Samsung reverses course: ultra-thin phones are coming to the masses
The initial rollout of featherweight smartphones – Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge and the iPhone Air – largely missed the mark for many, myself included. A slim profile and a hefty price tag (well over $1,000) simply didn’t justify a performance downgrade compared to mid-range options. But Samsung, echoing a timeless adage from Mahomet and the mountain, is now determined to bring this compact form factor to the devices the consumer actually demands.
A shift in strategy
The South Korean giant began subtly hinting at this change with its flagship S26 and S26+ series earlier this year, boasting incredibly thin profiles of just 7.2mm and 7.3mm, respectively. Now, they're aggressively pushing this design into their Galaxy A range – specifically the A57 and A37.
I’ve spent the last few weeks hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy A57, the company’s most ambitious mid-range offering for 2026. Alongside the A37, this device represents a significant departure and one that’s genuinely surprising considering Samsung’s recent trajectory. Two years ago, the Galaxy A55 was a respectable device, but it lacked the sleekness of today’s market, clocking in at 8.2mm and weighing a substantial 213 grams. Last year, the Galaxy A56 slimmed down to 7.4mm and 198 grams – a tangible, if incremental, improvement.
The sheer reduction in size with the A57 is striking. It measures a remarkably slim 6.9mm and tips the scales at just 179 grams. It’s practically weightless in the hand, a demonstrable shift that’s more felt than seen through the relatively standard 6.7-inch display. While it won’t quite match the 5.8mm and 163g of the Galaxy S25 Edge or the 5.6mm and 165g of the iPhone Air – and at a significantly lower price point, starting at around $529 – it achieves a level of portability previously unheard of in this segment.
Beyond the dimensions
What’s particularly noteworthy is Samsung’s understated approach to this redesign. They're not aggressively marketing it as a revolutionary feature, but rather subtly integrating it into the product, allowing the consumer to organically discover and appreciate the change. It’s a clever tactic, a modern echo of Mahomet and the mountain, prioritizing user experience over overtly touted specifications.
Crucially, the A57 isn’t sacrificing battery life – a frequent compromise in thinner designs – boasting a massive 5,000mAh cell and rapid 45W charging (reaching 100% in just 70 minutes). This comfortably surpasses the 3,900mAh and 25W of the S25 Edge, the 3,149mAh and 25W of the iPhone Air, and is only marginally behind the ZTE Nubia Air, a competing ultra-thin device. This level of battery capacity, in a chassis this slim, is a genuine achievement.
Ultimately, Samsung’s move with the Galaxy A57 demonstrates a shrewd recognition of market demand. They’ve avoided the compromises often seen in similarly priced ultra-thin phones, prioritizing longevity and performance alongside a demonstrably more comfortable user experience. It’s a pragmatic, and frankly, rather satisfying evolution.