Reviewing the iPhone 16
Digest
The episode begins with David Pierce introducing his new monitor and then dives into a review of Apple's new iPhone 16 lineup, highlighting the lack of Apple Intelligence features and the new photographic styles offered by the camera. The discussion then shifts to the Apple Watch Series 10, focusing on its thinner, bigger, and lighter design, the ultrification of the series, and the trade-offs between the Series 10 and the Ultra. The episode concludes with a review of the new AirPods Pro, exploring their potential to achieve the perfect middle ground between comfort, sound quality, price, and noise cancellation. The episode also includes a review of the new AirPods 4, specifically discussing the noise cancellation feature and design changes. The reviewer highlights the effectiveness of the noise cancellation, the subtle design tweaks, and the overall sound quality. The episode then delves into the debate of switching from the iPhone ecosystem to the Pixel ecosystem, highlighting the advantages of the Pixel fold, the improved integration with Google services, and the ease of switching between the two systems. Finally, the episode introduces the "Channels" podcast, hosted by Peter Kafka, which focuses on the behind-the-scenes of media and technology, exploring the creation and evolution of movies, startups, streaming services, and more.
Outlines
Apple Product Reviews and Ecosystem Comparisons
This episode reviews Apple's latest products, including the iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, and AirPods Pro, and explores the potential benefits of switching from iPhone to Pixel.
iPhone 16 Review: Photographic Styles and Lack of Apple Intelligence
The episode discusses the new iPhone 16 lineup, highlighting the lack of Apple Intelligence features and the camera's new photographic styles.
Apple Watch Series 10 Review: Thinner, Bigger, and Lighter Design
The discussion shifts to the Apple Watch Series 10, focusing on its thinner, bigger, and lighter design, the ultrification of the series, and the trade-offs between the Series 10 and the Ultra.
AirPods Pro Review: Finding the Perfect Middle Ground
The episode concludes with a review of the new AirPods Pro, exploring their potential to achieve the perfect middle ground between comfort, sound quality, price, and noise cancellation.
AirPods 4 Review: Noise Cancellation and Design
This chapter focuses on a review of the new AirPods 4, specifically discussing the noise cancellation feature and design changes. The reviewer highlights the effectiveness of the noise cancellation, the subtle design tweaks, and the overall sound quality.
iPhone to Pixel: Ecosystem Comparison and Advantages
This chapter delves into the debate of switching from the iPhone ecosystem to the Pixel ecosystem. The discussion highlights the advantages of the Pixel fold, the improved integration with Google services, and the ease of switching between the two systems.
Channels Podcast Introduction
This chapter introduces the "Channels" podcast, hosted by Peter Kafka. The podcast focuses on the behind-the-scenes of media and technology, exploring the creation and evolution of movies, startups, streaming services, and more.
Keywords
Apple Intelligence
A suite of AI-powered features that Apple has been developing for its devices, including features like automatic photo editing, personalized recommendations, and enhanced voice assistants.
Photographic Styles
New camera features on the iPhone 16 that allow users to apply different color palettes and editing styles to their photos, offering more control over the final image.
Ultrafication
The trend of incorporating features from Apple's high-end Ultra Watch into its more affordable Series 10 models, blurring the lines between the two product lines.
Min-Maxing
The process of optimizing a product or service by finding the best balance between different features or aspects, often involving trade-offs.
Perfect Middle Ground
The ideal balance between different qualities or features, often sought after in consumer products like headphones, where comfort, sound quality, price, and noise cancellation are all important factors.
Noise Cancellation
Noise cancellation technology in headphones uses microphones to detect and cancel out unwanted ambient noise, creating a more immersive listening experience.
Open Ear Headphones
Open ear headphones, like AirPods, allow for ambient sound to pass through, providing a less isolating listening experience compared to closed-back headphones.
Ecosystem
An ecosystem refers to a group of interconnected products and services that work together seamlessly. In the context of technology, it refers to the integration of devices, software, and apps from a specific company.
Q&A
What is the most significant new feature on the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 16 introduces new photographic styles that allow users to apply different color palettes and editing styles to their photos, offering more control over the final image.
What is the main difference between the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Ultra?
The Ultra offers longer battery life, dual-band GPS, and features designed for extreme outdoor activities, while the Series 10 focuses on a larger screen, thinner design, and improved wearability.
What is the biggest challenge for Apple in terms of the AirPods Pro?
Apple faces the challenge of finding the perfect middle ground between comfort, sound quality, price, and noise cancellation in the AirPods Pro, a difficult balance to achieve.
How does Apple implement noise cancellation on open ear headphones like the AirPods 4?
Apple uses microphones in the earbuds to detect ambient noise and play an inverse sound wave to cancel it out. They also claim to have adjusted the driver to better fit the ear, improving noise cancellation effectiveness.
What are the main differences between the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro?
The main differences are the fit, noise cancellation effectiveness, and features. The AirPods Pro offer a more secure fit with ear tips, superior noise cancellation, and additional features like transparency mode and spatial audio.
What are the key advantages of switching to the Pixel ecosystem?
The Pixel ecosystem offers seamless integration with Google services, including Gemini AI, Google Home control, and a more customizable Android experience. The Pixel fold also provides a unique foldable form factor with a larger display area.
Is it worth spending the extra $50 for the AirPods 4 with noise cancellation?
The reviewer believes it is worth the upgrade, as the noise cancellation effectively reduces ambient noise, allowing for a more enjoyable listening experience, especially in noisy environments.
What are the potential downsides of switching from iPhone to Pixel?
The main downside is the lack of seamless integration with Apple services like iMessage and FaceTime. However, RCS messaging can alleviate some of the messaging issues, and the switching process has become less cumbersome.
What is the "Channels" podcast about?
The "Channels" podcast explores the behind-the-scenes of media and technology, focusing on the creation and evolution of movies, startups, streaming services, and more. It aims to provide insights into how the content we consume is produced and what the future holds for the industry.
Show Notes
We've finally finished testing, scoring, and reviewing Apple's new gear for the fall. On this episode we talk through our reviews of the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, the Apple Watch 10, and the AirPods 4, to see whether they're real upgrades and whether they're worth your money. And then, on the Vergecast Hotline (866-VERGE11), we make the case for the Pixel in 2024.
Email us at vergecast@theverge.com or call us at 866-VERGE11, we love hearing from you.
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