The Phone of the Year is...
- Dec 12, 2025
- 1:57:14
- Full Episode
This week, the crew sits down to talk smartphones. They go over each of the phones that Marques picked and offer a few hot takes along the way. On top of that they also talk about the Android XR show, a new smart ring from Pebble, and the Xiaomi SU7!
Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:35 Hostile bids and lambo.com 09:50 Android XR Show 17:59 Pebble Index ring 24:36 Ads in Gemini? 34:18 Framer (Sponsored) 35:52 Grammarly (Sponsored) 36:55 Best smartphones of 2025 01:32:18 LinkedIn (Sponsored) 01:33:18 Wealthfront (Sponsored) 01:34:13 T-Mobile (Sponsored) 01:35:22 Xiaomi SU7 01:45:42 Tesla robot falling over 01:47:32 Fairbuds XL 01:52:38 Trivia 01:57:10 Outro
Shop the merch: https://shop.mkbhd.com
Links: Verge - Google Project Aura: https://www.theverge.com/tech/839392/project-aura-android-xr-software-headsets-ai-glasses Verge - Pebble Index smart ring: https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/840352/pebble-index-smart-ring-launch-price Adweek - Google Gemini Ads: https://www.adweek.com/media/google-gemini-ads-2026/ Video of Tesla robot: https://www.reddit.com/r/teslamotors/comments/1pfzxt0/tesla_optimus/ MKBHD - Smartphone awards: https://youtu.be/sfyL4BswUeE MKBHD - Xiaomi SU7 review: https://youtu.be/Mb6H7trzMfI
This episode brought to you by: Framer - wwww.framer.com/design (code: wave) Grammarly - wwww.superhuman.com/podcast LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/mkbhd Wealthfront - www.wealthfront.com/wave T-Mobile - www.t-mobile.com
Music provided by Epidemic Sound
Social: Waveform Threads: https://www.threads.net/@waveformpodcast Waveform Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waveformpodcast/?hl=en Waveform TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@waveformpodcast
Hosts: Marques: https://www.threads.net/@mkbhd Andrew: https://www.threads.net/@andrew_manganelli David: https://www.threads.net/@davidimel Adam: https://www.threads.net/@parmesanpapi17 Ellis: https://twitter.com/EllisRovin
Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/mkbhd
Music by 20syl: https://bit.ly/2S53xlC
Waveform is part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Brief Summary
The episode discusses the 2025 smartphone awards, featuring the Xiaomi SU7, iPhone 17, and Fairphone 6, highlighting their innovative features and designs.
Key points
- Lambo.com Domain Saga. A wild story about a man squatting on a domain and the court's ruling.
- Pebble's Innovative Ring. Pebble announces a ring with a microphone for discreet commands and reminders.
- Gemini's AI Controversy. Claims of ad placements in Gemini's AI mode spark debate, with Google denying it.
- The State of Software Releases. A conversation about the trend of releasing unfinished software and its implications.
- Best Camera Award. The Oppo Find X9 Pro wins for its versatile triple camera system, delivering stunning shots.
- Design Award. The iPhone Air wins for its unique, lightweight design that redefines user experience.
Episode highlights
- Lambo.com Domain SagaA wild story about a man squatting on a domain and the court's ruling.“I see nothing wrong here.”3:24Dec 12, 2025
- Pebble's Innovative RingPebble announces a ring with a microphone for discreet commands and reminders.“At first I was like, 'This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard.'”18:10Dec 12, 2025
- Gemini's AI ControversyClaims of ad placements in Gemini's AI mode spark debate, with Google denying it.“There are no ads in the Gemini app and there are no current plans to change that.”25:06Dec 12, 2025
- The State of Software ReleasesA conversation about the trend of releasing unfinished software and its implications.“I feel like we're all buying beta software lately.”29:24Dec 12, 2025
- Best Camera AwardThe Oppo Find X9 Pro wins for its versatile triple camera system, delivering stunning shots.“It was the most versatile and the most capable at the same time.”42:45Dec 12, 2025
- Design AwardThe iPhone Air wins for its unique, lightweight design that redefines user experience.“Using any other phone directly after it feels shockingly bad.”54:03Dec 12, 2025
- Best Gimmick of the YearThe Xiaomi 17 Pro's unique screen design earns it the title of best gimmick.“I think best gimmick would be great because there's all these Chinese phones that we can't use consistently.”1:03:41Dec 12, 2025
- iPhone 17: Phone of the YearThe iPhone 17 wins for its improved features and value, making it the easiest recommendation.“The phone of the year is the iPhone 17. It is.”1:14:13Dec 12, 2025
