartphones?
Mple speculation suggests that Samsung’s device might be dubbed the Galaxy S25 Slim, while Apple’s iPhone 17 Air is set to capture the title of the thinnest iPhone in history at a mere 6 mm. This thinness would surpass the current record of the iPhone 6 at 6.9 mm, a feat that has remained unmatched since its release.
Interestingly, the trend toward thinner smartphones had previously waned as manufacturers recognized that consumers often value durability and battery life over aesthetics. The last decade has shown a shift in focus towards robust performance components and camera advancements rather than purely slim designs. Yet, with the upcoming releases, it seems that the race to create the next ultra-thin smartphone is back on.
The exciting speculation surrounding the iPhone 17 Air is further fueled by notable features expected to accompany its sleek design, including a 6.6-inch display, Dynamic Island cut-out, and advanced camera system. While it’s undeniable that ultra-thin design appeals to the vanity of consumer electronics, the real question remains: at what point does the pursuit of thinness compromise the functional aspects of these devices?
as the battle for thinness heats up between leading manufacturers, consumers should remain aware of their own priorities when choosing a smartphone. A thinner model may look alluring, but it’s essential to weigh that against factors like durability, battery longevity, and overall performance. After all, a pencil-thin phone won’t do much good if it cracks under the pressure of daily use.
