Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast

Why Bother with the Pixel 10a?

February 20, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The Google Pixel 10a is launching with almost identical specifications to the Pixel 9a, featuring only minor, incremental updates to charging speed, display brightness, and camera bump flushness. 
  • The hosts introduced a new recurring segment called "Did They Even Test This?" to highlight minuscule but frustrating tech flaws, starting with Slack using a symbol icon instead of a heart icon for the heart emoji category. 
  • Apple's announcement of video podcasts is currently inaccessible to the hosts because their hosting platform, Megaphone (owned by Spotify), is not yet a supported partner for the new feature. 
  • The hosts will not immediately adopt Apple's new video podcast feature on Apple Podcasts because their current hosting partner, Megaphone (owned by Spotify), is not yet a supported platform. 
  • The hosts are cautious about adopting new video podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts due to concerns over losing revenue and discoverability benefits currently provided by their strong presence on the YouTube channel. 
  • The 'Two Truths and a Lie' game revealed that the Pixel 10 Pro XL screen size is 6.8 inches (not 6.7 inches), the Ring security company was originally named Doorbot, and the iPhone 7 did not come in a standard gold color option. 
  • The hosts concluded a segment, likely a game of '2 truths and a lie' involving fake product names like 'Campbell' and 'Doorbot', noting that some hosts were very convincing with their falsehoods. 
  • The hosts thanked the audience for subscribing, liking, rating, and hyping the show, and previewed upcoming content, including the Samsung event. 
  • The final segment featured an advertisement/endorsement for Carvana, highlighting the ease of selling a car through their platform, contrasting it humorously with the difficulty of setting up a digital picture frame. 

Segments

New Segment Introduction
Copied to clipboard!
(00:02:33)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts are launching a new recurring segment called “Did They Even Test This?” to critique minuscule, frustrating tech flaws.
  • Summary: The segment aims to focus on small, often overlooked issues in technology that frustrate users. David initiated the segment by pointing out that the heart emoji category in Slack surprisingly contains no actual heart emojis, instead showing symbols. The hosts plan to feature one such issue every week.
Ring Camera Update
Copied to clipboard!
(00:09:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Ring reversed its plan to implement a surveillance feature called ‘Search Party’ that would use doorbell cameras to identify lost dogs, citing public backlash as the likely cause.
  • Summary: Ring quickly abandoned the feature after spending significant money on a Super Bowl commercial promoting it. The founder of Ring has been outspoken about wanting a surveillance state to reduce crime to zero. The hosts noted the irony of the feature being pulled due to immense public outcry.
Pixel Airdrop Exclusion
Copied to clipboard!
(00:13:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Google is expanding Airdrop compatibility to the Pixel 9 series but is intentionally excluding the Pixel 10a, despite promising wider Android support.
  • Summary: This move is seen as strange, especially following the rollout of an Apple feature, suggesting the Pixel 10 series is being used as a testbed. The hosts also praised the cross-platform file transfer app Blip for being faster and more reliable than Airdrop for large files in a professional studio environment.
Pixel 10a Specification Review
Copied to clipboard!
(00:15:55)
  • Key Takeaway: The Pixel 10a is essentially the same phone as the 9a, with only minor, almost imperceptible upgrades like slightly faster charging (23W to 30W wired) and a 10% brighter display.
  • Summary: Key components like the Tensor G4 chip, cameras, and battery size remain unchanged, leading the hosts to question the necessity of releasing the new model. The hosts noted that the Pixel line is increasingly defined by its software experience (Gemini integration) rather than hardware innovation.
Apple March Event Speculation
Copied to clipboard!
(00:32:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Apple is rumored to announce a budget, A-series chip-powered MacBook in March, potentially colored to match the event invite, aimed at competing in the education market against Chromebooks.
  • Summary: This potential new laptop would fill a gap below the MacBook Air, possibly reviving the concept of the underpowered but highly portable 12-inch MacBook from 2015, now viable due to Apple Silicon. The hosts also speculated on updates to the Studio Display, hoping for a higher refresh rate (90Hz or 120Hz) and an M4 chip.
Podcast Video Feature
Copied to clipboard!
(00:50:59)
  • Key Takeaway: Apple has launched native video podcast support, but the hosts cannot immediately offer the Waveform Podcast in video format because their host, Megaphone, is not yet a participating partner.
  • Summary: The new Apple Podcasts feature supports streaming and offline viewing, allowing for dynamically inserted video ads. Megaphone, which is owned by Spotify, is not among the initial launch partners, which include Art19 and Simplecast. The hosts confirmed they will join the platform once their hosting service integrates support.
Apple Video Podcasts Announcement
Copied to clipboard!
(00:50:59)
  • Key Takeaway: Apple launched video podcasts using HTTP live streaming, but Waveform cannot immediately support it because their network uses Megaphone, which is not an initial launch partner.
  • Summary: Apple announced a video podcast experience allowing streaming and offline downloads via HTTP live streaming. The initial launch partners for this feature include Art19, Omni Studio, Simplecast, and AdsWiz. Waveform cannot join yet because their network uses Megaphone, which is owned by Spotify and is not currently integrated.
Video Ad Insertion Concerns
Copied to clipboard!
(00:52:04)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts are wary of video podcast platforms potentially taking control of ad inventory, which could negatively impact their established revenue streams tied to dynamically inserted audio ads and YouTube views.
  • Summary: The platform’s ability to support dynamically inserted video ads, including host reads, is noted as a cool feature. However, the hosts worry that if Apple or Spotify takes over ad management, they might lose advertising revenue managed through Vox Media. They emphasize the necessity of maintaining YouTube views for growth and income, as views on other podcast platforms do not compensate them directly.
Podcast Platform Competition
Copied to clipboard!
(00:55:55)
  • Key Takeaway: Increased competition among YouTube, Spotify, and Apple for video podcast distribution is viewed positively, as it could drive up ad rates paid to creators.
  • Summary: Competition is beneficial because it forces platforms to offer better terms, potentially leading to higher ad rates for video viewers. Apple Podcasts offers discoverability through charts that could sway smaller podcasters to adopt video there. Ultimately, the hosts desire an open, federated protocol to avoid middlemen controlling ad insertion.
Two Truths and a Lie: Pixel 10 Pro
Copied to clipboard!
(01:02:02)
  • Key Takeaway: The lie in the Pixel 10 Pro specs was the screen size of the Pro XL model, which is 6.8 inches, not 6.3 and 6.7 inches.
  • Summary: The hosts incorrectly guessed that the screen size specification was the lie; the Pixel 10 Pro comes in 6.3 inches (Pro) and 6.8 inches (Pro XL). The other two statements—seven years of software updates and one year of Google AI Pro ($239 value)—were true.
Two Truths and a Lie: iPhone 12 Mini
Copied to clipboard!
(01:05:13)
  • Key Takeaway: The lie regarding the iPhone 12 Mini was that it is the oldest iPhone still fully compatible with iOS 26; the iPhone 11 holds that distinction.
  • Summary: The hosts incorrectly identified the screen-to-body ratio being greater than 85% as the lie, when in fact it is 85.1%. The actual lie was that the iPhone 12 Mini is the oldest phone compatible with iOS 26; the iPhone 11 is the oldest supported model.
Two Truths and a Lie: Oculus Rift S
Copied to clipboard!
(01:07:19)
  • Key Takeaway: The Oculus Rift S utilized an LCD panel, not an OLED panel, making the display specification the false statement.
  • Summary: The hosts incorrectly guessed that the Lenovo partnership was the lie. The Rift S featured software-only IPD adjustment and was made in partnership with Lenovo, but it used an LCD panel, not an OLED panel with an 80Hz refresh rate.
Two Truths and a Lie: Emoji Facts
Copied to clipboard!
(01:11:10)
  • Key Takeaway: The barbecue emoji is the false statement among the emoji facts, as both the cucumber and orca emojis exist in Unicode (though the orca may not be on iOS yet).
  • Summary: The hosts incorrectly guessed the cucumber emoji was the lie. The barbecue emoji is the lie; the orca emoji is confirmed to exist in Unicode, even if not yet implemented on Apple keyboards. Emoji 17 is the most recent confirmed set in Unicode.
Two Truths and a Lie: Android Honeycomb
Copied to clipboard!
(01:12:31)
  • Key Takeaway: Android Honeycomb was exclusively a tablet UI that debuted on the Motorola Zoom, not the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
  • Summary: The hosts correctly identified that the debut on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus was the lie, as Honeycomb was a tablet-only interface. The OS is famous for its ‘hollow’ UI and introduced recent apps for multitasking.
Two Truths and a Lie: Final Cut Pro
Copied to clipboard!
(01:14:34)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts were unsure about the tilde key functionality, but the lie was related to the specifics of disabling the magnetic timeline, which is controlled by the position tool (P key), not the tilde key.
  • Summary: Final Cut Pro was originally called Key Grip and was acquired by Apple in 2001. While the tilde key allows moving clips without magnetic snapping, the statement claiming it disables the entire magnetic timeline feature was the lie.
Two Truths and a Lie: iPhone 7
Copied to clipboard!
(01:19:11)
  • Key Takeaway: The lie regarding the iPhone 7 was the storage capacity options; it did not include a 64GB option, only 32GB and 128GB (or 256GB, depending on the source used for the lie).
  • Summary: The iPhone 7 featured the A10 Fusion chip and came in colors including Rose Gold, Gold, Silver, Black, Jet Black, and Product Red. The hosts incorrectly guessed the color options were the lie, but the storage configuration (32, 64, 128 GB) was inaccurate.
Two Truths and a Lie: Ellis’s Phone History
Copied to clipboard!
(01:25:19)
  • Key Takeaway: Ellis has never owned a phone with a T9 dialer keypad, making that the lie in his personal tech history facts.
  • Summary: Ellis claimed to have owned two phones with physical QWERTY keyboards and three iPhones before the home button was removed. The actual lie was that he only owned one phone with a T9 keypad; he has owned zero.
Two Truths and a Lie: Microsoft Facts
Copied to clipboard!
(01:27:57)
  • Key Takeaway: The Groove Music store, which succeeded the Zune music store, is no longer operating, making that statement the lie.
  • Summary: The first official Microsoft retail store opened in Scottsdale, Arizona. Bing is a rebrand of the older Microsoft search engine, Live Search. Groove Music is no longer operational, despite the hosts’ initial uncertainty.
Two Truths and a Lie: New Jersey Facts
Copied to clipboard!
(01:32:48)
  • Key Takeaway: The Spoon Museum in Paterson, New Jersey, exists but contains 5,400 spoons, not the stated 5,600, making the quantity the lie.
  • Summary: The first recorded baseball game occurred in Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1894, featuring two New York-named teams. Atlantic City’s properties form the basis for the Monopoly board game. The Spoon Museum in Paterson is real but has fewer than 5,600 spoons.
Breaking News: Ring Search Party
Copied to clipboard!
(01:37:32)
  • Key Takeaway: Leaked emails from the Ring CEO indicate the company is moving forward with its ‘Search Party’ feature, which he claims is their most important innovation to unlock the mission of zeroing out neighborhood crime.
  • Summary: Ring is reportedly not moving forward with its Search Party feature using Flock, but leaked emails from the CEO suggest it is still a major focus. The CEO described the feature as the most important innovation in Ring’s history, capable of achieving zero crime in neighborhoods.
Trivia Follow-up: Pixel 3A Manufacturer
Copied to clipboard!
(01:40:04)
  • Key Takeaway: The manufacturer that physically produced the Google Pixel 3A was Foxconn, not HTC or LG.
  • Summary: The hosts failed to correctly identify the manufacturer of the Pixel 3A, guessing HTC and LG. The actual manufacturer responsible for production was Foxconn.
Game Conclusion and Graphics
Copied to clipboard!
(01:42:33)
  • Key Takeaway: The score graphics for the segment have remained unchanged for six weeks, indicating a lack of recent updates.
  • Summary: The hosts noted the repetitive nature of the score graphics, which have been static for six weeks. They acknowledged that participants in the preceding game were becoming adept at making up fake answers sound believable. One host realized a specific spelling clue (‘with an R’) should have indicated a false answer.
Audience Appreciation and Next Week
Copied to clipboard!
(01:43:10)
  • Key Takeaway: The next episode of Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast will follow the Samsung event.
  • Summary: The hosts thanked listeners for subscribing, hyping the show, liking, and rating the podcast on their chosen platform. They confirmed the next episode will air after the upcoming Samsung event. The hosts also briefly joked about future events where ’nothing new will be announced'.
Production Credits and Speculation
Copied to clipboard!
(01:43:46)
  • Key Takeaway: Adam Melina and Ellis Rovin are confirmed as the producers of Waveform, which is partnered with the Vox Media Podcast Network.
  • Summary: The production credits for Waveform were formally stated, naming Adam Melina and Ellis Rovin as producers. The show is partnered with the Vox Media Podcast Network. A brief, unrelated statement confirmed that the preceding discussion was based purely on speculation.
Carvana Selling Experience Ad
Copied to clipboard!
(01:44:10)
  • Key Takeaway: Selling a car via Carvana involves inputting the license plate, answering a few questions to receive an offer quickly, and scheduling a pickup.
  • Summary: One host shared a positive experience selling a car online using Carvana, emphasizing the speed of receiving an offer. The process was described as easier than setting up a new digital picture frame. Carvana handles the pickup of the vehicle shortly after the offer is accepted.