iPhone 14 Recap and Pixel 7 Predictions!

Episode Overview

• The hosts review the new iPhone 14 Pro, praising the clever software of the Dynamic Island but critiquing the implementation of the Always-On Display.
• They debate early reports calling the iPhone 14 Plus a failure, arguing that its target audience of casual buyers has yet to purchase the device.
• The conversation shifts to the upcoming Google event, with speculation on Pixel 7 pricing and a discussion on the pros and cons of live versus pre-produced keynotes.
• A deep dive into the Apple Watch Ultra features interviews with a diver, runner, and mountaineer to determine if it can replace dedicated sports hardware from brands like Garmin.

Key Concepts

• iPhone 14 Pro Upgrades: The most significant changes are the display, cameras, and internals. The Dynamic Island is lauded as a delightful software feature, while the Always-On Display is considered too bright and distracting compared to Android implementations.
• iPhone 14 Plus Sales: Pre-order numbers are not a reliable indicator of the phone's success, as its target demographic consists of average consumers who typically buy phones from carrier stores over time, not tech enthusiasts who pre-order.
• Apple Watch Ultra's Target Audience: The watch is perfectly positioned for the "recreational pro"—a high-level enthusiast who is serious about their sport but doesn't require the niche, mission-critical features of top-tier professional gear.
• Convenience vs. Dedicated Hardware: The Ultra's main appeal is its ability to function as an excellent everyday smartwatch and a powerful sports computer, eliminating the need for users to own and switch between two separate devices.
• Key Features for Athletes: Experts praised the Ultra's significantly improved battery life, the accuracy of its dual-frequency GPS, the utility of the physical Action Button, and its robust safety features like the siren and backtracking.
• Event Coverage: Pre-produced, fast-paced launch events are challenging for media to cover in real-time, whereas traditional live events with a slower pace allow for better analysis and reporting.
• Google Pixel 7 Speculation: The hosts predict Google will maintain the aggressive $599 starting price for the Pixel 7 and reduce the price gap to the Pro model, which was too large for the feature difference in the Pixel 6 series.

Quotes

• At 4:24 - "I've looked down at it so many times thinking my phone is still on." - Marques commenting on how bright and active the iPhone 14 Pro's new Always-On Display is, making it feel less "off" than expected.
• At 19:28 - "I think what's actually going to happen is the average person is going to be so much happier with this phone [iPhone 14 Plus]." - Marques arguing that the iPhone 14 Plus will be a success with the general public who value a larger screen and battery, despite low pre-order numbers from tech enthusiasts.
• At 26:57 - "I much prefer the live event in which you have time because people have to breathe and walk off stage." - MKBHD explains why, as a content creator, he finds live events easier to cover than fast-paced, pre-produced videos.
• At 54:45 - "Recreational is the perfect word for what Apple usually calls Pro." - Marques Brownlee, defining the target demographic for the Apple Watch Ultra.
• At 1:00:31 - "If you're really running and you're tired, you're sweaty, sweats are getting in your eyes... The action button is very important." - Hellah Sidibe, a marathon runner, praising the addition of a physical, programmable button.

Takeaways

• The iPhone 14 Pro's Dynamic Island is a software triumph, but its Always-On Display feels like a first-generation feature that is less refined than competitor offerings.
• The Apple Watch Ultra is a "Garmin killer" for the vast majority of serious recreational athletes, successfully combining a premium smartwatch with 95% of the features they need from a dedicated sports watch.
• Early sales reports based on pre-orders often reflect a niche enthusiast market and shouldn't be used to judge the long-term success of a mainstream product like the iPhone 14 Plus.
• For athletes, practical hardware improvements like significantly longer battery life, physical buttons, and enhanced GPS accuracy are often more impactful than purely software-based features.