Ultra-slim phone race shifts: Samsung aims thinner, Apple eyes longer battery life

The intense competition to create the thinnest smartphones is evolving, with manufacturers like Samsung and Apple charting different courses.

Samsung is doubling down on its commitment to slim and lightweight designs. Its latest Galaxy S26 series, with models ranging from 7.2mm to 7.9mm in thickness, continues this trend. Even the larger S26 Ultra is thinner and lighter than its predecessor. This focus extends to its foldable phones, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 achieving a thickness of 8.9mm when folded and 4.2mm when unfolded, addressing a key weakness of earlier foldable devices.

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The thickness and weight of the iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to increase, with the most likely reason being battery expansion.

In contrast, Apple's strategy for its next flagship, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, is rumored to prioritize battery expansion. Leaks suggest a thickness of around 9mm and a weight of 240g, a slight increase from the current model. This shift indicates a potential move away from extreme slimness towards longer battery life and improved internal components, a departure from its recent emphasis on ultra-thin devices like the iPhone Air.

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Both products, which emphasized the thinnest thickness in their history, received evaluations that did not meet market expectations.

This divergence stems from the market's reaction to previous ultra-slim models. Both Apple's iPhone Air and Samsung's Galaxy S25 Edge, despite their thin profiles, failed to capture significant market interest. Industry analysts suggest the smartphone market is moving beyond mere thickness competition towards a broader focus on usability, where battery life, camera performance, and thermal management are increasingly critical, especially with the rise of on-device AI.

Ultimately, both companies are seeking different paths to differentiate their flagship devices. Samsung aims to integrate slimness across its mainstream and foldable lines, while Apple seems poised to offer a more robust Pro Max model with enhanced battery capabilities, signaling a new phase in their ongoing competition.

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The smartphone market competition is shifting from simple thickness competition to usability competition.