It’s typically mentioned that Apple doesn’t do issues first; it does them proper. However not all the pieces might be executed proper. And my worry is that the faults of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, which launched this week a superb 4 months earlier than the iPhone 17 Air, are innate to this kind of system slightly than one thing that may be mounted.
There are clearly optimistic factors to this way issue, which is why Samsung and Apple are each happening the sub-6mm street. 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 really 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 enchantment to me.
If you happen to supplied to make my 3.5-pound MacBook Professional lighter, I’d bounce on the probability. Much less weight within the rucksack after I take it to the workplace can be a welcome improve. Identical 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 harder 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 have to be actively gripped. A 199g cellphone, plus case, sits properly in my hand. A cellphone that’s 163g (which possible isn’t cased since you wish to showcase the groundbreaking slimline design) is way extra prone to be dropped, particularly if it’s nearly completely made from clean glass. After which, enhanced crack safety or no enhanced crack safety, you’re risking catastrophe.
What does this doubtful present of lightness price us? A lot. The S25 Edge comes with three principal compromises: decrease battery capability (1000mAh lower than the S25+ with considerably slower charging), a weaker digicam system (no telephoto lens, therefore worse zoom), and a better value. Telephone cameras have debatably reached a stage of evolution the place any considered one of them is pretty much as good as nearly anybody wants, however value and battery life are, in contrast to 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 significantly engaging design, both. It’s simply the identical previous 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 approach to eliminate that…), the underside edge appears 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 apart 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, a better value than the iPhone 16 Plus, and battery life so dangerous that it’s going to promote an adjunct simply so customers can get by way of the day. Granted, individuals who have held dummies have come away very impressed with the design, however keep 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 standard argument in favor of main change is to say that you just’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 the same trick, that whereas it appears impractical in principle, 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 necessary for our understanding of the 17 Air. They offer reviewers an opportunity to truly expertise the fact 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.
