Leaks and rumors in the smartphone sector frequently cause excitement, particularly when it comes to flagship devices from industry titans such as Samsung. The current hype surrounds the impending Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which is said to be the slimmest Ultra phone Samsung has ever made. It is thinner than its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which measured 8.6 mm.
But this raises the question of whether getting phones slimmer is actually what consumers desire. Wouldn’t it be better to use that extra space for a larger battery, especially since battery life is still one of the most popular complaints among smartphone users?
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – Slimmer Phones: A Trend That Won’t Die
Image Credits: Android Authority
Samsung has consistently aimed to make their phones thinner with each successive iteration, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra is no exception. The fact that it is the thinnest Ultra model yet may appear amazing on paper, but is this the type of innovation that users are looking for?
Let us be honest: 0.4 mm is a negligible difference. Most users would probably not notice it unless told.
So, why is there a priority on making the phone slimmer? In an age when cellphones have become an indispensable component of daily life, functionality should take precedence above looks. However, manufacturers such as Samsung appear to prioritize design over functionality.
What Do Consumers Really Want?
If you ask any smartphone user what they like to see improved in their device, battery life is likely to be one of the top responses.
While displays, cameras, and processing power have improved dramatically, battery life has lagged behind. Modern smartphones cram so much technology into such compact spaces that battery life is frequently sacrificed in favor of style.
Samsung’s Ultra series is intended to showcase the top of the company’s capabilities. It’s the phone for power users—people who expect the best performance, cameras, and, yes, battery life. However, with a focus on making the Galaxy S25 Ultra slimmer, it appears that Samsung may be missing the target on what genuinely defines “ultra.”
The Camera Craze: Déjà Vu All Over Again
This preoccupation with making phones slimmer makes me think of the camera mania that gripped the smartphone market for several years. For a while, every new phone introduction seemed to be purely about camera upgrades. Year after year, manufacturers boasted improved sensors, higher megapixels, and enhanced software capabilities.
And, while cameras are obviously crucial to many consumers, the emphasis on camera upgrades became repetitious after a time. Phone announcements became routine, and the joy that preceded each new release began to fade.
AI: The New Frontier in Smartphone Innovation
Image Credits: Tom’s Guide
Fortunately, the smartphone industry has begun to expand its attention beyond cameras and design.
One of the most intriguing advancements in recent years is the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into cellphones. Manufacturers are increasingly hyping AI as the next big thing, with Apple, Samsung, and Google each promoting their own AI-powered capabilities.
Apple has made Apple Intelligence a major component of its iOS environment, but Samsung is pushing Galaxy AI as a significant selling point for its products. Meanwhile, Google has launched Gemini, an AI-powered feature that aims to make smartphones smarter and more intuitive.
What About Battery Life?
As amazing as AI developments are, there is one area where smartphones may still improve significantly: battery life. Despite the incredible technology packed into today’s phones, battery life remains a recurring concern for many users. We’ve practically mastered displays, cameras, and computers, but battery technology has struggled to keep up with the demands of today’s devices.
This is especially true when virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) gadgets gain popularity. These devices take a lot of electricity, and their batteries rarely last as long as we would want. The same applies to cellphones. As they grow in power and capability, their batteries are pushed to their limits.
