A tech analyst explains why the iPhone Air's thin design is successful and how Samsung could compete with the Galaxy S26 Edge.

## Galaxy S25 Edge Versus iPhone Air: A Comparison

**Battery Life**

The Galaxy S25 Edge exceeded expectations in battery performance, achieving 6 hours and 22 minutes of screen time with its 3,900 mAh battery inside a 5.8 mm frame. The iPhone Air lasted even longer at 6 hours and 43 minutes despite having a smaller 3,149 mAh battery.

While the 21-minute difference isn't drastic, it highlights Apple's efficient power management. Although the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip in Samsung's phone is efficient, Apple's software optimization remains superior. Future models, like the Galaxy S26 Edge with a speculated 4,200 mAh battery, could change this.

**Charging**

Integrating wireless charging into an ultra-thin device is a notable achievement. Apple incorporated MagSafe into the iPhone Air, enabling 20 W wireless charging within its 5.6 mm body.

The Galaxy S26 Edge may improve upon this with the addition of Qi2 magnetic wireless charging at 25W, similar to the Pixelsnap system in the Pixel 10 series. This upgrade could give the Galaxy a slight advantage over the iPhone. However, a minor improvement alone won't guarantee that the slimmest Galaxy surpasses the slimmest iPhone in popularity.

**Cameras**

Samsung's decision to use the 200 MP main image sensor from the Galaxy S25 Ultra in the Edge model proved successful. The S25 Edge earned a Camera Score of 140 in lab tests, outperforming the iPhone Air's score of 126.

Apple's single 48 MP camera delivers good image quality, but the absence of a secondary lens limits its capabilities and overall score. Images from the Edge's main camera exhibited greater sharpness, wider dynamic range, and clearer digital zoom, even without a dedicated telephoto lens.

Rumors suggest the S26 Edge will feature a new 50 MP ultrawide camera, an upgrade from 12 MP. This would further widen the camera performance gap between the flagship devices. The Edge would remain the superior camera phone with Samsung's AI editing tools like Generative Edit and Audio Eraser, which are absent on the iPhone. The camera isn't an area where Samsung needs to improve and therefore isn't a key to boost popularity.

**Design: The Right Story**

The S25 Edge features impressive engineering. Its thinness (5.8 mm) and weight (163 grams) make it feel as refined as the iPhone Air.

Apple has marketed the Air as a luxury item. Samsung presented the Edge as a thinner flagship, leading consumers to expect battery life and features comparable to the Ultra in a smaller package.

This approach was detrimental. The S26 Edge should stand alone rather than being viewed as a slimmer S26 Ultra and should emphasize design as a primary selling point.

If Samsung adopts this strategy and promotes the Edge as a sophisticated device, instead of a less capable version of its flagship, it could transform perceptions.

**Target Audience**

Apple clearly positioned the iPhone Air for consumers who prioritize design, portability, and novelty. Samsung's target for the Galaxy S25 Edge was less defined.

The S25 Edge combined impressive hardware with a somewhat confusing message. While thin, it still attempted to compete with its thicker counterparts regarding specifications. Additionally, its price point was close to the S25 Ultra's, making it a tougher choice for consumers.

The S25 Edge lacks appeal compared to the Ultra. Samsung can address this with the S26 Edge by marketing the Edge as a premium lifestyle product instead of simply focusing on how much technology can be packed into the thinnest phone possible. Reducing certain features and the price, while emphasizing its fashion-forward design, could help it gain traction.

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