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Samsung's retreat from the ultra-thin flagship race has opened a window for Apple. With the Galaxy S26 Edge reportedly shelved, rumors say Apple is preparing a more compelling iPhone Air 2 — aiming to improve hardware while trimming price.
Why Apple may bet harder on ultra-thin phones
Samsung launched the first ultra-thin flagship in May 2025 with the Galaxy S25 Edge, and Apple followed that September with the iPhone Air. Both models struggled to find buyers, and Samsung now appears to be pausing its thin-phone experiments by cancelling the expected Galaxy S26 Edge.
Instead of stepping back, Apple looks set to double down. A report from The Information, relayed by GSMArena, suggests the next iPhone Air will add a second rear camera and a larger battery — modest but meaningful upgrades for a slim device. Early clues point to a main camera with 2x zoom, which makes the added lens more likely an ultra-wide rather than a telephoto module.
Perhaps the most surprising tip is pricing. Apple is reportedly planning to sell the iPhone Air 2 for less in the US than the original iPhone Air. That would be an unusual move for Apple, especially as smartphone costs have generally climbed amid component shortages and rising memory prices.
How could Apple pull this off? Possible explanations include optimized manufacturing, revised component sourcing, or a strategic decision to grow volume by sacrificing margin. If Apple manages to deliver better camera hardware and longer battery life at a lower price, the iPhone Air 2 could become an unexpectedly attractive option for mainstream buyers.
For Samsung, cancelling the S26 Edge may look defensible now, but it could backfire if Apple turns the ultra-thin niche into a broader success. One company's retreat can quickly become another's opportunity — and the next few product cycles will tell whether thin phones are a passing experiment or the next mass-market category.
Source: sammobile
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