We unfolded the iPhone Duo

We unfolded the iPhone Duo

On The Vergecast: a deep dive into the iPhone Duo, Apple Watches, and LLMs on the Mac

On The Vergecast: a deep dive into the iPhone Duo, Apple Watches, and LLMs on the Mac

by

Jacob Kastrenakes

Sep 11, 2026, 4:22 PM UTC

Jacob Kastrenakes

is The Verge’s executive editor. He has covered tech, policy, and online creators for over a decade.

You only get one chance at a first impression, and getting to introduce Apple’s first folding phone is certainly a strong way to start things off as Apple’s CEO. OnThe Vergecasttoday, we’re talking all about Apple’s launch event: how John Ternus did in his first appearance as CEO, what we make of the new iPhones, and whether Apple is stepping into dangerous territory with its new AI features on the Apple Watch.

First up, Allison Johnson joins me to discuss the new iPhones, which she had a chance to test in Cupertino. Both of us have some questions about the new variable aperture camera on the iPhone 18 Pro — and whether the real upgrade simply lies in the wider aperture, not the ability to stop it down. Then we dig into the iPhone Duo and how Apple decided to pick and choose the best parts of Android foldables.

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After that, Victoria Song joins me to discuss the new Apple Watches, which she also had a chance to test out. We dive into the new sensor array and whether it allows for legitimately new metrics or just more vibesy health data. And then we both break down a little while figuring out what it means that Apple added the ability for both new Apple Watches to have an always-on microphone that summarizes all of your conversations.

This is an Apple-packed episode, so from there we jump to a special segment with Nilay Patel and David Imel, who speak with AI researcher CJ Trowbridge about the state of running local LLMs on the Mac. Finally, it’s the long awaited return of the Thunder Round, as we race through stories so that Allison can make it to the airport. We’re chatting OpenAI math drama, digital ocarinas, and more.

If you want to learn more about this week’s stories, you can check out the links below:

• iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: Our first hands-on impressions
• The variable aperture isn’t the cool part of the iPhone 18 Pro’s camera
• Hands-on with the foldable iPhone Duo
• Hands-on with the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4
• Apple Watch Series 12 has an always-on Siri that makes AI recaps of your day
• Read the Apple document explaining how new listening features still protect your privacy
• Mathematicians want proof OpenAI didn’t use their work
• OpenAI’s sly mathematical breakthrough sends a chill through academia
• Drama swirls around OpenAI’s legendary mathematical milestone
• The Trump phone just got a $250 price hike
• Six years later, Sony revisits its legendary XM4 headphones
• Hori’s electronic Ocarina of Time requires no musical talent.

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• Jacob Kastrenakes

More in:All the news from Apple’s iPhone Duo launch event

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