The premium smartphone market in India has just become more competitive with the launch of Apple’s all-new iPhone Air. Known for its ultra-slim profile, this device is set to challenge the latest flagships from Samsung and Xiaomi – the Galaxy S25 Edge and the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Each of these phones comes with powerful hardware, high-end displays, and strong camera setups. Let’s take a detailed look at how they compare.
Pricing and Variants
Apple has positioned the iPhone Air at a premium price point. The 256GB model is priced at ₹1,19,900, the 512GB variant at ₹1,39,900, and the 1TB storage option at ₹1,59,900. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge is slightly more affordable, with the 12GB RAM + 256GB variant available at ₹1,09,999 and the 12GB + 512GB model at ₹1,21,999. Xiaomi has kept things simple with its 15 Ultra, priced at ₹1,09,999 for the 16GB RAM + 512GB storage configuration.
Sony Xperia 10 VII Launched with 50MP Camera and 5000mAh Battery – Price and Features
Display Experience
Apple’s iPhone Air comes with a 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display offering a resolution of 2736×1260 pixels and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Samsung takes things further with its 6.7-inch Quad HD+ LTPO AMOLED display, delivering a resolution of 1440×3120 pixels and an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz. Xiaomi’s 15 Ultra, on the other hand, offers a 6.73-inch 2K LTPO OLED panel with adaptive refresh rate support and an impressive 3200 nits peak brightness, making it one of the brightest displays in this segment.
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the iPhone Air runs on Apple’s A19 Pro chipset, promising unmatched efficiency and performance. Samsung equips the Galaxy S25 Edge with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, while Xiaomi also opts for the Snapdragon 8 Elite, paired with an octa-core setup for heavy multitasking and gaming.
In terms of software, the iPhone Air is powered by iOS 26, Samsung’s flagship runs on Android 15 with One UI 7, and Xiaomi’s device comes with Android 15-based HyperOS 2.0.
Camera Capabilities
For photography enthusiasts, the iPhone Air offers a 48MP primary camera with ƒ/1.6 aperture, along with an 18MP front camera for selfies. Samsung raises the bar with a 200MP primary sensor paired with a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 12MP selfie camera. Xiaomi provides a more versatile setup with a 50MP primary camera (OIS), a 50MP 60mm floating telephoto lens, and an ultra-wide shooter with ƒ/1.2 aperture. On the front, it packs a 32MP selfie camera.
Connectivity and Design
Connectivity options across all three phones are future-ready. The iPhone Air features 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, GPS, and NFC. Samsung adds USB Type-C, Wi-Fi Direct, and multiple network band support. Xiaomi also provides dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, NFC, and USB Type-C.
Design is another area where these phones differ. Apple has made the iPhone Air incredibly slim at just 5.64mm thickness and lightweight at 165 grams. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge is equally sleek at 5.8mm thickness and weighs only 163 grams. Xiaomi’s 15 Ultra, however, is bulkier at 9.35mm and heavier at 226 grams, but this gives it a more robust feel.
Sony Xperia 10 VII Launched with 50MP Camera and 5000mAh Battery – Price and Features
Verdict
Each of these smartphones is powerful in its own way. The iPhone Air shines with its slim profile, smooth iOS experience, and Apple’s powerful A19 Pro chipset. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge impresses with its adaptive AMOLED display and massive 200MP camera, making it a solid all-rounder. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra offers the best value with high RAM capacity, versatile triple-camera setup, and one of the brightest displays in the market.
In the end, the best choice depends on what you value most – design and ecosystem with Apple, cutting-edge display and camera with Samsung, or performance-packed affordability with Xiaomi.