Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast

This Could Be the Best Smartphone But…

November 14, 2025

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  • Apple released an expensive, knit 'iPhone Pocket' accessory, seemingly targeted toward the Asian market, which the hosts found easy to criticize. 
  • The newly released OnePlus 15 is praised for its performance, battery life, and build quality, but its camera system is considered a significant downgrade from its predecessor. 
  • The hosts engaged in a detailed, confusing discussion about display resolution terminology (1.5K vs 2K vs 1440p) while reviewing the OnePlus 15's screen specs. 
  • Grand Theft Auto VI has been delayed again, now targeting a November 19, 2026 release date, prompting discussion about the long wait and potential pricing. 
  • Spotify has introduced a new weekly recap feature to compete with annual wrapped summaries, showing users their top five artists and songs of the week. 
  • The hosts shared their highly repetitive and cyclical music listening habits, often revolving around a small rotation of recently discovered tracks. 
  • The discussion on the $500 e-ink Aura Frame revealed mixed feelings, with excitement for the technology but reservations about its current price, black-and-white performance, and long-term viability compared to physical prints. 
  • The trivia segment revealed that plain white socks from the fashion brand Balenciaga were more expensive than a five-pack of 2004 iPod socks or the new iPhone Pocket sock, based on the prices discussed. 
  • The collaboration between A Bathing Ape (BAPE) and Stash resulted in a camera launched with Leica, not Kodak or Polaroid. 
  • Despite the high price point of Leica cameras, some newer models, like the Q2 (which features a sequined design), are being compared in price or even surpassed by certain Hasselblad models. 

Segments

Apple’s Expensive Knit iPhone Sock
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(00:01:06)
  • Key Takeaway: Apple released a highly priced, knit iPhone case collaboration that the hosts found easy to mock.
  • Summary: Discussion begins on Apple’s new fashion collaboration: the iPhone Pocket, a knit case priced up to $229, which the hosts compare to an iPod sock and note is likely targeted at the Asian market.
OnePlus 15 Initial Impressions
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(00:10:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The OnePlus 15 is a powerful phone with excellent performance and battery, severely let down by its downgraded cameras.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss the official launch of the OnePlus 15, praising its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, fast performance, and massive 7,300 mAh battery, while lamenting the removal of Hasselblad branding and worse camera hardware.
Display Resolution Terminology Debate
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(00:13:22)
  • Key Takeaway: There is significant confusion and inconsistency in how the tech industry uses terms like 1K, 2K, and 1.5K for display resolutions.
  • Summary: A tangent breaks out over the OnePlus 15’s ‘1.5K’ display resolution, leading to a detailed discussion on the historical and current definitions of K-based resolutions (e.g., 1080p, 1440p, 4K) versus P-based resolutions.
LeBron James Interview Details
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(00:24:51)
  • Key Takeaway: Marquez interviewed LeBron James for his Uninterrupted channel, where they compared Madden 04 and Madden 26.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss Marquez’s appearance on LeBron James’ YouTube show, ‘The Main Thing,’ noting they played old and new Madden games to compare graphics and discussed game realism.
iPhone Air Sales Allegedly Struggling
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(00:28:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Alleged poor sales of the iPhone Air may cause Apple to delay its next iteration until 2027 to add a second camera.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss reports that the iPhone Air is not selling well, debating whether the missing second camera lens or the higher price point compared to the base iPhone 17 is the main issue.
GTA 6 Release Date Delayed Again
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(00:44:47)
  • Key Takeaway: Grand Theft Auto 6 has been delayed again until November 2026, increasing the long wait for fans.
  • Summary: A quick recap of the GTA 6 delay announcement, noting the game is now set for late 2026, and the hosts joke about the immense hype and potential price point.
Spotify’s New Weekly Listening Stats
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(00:49:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Spotify is introducing a new weekly listening summary to combat users getting stuck in algorithmic loops.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss Spotify rolling out a new feature showing top five artists and songs weekly, intended to break users out of repetitive listening patterns.
Spotify Weekly Listening Stats
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(00:49:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Spotify introduced a new weekly listening summary feature to compete with annual Wrapped.
  • Summary: Discussion about Spotify creating a weekly listening recap showing top five artists and songs, contrasting this with Google/YouTube’s tendency to be ’too early and too cringe’ with new features.
Music Listening Habits
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(00:51:09)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts share a similar pattern of intensely repeating a small rotation of newly discovered songs.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss their personal listening habits, admitting they often get stuck in algorithmic loops or repeat the same few songs for weeks until they burn out on them.
Reviewing the E-Ink Aura Frame
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(00:56:12)
  • Key Takeaway: The $500 e-ink frame is technologically cool but flawed, especially with black and white photos, and is very expensive.
  • Summary: The hosts review the e-ink Aura frame, noting its convincing look from a distance, the flashing during picture changes, its $500 price tag, and its inability to render true blacks.
Smartphone Season YouTube Stats
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(01:02:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Smartphone season (Aug 1 - Oct 31) generated massive viewership, with the top video being the iPhone 17 Pro impressions.
  • Summary: The hosts share impressive YouTube analytics for the last 90 days, highlighting 11.1 million long-form watch hours and calculating that short-form views equate to 89 years of continuous watching.
Overhyped or Underhyped Segment Start
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(01:11:59)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts begin their segment rating various tech and cultural topics on hype levels.
  • Summary: Introduction to the ‘Overhyped or Underhyped’ segment, where they will rate items like GTA 6, Teenage Engineering, and AI browsers.
Hype Rating: GTA 6
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(01:12:21)
  • Key Takeaway: GTA 6 is unanimously rated Overhyped because it is impossible for any game to meet the level of anticipation it has generated.
  • Summary: Debate over GTA 6’s hype, noting the massive view counts on its trailers, leading to a consensus that it will likely fall short of expectations.
Hype Rating: Teenage Engineering
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(01:14:18)
  • Key Takeaway: Teenage Engineering products are deemed Perfectly Hyped because they deliver a unique, intentional aesthetic that others try to copy.
  • Summary: Discussion on Teenage Engineering’s expensive but unique products, concluding they are appropriately hyped because they are niche and deliver exactly what they promise.
Hype Rating: Dedicated Cameras
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(01:18:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Carrying a separate camera alongside a smartphone is Underhyped, despite the online conversation around film photography.
  • Summary: The hosts debate whether carrying a dedicated camera is still relevant, with some arguing that while people talk about it, few actually do it.
Hype Rating: AI Notification Summaries
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(01:37:14)
  • Key Takeaway: AI Notification Summaries are Overhyped because they are a feature built simply because the underlying LLM technology allowed it, not because it’s useful.
  • Summary: The hosts agree this feature is generally hated, though one host shares funny examples of when it fails spectacularly. They argue phone usage is about managing notifications, which this feature undermines.
Hype Rating: Xiaomi SU7 Electric Car
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(01:29:15)
  • Key Takeaway: The Xiaomi SU7 is Underhyped globally because it is unavailable in many Western markets, despite being incredibly well-received in China.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss the impressive performance and low price of the Xiaomi SU7, concluding that its unavailability outside of China keeps its global hype low.
AI Image Generation Hype
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(01:40:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Image generation, specifically Sora, was deemed unanimously overhyped.
  • Summary: The hosts briefly discuss and conclude that image generation technology is overhyped, mentioning Sora.
Trivia: Most Expensive Sock
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(01:40:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Plain white Balenciaga socks were the most expensive item among the options presented.
  • Summary: The first trivia question compares the selling prices of 2004 iPod socks, an iPhone pocket sock, and Balenciaga socks. The Balenciaga socks sold for $130, making them the most expensive.
Trivia: Hype Camera Collab
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(01:42:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Bathing Ape and Stash collaborated with Leica on a camera.
  • Summary: The second trivia question asks which camera brand collaborated with Bape and Stash. David correctly answers Leica, beating guesses of Polaroid and Kodak.
Leica Pricing and Collaborations
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(01:43:41)
  • Key Takeaway: Leica cameras, like the Q2, are extremely expensive, sometimes surpassing Hasselblad prices.
  • Summary: Following the trivia answer, the hosts discuss the high cost of Leica cameras, mentioning the sequined Q2 and the Lenny Kravitz collaboration.
Podcast Wrap-up and Credits
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(01:44:57)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts thank the audience and transition into sponsor reads.
  • Summary: The hosts conclude the discussion, thank the viewers for tuning in, and the segment transitions into credits and advertisements.
Sponsor Read: Odoo
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(01:45:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Odoo is promoted as an all-in-one, integrated business software solution.
  • Summary: An advertisement for Odoo is presented, highlighting its integrated CRM, accounting, and inventory features as a cost-effective alternative to multiple apps.
Sponsor Read: Adobe Express
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(01:46:18)
  • Key Takeaway: Adobe Express uses generative AI to help teams create on-brand content quickly.
  • Summary: The final segment promotes Adobe Express, focusing on its generative AI capabilities for creating safe, on-brand content like videos and social posts.