Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast

The Phone of the Year is...

December 12, 2025

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  • The hosts are kicking off the episode by discussing Marques's recently released Smartphone Awards for 2025, which is expected to generate significant online debate. 
  • Google's Android XR platform is evolving with Project Aura smart glasses, which feature a trackpad battery puck and deep Gemini integration, aiming for a multi-device ecosystem. 
  • Pebble has announced a new smart ring featuring a microphone, designed as a 'second hard drive for your brain' via button presses, though its two-year, non-rechargeable battery life is a point of contention. 
  • The CMF Phone 2 Pro was awarded Best Value for being the best phone under $300 with a near-flagship feel, especially when compared favorably to the similarly priced, ad-supported Nothing Phone 3A Lite. 
  • The OnePlus 15 won Best Battery due to its ridiculously long endurance, highlighted by a three-day usage period without charging, despite major competitors not adopting newer battery technologies like silicon carbon. 
  • The iPhone Air won the Design Award for its shockingly light and thin form factor, warping the hosts' perception of other phones, even though it suffered from poor battery life and a lack of an ultra-wide camera. 
  • The Xiaomi SU7 is praised for its incredible value, borrowing successful luxury car designs (like Porsche and Ferrari) to create a feature-rich, affordable electric vehicle, despite lacking established premium brand history. 
  • The Xiaomi SU7 offers superior in-car software features compared to competitors like Tesla and Rivian, including advanced navigation audio separation, dynamic driving mode customization, and full-screen wireless CarPlay support. 
  • The discussion highlighted the strong, often polarized, online reaction to the Xiaomi SU7, particularly the defensive response from Tesla fan communities regarding the car's advanced features outside of self-driving capabilities. 

Segments

Podcast Introduction and Housekeeping
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(00:01:46)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts introduce themselves and mention recent major video releases, including the Smartphone Awards 2025 and the Xiaomi SU7 review.
  • Summary: Marquez, Andrew, and David welcome listeners to the Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast. They note it’s December, a busy time for content, and highlight two recent videos: the Smartphone Awards 2025 and the Xiaomi SU7 car review. They also ask listeners to subscribe to the YouTube channel to reach 500,000 subscribers.
Domain Squatting Anecdotes
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(00:03:48)
  • Key Takeaway: A discussion about a domain squatter who tried to sell Lambo.com for $75 million but lost the domain in court.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss a story about Richard Blair, who bought Lambo.com for $10,000 and tried to sell it for up to $75 million, claiming it was a pun. A judge ruled against him, citing bad faith. They also briefly mention the history of Steam.com, which is no longer active.
Android XR Show Updates
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(00:10:53)
  • Key Takeaway: Google detailed its Android XR platform strategy, emphasizing device ubiquity and the introduction of Project Aura glasses featuring Gemini integration.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss the Android XR Edition show. Google is developing four versions of XR, including Project Aura glasses built with Gemini. These glasses feature a trackpad battery puck and allow Gemini to see the screen content for assistance. They also mentioned upcoming AI glasses with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, and the benefit of a unified platform where developers don’t need to code separately for different XR devices.
Pebble Ring Announcement
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(00:19:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Pebble announced a new ring with a microphone designed as a ‘second hard drive for your brain,’ but it is a single-use product with a two-year battery life.
  • Summary: Pebble announced a ring with a microphone, intended for whispering commands or saving quick notes/tasks instantly via a physical button (no wake word). The ring uses the MCP protocol for actions. A major point of contention is that the ring is designed to last only two to three years before the battery dies, requiring users to buy a new one, which the hosts view as potential e-waste.
Gemini Ad Placement Rumors
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(00:25:58)
  • Key Takeaway: An article suggested Google plans to roll out ads in Gemini’s AI mode in 2026, which Google officially denied, though the hosts remain skeptical.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss an Ad Week report claiming Google plans to introduce ads into Gemini’s AI mode in 2026. Google’s VP of Global Ads denied this, stating there are no current plans to change the ad-free Gemini app. The hosts note that many users still find Gemini unreliable despite its high ranking on some leaderboards.
Tech Shipping Unfinished Products
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(00:28:03)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts muse that much of modern tech, exemplified by games like PUBG and Star Citizen, is accepted by consumers while still in a beta or unfinished state.
  • Summary: Marquez blames the trend of shipping unfinished software on the success of early access games like PUBG, which proved people would pay for incomplete products. They discuss how this mentality has bled into general software, citing the Dia browser as an example of a product shipped early because the core functionality was good enough.
Waveform Trivia Break
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(00:33:38)
  • Key Takeaway: The trivia question asks for the codename of a secret, canceled Google AR/XR project from 2023, which was reportedly canceled after the Vision Pro launch.
  • Summary: After a brief joke segment, the hosts introduce the trivia question concerning a canceled Google AR/XR project that was reportedly shelved in 2023, contrasting it with Google Glass and Cardboard.
Smartphone Awards 2025: Big Phone Winner
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(00:40:08)
  • Key Takeaway: The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max won Best Big Phone due to its massive screen real estate (including a secondary screen on the camera bump) and top-tier specifications.
  • Summary: The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is awarded Best Big Phone for its 6.9-inch display, Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, large battery, and triple 50MP cameras. Its unique feature was a 3-inch, 120Hz screen on the camera bump, making it extremely feature-packed.
Smartphone Awards 2025: Small Phone Winner
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(00:41:52)
  • Key Takeaway: The Samsung Z Flip 7 won Best Small Phone because its large, usable cover screen made it highly functional without needing to open the device.
  • Summary: The award criteria for ‘small phone’ have shifted from traditional candybar sizes to compact form factors. The Z Flip 7 won because its improved, full-size cover screen made it more usable as a closed, compact device, aligning with the trend of users wanting to interact with their phones less directly.
Smartphone Awards 2025: Best Camera Winner
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(00:44:31)
  • Key Takeaway: The Oppo Find X9 Pro won Best Camera due to its versatile triple-camera system, excellent natural bokeh, and fun Hasselblad lens attachment.
  • Summary: The Oppo Find X9 Pro, featuring a triple 50MP system and a 200MP telephoto, took the camera award over the Vivo X300 Pro because its processing resulted in more natural bokeh and skin texture. The iPhone 17 Pro received an honorable mention for having the undisputed best video quality.
Smartphone Awards 2025: Best Value Winner
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(00:51:19)
  • Key Takeaway: The CMF Phone 2 Pro won Best Value for delivering a near-flagship feel under $300 without ads, unlike its competitor, the Nothing Phone 3A Lite.
  • Summary: The CMF Phone 2 Pro was selected as the Best Value phone for its smooth software, great battery life, and premium feel despite its sub-$300 price point. It was contrasted favorably against the slightly more expensive Nothing Phone 3A Lite, which reportedly includes ads.
Best Value Phone Award
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(00:51:17)
  • Key Takeaway: CMF Phone 2 Pro wins for being the best phone under $300 with near-flagship feel.
  • Summary: Discussion on defining ‘Best Value’ and awarding the CMF Phone 2 Pro over competitors like the Moto G Play and base iPhone 17. The CMF’s value is emphasized by comparing it favorably to the ads-laden Nothing Phone 3A Lite.
Best Battery Life Winner
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(00:52:57)
  • Key Takeaway: OnePlus 15 wins for achieving three days of battery life on a single charge.
  • Summary: The OnePlus 15 is awarded for its exceptionally long battery life (10.5 hours screen-on time over three days) while maintaining a thin form factor. Mentions of upcoming silicon-carbon batteries are included.
iPhone Air Wins Design Award
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(00:55:56)
  • Key Takeaway: iPhone Air wins Design Award due to its shockingly light and thin physical feel.
  • Summary: The iPhone Air is recognized for its superior in-hand feel, despite functional flaws. The discussion touches on how thinness is perceived, mentioning the Xiaomi 17 Pro and Fairphone 6 as other notable designs.
Best Foldable and Pixel’s Stagnation
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(01:06:46)
  • Key Takeaway: Samsung Z Fold 7 wins Best Foldable; Pixel Fold’s year-over-year improvement was overshadowed.
  • Summary: The Z Fold 7 is named the best foldable for being thin and reliable. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s massive improvement was noted, but it was deemed behind the Samsung device this year.
Bust of the Year: iPhone 16e
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(01:08:40)
  • Key Takeaway: iPhone 16e is the Bust of the Year due to its high price for outdated specs (60Hz, no MagSafe).
  • Summary: The iPhone 16e is criticized for existing at a high price point ($900 for 512GB) with features inferior to cheaper Android alternatives. The Nothing Phone 3 was a close runner-up for this award.
Phone of the Year Revealed
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(01:16:32)
  • Key Takeaway: iPhone 17 wins Phone of the Year and Most Improved due to key upgrades.
  • Summary: The iPhone 17 is named Phone of the Year because it finally added 120Hz display, doubled base storage to 256GB, and improved the selfie camera, making it the easiest recommendation.
Hot Take and MSRP Discussion
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(01:19:18)
  • Key Takeaway: The base Pixel 10 is argued to be a better value than the Pro, leading to a debate on judging phones by MSRP vs. sale price.
  • Summary: A hot take suggests the base Pixel 10 is the better buy due to its AI features and lower price point compared to the Pro. The hosts discuss the difficulty of basing awards on MSRP versus sale prices.
Podcast Production Easter Eggs
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(01:30:07)
  • Key Takeaway: The orchestra tuning sound used in the intro was mistaken for the PlayStation 3 startup sound.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss listener feedback regarding the intro music, which was intended to sound like a traditional orchestra tuning but was widely perceived as the PS3 startup sound, highlighting the power of brand audio recognition.
Xiaomi SU7 Design Analysis
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(01:41:02)
  • Key Takeaway: The SU7 borrows heavily from successful luxury cars like Porsche and Ferrari, creating a cheap, livable version of high-end EVs.
  • Summary: The speakers analyze the design of the Xiaomi SU7, noting its resemblance to the Porsche Taycan and Ferrari Purosangue. They discuss how Xiaomi borrows prestige shapes due to lacking its own established luxury history.
Xiaomi Logo on Car
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(01:41:57)
  • Key Takeaway: A phone logo on a car makes the vehicle look less expensive and raises questions about brand association.
  • Summary: The presence of the Xiaomi phone logo on the car is discussed, leading to speculation about how consumers would react to an Apple logo on a car.
Impressive SU7 Tech Features
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(01:42:52)
  • Key Takeaway: The SU7 includes advanced, integrated features like 50W wireless charging and sophisticated audio separation for navigation.
  • Summary: Speakers list several surprising features of the SU7, including fast wireless charging, unique speaker separation for navigation voices, and ambient lighting that syncs with music.
Custom Driving Modes and CarPlay
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(01:43:55)
  • Key Takeaway: The SU7 offers deep customization of driving dynamics and provides an excellent, full-screen wireless CarPlay experience.
  • Summary: The custom driving dynamics mode (like a ‘rad tuner’) is detailed, followed by praise for the 16-inch wireless CarPlay integration, contrasting it with Tesla’s lack of support.
SU7 Purchase Intent
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(01:45:43)
  • Key Takeaway: The SU7 is highly competitive, preferred over any Tesla and many Lucid models if priced under $80,000.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss whether they would buy the SU7 if available in the US, setting a price ceiling for their preference over other EVs like Tesla.
Social Media Reaction to SU7
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(01:46:51)
  • Key Takeaway: Negative reactions from Tesla fanboys on Twitter suggest the SU7 is making a significant impact.
  • Summary: The speakers observe that online discourse is polarized, with many praising the car while Tesla loyalists criticize it, often focusing only on the lack of self-driving.
Tesla Optimus Robot Clip
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(01:48:14)
  • Key Takeaway: A viral clip appears to show the Tesla Optimus robot failing autonomously, suggesting it was remote-controlled.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss a clip from the Tesla Autonomy Visualized event where the Optimus robot seemingly gives up and falls backward, highlighting the debate over its autonomy.
Fairphone US Launch & Embargo Fail
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(01:50:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Fairphone is expanding to the US with new headphones, but an early teaser QR code accidentally linked to the podcast episode where the embargo was broken.
  • Summary: The discussion covers Fairphone’s US plans and the new Fairbuds XL headphones, which are praised for repairability. The hosts recount the funny story of accidentally breaking the embargo via a linked QR code.
Trivia and Score Update
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(01:55:09)
  • Key Takeaway: The trivia segment revealed the canceled Google AR/XR project was ‘Project Iris,’ and the hosts tied in the final round.
  • Summary: The hosts play trivia, revealing the answer to the canceled Google project and scoring points on a final question about a Jetpack Compose toolkit, resulting in a tie between two hosts.