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Episode 156: To Pro or not to Pro

Sep 21, 2026 · 1 hr 16 min · 12 segments

The guys discuss the newly-released iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max and consider the future of the iPhone lineup.

Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Amazon Music Website

Speakers: Luke MianiHostNoah RubinHost

Top entities: iPhone×71 MacBook Air×27 MacBook Pro×21 Apple×37 Luke Miani×28

Show signals: SuitabilitySafeBiasNot politicalAudience≈540k followers

The iPhone Air Ruined Other iPhones0:41 – 10:38

0:41

So that's where I want to start.

0:42

Okay.

0:43

First of all, I really dig the burgundy.

0:48

I think this is a phenomenal color.

0:51

I mean, it's a little dark.

0:52

It's hard to see in some dark lighting, but I don't know if you can see that in there.

0:56

There's like this sparkliness to the glass now, which I really, really like.

1:02

I don't know, it just, it feels like they did change the way that they're making, whatever material they're doing for this glass, the color and the finish, it feels more premium than the 17 Pro.

1:17

Also, this phone is like a little nugget.

1:19

It is dense.

1:23

Honestly, it reminds me of the iPhone 4S.

1:27

You remember how that was just like this solid little brick that felt so robust?

1:33

Yeah, does it feel significantly different compared to the 17 Pro? I mean, not

1:40

significantly, but it's definitely heavier than the 17 Pro and noticeably so.

1:48

And I'm also coming from the Air, which...

1:53

Yeah.

1:54

Yeah, I went to a regular Pro this year.

1:57

So obviously I did get both.

1:59

I'm probably going to return the Pro Max because I...

2:04

I don't know, man.

2:05

I'm really torn.

2:07

And I'm debating making a full video out of this.

2:10

But basically, I feel like I am iPhone homeless.

2:16

I don't have a go-to that feels right.

2:21

Because right in front of me, I've got basically the three options that we have at this juncture.

iPhoneProduct ModelSmartphone
99%71 mentions
MacBook AirProduct ModelComputer
97%27 mentions
MacBook ProEntityDesktop computer
95%21 mentions
AppleCompanyTechnology company
93%37 mentions
Luke MianiPersonInternet personality
91%28 mentions
iPhone 17 ProProduct ModelMobile phone
89%2 mentions
iPhone DuoProduct Model
87%11 mentions
iPhone 18 ProProduct Model
85%4 mentions
Mac MiniEntityDesktop computer
83%5 mentions
ToyotaCompanyAutomotive manufacturer
81%4 mentions
iPad ProProduct ModelComputer
79%1 mention
BMW M3EntitySports car model
77%8 mentions
Apple Vision ProProduct ModelVirtual reality headset
74%5 mentions
Toyota VenzaEntitySUV
72%2 mentions
Final Cut ProSoftware ApplicationSoftware
70%3 mentions
Ford ExplorerEntitySUV
68%1 mention
iOSSoftware ApplicationOperating system
66%2 mentions
iPadProduct ModelProduct line
64%30 mentions
Mac StudioProduct ModelDesktop computer
62%4 mentions
iPad miniEntityTablet computer
60%6 mentions
Apple M1EntityCentral processing unit
58%5 mentions
iPhone 5Product ModelMobile phone
56%1 mention
Dynamic IslandEntity
54%1 mention
Apple A19EntityCPU
52%1 mention
OLEDEntity
50%2 mentions
iPhone 4sProduct ModelMobile phone
48%1 mention
Apple system on a chipEntityCPU
46%3 mentions
SafariSoftware ApplicationWeb browser
44%2 mentions
Apple M3EntityCentral processing unit
42%3 mentions
Face IDSoftware Application
40%1 mention
IntelCompanySemiconductor manufacturing company
38%2 mentions
Toyota RAV4EntitySUV
36%3 mentions
XEntitySocial networking service
34%2 mentions
Central processing unitEntity
32%1 mention
Toyota SequoiaEntitySUV
30%1 mention
MacBook NeoProduct ModelLaptop
28%1 mention
Samsung ElectronicsCompanyConsumer electronics company
26%1 mention
ZillowCompanyReal estate company
23%1 mention
GeekbenchSoftware ApplicationComputer program
21%1 mention
AndroidSoftware ApplicationOperating system
19%2 mentions
Cyberpunk 2077Video GameVideo game
17%1 mention
iPod TouchEntityMP3 player
15%1 mention
XcodeSoftware ApplicationSoftware
13%1 mention
Worldwide Developers ConferenceEntityConference
11%1 mention
iPhone XProduct ModelMobile phone
9%1 mention
Steve JobsPersonAmerican businessman and former CEO of Apple
7%1 mention
iFixitCompanyE-commerce
5%1 mention
iCloudSoftware ApplicationDownloadable software
3%1 mention
Wi-FiEntity
1%1 mention

Mobile DevicesTechnology
SmartphonesTechnology > Mobile Devices
Market TrendsTechnology > Mobile Devices > Smartphones > iPhone
PerformanceTechnology > Mobile Devices > Smartphones > iPhone
DesignTechnology > Mobile Devices > Smartphones > iPhone
iPhone ModelsTechnology > Mobile Devices > Smartphones > iPhone
User ExperienceTechnology > Mobile Devices > Smartphones > iPhone
iPhoneTechnology > Mobile Devices > Smartphones
Technology

The iPhone Air Ruined Other iPhones0:41 – 10:38

0:41

So that's where I want to start.

0:42

Okay.

0:43

First of all, I really dig the burgundy.

0:48

I think this is a phenomenal color.

0:51

I mean, it's a little dark.

0:52

It's hard to see in some dark lighting, but I don't know if you can see that in there.

0:56

There's like this sparkliness to the glass now, which I really, really like.

1:02

I don't know, it just, it feels like they did change the way that they're making, whatever material they're doing for this glass, the color and the finish, it feels more premium than the 17 Pro.

1:17

Also, this phone is like a little nugget.

1:19

It is dense.

1:23

Honestly, it reminds me of the iPhone 4S.

1:27

You remember how that was just like this solid little brick that felt so robust?

1:33

Yeah, does it feel significantly different compared to the 17 Pro? I mean, not

1:40

significantly, but it's definitely heavier than the 17 Pro and noticeably so.

1:48

And I'm also coming from the Air, which...

1:53

Yeah.

1:54

Yeah, I went to a regular Pro this year.

1:57

So obviously I did get both.

1:59

I'm probably going to return the Pro Max because I...

2:04

I don't know, man.

2:05

I'm really torn.

2:07

And I'm debating making a full video out of this.

2:10

But basically, I feel like I am iPhone homeless.

2:16

I don't have a go-to that feels right.

2:21

Because right in front of me, I've got basically the three options that we have at this juncture.

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