Minimalism That Failed to Resonate: Why the Ultra-Thin Smartphones of 2025 Flopped In 2025, the mobile device industry experienced a surge of interest in minimalism. Following an era of large periscope cameras, massive batteries, and record-breaking screen sizes, manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung, and Tecno almost simultaneously introduced ultra-thin smartphones to the world. Advertising campaigns promised lightness, elegance, and “the new aesthetic of the mobile future.” However, after several months, it became clear that this concept did not gain widespread acceptance. Sales were modest, and reviews were mixed. Users preferred more practical models. Reasons for the flop of ultra-thin smartphones: * **Sacrificing Functionality for Design:** To achieve minimal thickness, manufacturers were forced to reduce battery capacity, worsen the cooling system, and limit the number of cameras. * **Poor Cameras:** Ultra-thin smartphones were equipped with fewer sensors, which negatively affected photo quality. * **Performance Throttling:** Due to insufficient cooling, processors in the ultra-thin models overheated, leading to reduced performance. * **Low Battery Life:** Small batteries could not provide sufficient operating time, forcing users to conserve charge and constantly look for outlets. * **Mismatch with User Needs:** In 2025, consumers valued functionality, performance, and battery life above all else. Design played a secondary role. Consequences of the failure: Sales data showed that demand for ultra-thin models was extremely low. Samsung even froze the development of the S26 Edge due to low buyer interest. Conclusion: Ultra-thin smartphones turned out to be a beautiful but impractical concept. Manufacturers once again bet on design, forgetting that a smartphone is primarily a tool, not an accessory. Perhaps in the future, technological progress will allow for the creation of thin phones without compromising functionality. But today, the attempt to “slim down” led to a predictable result.
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