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Apple just Copied Microsoft’s Worst Idea - iPhone Duo, Airpods 5, iPhone 18 Pro & More

Apple just Copied Microsoft’s Worst Idea - iPhone Duo, Airpods 5, iPhone 18 Pro & More

Linus Tech Tips

2,759,143 views 3 days ago Save 11 min 7 min read

Video Summary

Apple's new foldable iPhone, the Duo, launches with a "virtually creaseless" inner screen and a refined hinge, aiming to set a new industry standard. Despite impressive features like a 3000-nit display, under-display selfie camera, and the return of Touch ID, the device faces criticism for its aspect ratio, which may hinder usability, particularly with the outer display.

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max also debut, boasting the A20 Pro chip, improved cameras with manual controls, and significantly enhanced battery life, with the Pro Max offering up to 40 hours of video playback. Meanwhile, the new AirPods 5 gain active noise cancellation across all models, and the Apple Watch Series 12 introduces "audio intelligence" features for conversation recaps and sound alerts, alongside upgraded fitness tracking.

Short Highlights

  • The new iPhone Duo features a "virtually creaseless" inner display and a sophisticated hinge, aiming for durability and a premium feel.
  • It brings back Touch ID integrated into the lock button, a move praised for user convenience.
  • The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max offer significant performance and camera upgrades, with extended battery life.
  • AirPods 5 now include active noise cancellation on all models, with the premium version adding volume control and longer battery life.
  • Apple Watch Series 12 introduces "audio intelligence" for conversation recaps and sound alerts, alongside enhanced fitness tracking.
  • A major point of contention is the Duo's aspect ratio, which critics argue may limit the usability of the outer display for everyday tasks.
  • Apple has increased the prices of its new iPhones and some returning models by $100.

Key Details

The Foldable iPhone Duo's Debut [00:00:00]

  • Apple unveils its foldable iPhone, the Duo, featuring a large HDR folding display and a desktop-class CPU.
  • The device emphasizes durability with water resistance and structural reinforcements, alongside the return of Touch ID.
  • A critical mistake in the design is feared to set the industry on a path toward flashier but less usable devices.

    "don't hate on the new iphone don't hate on the new iphone i mean come on linus it's got everything that you like"

Design and Display Innovations [00:01:20]

  • Tim Cook's interest in foldables, sparked by trips to Asia in 2020, culminates in the Duo's release under John Ternus.
  • Apple focused on making the thinnest iPhone ever with unprecedented performance and a virtually creaseless inner screen.
  • A refined nano-texture coating reduces reflections on the crease, and a 10-layer display stack helps reduce bend stress.

    "apple has taken the best of what samsung is doing like the titanium sub layer that we first saw on the z fold 8 and added that little bit of extra polish"

Display Technology and Aspect Ratio [00:02:31]

  • The inner display boasts 3000 nits of brightness and wide-angle OLED pixels from the Apple Watch for improved clarity.
  • Both the 5.4-inch outer and 7.6-inch inner displays share a 1:1.4 aspect ratio to ensure consistency for app developers.
  • Apple provides guidance to developers on optimizing apps for the new screen real estate.

    "both the 5.4 inch outer and 7.6 inch inner displays feature the same classic 1 to 1.4 aspect ratio which apple hopes will make things feel more consistent"

Durability and Weight Concerns [00:03:30]

  • The Duo incorporates a reinforced hinge, titanium braces, and antenna line reinforcements, all within a titanium frame.
  • Weighing 254 grams, it is 25 grams heavier than the competing Galaxy Z Fold 8.
  • It achieves IP68 water and dust resistance and features a hinge that can hold intermediate positions.

    "all of this is packed into a titanium frame which i gotta say it sounds like this thing is built like a tank"

Under-Display Camera and Other Hardware [00:05:00]

  • A significant win is the lack of a hole punch or notch on the inner screen, with a camera placed under the display.
  • The under-display camera records in 1080p, features ultra stabilization, and center stage for video calls.
  • The device includes two lithium-ion batteries with an estimated 24 hours of typical use, though real-world figures may vary.

    "another huge win on the duo is the lack of a hole punch or a notch in the inner screen it's got a selfie camera but apple has placed it under the display"

Performance and Biometric Authentication [00:07:00]

  • Powered by the new A20 Pro SoC, a 2-nanometer chip with enhanced GPU and a 16-core AI engine.
  • Apple has dropped Face ID in favor of Touch ID built into the lock button, a change welcomed by some users.
  • The device supports Emergency SOS, Wi-Fi 7, Siri AI, and e-SIM only globally.

    "this has got to be my favorite part apple actually called me up personally about this and they said you know what linus you were right about touch id we were wrong"

Software Features and Pricing Criticism [00:09:00]

  • Software highlights include seamless transitions between screens, tent mode, and enhanced multitasking capabilities.
  • The iPhone Duo is priced at $2,000, with a critique that Apple is pushing the industry in the wrong direction regarding aspect ratio.
  • The lack of vertical screen real estate on the outer display is compared to using a Blackberry, potentially leading to returns.

    "the fact that i believe apple is pushing the entire industry in the wrong direction for aspect ratio"

AirPods 5 and Apple Watch Series 12 Upgrades [00:11:00]

  • AirPods 5 now feature active noise cancellation on both the $130 and $150 models, with the latter offering longer battery life and volume control.
  • Apple Watch Series 12 arrives in new colors, with aluminum models getting Ceramic Shield 2 cover glass.
  • The Watch Ultra receives a slight battery bump, and all models feature the S11 chip enabling "audio intelligence" features.

    "this year both the cheaper 130 sku and the more expensive sku has active noise cancelling which already works better than i expected"

Apple Watch Audio Intelligence and Fitness [00:13:00]

  • New audio intelligence features allow the watch to recap the last 15 seconds of conversations or take notes throughout the day.
  • The watch can alert users to specific sounds like doorbells or crying babies, beneficial for those with hearing impairments.
  • It also integrates Shazam to automatically detect nearby songs and upgrades fitness tracking with more accurate sensors and HRV tracking.

    "this new tech records what's happening around you allowing for users to double tap the digital crown on the watch and get a recap of what was said in the last 15 seconds or so"

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Enhancements [00:15:00]

  • The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max share the A20 Pro chip with the Duo, promising impressive performance.
  • The main camera assembly is improved with a six-blade variable aperture for better low-light photography.
  • The camera app gains pro tools like white balance and shutter speed controls, and third-party cameras can access the variable aperture.

    "we get the same a20 pro chip as the iphone duo so i'm expecting impressive performance and a main camera assembly which has been improved this year"

Gaming Performance and Battery Life [00:16:30]

  • The iPhone 18 Pro series features a vapor chamber three times larger for 40% better thermal dissipation, crucial for sustained gaming performance.
  • Battery life is significantly improved, with the Pro model offering up to 33 hours and the Pro Max up to 40 hours of video streaming playback.
  • The Dynamic Island is slightly smaller on these models.

    "apple has also upgraded the vapor chamber in the 18 pro series to be three times larger claiming 40 better thermal dissipation"

Price Increases and Conclusion [00:17:30]

  • Apple has increased the prices of the new generation iPhones and also raised the prices of returning models by $100.
  • The reviewer expresses concern that Apple is pushing the industry in the wrong direction with the Duo's aspect ratio, potentially impacting usability.
  • The video concludes by mentioning the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 on the short circuit channel.

    "every win these days though feels like it comes with some losses and in this case we're talking a loss of a hundred dollars"

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