The Thin-Phone Era Hits a Chilly Patch
Thin smartphones aren’t flying off shelves like they once did. Both Apple and Samsung are pulling back on ultra-slim models. Samsung appears to be stepping away from the thin-phone idea, canceling the Galaxy S26 Edge after the S25 Edge didn’t sell well.
Edge Line Faces a Sales Slump
Korean outlets NewsPim and X user @Jukanlosreve say weak sales pushed Samsung to pull the plug. Once the S25 Edge stock runs out, the Edge family could end. Hana Securities backs this view with fresh data: the S25 Edge moved just 190,000 units in its first month and 1.31 million by August. By contrast, the Galaxy S25 sold 8.28 million units, while the S25 Ultra hit 12.18 million in the same period.
Why the Edge Might Be Finished
9to5Google notes the move to drop the S26 Edge came as a surprise. The phone was set for a January release, with design leaks already on the net. Rumors had it as a slimmer device, about 5.5mm thick. That would be thinner than the S25 Edge at 5.8mm and the iPhone Air at 5.64mm.
Apple’s Ultra-Thin Bet Slows Down
Apple’s iPhone Air is not immune to the slow pace. MacRumors reports plans to curb production of the iPhone Air as sales stall. Mizuno Securities, a Japanese firm, sees Apple cutting the iPhone Air by around one million units. At the same time, it expects the iPhone 17 family—17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max—to gain production, by about two million units in total.
What Buyers Are Actually Doing
Even with a sales dip, the iPhone Air still finds buyers fast in some markets. MacRumors notes that it sold out within hours in China. That shows the model can strike a chord where demand remains strong, even as overall sales cool.
What This Means for the Next Round
The trend hints at a calmer market for ultra-thin phones. Makers may test smaller batches and watch how buyers respond. If slim devices don’t keep up with demand, brands might shift focus to balance slim design with solid battery life, sturdy build, and good camera tech. The numbers from Korea and China suggest both big players are rethinking scale and timing, not just design.
What to Watch as the Year Turns
Keep an eye on production plans for the iPhone line and the Galaxy family. If Apple nudges the iPhone 17 family higher, and Samsung trims the Edge, the margin for error tightens for future models. In any case, solid sales of standard-sized devices could push firms to refine mid-range options rather than chase extreme thinness.
Bright Spots in a Dimmer Picture
Not every model suffers alike. The iPhone Air can still attract buyers who want a notch-free feel with a light touch. The real test will be how many shoppers see value in a lighter, thinner phone when prices stay steady and battery life holds up. In the end, the market may settle on a mix of ultra-thin and more robust options, each serving different needs.
Patterns to Watch in the Months Ahead
Expect brands to pace launches and adjust orders to fit real demand. If the thin-phone path stays slow, manufacturers may push feature-rich mid-ranges instead of chasing the thinnest shell. The race for lighter, sleeker phones could lean on better screens, faster chips, and longer life, rather than sheer thinness alone.
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