At some point along the way, we lost sight of the fact that consumer technology should be user-friendly, not just functional. Today’s phones are incredibly powerful but also excessively bulky, leading to discomfort during prolonged use and creating noticeable bulges when stored in pockets.

Samsung's newest model, the Galaxy S25 Edge, attempts to address this with its extremely slim design. However, in doing so, it also points out an industry-wide issue: our battery technology needs updating. For new designs to succeed, we require power solutions that match these innovations.

What Went Wrong With the iPhone Mini

The technological landscape has changed significantly compared to a few years ago. We all complain about smartphones becoming monotonous, yet few of us would willingly purchase a phone with features sacrificed for an unconventional design. This partly explains why foldable phones haven’t caught on and why the iPhone Mini failed.

The concept of a compact phone is certainly attractive, and both the iPhone 12 Mini and 13 Mini received positive reviews for their extreme portability and ease of single-handed operation. In fact, those who did purchase these iPhones still praise them today, vowing to continue using them until they break.

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Shrink the size, not the specs.

Posts 24 The issue lies in the limited space within such a small frame, leaving little room for the battery. Since these models were priced just $100 less than their standard counterparts, most buyers couldn’t ignore the inferior battery life and opted for safer options instead. As tech companies cater primarily to the general public rather than enthusiasts, Apple discontinued the series after only two releases.

Poor battery life wasn’t the sole reason the iPhone Mini didn’t succeed; it’s also true that people associate larger screens with better value. A 2014 study found that “a large screen is likely to promote both the practical and enjoyable aspects of smartphones, encouraging greater adoption.”

This isn’t groundbreaking information. We’ve moved beyond simply using phones for calls, texts, music playback, and reminders. Nowadays, we rely on them for media consumption, content creation, navigation, gaming, work, video calls, shopping, web browsing, and multitasking—all tasks that benefit from a bigger display.

Why Slim Phones Might Actually Work

Slim phones like the S25 Edge and rumored iPhone 17 Air inevitably sacrifice battery life as well. The S25 Edge, for example, has a 3900mAh cell—less than the basic 6.2-inch Galaxy S25. While we don’t know the exact battery size for the iPhone 17 Air, several credible sources predict it’ll be under 3000mAh, which falls short of current standards, even considering Apple’s efficient chips and iOS.

Nevertheless, because these phones offer similar screen real estate to standard models, they might avoid the fate of smaller phones. True, they come with drawbacks, but remember that the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus (Apple’s thinnest phones at the time) sold over 220 million units despite their tendency to bend, making them the bestselling iPhones ever, indicating a clear demand for slim designs.

Bear in mind that these devices aren’t aimed at tech-savvy individuals who research extensively before purchasing. Instead, they’re likely targeted at people who would otherwise opt for larger-screen phones but prefer lighter alternatives that aren’t cumbersome.

For instance, women’s jeans typically lack sufficient pocket space, making a slimmer phone a practical selling point. Similarly, older generations might prefer a lighter handset over one with advanced cameras for video calls. During runs, slimmer phones are less burdensome and easier to store in armbands, preventing potential drops and damage. Lighter phones are also less prone to slipping out of hands or mounts and can be held longer while reading eBooks or streaming videos. There are countless examples, but you get the gist.

My argument is this: given enough iterations, slim phones could become popular among the general population, even though they aren’t yet. The S25 Edge, for example, doesn’t compromise as much as anticipated. It shares the same processor, main camera, and titanium body as the S25 Ultra, and initial tests reveal it’s sturdier than it appears.

Granted, the phone struggles with heat dissipation, but the average user isn’t a gamer and unlikely to push the device to its limits, allowing us to overlook the inferior thermal performance—for now. Thus, battery life remains the primary barrier for slim phones.

We Already Have a Solution, But Apple and Samsung Haven’t Adopted It Yet

Fortunately, the battery limitations of slim phones are addressable. If you follow tech trends, you might know that numerous Chinese manufacturers have begun utilizing silicon-carbon batteries, which are more energy-dense, meaning they can hold more power in the same physical dimensions.

Models like the OnePlus 13, Vivo X200 Pro, Oppo Find X8 Ultra, iQOO 13, Xiaomi 15 Pro, and others employ this technology, achieving capacities up to 6000mAh. The Honor Power boasts an impressive 8000mAh despite being merely 8mm thick and lighter than the S25 Ultra. Such levels of power suffice for nearly two full days of usage.

For slim phones to gain mainstream acceptance, they must embrace this tech immediately. Though they may not reach these figures anytime soon, a slight increase, say to 4500mAh for the S25 Edge, would make it far more appealing.

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The iPhone 17 Air might prove a better option than the Galaxy S25 Edge if Apple resolves these issues.

PostsThe adoption of silicon-carbon batteries benefits regular phones but becomes essential for unconventional designs. Why? Because small phones, slim phones, flip phones, and book-style foldables all face the same challenge: insufficient internal space for substantial batteries.

On foldable phones, hinges usually consume about a third of the available space. Hence, despite boasting a massive 7.6-inch internal screen, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 only houses a 4400mAh battery. Similarly, slim phones require exceptionally thin batteries to maintain their slim profiles.

As of now, there are rumors but no definitive proof that Apple and Samsung plan to incorporate this tech into their upcoming flagships, likely due to caution.

Samsung bears scars from the Galaxy Note 7 incident, so it’s understandable why it hesitates to rush with novel battery tech. Apple, meanwhile, prefers waiting until existing technologies stabilize before integrating them into iPhones. However, should competitors introduce slim phones with enhanced battery life, they’d be compelled to adapt sooner.

More Capacity Will Extend Software Support Lifespan

Greater battery life pleases consumers effortlessly—not only because it reduces charging frequency but also because increased capacity extends the phone’s lifespan. Put simply, a larger battery remains effective longer even after degrading, delaying the need for replacement or upgrades.

Consider this: most manufacturers aim for 80% battery health after 800 charge cycles. Assuming you own a OnePlus 13 and charge daily, its 6000mAh battery would degrade to 80% in slightly over two years, leaving you with a respectable 4800mAh—nearly equivalent to a brand-new Galaxy S25 .

Someone conscientiously maintaining battery health might reasonably expect to keep their phone for five years, thanks to additional capacity. This enables leveraging extended software support. Both Samsung and Google now offer seven years of updates, but since phones don’t last that long, critics dismiss this gesture.

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And spending more on a flagship model isn’t the solution.

Posts 35 However, with silicon-carbon batteries, this scenario could change. More capacity is universally beneficial—it reduces electronic waste by reducing the frequency of replacements and strengthens companies’ position by justifying higher prices and fostering stronger ecosystems.

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Integrating silicon-carbon batteries provides manufacturers flexibility in designing innovative shapes and ensures longer-lasting conventional phones.

We’re already witnessing a gradual comeback of small phones, thanks to the OnePlus 13T and Vivo X200 Pro Mini, both offering over 5000mAh in 6.3-inch displays—small enough to feel comfortable yet large enough to stay appealing.

Regarding slim phones, would I personally buy one? Likely not. Would I recommend them? It depends on the buyer. Am I thrilled that phones are regaining excitement? Definitely.

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