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iPhone 17 Slim Leads the Ultrathin Trend: An In-Depth Analysis of the New "Extreme Thinness" Trend in the Smartphone Market

Mobile Internet 2025-01-21 12:10:06 Source:

iPhone 17 Slim Leads the Ultrathin Trend: An In-Depth Analysis of the New "Extreme Thinness" Trend in the Smartphone MarketThe release of iPhone 17 series renders earlier this month sparked widespread attention. Besides the standard and two Pro models, the highly anticipated iPhone 17 Slim, with its incredibly thin 5

iPhone 17 Slim Leads the Ultrathin Trend: An In-Depth Analysis of the New "Extreme Thinness" Trend in the Smartphone Market

The release of iPhone 17 series renders earlier this month sparked widespread attention. Besides the standard and two Pro models, the highly anticipated iPhone 17 Slim, with its incredibly thin 5.5mm body, aluminum and glass construction, evokes memories of the iPhone 4S era. Simultaneously, rumors suggest Samsung will launch a Galaxy S25 Slim, possibly not debuting at the January 23rd Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event, but its core specifications and design are equally intriguing. This move by Apple and Samsung has prompted domestic Chinese phone manufacturers to join the ultrathin phone development race. Recent leaks from Digital Chat Station on Weibo indicate several major manufacturers are preparing slim models, aiming to surpass Apple and Samsung in battery capacity and imaging capabilities. Predictably, "extreme thinness" is poised to become a new trend in the smartphone market.

The Ultrathin Wave in Flagship Smartphones: Slim Becomes the New Trend

iPhone 17 Slim Leads the Ultrathin Trend: An In-Depth Analysis of the New "Extreme Thinness" Trend in the Smartphone Market

In the iPhone 17 Slim renders, Apple employed an aluminum and glass design to reduce weight. The camera array has been changed to a horizontal arrangement, the Deco area uses openwork glass filling, and the glass back panel also features a hollow design, further reducing the overall weight. Furthermore, the iPhone 17 Slim's bezel chamfers are more rounded than the iPhone 16 Pro, making it appear even thinner. According to Mark Gurman, the iPhone 17 Slim is only 5.5mm thick, significantly slimmer than the iPhone 16 Pro's 8.25mm.

Unlike Apple's radical new design, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim retains the Galaxy S series' family design language but achieves a thickness of under 6.5mm through new materials and optimized internal space. While 6.5mm isn't the absolute thinnest, it still showcases Samsung's commitment to slimness compared to the vivo X200's 7.99mm and OPPO Find X8's 7.5mm.

iPhone 17 Slim Leads the Ultrathin Trend: An In-Depth Analysis of the New "Extreme Thinness" Trend in the Smartphone Market

The pursuit of extreme thinness inevitably requires compromises. Rumored specifications for the iPhone 17 Slim include a 3900mAh battery and 15W wireless charging. Other manufacturers developing ultrathin flagships aim for over 5000mAh batteries, but their devices won't match the iPhone 17 Slim's thinness. Currently, due to battery technology limitations, it's difficult to simultaneously achieve a large battery and a slim profile.

An extremely thin body design represents a manufacturer's technological prowess in maximizing space utilization, making this a competition of technological capabilities.

iPhone 17 Slim Leads the Ultrathin Trend: An In-Depth Analysis of the New "Extreme Thinness" Trend in the Smartphone Market

The "Slim" Competition in Flagship Phones: Apple's Divergent Approach

Previously, Ming-Chi Kuo predicted the iPhone 17 Slim would replace the Plus model, becoming the most unique member of the iPhone family. It boasts not only the slimmest profile in the series but also will be the first to feature Apple's self-developed 5G modem. Unlike the Plus model, which is simply a scaled-up version of the standard model, the Slim has a clear market positioning: stylish and extremely thin.

iPhone 17 Slim Leads the Ultrathin Trend: An In-Depth Analysis of the New "Extreme Thinness" Trend in the Smartphone Market

Both Samsung and Apple aim to create a significant visual impact with their slim phones to attract upgrades, a strategy already proven successful in the foldable phone market. Extreme thinness is a hard requirement for some consumers.

Early in smartphone development, many manufacturers experimented with ultrathin designs. In 2013, the Huawei Ascend P6, with its 6.18mm thickness, set a new record for the thinnest smartphone; in 2014, the vivo X5M and Gionee ELIFE S5.1 also achieved thicknesses around 5mm. However, these extremely thin phones often compromised on battery life and imaging capabilities.

iPhone 17 Slim Leads the Ultrathin Trend: An In-Depth Analysis of the New "Extreme Thinness" Trend in the Smartphone Market

A slim profile necessitates a thinner battery, thus reducing capacity. The iPhone 12 mini's 2200mAh battery suffered significantly reduced battery life due to its size constraints. In terms of imaging, a 1-inch or larger-sensor telephoto lens occupies considerable space; unless lower-spec sensors are used, achieving thinness is difficult.

The Android camp generally uses silicon-anode batteries, enabling larger battery capacities in smaller sizes while maintaining high-power charging and good temperature control. For instance, the vivo S20, a mid-range phone focused on long battery life, boasts a 6500mAh battery with a thickness of only 7.19mm, effectively balancing long battery life and thinness.

iPhone 17 Slim Leads the Ultrathin Trend: An In-Depth Analysis of the New "Extreme Thinness" Trend in the Smartphone Market

Apple hasn't yet showcased comparable battery technology, but iOS's battery management is strong. Tests by Lei Technology show that the iPhone 16 Pro Max's 4680mAh battery can handle all-day use. However, with the Android camp continuously investing in new battery technologies, it remains questionable whether Apple can rely solely on software optimization to maintain average battery life by September when the iPhone 17 series launches.

Regarding imaging, iPhones haven't traditionally used large sensors, especially non-Pro models, with main and ultrawide sensors smaller than those in Android flagships. The iPhone 17 Slim likely won't have a telephoto lens, saving space. The Android camp faces a greater challenge in balancing imaging and thinness.

iPhone 17 Slim Leads the Ultrathin Trend: An In-Depth Analysis of the New "Extreme Thinness" Trend in the Smartphone Market

However, the rise of large AI models in 2024 has opened new possibilities for mobile imaging. Manufacturers have found relatively balanced imaging modes; some are reportedly considering abandoning large sensors to simplify phone design.

For Apple, the iPhone 17 Slim replaces the poorly performing Plus model; even if extreme thinness isn't widely embraced, it won't significantly impact overall sales. However, the Slim's success could boost iPhone 17 series sales and shift the market's design direction. Similarly, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim will only be released in select regions as a market test.

iPhone 17 Slim Leads the Ultrathin Trend: An In-Depth Analysis of the New "Extreme Thinness" Trend in the Smartphone Market

All-Rounder or Slim: What Do Consumers Want?

Most smartphones currently range from 7mm to 9mm thick, paired with large 6000mAh batteries, balancing battery life and feel. This presents consumers with a difficult choice: a large battery for long battery life or extreme thinness for better grip?

The trend towards thin smartphones isn't unidirectional; it's about catering to a broader range of needs through different models. The resurgence of small flagship phones in 2024 demonstrates the diversity of market demand. The iPhone 17 Slim, Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim, and other slim phones offer consumers more choices.

There's no single right answer regarding all-rounder versus slim phones; individual usage habits and needs vary. The value of market competition lies in offering diverse options, not forcing compromises on a single product type. Major smartphone brands typically release several flagship models to appeal to different consumer segments.

The aesthetic appeal and feel of a slim phone are irreplaceable for some, while others prioritize performance, battery life, and imaging capabilities. Slim designs require compromises in battery capacity and imaging; Apple evidently doesn't want to repeat the mini model's failure.

If extreme thinness becomes the future trend, manufacturers must reduce the conflict between thinness and functionality, perhaps through higher-efficiency batteries and more compact camera modules. But for now, at least, the slim design is more of a market exploration; "Slim" is an option, not a requirement.

Tag: the Trend iPhone Slim Leads Ultrathin An In-Depth Analysis


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