Samsung Planning Ultra-Thin Galaxy S25 Model to Rival iPhone 17 Air

Samsung is developing a slim version of its upcoming flagship Galaxy S25 smartphone that could launch in Q2 2025, potentially setting up a direct competition with Apple's rumored iPhone 17 'Air', according to reports from South Korean media and data discovered in GSMA's global mobile registry database.

iPhone 17 Slim Feature
Korea's ET News on October 31 claimed that Samsung could release a slim smartphone during the second quarter of 2025, or between April and June. The timing would position it just a few months ahead of the launch of Apple's so-called iPhone 17 'Air', expected in September 2025.

Since the Korean report, Smartprix has discovered a smartphone listing in the GSMA IMEI database under the market name "Galaxy" with the model number SM-S937U. According to the outlet, Samsung often registers smartphones it is testing internally in this database about six to seven months before their official launch. The model number is said to match the pattern seen in Samsung's standard Galaxy, Plus, and Ultra series devices, but it will likely be launched separately from its main Galaxy S25 series to avoid cannibalization of sales.

It won't be the first time Samsung has experimented with thin designs – back in 2014, the company released the Galaxy Alpha, which featured a 6.7mm profile compared to the regular Galaxy S5's 8.1mm thickness. Industry sources claim that Samsung views its latest attempt as a strategic move to reinvigorate the smartphone market amid plateauing demand. The company reportedly plans to gauge market response to the slim model before potentially restructuring its entire Galaxy S26 lineup in 2026.

There have been conflicting rumors about the design and specifications for Apple's rumored slim device, but most sources have agreed that it will have around a 6.6-inch display. In July, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expects the device to have a standard A19 chip, a Dynamic Island, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G modem. The official name of the model is not yet known.

The timing of both releases suggests 2025 could mark the beginning of a new focus on device thinness from the two major smartphone rivals, after years of emphasis on improved camera capabilities and processing power.

Related Roundups: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air
Tag: Samsung

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Top Rated Comments

wikiverse Avatar
21 weeks ago

Of course there are, they copy everything apple do.
This hasn't been true since the Galaxy S2. We're about 14 models past that point. Samsung have innovated more in the mobile space than Apple have across all generations. Samsung now have multiple innovative models - including folding phones, while Apple is adding a camera button.

Apple wasn't the first with an all touch screen phone they copied that from LG. Pinch-to-zoom was used by Mitsubishi before Apple. The first eSim-only phone was a Motorola. Samsung has hole-punch front cameras several models before the Pill, and Samsung introduced large-screen phones years ahead of the iPhone 6, along with the software to use them one-handed.

Plus, Samsung have innovated and developed the technology and manufacturing processes to make much of the iPhone possible from Screens to RAM. Who do you think made the always-on OLED displays possible? Or the notch/pill cutout for FaceID?

We're well past bashing Samsung for 'copying Apple', when they've created their own ecosystem - some of which Apple has copied in return. Apple still use Samsung parts because they deliver unparallelled quality - which actually speaks highly of Samsungs own products. I don't think anyone can deny that Samsung make some beautiful, well engineered products.

Competition is good. If Samsung can produce higher quality, better featured phones than Apple, that's a great thing because Apple will compete and we all get better phones as a result.

I'm an iPhone and Mac user, and I might never buy a Samsung phone, but it's not 2010 anymore. Besides, can you really claim they're 'copying' Apple for a phone that is only rumoured and might not even exist?
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Robin Bonathan Avatar
21 weeks ago
Of course there are, they copy everything apple do.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
21 weeks ago

Of course there are, they copy everything apple do.
Apple hasn’t “do” yet. If Samsung is first to market with such a thing- as they often are with many things that eventually show up in iPhones- which corp is doing the copying?

That’s no defense of Samsung as they are quick to replicate true Apple firsts too. I just wouldn’t frame the copying concept as a one-way accusation. Both sides rampantly “take” from the other.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
azentropy Avatar
21 weeks ago
Don't really care about slim, that is not my problem with big phones. It is that they are much more difficult to use one handed. Give us a nice 5.8/5.9 screen option in an updated Pro design pretty please! Slim down the bezels and even make it a tad thicker if needed to get good battery life.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrGimper Avatar
21 weeks ago
:oops: <- Shocked face.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jeo_cz Avatar
21 weeks ago

Don't really care about slim, that is not my problem with big phones. It is that they are much more difficult to use one handed. Give us a nice 5.8/5.9 screen option in an updated Pro design pretty please! Slim down the bezels and even make it a tad thicker if needed to get good battery life.
But that's an iOS problem. Samsung's OneUI is designed to be operable one handed and it really is.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)