The Verge Cast，由Jake Castronakis主持，编辑Dom Preston和Cam Faulkner参与，详细解读了苹果最近的硬件发布会，标志着John Ternus首次以苹果CEO身份亮相。此次发布会推出了一系列新产品，包括iPhone Duo、iPhone 18 Pro和Pro Max、Apple Watch Series 12和Ultra 4，以及AirPods 5型号。
John Ternus作为CEO的首次演讲被描述为直接且低调，侧重于产品本身，而非隆重的个人介绍。他阐述了他的理念，既面向现场观众，也通过公开视频。
备受期待的iPhone Duo，苹果首款折叠手机，成为焦点。主编Nilay Patel在库比蒂诺现场报道，分享了上手体验。这款手机采用护照大小的设计，外部配备5.4英寸显示屏，打开后内部为7.6英寸显示屏。Dom Preston指出其外形尺寸与三星Galaxy Z Fold 8相似，但强调Duo的摄像头并未达到iPhone Pro的水平，将其定位为一款可折叠的基础版iPhone体验，而非苹果顶级摄影设备。Patel证实内屏为哑光材质，采用纳米纹理，且折痕“感知上不存在”。他还指出该手机比第一代折叠屏手机更坚固，尽管未演示手写笔支持，但计划稍后推出。展开后，它感觉像是史上最薄的iPhone。
iPhone Duo上的软件因其完善性获得了高度赞扬。iOS已重新设计，控件移至右侧边栏，以确保在打开或关闭状态下的一致性。像Netflix这样的应用能根据铰链位置动态响应，创造沉浸式体验，例如在L形模式下，底部屏幕上的反射会发生变化。尽管安卓折叠屏手机在多任务处理方面有多种方法，苹果的首次尝试似乎侧重于两个应用并排显示，不过Nilay指出掌握多任务手势需要一个学习过程。该手机不具备Face ID功能，而是选择Touch ID，这对iPhone来说是久违的首次，不过它可以与Apple Watch配对以实现更快解锁。屏下摄像头存在但不过分显眼，主要用于FaceTime通话，并鼓励使用后置摄像头进行自拍。
Apple Watch Series 12和Ultra 4也获得了更新。尽管硬件变化不大，包括改进的传感器，如32触点心电图电极和更密集的用于更好皮肤接触及准确性的光学传感器，但主要讨论点是人工智能集成。这些手表现在可以选择性地全天候监听，提供15秒回溯功能和日常生活摘要。记者V Song对苹果涉足始终在线的音频可穿戴设备表示惊讶，指出类似设备在现实嘈杂环境中面临的转录准确性挑战。隐私问题是一个重要的讨论点，聊天室中的读者担心全天候监听设备的影响以及传票等潜在法律后果。
iPhone 18 Pro和Pro Max获得了更多增量更新：新颜色、新处理器以及增大了三倍的均热板。最值得关注的新功能是主摄像头的可变光圈镜头（f/1.4至f/4）。Dom Preston提到这项技术自2018年（例如Galaxy S9）以来就已存在于安卓手机中，但由于感知到的用户利益不足而未被普遍采用。有人担心小传感器上的进光量会减少。苹果还引入了专业相机控制，允许手动调节快门速度、光圈和白平衡，以及新的摄影风格选项。一个重要但悄然宣布的功能是“Apple参考图像”，其中主摄像头的传感器逐像素对照片进行数字签名，创建一个不可编辑的参考图像，以验证内容对AI生成内容的真实性。
在定价方面，iPhone 18 Pro型号价格上涨了100美元。Cam Faulkner发现所有仍在销售的旧款iPhone型号也上涨了100美元，这与以往几代产品降价的惯例有所不同。这归因于组件成本的上升，特别是RAM。
最后，AirPods 5亮相，简化了产品线。现在有一个带有降噪功能的标准型号，以及一个带有耳柄的附加版本，用于音量控制和无线充电。起售价为129美元，升级版为149美元，这些比之前带有ANC功能的AirPods更便宜。苹果声称其ANC比去年提高了50%，使ANC成为标准配置，并在竞争激烈的市场中提供了具有竞争力的价格。
此次发布会被认为是引人入胜的，苹果核心产品线引入了重大变革，从折叠技术和AI驱动的可穿戴设备，到先进的摄像头功能和定价调整，为公司未来的产品奠定了新方向。
The Verge Cast, hosted by Jake Castronakis with editors Dom Preston and Cam Faulkner, delivered a comprehensive breakdown of Apple's recent hardware event, marking John Ternus's debut as Apple's CEO. The event unveiled a suite of new products, including the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 models.
John Ternus's first presentation as CEO was described as straightforward and understated, focusing on the products rather than a grand personal introduction. He delivered his philosophy both to the in-person audience and in the public video.
The highly anticipated iPhone Duo, Apple's first folding phone, took center stage. Editor-in-chief Nilay Patel, reporting live from Cupertino, shared hands-on impressions. The phone features a passport-sized design, an outer 5.4-inch display, and an inner 7.6-inch display when opened. Dom Preston noted its similarity in form factor to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8, but highlighted that the Duo's cameras are not iPhone Pro level, positioning it as a base iPhone experience that folds rather than Apple's top-tier photographic device. Patel confirmed the inner screen is matte, uses nanotexture, and the crease is "perceptually not there." He also noted the phone felt sturdier than first-generation foldables, though pencil support was not demoed and is slated for later. When unfolded, it feels like the thinnest iPhone ever.
Software on the iPhone Duo received significant praise for its polish. iOS has been reworked, with controls shifted to a right-hand rail for consistency whether open or closed. Apps like Netflix dynamically react to hinge position, creating immersive experiences like reflection changes on the bottom screen in L-shape mode. While Android foldables have varied multitasking approaches, Apple's initial offering appears to focus on two apps side-by-side, though Nilay noted mastering multitasking gestures would require a learning curve. The phone does not feature Face ID, opting for Touch ID, a first in a while for iPhones, though it can be paired with an Apple Watch for faster unlocking. The under-display camera is present but not overly distracting, primarily intended for FaceTime, with rear cameras encouraged for selfies.
The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 also saw updates. While hardware changes were small, including improved sensors like a 32-pedal EKG electrode and denser optical sensors for better skin contact and accuracy, the major talking point was AI integration. These watches can now optionally listen all the time, offering a 15-second rewind feature and daily life summaries. Reporter V Song expressed surprise at Apple's foray into always-on audio wearables, noting transcription accuracy challenges faced by similar devices in real-world, noisy environments. Privacy concerns were a significant point of discussion, with readers in the chat worried about the implications of an always-listening device and potential legal ramifications like subpoenas.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max received more incremental updates: a new color, processor, and a three-times larger vapor chamber. The most notable new feature was the main camera's variable aperture lens (f/1.4 to f/4). Dom Preston mentioned this technology has existed in Android phones since 2018 (e.g., Galaxy S9) but hasn't been universally adopted due to perceived lack of user benefit. Concerns were raised about reduced light intake on small sensors. Apple also introduced pro camera controls, allowing manual adjustments for shutter speed, aperture, and white balance, alongside new photographic style options. A significant, quietly announced feature is the "Apple reference image," where the main camera's sensor digitally signs photos pixel by pixel, creating an uneditable reference image to verify authenticity against AI-generated content.
In terms of pricing, the iPhone 18 Pro models increased by $100. Cam Faulkner discovered that all older iPhone models still on sale had also been subject to a $100 price hike, a deviation from the usual practice of price reduction for previous generations. This was attributed to rising component costs, particularly RAM.
Finally, the AirPods 5 were unveiled, streamlining the lineup. There's now a standard model with noise cancellation and a bonus version with stems for volume control and wireless charging. Starting at $129, with the upgraded model at $149, these are cheaper than previous AirPods with ANC. Apple claims 50% better ANC than last year, making ANC standard and offering an aggressive price point in a competitive market.
The event was deemed fascinating, introducing significant changes across Apple's core product lines, from foldable technology and AI-driven wearables to advanced camera capabilities and pricing shifts, setting a new course for the company's future offerings.