Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast

Episode: Unpacking Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025!

Date: July 11, 2025
Hosts: Marques Brownlee (MKBHD), Andrew Manganelli, David Imel
Podcast Network: Vox Media Podcast Network

Episode Overview

In this episode, Marques, Andrew, David, and the team break down everything unveiled at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event, including the new Fold 7, Flip 7, Watch 8, Watch 8 Ultra, and the Flip FE. They critique Samsung’s event presentation, discuss what’s actually new and notable about the hardware, and debate whether Samsung’s iterative approach is keeping up with the competition. They also review some other current devices—the Nothing Phone 3 and Fairphone 6—poke fun at crustacean-themed marketing, and use Formula 1 and sports analogies to contextualize the tech world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nothing Phone 3 and “The Lobster” Analogy

(00:44 – 19:03)

• Marques’s Review: The Nothing Phone 3 is uniquely designed but expensive for its specs ($799). Marques applied the "carcinization" analogy (phones turning into crabs) and called the Nothing Phone 3 a “lobster”—it’s different, stands out design-wise, but doesn’t quite justify flagship pricing.
• Social Media Reactivity: The Nothing team playfully embraced Marques’s “lobster” analogy. “One of them made it their bio. The, like, username… said, ‘People will eventually get it. Lobster.’” (05:54 – Andrew)
• PWM Dimming Correction: Marquis corrects an earlier spec; the Nothing Phone 3 has 960Hz PWM dimming (not 2160Hz).

  "They said there have been a change to the PWM dimming rate… So we have prioritized picture quality for the final retail software." (09:10 – Marques)

• Main Critique: Price is the primary downside, not the design. “This is a terrible phone for $799 and a great phone for $499.” (11:28 – Marques quoting a commenter)
• Enthusiast vs. Mass Market: Enthusiasts care about unique design and software, mainstream consumers want reliability and value.
• Flagship Comparison: The device is just shy of flagship in most categories (chipset, screen, features), making its price harder to justify.
• Lobster Metaphor Returns: “Like lobsters, this phone is overpriced for incredibly mediocre flavor.” (18:00 – Andrew)

Notable Quotes

• “At least they're trying something…maybe I called it a different crustacean, a lobster, and it's just different from the rest of the crabs.” (05:42 – Marques)
• “Lobsters are weak.” (06:53 – Marques, jokingly)
• “Enjoy your bugs. Enjoy your sea bugs.” (18:44 – Andrew)

2. Fairphone 6 Impressions & Digital Wellbeing Features

(19:04 – 26:47)

• Physical 'Essential Switch': Fairphone 6 has a physical toggle to enter “essentials mode,” limiting distractions—a more tactile digital wellbeing tool.
• User Experience: The switch’s sound and immediate toggling are debated, but hosts agree friction or commitment is necessary for digital detox.
• Customization: The essentials mode can be modified, but the switch can’t be remapped to another function.
• Main Identity: Sustainability remains Fairphone’s core value; essentials mode is secondary.
• Design: Hosts find the hardware “pretty cheap”-feeling but interesting due to the customizable back, in-line with Fairphone’s ethos.

Notable Quotes

• “A small gimmick is not going to help your posture be better. You have to decide... and then you will be able to do it.” (25:57 – Marques)
• “It's the phone not for the people who want like a flagship in... all of the ways… but just want nice software and a unique design.” (15:01 – Marques)

3. Samsung Unpacked 2025: The Event vs. The Products

(31:31 – 53:29)

Event Critique

• Overall Feel: The Samsung Unpacked presentation lacked enthusiasm and authenticity, with hosts describing it as cringy and insincere.
• “They would get on stage and go, ‘wow, that's exciting. Next up…’ Like the one liners and then the interviews... especially with the AI...” (32:47 – Marques)
• “It felt especially like, wow, isn’t that exciting? Okay, next.” (33:28 – David)
• Comparison to Apple Events: Apple’s over-the-top confidence can be mocked, but at least seems genuine. Samsung’s felt “cardboard”.
• AI & Stock Footage Oddities: AI-generated B-roll looked “like the most basic stock version of New York City possible.” (35:45 – David)

Memorable Event Quotes Played On-Air:

• “Thank you, Alice. Isn’t her story inspiring?” (36:48 – Samsung event clip)
• “How cool was that?” “That was awesome.” “Thanks, guy. Wow.” (36:55 – Samsung event clip mashup)

Products: Fold 7 & Flip 7

• Z Fold 7

  • Much thinner and lighter, more usable one-handed, larger front display.
  • Open: “Each side half is like 4.2mm… close to the dimensions of an S25 Ultra. It’s lighter than an S25 Ultra.” (38:43 – Marques)
  • New camera module: 200MP sensor (from S25 Ultra) on main camera.
  • Downsides:
    • No S Pen support (“They got rid of the digitizer layer.” 42:09 – Marques).
    • Small-ish 4400mAh battery (others use silicon-carbon tech to fit more, but with claimed tradeoff in lifespan—discussed in detail).
    • More expensive: "$100 more expensive... $1,999 starting." (47:02 – Marques)
    • The phone rocks a lot when placed on a table due to the camera bump (“I’ve never seen a phone rock like that on a table in my life.” 39:04 – Marques)

• Z Flip 7

  • Switched to Exynos 2500 chip (from Snapdragon), a controversial move.
  • Larger battery (4300mAh), bigger external display (“outside secondary screen… is bigger than the original iPhone.” 45:44 – Marques quoting a tweet)
  • Leaning into camcorder/retro features (borrowed from Moto RAZR)
  • FE Model ("Flip 6 with Exynos") is a lower-cost entry at $899, but still pricey.
  • “Both have DeX. Very exciting.” (45:58)
  • No Qi2 charging, no cutting edge fast charging—Samsung remains conservative on bleeding edge tech.

Notable Quotes

• “This is not the first thin fold either, but they just adopted… hinge and displays and all that to make less of a crease... now they’re the big one.” (46:39 – Marques)
• “The FE is fully just a Flip 6 with Exynos.” (48:54 – Marques)

Watches

• Watch 8, Watch 8 Classic, and Watch 8 Ultra revealed, all building on the “circle on a squircle” “cushion” design.
• Main upgrades: new colors, rotating bezel looks best, prices tiered from $349 (Watch 8) up to $649 (Watch 8 Ultra).
• Features like new running coach (similar to Apple).
• Hosts unimpressed with scripted runner cameo at event and overall lackluster software innovation.
• “You could have the most enthusiastic person just be like, oh, yeah, and you’re a runner too… What do you think is good advice for me as a runner? ‘Yeah, discipline and consistent training.’” (52:05 – Marques)

4. Meta Sports-Analogy Segment – Formula 1 Meets Tech

(56:04 – 68:21)

• Christian Horner Leaves Red Bull F1:
  • Andrew offers a challenge: explain Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, leaving the team—after 20 years of domination—as a tech analogy.
• Tech Equivalents Debated:
  • Carl Pei leaving OnePlus: “He was one of the driving forces… then they just stopped podiuming hard… and Carl Pei left and started another thing.” (60:48 – Marques)
  • Travis Kalanick at Uber: “This entire operation was his vision… but I literally cannot wait to have him not involved anymore.” (66:45 – David)
  • Jony Ive at Apple: “He was putting out bangers and people loved the designs. Then suddenly it wasn’t hitting… he left and everyone was like, I’m not too sad.” (67:07 – Marques)
  • Even Spongebob and Mr. Krabs make an analogy appearance.
• Insight: Tech and sports both have leaders whose long-term vision and stubbornness build powerhouse brands—but when culture and results change, sometimes their departure is necessary (with mixed feelings).

5. Other Fun and Notable Segments

• Trivia:

  • The team learns that the first Fairphone production run was 25,000 units (70:08).
  • They try to recall the Fold 7’s new "Armor Flex" hinge branding (71:45).

• Lobster vs. Crab Tangent:

  • A running joke about whether phones (and sea creatures) aspire toward sameness or individuality.
  • Set up for a future segment: “trivia extravaganza all about how freaky lobsters are.” (28:05 – David)

• Live Show Announcement:

  • Next week’s (episode 300) recording will be live, Tuesday July 15, 11am EST.

    “If you want to see a chaotic, inspired-by-South-by-Southwest attempt at going live… get subscribed because you’ll be able to see that and it’ll be a good time. Hopefully nothing breaks.” (03:03 – Marques)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Nothing Phone 3 & Lobster Analogy: 00:44 – 19:03
• Fairphone 6 Demo: 19:04 – 26:47
• Samsung Unpacked Event Critique & Recap: 31:31 – 53:29
• Fold 7/Flip 7 Hands-On Impressions: 38:43 – 49:45
• Samsung Watches Discussion: 49:49 – 53:08
• Formula 1 / Tech Leadership Analogy: 56:04 – 68:21
• Trivia (Fairphone run, Fold 7 hinge): 69:05 – 72:14

Episode Style & Notable Moments

• Tone: Playful, banter-filled, occasionally irreverent, but always informed.
• Memorable Banter:
  • “Enjoy your bugs. Enjoy your sea bugs.”
  • “I haven't had lobster in a long time, so I actually don't remember.”
  • “As the galaxy unfolds, we say the chaos unfolds.”
• Listener Engagement:
  • Multiple requests to “let us know in the comments” what reviews the audience wants next, especially regarding the new Samsung products and Fairphone 6.
  • Prepping fans for next week’s live milestone episode.

Conclusion

This episode gives listeners an insider’s breakdown of Samsung’s latest products—where they genuinely impress (hardware) and where they fall flat (event execution, incremental features). The hosts provide layered context by comparing Samsung’s conservatism to more experimental upstarts like Nothing, as well as to mass-market standards (Apple, Pixel, etc). Secondary topics like digital wellbeing, sustainability, and ecosystem fragmentation add depth. Throughout, the Waveform crew’s humor, analogies, and lighthearted debates make technical discussions lively and approachable for everyone—tech heads and casual listeners alike.

Next Episode: Live 300th episode—set your notifications!