Dear Apple, Please Steal These Galaxy S25 Edge Features for a Thin iPhone

CNET

5 days ago

Tech companies are known for, shall we say, "borrowing" features from each other. Any time Apple or Samsung releases a new phone or software update, you can be sure arguments over who did it first, or better, will ensue among hardcore fans.
It stands to reason that as Apple reportedly plans to debut a thinner version of the iPhone 17 this fall, it might look to competitors to see what resonates with consumers. If so, a few features on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge are on my wishlist for the rumored iPhone 17 Air. Reports suggest the skinnier iPhone could ultimately replace the iPhone Plus, and would have a similar $900 price tag. But whether or not tariffs will affect that price isn't clear.
Samsung's super-thin S25 Edge clocks in at 5.8mm and 163 grams. It costs $1,100 and is available for purchase now. It's also one of my favorite phones I've ever used, thanks to the fresh form factor. In fact, despite my initial skepticism, I'm now convinced thin and light phones are the way to go. You can check out my review for a more in-depth breakdown of my experience using the phone.
For now, though, I want to share five Galaxy S25 Edge features I'd love to see on the iPhone 17 Air. Apple may not have confirmed the existence of this slim device just yet, but that can't stop a girl from dreaming.
A titanium frame
Despite the Galaxy S25 Edge's spacious 6.7-inch display, it still feels impressively feather-light. In spite of its thinness, it's also surprisingly sturdy, it doesn't feel like it's going to snap in my hand or pocket.
That lightweight durability is thanks to the phone's titanium frame, which is something I hope Apple adopts for its thin iPhone, too. Apple uses titanium frames in its Pro model phones, so it'd be great to see that same treatment applied to a thin iPhone. Since I'm sure it'll also have a premium price, it will definitely need extra reinforcement to keep it from bending.
Rumors have gone back and forth on whether Apple's upcoming iPhones will have aluminum or titanium frames. However, analyst Jeff Pu said in February that the iPhone 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max will all have aluminum frames, and that the iPhone 17 Air could be the outlier with a titanium frame. I really hope that's true.
A 120Hz refresh rate
Samsung's S25 Edge has a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling. Honestly, with that $1,100 price, I'd be pretty annoyed if it didn't. If the iPhone Air is going to be marketed as a premium device, then it also needs to have a premium display. Simple as that.
Asking for a 120Hz refresh rate in 2025 doesn't sound like an extravagant request -- until you remember that Apple's baseline 16 and 16 Plus iPhones only have a 60Hz refresh rate, which is truly mind boggling. Hopefully, Apple remedies that with the entire iPhone 17 lineup, and especially with the iPhone 17 Air.
More than one camera, please
Number three on my wish list is the iPhone 17 Air's cameras -- and notice I said "cameras" with an "S," because I don't want just one.
One of the compromises with thinner phones is that the camera hardware can get scaled back. The Galaxy S25 Edge has two rear cameras, which is less than the rest of the S25 lineup. But Samsung has, impressively, carried over the 200-megapixel main camera that you'll also find on the S25 Ultra, and pairs it with a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera. This makes for some pretty great shots -- images are sharp, colors are balanced and portraits really pop.
Some rumors suggest the iPhone 17 Air could follow in the footsteps of the iPhone 16E and have just one rear lens. But that would be a huge bummer, since the 16E is technically a "budget" phone -- even if that $600 price tag suggests otherwise.
Although the iPhone 16E has a 48-megapixel camera with 2x magnification, I'd still feel cheated if that's all I got with a more premium device like the iPhone 17 Air. If I'm going to spend around $1,000 on a phone, I want the cameras to live up to the price tag.
Beat Samsung on battery life
Another feature you'll have to compromise with when opting for a slim phone is battery life. Less room means a smaller battery, which means shorter battery life. The S25 Edge has a 3,900 mAh battery, which is the smallest capacity across the S25 series. It's lasted me all day, even with my excessive screen time, but not much more than that.
I challenge Apple to break past that limitation and give us a skinny phone that doesn't skimp on battery. It could be a great way to set the iPhone 17 Air apart from competitors -- and in turn can push those competitors to improve their offerings, too.
Generous storage and RAM
I was pleasantly surprised that the Galaxy S25 Edge packs 12GB of RAM, with 256GB and 512GB storage options. Since expandable storage is such a rarity -- and is practically out of the question with a thin phone -- it's great to not worry too much about filling up your phone's memory with photos, videos and games. All of that RAM helps to power the S25 Edge's many AI features it shares with the rest of the S25 lineup.
The entire iPhone 16 lineup has 8GB of RAM, which seems to be working just fine, even when powering Apple Intelligence features. So maybe asking for 12GB of RAM on the iPhone 17 Air is unnecessary. But what I really hope is that a skinny iPhone won't scale back on memory, and will also include a 512GB storage option. That way, you can really enjoy having a thin phone, without curtailing your use of it.
We'll see what Apple's got up its sleeve, and whether it really will launch a cutting-edge competitor to Samsung's S25 Edge.