On The Vergecast today, the team dives into the latest from Apple, including their first foray into the foldable market with the iPhone Duo. The episode questions whether the variable aperture camera on the iPhone 18 Pro is as revolutionary as it seems, and explores the potential of the always-on microphone feature on the new Apple Watches. Nilay Patel and David Imel join to discuss the future of local AI on Macs, while Allison Johnson and Victoria Song offer hands-on reviews of the Duo and the new Apple Watches. The episode wraps up with the Thunder Round, covering everything from AI drama to the enduring appeal of old tech.

The iPhone Duo represents a strategic move by Apple, but its success hinges on more than just technological innovation. The team discusses whether the hybrid approach, combining elements of Android and iOS, could set a new standard in the industry.

The new Apple Watches come with a suite of health and wellness features, but the episode questions how meaningful these are beyond the buzz of novelty. The always-on Siri feature is also scrutinised, delving into the privacy implications and the potential for AI to summarise our conversations.

Nilay Patel and David Imel’s segment on AI research is particularly intriguing, as it explores the future of local language models on Macs. The episode concludes with the Thunder Round, where the team quickly covers a range of topics, from the latest tech dramas to the enduring charm of classic headphones.