MWC 2025 Unveils the Thinnest Phones Yet—But Do We Really Want Them? | Image Source: www.pcmag.com
BARCELONA, March 07, 2025 – Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 is booming, and in the middle of AI-led gadgets and futuristic exhibitions, a clear trend is emerging – it is in. Smartphone manufacturers push design boundaries, discovering lighter and more slippery devices than ever before. But as industry competes to shave millimetres, an important question is: Do consumers really want thinner phones?
Spark Slim Tecno: a wonder of marine weight
Leading the burden on ultrafine innovation is Tecno with its Spark Slim concept phone. According to Tecno, the device is only 5.75 mm thick, making it thinner than a standard pencil. At 146 grams, it is also remarkably light. The moment you pick it up, the weight (or lack) is striking, almost uncertain. The phone feels incredibly thin, but does not give the impression of fragility. According to CNET, the elegant camera frame always manages to accommodate a large screen and a double camera system.
However, Tecno remained tight on crucial specifications such as processor details, battery size and camera resolution. This raises an obvious concern: Does the factor reach the cost of performance?
Samsung and Oppo Join the thin phone race
Tecno is not alone in his search for ultrafine devices. A few cabins away, Samsung shows the Galaxy S25 Edge very early, another thin pretender who continues to hold out of range behind a barricade. While Samsung has not yet published the official specifications, leaks suggest that S25 Edge will be one of the thinner boats to date.
Meanwhile, Oppo presented the Find N5, which proudly beats as a ”folding world thin book style”. When closed, the device is 8.93 mm thick, and when opened, it is reduced to an incredible 4.21 mm. As for PhoneArena, this advance in folding design could reshape the perceptions of folding phones, which have traditionally been large and unintelligent.
IPphone 17 Air: A little revolution?
One of the biggest rumors leading to Apple 2025 alignment is the possible introduction of an iPhone 17 Air. The reports suggest that Apple is working on a thinner and lighter version of its flagship iPhone, which could be a game change for the brand. According to GlobalData Analyst Anisha Bhatia, Apple has struggled to differentiate its models, especially iPhone Plus variants, which have failed to generate a strong identity among buyers.
An elegant and ultra-fine iPhone would not only create a clear distinction, but could also serve as a premium alternative for consumers looking for something unique. However, the success of this model will depend on Apple’s ability to balance thinning with essential features such as battery life and camera quality.
The disadvantages of Ultra- Light Phones
While a thin phone may seem attractive, it comes with changes. Historically, thinner phones have meant smaller batteries, leading to a shorter battery life, a major concern for users. The quality of the camera can also hit, as thinner devices leave less space for advanced camera sensors and image stabilization technology.
The dangers of clarifying priorities were tricky in 2016 when Samsung’s rush to create a thin Galaxy Note 7 led to problems of overheating the battery and possible global memory. According to IDC analyst Nabila Popal, manufacturers must ensure that they do not compromise essential features only for aesthetics. “You can’t be thin,” Popal says. ”You must have all the bells and whistles on a premium phone.”
Why do companies have to make Thinner phones?
With all these potential drawbacks, why manufacturers of thin dual-design phones? According to experts, this is a question of differentiation. The smartphone market has reached a point where most devices are seen and executed in the same way. According to IDC, manufacturers are looking for ways to highlight their products. A thinner phone is a striking way to do it.
This approach is already paying off in China, where brands like Honor, Xiaomi and Huawei have introduced ultra-thin models that have been well received. However, as Popal notes, what works in China does not necessarily translate globally. US consumers, for example, tend to favour battery life and durability over aesthetics.
Is the Thin calling the future?
The main question remains: Are ultra-thin phones a mode of transit, or will they become the industry standard? Popal believes that while thinning will be a point of sale, it will not be an essential feature for most buyers. “It’s nice to have, but not essential,” he explains.
Historically, the trends in smartphone design have gone in both directions. The largest screens, considered a luxury, are now standard in all models. Meanwhile, folding phones fought to win the main traction, despite years of development. Thin phones could follow any path, only time will tell.
Curiously, the thin phone trend is not completely new. It echoes the success of the iconic Motorola Razr in the early 2000s, a device that became a cultural phenomenon thanks to its elegant and ultra-thin construction. Motorola has since tried to recover this magic with its modern, folding Razr, though with mixed results.
Even if ultrafine phones do not become conventional, keeping them as a premium niche product can be the best strategy for manufacturers. As Popal suggests, “Why the rule? Keep it first. The sooner it’s normal, the sooner the profitability will be. »
For now, MWC 2025 has done one clear thing: Big phones attract attention. If they’re gonna be in our pockets in five years, or just another forgotten trend, it remains to be seen.
