This Could Be the Best Smartphone But…

Summary of This Could Be the Best Smartphone But…

by Vox Media Podcast Network

1h 40m•November 14, 2025
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Overview of This Could Be the Best Smartphone But… (Waveform — Vox Media Podcast Network)

This episode of Waveform covers a wide mix of tech culture and product reaction: Apple’s surprising Japan-focused fashion collab (a knit “iPhone pocket” priced like a designer accessory), impressions and a hands‑on review summary of the OnePlus 15, rumors about iPhone Air sales and future changes, GTA VI’s further delay, a new e‑ink photo frame (Aura), Spotify’s weekly “Wrapped” feature, smartphone‑season audience metrics from the channel, and a number of smaller news items and opinion debates (color/OS naming, live translation, AI features, and more). The hosts balance product nitty‑gritty (specs, battery, screens) with the broader cultural questions — hype vs. value — and finish with their regular trivia/hypothesis games.

Main topics discussed

  • Apple knit “iPhone pocket” (fashion collab)

    • Two styles: short strap ($149) and crossbody ($229).
    • Targeted at Japan; polarizing design and price; references to Apple’s Hermes collaborations and to the original iPod socks.
    • Uses 3D knitting tech. Hosts find colors bold but many call it easy to mock and niche.

  • OnePlus 15 first impressions and review highlights

    • Hardware: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, LPDDR5X (16 GB), new touch‑response chip (3200 Hz), a dedicated Wi‑Fi chip (G2), 165 Hz “1.5K” display marketing point.
    • Battery and charging: very large battery experience (7,300 mAh cited), 100 W wired (80 W outside US), 50 W wireless, reverse wireless, battery longevity praised.
    • Build/finish: durable nano/ceramic finish, premium feel.
    • Cameras: big disappointment — smaller sensors and apertures vs. expectations; worse photo/video quality compared with Oppo Find X9 Pro/Hasselblad‑branded models.
    • Software: OxygenOS is converging with ColorOS; many tuning options (per‑app refresh rate, etc.). Overall fast and responsive; criticship focused mainly on cameras.

  • iPhone Air sales / rumors

    • Leaked reporting alleges weak sales; Apple may delay/modify next Air model until spring 2027 and add a second lens.
    • Hosts debate whether lack of a second lens explains weak sales (battery and price also factors). Comparison to base iPhone 17 and perceived value confusion.

  • Grand Theft Auto VI delay

    • Rockstar pushed release to November 19, 2026 (from earlier 2026 target).
    • Hosts discuss immense hype, historical precedent for over‑hype, and potential pricing speculation.

  • E‑ink Aura photo frame hands‑on

    • Price: ~$500 (first wave).
    • Pros: convincing “printed” look from a distance, months‑long battery, quiet rotating display, good for a rotating wall‑print vibe.
    • Cons: halftone look up close, not great for deep blacks/true monochrome (sepia cast), noticeable flash/refresh when changing images. Mixed feelings: technologists excited, some hosts “whelmed.”

  • Spotify weekly “Wrapped” (new weekly view)

    • Spotify introduced a weekly, scannable summary (top 5 songs/artists of the week) — a more frequent personal stat check similar to Wrapped.

  • Smartphone‑season metrics (channel data shared for context)

    • August 1 — Oct 31 (main channel): 115.8M long‑form views; 11.1M long‑form watch hours; 85M short views; 783k short watch hours.
    • Top video over that span: iPhone 17 Pro & Air impressions (≈13M views).
    • Hosts converted watch‑hours into “years” to illustrate scale (long‑form total = ~1,272 years of watch time in aggregate for that period).

  • Xiaomi SU7 (Xiaomi car) impressions

    • Hosts praise build quality, ride, infotainment, and price point for what it offers; note heavy Chinese ecosystem integration (karaoke, Douyin/TikTok‑style content in car).

  • Other news / shorter items:

    • LeBron James’ Uninterrupted interview series (Main Thing) — one host appeared as a guest.
    • Toy Story 5 trailer — premise teasing toys vs. tablets/iPads (big cultural hook).
    • Ongoing debates: resolution marketing (1.5K confusion), ColorOS vs OxygenOS convergence, “liquid glass” UI, AI notification summaries, AI image generation hype, cameras vs phone cameras.

Key takeaways & verdicts

  • Apple’s fashion collab is deliberately niche and expensive — great for targeted markets (Japan) and design fans but broadly polarizing in the West.
  • OnePlus 15 is a flagship powerhouse in performance, battery life, screen smoothness and build; camera system is the largest Achilles’ heel. If camera quality matters most, consider alternatives (e.g., Oppo Find X9 Pro).
  • iPhone Air’s market positioning may be confusing: thin/pretty design but compromises (single camera, battery); Apple may revise the model line after weak uptake.
  • GTA VI remains massively hyped; delays raise expectations and pressure for polish.
  • E‑ink photo frame offers a unique, print‑like rotating display experience — good concept if you accept current e‑ink limits and the premium price.
  • Smartphone season remains commercially strong (big viewership numbers), but cultural conversation is increasingly about ecosystem design, pricing, and where “real” device innovation matters (battery, build, camera).

Notable quotes & moments

  • “They’re selling a $200 sock.” — on Apple’s knit iPhone pocket.
  • “This is the Oppo by any other name.” — OnePlus 15 as an Oppo derivative but tuned for the western market.
  • “If the cameras were good, I would daily this phone.” — encapsulates the OnePlus 15 verdict.
  • On display naming confusion: extended discussion about what “1.5K” means and how manufacturers choose marketing terms.
  • E‑ink frame observation: “from a few feet away it looks like a photo; up close it looks like halftone pixel art.”

Recommendations / action items (for listeners)

  • If you care about flagship photography, wait for detailed camera comparisons before jumping to OnePlus 15.
  • If you’re into printed‑look framed photos on the wall and willing to pay a premium, try the e‑ink Aura frame; don’t expect perfect blacks or instant updates without the flash effect.
  • If you were considering iPhone Air as a middle ground between base and Pro iPhones, re‑evaluate value vs battery/camera tradeoffs — check local availability and monthly cost relative to base iPhone 17.
  • Watch the full OnePlus 15 review (host notes review published) for hands‑on camera samples and battery tests.
  • Follow GTA VI release updates if you care about timing/hype; be prepared for more delays or further PR messaging.

Who should listen to this episode

  • Tech enthusiasts interested in hands‑on impressions (phones, e‑ink frames, EVs).
  • People tracking Apple product strategy and high‑fashion collabs.
  • Viewers of the Waveform channel who want context for recent videos and the channel’s seasonal metrics.
  • Gamers following GTA VI release news.

If you want the short list: Apple’s knit pocket = polarizing fashion play; OnePlus 15 = stupendously fast + long battery but disappointing cameras; iPhone Air might be underperforming commercially; e‑ink frames are an intriguing — but pricey — way to “print” rotating photos.