Apple and Samsung are once again heading in different directions with their flagship smartphones – this time in terms of thickness and battery strategy. With the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the industry’s top rivals are taking noticeably different design approaches.
While most premium smartphones have settled into a familiar mold – powerful processors, advanced cameras, and minimal design evolution – new reports suggest Samsung is going for even thinner devices, while Apple is prioritizing battery capacity.
According to sources close to both companies, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is set to be slimmer than its predecessor, dipping just under 8 mm in thickness. 
On the other hand, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to grow thicker than last year’s model, reaching 8.76 mm – an increase over the 8.25 mm thick iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Why the difference? Apple appears to be making room for a larger 5,000 mAh battery, a welcome upgrade for users tired of daily charging. Interestingly, Samsung is also rumored to pack the same capacity into its slimmer S26 Ultra, potentially through the use of denser battery technology. This marks a bold move if Samsung manages to keep the phone sleek without compromising on power.
Those hoping for an even thinner iPhone will have the iPhone 17 Air to look forward to – but at a cost. It’s expected to house a much smaller 2,800 mAh battery, making it a questionable trade-off in 2025’s power-hungry app ecosystem.
These opposing strategies highlight a growing philosophical divide: Apple seems to believe performance and battery longevity matter more than ultra-thin aesthetics, while Samsung is still pushing the envelope on slim design.
Meanwhile, Chinese brands like Oppo and Honor are pushing the envelope further – with devices like the Oppo Find X8 Ultra offering 6,100 mAh batteries in phones barely thicker than Apple’s. And let’s not forget the Honor Power models nearing 8,000 mAh capacities.
Still, a 5,000 mAh iPhone is a notable step up and could signal the beginning of a new era where practicality trumps minimalism – at least for some brands.