iPhone 17 Air vs Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

iPhone 17 Air

At 5.5mm thick, the iPhone 17 Air redefines what a smartphone can look like. The all-aluminum construction is both a design statement and a compromise enabler.

• At 5.5mm, it genuinely feels like holding a credit card with a screen — the thinness is immediately striking and draws constant attention
• Despite the extreme thinness, the phone feels rigid and well-built with no flex under normal use
• Single speaker and reduced haptics are noticeable sacrifices for the thin profile — movies and music lack the immersion of other iPhones

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The S25 FE adopts the flat-edge design language of the S25 series, giving it a modern, premium look. However, build quality concerns have emerged, with the polycarbonate back and Gorilla Glass Victus scratching more easily than expected.

• Flat-edge design mirrors the mainline S25 series — it looks like a flagship from the outside
• IP68 water and dust resistance is a welcome inclusion at this price tier