I Saw Shockingly Thin Phones Everywhere at MWC 2025. But Do People Even Want Them? | Global News Avenue

Among the crowd Humanoid robotcar concept and Futuristic display exist Mobile World Congress In Barcelona, ​​dozens of people flocked around a specific position. From a distance it seems to be one of many other stalls showing another one Smartphone lineup. But the careful look reveals what everyone is working on: Very slim phone Not like anything I’ve ever seen.

According to the company, the display is Tecno’s Spark Slim Phone Concept, which measures only 5.75mm (thicker than standard pencils) and weighs only 146 grams. It was 15 minutes’ turn that I picked up the coveted phone and was immediately surprised. It’s as light as a feather, but doesn’t feel like something I can fold in half. I did my own visual thickness test and compared by pulling a pen out of my backpack: the Spark Slim is actually thinner.

Tecno isn’t the only company that seems to believe Slim is in. Several halls, Samsung is showing its Galaxy S25 Edgeit is still out of reach, surrounded by an eager crowd of spectators. Details on this phone are as slim as the look, from specs to release date. But the report shows that we will see it sometime this year.

Oppo has also launched Found N5It is called “the thinnest book in the world to fold”, and it is 8.93 mm thick when closed and 4.21 mm thick when opened. Size and shape shocked me When I testand helped me solve my reservations about the practicality and bulkiness of other folding styles. Perhaps one of the biggest rumors to be released iPhone 17 lineup It’s potential iPhone “air”, The thinner (probably lighter) of the iPhone.

However, thinner phones, while a cool elastic, can lead to disadvantages. Smaller space usually means smaller batteries, so battery life is shorter. The camera hardware can also scale, thereby reducing image quality. Storage space is similarly hit. These are the main offers for phone buyers who still rank battery life, camera quality and storage space In their top priorities.

Pushing the limit can be disastrous, as Samsung learned when choosing to reduce the design of the Galaxy Note 7, only for Equipment to start smoking In order to make the phone eventually become recall. Telephone manufacturers must Keep durability at the forefrontespecially if the buyer pays a penny and expects their equipment to continue to use.

Nabila Popal, senior director of data and analysis at IDC, told me at MWC. “The question is, how can OEMs (telephone manufacturers) achieve this without damaging other more important features like batteries and cameras?”

This will be a challenge as more and more companies will undoubtedly incorporate the thin mobile phone trend. But, if it is not necessarily what consumers demand in the little ones, why try to reduce the equipment?

“In most cases, this is an attempt by OEMs to differentiate,” Popal said. Although The generated AI is a clear spotlight In last year’s MWC, it became so common that the focus this year is more about Strategy and Implementation. So phone manufacturers need to find a new way to stand out, and striking, slim and attractive lightweight equipment is one.

This approach seems to be working in places like China, honor,,,,, Millet and Huawei Premium devices that everyone makes their debut (usually twice as many Foldablealso). But Popal added that just because of the resonance caused by China does not necessarily mean it will be in the rest of the world, as Chinese consumers tend to be more receptive to unique phones than the United States. But that shows that, at least somewhere, the slim phone is already causing chords.

Apple releases thinner phones, especially Try to distinguish between iPhones Anisha Bhatia, senior analyst at GlobalData consumer platform and equipment, said.

“For example, iPhone 15 Plus The current model occupies an uncertain position in Apple’s lineup, wedging between the base model and the range of features Pro and Pro Max version, Batia said. “This ambiguity leads to confusion among consumers, and they have difficulty distinguishing the plus sign model based on value proposition and feature sets. Sales data suggest that the plus sign model performs poorly compared to other iPhone variants.”

On the other hand, glitz like the thin iPhone is easier to distinguish and can better attract shoppers’ attention (and dollar).

So over a few years, MWC 2025 attendees eagerly crowded their cell phones in their pockets and hands, have they captured photos considered the next technological innovation? Will thin phones be everywhere and win?

“Slimming is not a must, but it’s definitely a feature that makes the phone better, and I’m glad it,” Popal said.

It was once revolutionary and often became the norm. Just a few years ago, larger phone screens were considered a special feature, but now they have become standardized. Plus, foldable phones have largely maintained the niche market, even for more than five years The debut of the three-star galaxy fold. Slim phones can go along either route. Popal said it was too early.

In addition, the old one is new. The trend of thinner phones has recovered Motorola’s original Razrdue to its slim figure, unique shape and fashion, it became a popular culture phenomenon after its release in 2004 (who doesn’t want to be as hot pink phones as Paris Hilton?). Motorola has been working to regain the spirit of this era through revival RAZR Telephone Cable In the form of a foldable smartphone.

Back to today, even if thin phones won’t end up becoming mainstream, that’s probably not a bad thing, Popal advises.

“I’d argue, why make it the norm? Stay niche and keep the premium,” she said. “The sooner it becomes the norm, the sooner it becomes the profitability.”

And, the earlier the crowd flocks to the next big (or slim) thing.

Watch the following: First look at Samsung’s surprise Galaxy S25 Edge

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