iOS Today 771: Hands On With the New iPhone

September 25, 2025 — Hosts: Micah Sargent & Rosemary Orchard

Episode Overview

This episode is dedicated to hands-on impressions of the newly released iPhone 17 Pro Max, with both Micah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard sharing their unboxing stories, setup experiences, early performance tests, and a close look at updated hardware features, accessories, and iOS tricks. The two hosts dive into not just the headline features, but also the subtle ways the new device fits into their daily lives and workflows. Their discussion is lively, practical, and offers plenty of personal anecdotes for Apple fans debating their next upgrade or just wanting to know what’s really different this year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Getting the New iPhone: Preorder, Delivery, and Setup

• Micah's Launch Day Story ([03:35])

  • Preordered and received the iPhone 17 Pro Max (Deep Blue) on launch evening.
  • Unboxing and immediate setup for review, with quick impressions shared on TWiT’s Hands-On Tech special.
  • Case and AirPods Pro ordered alongside the phone.

• Rosemary's Delivery Experience ([05:46])

  • Preorder status stayed at "preparing to ship" until the last minute.
  • Delivery by DHL between 11:34–12:34; arrived at 11:45am.
  • Noted Apple’s excessive packaging — a brown envelope, inside a brown box, finally the signature white iPhone box. ("It felt a little bit like one of those kids games ... pass the parcel." - Rosemary, [06:28])
  • Didn’t set up immediately; used phone-to-phone transfer later which was fast but took time due to heavy data load.

Setup, Data Transfer, & First Impressions

• Transfer Methods ([07:58])

  • Micah used iCloud backup first for speed to begin content creation, then tried USB-C transfer for completeness.
  • USB-C transfer between Pro models is notably faster—app and media transfer done in about an hour.

• Thermal Performance & Unibody Design

  • Both hosts are pleased with the phone running noticeably cooler during setup and heavy tasks, likely due to the new vapor cooling and redesigned aluminum unibody.
  • Quote:
    "My phone did not get as hot as I'm used to it getting during the initial setup process." — Micah ([09:49])
    "It didn't get that hot and I've been using it all day ... It's a comfortable temperature to hold." — Rosemary ([10:30])
  • Rosemary usually keeps a MagSafe Razer cooler handy; didn’t need it this time.

Camera Features: 48MP Lenses, Zoom, New Front Sensor

• New Camera System ([11:37])
  • Three 48MP lenses, including an 8x optical zoom, impress with speed and low-light performance.
  • New square front sensor enables wider selfies and easier group shots without rotating the phone.
  • Video performance remains industry-leading.
• Dual Capture (PiP Front + Back Cameras):
  • Allows users to capture their reaction and what's happening—praised for family moments.
  • Quote:
    "You do that by allowing for ... visually view of the front facing camera and the back facing camera at the same time. ... I think that's going to be a pretty popular feature for sure." — Micah ([13:28])

Hardware Touch: Feel in Hand, Case Evolution

• Material and Build

  • Both hosts love the smooth, ceramic-aluminum body; feels more premium and comfortable, especially without a case.
  • Rosemary notes pop sockets work well and even feel firmer on the 17 Pro Max.
  • Quote:
    "All I can say is it feels nicer in the hand without a case on. ... There is some level of magic to this I am unable to actually put into words." — Rosemary ([15:32])

• Camera Control & Action Button

  • More useful and faster to access due to new settings allowing direct launch even when phone is locked or face down.
  • Customizability means even casual users can benefit (“I think this is going to be the phone for me that camera control really locks in.” — Micah, [18:04])

Accessories & Cases: Crossbody Strap, Tech Woven Case

• Crossbody Strap

  • Apple’s new “crossbody” case and strap is more practical than expected; makes camera usage easier and the phone instantly accessible.
  • Features hidden magnets for convenient adjustment—“So Apple.”
  • Quote:
    "Now I have this kind of easy thing that I can go, oh, right, it's around my body and I'm going to snap a photo. So I'm liking it." — Micah ([22:15])
  • Wins over both hosts (and deemed practical for those without pockets).

• Case Materials

  • TK woven case described as akin to “fine carpeting”—soft with a unique feel.
  • Green fibers are UV/blacklight reactive! (Micah shares photo, [27:20])
  • Button feel is less pronounced than previous year; personal preference matters.

Performance and Battery Improvements

• The New Chip’s Real-World Impact ([27:56])

  • Increased “zippiness” and improved animations, though difficult to quantify.
  • Substantial battery improvement—Rosemary’s phone left unplugged overnight, still at 40% after a day of moderate-to-heavy use.

• Fast Data Transfer Tip

  • Use a Thunderbolt 4 cable for the quickest possible phone-to-phone migration.
  • Quote:
    "I have now ordered a Thunderbolt 4 cable ... If you plug it in, then it just goes over the very, very, very speed cable. So definitely worth considering." — Rosemary ([33:32])

Early Verdicts & Personal Reflections

• No Regrets!

  • Both content with storage (512GB), Pro Max size, and blue color.
  • Rosemary will pass the current model to her father next year as tradition, happy she didn’t pick the “Air.”

• Material/Finish Impressions

  • Unibody exceeds expectations in comfort and feel.
  • “Edges ... are so smooth in comparison to even just last year's model.” — Micah ([36:40])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Package Nesting:
  "It felt a little bit like one of those kids games that they play at parties ... you pass the parcel around and ... you get to take off a layer of wrapping paper and there might be something inside." — Rosemary Orchard ([06:20])

• On “Living in the Moment” vs. Taking Photos:
  "It’s great to sort of live in the moment and yada, yada, yada, but it’s also kind of nice sometimes to have some memories to look back on." — Micah Sargent ([21:55])

• On Customizing Physical Buttons:
  "I have a feeling that as this filters down to people, more and more people are going to find new uses ..." — Rosemary ([16:10])

Feature Spotlight: Accessories & App Caps

Crossbody Strap & Cases ([18:04]–[23:09])

• Both tried the new crossbody setup; agree it makes a practical difference in photo-taking.
• Case materials matter: Tech Woven is a hit for comfort and looks, minor complaints about button feel.

Spigen Glass TR Easy Fit Screen Protector ([49:03])

• Rosemary’s “app cap”: Foolproof, bubble-free application with clever install tray.
• $20 for two, works reliably year after year.

Apple Tech Woven Case ([47:28], [49:03])

• Micah’s “app cap”: “Blue and green together, everything about the 17 Pro Max and of course the fact that because I’ve got the crossbody strap that matches ... it looks like it has little legs ...”
• $59 from Apple, high-quality fit and finish.

Bonus: Other News

• Apple’s Restore Fund: Investing in California Redwoods ([36:44])
  • Apple’s ongoing environmental projects featured: investing in redwood restoration for carbon removal.
  • Fun fact: Redwoods absorb a significant amount of water through humidity, a rare adaptation among trees.
  • Lisa Jackson, Apple’s VP, called out as steward of these efforts.
  • “Very cool. ... There’s this guy wearing a cool vest that’s like full of stuff and it pulls out an iPad. I want to be that guy.” — Micah ([39:32])

Listener Feedback

• Tasks in Calendar Apps ([43:07])
  • Question from Doug: Should task management coexist with calendar?
  • Micah: All appointments, no digital tasks; makes physical lists when absolutely necessary.
  • Rosemary: Heavy user of OmniFocus with calendar integration; detailed assignation and timing helps avoid overscheduling.
  • Quote:
    "Maybe I can plan to do 24 hours of tasks in a day, but I can't actually do 24 hours of tasks a day." — Rosemary ([45:20])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:35 — Micah’s unboxing and first impressions
• 05:46 — Rosemary’s shipping adventure & initial setup
• 07:58 — Data transfer options: iCloud vs. USB-C speed
• 09:49 — Vapor cooling and thermal improvements
• 11:37 — Camera features & first test shots
• 15:12 — Build quality & feel
• 18:04 — Action/camera button customizations
• 19:45 — Accessories: crossbody strap and live impressions
• 27:20 — Tech woven case: feel and quirks
• 32:43 — Battery life and charging habits
• 33:32 — Thunderbolt cable for fast transfer
• 36:40 — Hardware choices, no regrets
• 36:44 — Apple’s environmental project: Restore Fund
• 43:07 — Feedback: Calendar/task workflows
• 49:03 — App Cap picks: favorite accessories

Tone and Language

The hosts are candid, geeky, hands-on, and upbeat—frequently referencing their own habits, family, and the quirks of technology in day-to-day use. They use accessible language with a fun twist (“crossbody strap that gives your phone little legs”), and maintain a mix of practical advice and nerdy delight throughout.

Recommendation for Listeners

This episode is a must-listen for anyone considering a new iPhone, especially those on the fence about the upgrade. The detailed real-world observations, setup tips, and genuine user experience insights (with plenty of humor) make it informative for existing iPhone owners and new users alike.