Tim Hardwick
Samsung is developing a slim version of its upcoming Galaxy S25 flagship smartphone that could launch in the second quarter of 2025, potentially giving Apple's rumored iPhone 17 “Air” a direct run for its money, according to South Korean media reports and data found on the GSMA's global mobile registry database.
Korean outlet ET News claimed on October 31 that Samsung could launch the slim smartphone in the second quarter of 2025, or between April and June. The timing of the listing is just a few months ahead of the launch of Apple's so-called iPhone 17 “Air”, which is expected in September 2025.
Following the Korean report, Smartprix has discovered a smartphone with the market name “Galaxy” with the model number SM-S937U in the GSMA IMEI database. According to the publication, Samsung often registers smartphones it tests internally in this database around six to seven months before their official launch. The model number is said to match a pattern seen in Samsung's standard Galaxy, Plus, and Ultra series devices, but it will likely launch separately from the main Galaxy S25 series to avoid cannibalizing sales.
This wouldn't be the first time Samsung has experimented with thin designs – back in 2014, the company released the Galaxy Alpha, which had a 6.7mm profile compared to the regular Galaxy S5's 8.1mm thickness. Industry sources say Samsung sees its latest attempt as a strategic move to revive the smartphone market amid sagging demand. The company is reportedly planning to gauge market reaction to the thin model before potentially restructuring the entire Galaxy S26 lineup in 2026.
There have been conflicting rumors about the design and specifications of the alleged thin Apple device, but most sources agree that it will have a display around 6.6 inches in size. In July, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expected the device to feature a standard A19 chip, Dynamic Island, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G modem. The official name of the model is still unknown.
- iPhone 17 Air: Everything we know about Apple's thinnest iPhone
The timing of both models suggests that 2025 could mark the beginning of a new emphasis on thinness from the two main smartphone rivals after years of focusing on improved camera capabilities and processing power.
Related review: iPhone 17Tag: Samsung[ 47 comments ]
