For a while, the Samsung Galaxy S II supposedly claimed the title of world’s thinnest smartphone – thinner than even the iPhone 4. We all just assumed this was true but Apple knew the real truth and it continued to advertise the iPhone 4 with this title in commercials. So, the U.K.’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) received a complaint on the matter and decided to step in to solve things once and for all.
Let’s get to the nitty-gritty: The iPhone 4 has a flat, uniform design, which means everywhere you look on the device is going to be exactly 9.3 mm. The Samsung Galaxy S II does not have a uniform design, particularly noticeable with the odd bulge on the bottom side. At its thinnest point, Samsung’s device is only 8.71 mm thick. This is, in fact, thinner than the iPhone 4 and beats out the iPad 2 by a hair. But at its thickest point, the Galaxy S II is significantly bulbous at 9.91 mm. That, my friends, is thicker than the iPhone 4.
So who wins? Well, Apple decided to send in a statement to the ASA in defense of the iPhone 4’s design:
“Apple pointed out that the Galaxy S II had prominent bulges at the top of the device. Apple said consumers would not be interested in the thinnest part of the device, but in its overall measurements, as these would, for example, affect whether the device could fit into a pocket or purse.”
The ASA agreed. Since the iPhone 4’s thickest point is thinner than the thickest point on the Galaxy S II, the folks in Cupertino win. It can advertise its product as the world’s thinnest smartphone and I’m sure Samsung will fight back with titles such as “The thinnest point on a smartphone.”
But as of now, Samsung sits behind in fetal position. Again.