Apple reveals details on the new AirPods Max 2, but the price is giving some folks sticker shock, since it costs nearly as much as the MacBook Neo. CNET’s Bridget Carey discusses what makes the devices unique and her experience at Apple’s surprise 50th-anniversary concert in New York City.
You can find the products mentioned in this video linked below
Apple AirPods Pro 3 Wireless Earbuds
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
Apple 2026 MacBook Neo 13-inch Laptop with A18 Pro chip 256 GB
Apple 2026 MacBook Neo 13-inch Laptop with A18 Pro chip 512 GB
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Read more about the Apple on CNET.com
Apple Opens 50th Anniversary Festivities in Grand Central Terminal
Apple AirPods Max 2 Headphones Are Here, Powered by the New H2 Chip
MacBook Neo Launches Apple Into a Cooler Era (With a Mascot?)
0:37 AirPods Max 2 Design and Appearance
0:51 H2 Chip Comes to AirPods Max 2
1:15 H2 Chip in Other Apple Headphones
1:38 PowerBeats Pro 2 and Nike Collab on Neon Yellow Ear Buds
2:06 Live Translation With AirPods Max 2
2:38 AirPods Max First Launched in 2020
3:13 New AirPods Max Released in 2024
3:39 One More Apple Rumor: Cameras Could Be Coming to AirPods Pro
4:31 MacBook Neo and a Lower Bar of Entry to Apple Products
5:21 Apple’s 50th Anniversary Surprises Around the World
5:31 Apple Takes Over NYC Grand Central Station With Alicia Keys Concert
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#apple #macbookneo #earpod #newtech
@CNET
March 20, 2026 at 11:34 am
Read more about the Apple on CNET.com: Apple Opens 50th Anniversary Festivities in Grand Central Terminal
Apple AirPods Max 2 Headphones Are Here, Powered by the New H2 Chip
MacBook Neo Launches Apple Into a Cooler Era (With a Mascot?)
@kumarashwarya2185
March 20, 2026 at 2:23 pm
Interested to know why was it moving for you, I mean that show? Was it the performance or apple as company?
@mariusgabrielbudai9818
March 20, 2026 at 12:22 pm
1:32 💅💅💅
@billzkustomz
March 20, 2026 at 12:42 pm
Because it’s last year iPhone components. Without a touch screen.
@anthonycordova91
March 20, 2026 at 1:01 pm
Because the headphones are still grossly overpriced. They should be closer to $399
@justinmorgan7851
March 20, 2026 at 4:33 pm
Agreed. They are overpriced and too heavy. Not sure why they don’t use lightweight plastic construction like Bose and Sony. Not every product Apple makes has to be made of aluminum.
@tobymarx-dunn2332
March 20, 2026 at 1:24 pm
Price is determined by consumer’s willingness and ability to pay. Not by the price to produce
@tobymarx-dunn2332
March 20, 2026 at 1:25 pm
Apple could sell and air at 700 and make a profit. They choose not to because consumers are willing and able to pay more. They released the air to target consumers who are unwilling to pay air prices.
@Shaynebennett93
March 20, 2026 at 1:39 pm
If you buy a Neo and then buy Max 2 headphones, you’re sick 😂
@dccd3237
March 20, 2026 at 2:31 pm
AP Max2 is a vanity product only😂
@pieceofshitzu2
March 20, 2026 at 3:15 pm
i really hope apple just releases 50th anniversary versions of their products. I understand they will be huge collector items – but it would be cool to see!
@THX1138_exe
March 20, 2026 at 3:20 pm
You can now get a new MacBook Neo and AirPods Max for the same price as a new MacBook Pro 14
@JorgTheElder
March 20, 2026 at 3:22 pm
Simple answer. “Apple Customers” The Apple faithful will happily pay for many Apple products, but the Neo is targeted a different audience. It has next to nothing to do with the cost of the hardware.
@THX1138_exe
March 20, 2026 at 3:33 pm
It’s time for my OG AirPod Max 2020 to retired either that lighting cable. Easy upgrade this year.
@sickheadache9903
March 20, 2026 at 3:33 pm
But..Them Headphones have zero change in Six Years. Same heavyweight design. Same 20 Hours Battery Time…same useless carrying case. These Apple Headphones are meant for the ur head always looking down at the iPhone! These AirPod Max 2 are 100% Overpriced..for the Same Old Design from Six Years Ago…You are 100% a Sucker if you buy.
@henrydelgado4324
March 20, 2026 at 4:02 pm
$599
@stevenwymor1398
March 20, 2026 at 4:14 pm
It’s a loss leader product. It’s designed to get people into the Apple universe who weren’t previously. Then when they’re a bit more affluent, they will buy the $549 AirPods Max and MacBook Pros. This is basic marketing 101. It’s an entry point to expand the consumer base for Apple.
@garyjames-ij4fr
March 20, 2026 at 4:25 pm
If Neo is using an iPhone chip does it run MacOs and real Mac apps?
@justinmorgan7851
March 20, 2026 at 4:31 pm
Yup it’s a real Mac in that sense.
@audie-cashstack-uk4881
March 20, 2026 at 9:00 pm
its a MacBook wtf do you think it runs stop coping phone chip it runs rings around a 700 windows laptop or chrome book
@justinmorgan7851
March 20, 2026 at 4:29 pm
My MacBook Neo quickly replaced my iPad Mini as my main device while I watch evening TV on the sofa. I accept the tradeoffs Apple made to lower the price, but it really needs a backlit keyboard for my dimly lit living room.
@OhDeeDoubleU
March 20, 2026 at 4:33 pm
Why are we pretending it’s $499?
@justinmorgan7851
March 20, 2026 at 4:35 pm
Because Apple doesn’t verify eligibility in the Apple Education online store, so everyone can buy it for $499.
@jp93309
March 20, 2026 at 5:53 pm
Positioning the Apple headphones for audiophiles. They spend more and often for the smallest of marginal gains because they can. That’s the real reason.
@Kee-Lo
March 20, 2026 at 5:53 pm
Not everyone gets the education discount either.
@justinmorgan7851
March 21, 2026 at 5:00 am
Unless you order it from the Apple Education online store, where they don’t verify you’re a student. Then anyone can get it for $499. At least until Apple closes that loophole.
@queencityreefs
March 20, 2026 at 6:38 pm
Funny how ppl will defend companies, people, teams etc that dont belong to them but they will die for just to prove a point. Apple products are amazing but year after year they are no longer innovating. The cost can no longer be justified. They know yall faithful to apple will buy it. Point blank. I could care less. I got bored with apple phones so switched to another too expensive phone. Thats just the world we live in. Ok bye.
@KiwanukaKenneth-i6w
March 20, 2026 at 7:15 pm
Another day of apple calling the biggest population poor.
@cheongit
March 20, 2026 at 8:04 pm
Excellent Clickbait title for those who have no idea about PROFIT MARGIN in the CAPITALIST world. Please watch all those free MBA Marketing YouTube videos, especially those with Hermes bag case studies.
@titanium7992
March 20, 2026 at 8:14 pm
There are consumer headphones that cost $2000.
@honhondaddy
March 20, 2026 at 8:59 pm
OMG, the iMac behind Bridget is very attractive ! … Could apple use the A18 chip to create the iMac budget version with a Cute Retro case !!
@GrahamQuigley
March 21, 2026 at 1:00 am
Love the cameos from David Carnoy and Lexi and others! CNET represent 🤙
@matthews4159
March 21, 2026 at 3:39 am
its so amusing ….
The mac book neo is only $500 dollars ….. ((( when you use the $100 dollar educational discount )))
.oh,, >>>> so to every one else its ….. $600 dollars <<<< && AirPods Max 2 is $549 , cheeper than a mac book ... big wow they are creating INFLATION
@WarrenBuffetQuote
March 21, 2026 at 4:54 am
MacBook Neo is making Microsoft Shivering .
@gene978
March 21, 2026 at 6:07 am
The question was not answered.
@rnodeprot
March 21, 2026 at 7:21 am
Simple, one’s tech “jewelry” that shows your status, the other is a laptop.
@tomwisc
March 21, 2026 at 8:45 am
Nobody cares. There’s plenty of people out there with discretionary income that can afford anything so they’re the ones that’ll buy it.
@Milo_and_Otis
March 21, 2026 at 10:26 am
No backlit keyboard…unacceptable.
@jean-philipperottiers614
March 22, 2026 at 5:16 am
Find me another laptop with backlit keyboard in the 500 bucks price range.
@901Wes
March 21, 2026 at 12:43 pm
After tax that’s $600 for headphones that don’t have an on off switch 😂
@leavesharanalone
March 21, 2026 at 1:16 pm
I like this woman bro
@document6
March 21, 2026 at 1:40 pm
No on off switch = not buying again .. my current pair disconnects like crazy and the ear cups get so insanely skunky with any regular use even cleaning them as instructed by Apple does not solve the problem
AirPods Max could be great, but they need an on off switch, and someone should really think about designed the ear cups to be less skunky too
@Naskarrkid
March 21, 2026 at 2:10 pm
I’d really like a pair of budget Apple headphones. I have AirPods 3 but a budget version of the over the ears would be nice for when I’m not on the go.
@awcoolpad
March 21, 2026 at 2:45 pm
You are my favorite Cnet personality. So easy to watch, honest, fresh, friendly, and inviting. I could watch for hours. Thank you for your hard work.
@zebbie09
March 21, 2026 at 3:13 pm
I prefer Bose….
@mekman4
March 21, 2026 at 4:14 pm
Apple and Nintendo love to flex on Microsoft, in very specific ways for very specific reasons, but Microsoft creates it’s own problems and leaves these openings for Apple and others to simply walk through.
I like the new Mac Book, if it came in cellular that might spell the end of my relationship between me and the iPad Pro, but not likely.
Great Stuff, as always!
Apple remains the coolest cat in the room.
@ultimatelyit
March 21, 2026 at 5:25 pm
I bought a mid range Sony headphones £150 4-5 years ago and never needed anything else.
@LanaMax
March 21, 2026 at 7:55 pm
Not everyone can use education discount therefore Macbook Neo costs more.
@Historicutuber
March 21, 2026 at 8:28 pm
The headphones cost way too much. SHouldnt be more than $400 imo
@JSmith-nu4bl
March 21, 2026 at 8:34 pm
Anti-ice karen vibes
@markdc1145
March 21, 2026 at 9:42 pm
I hope Apple redesigned the AirPods Max case too, the original case was horrible.
@wiwingmargahayu6831
March 21, 2026 at 10:36 pm
yeah apple colorful gloves is amazing
@mrparts
March 22, 2026 at 1:32 am
Reviewers, please check inflation. The AirPods Max from 2020 would cost $694 in 2026.
@namenotfound8747
March 22, 2026 at 3:18 am
The Neo is E waste in 1-2 years unless all you do is check email and look at youtube videos. Those headphones at least will last 3-5 years
@audie-cashstack-uk4881
March 22, 2026 at 3:37 am
I can get cloud 3 s for 99
@jean-philipperottiers614
March 22, 2026 at 5:14 am
Clearly, the Max 2 are too expensive for what they are, especially considering the very minor upgrade they represent to the Max 1. A bit better, yes, but with all the cons that were continuously told to Apple over 5 years. Don’t get me wrong, I have the AirPods Max and love them, but this second generation is the laziest, worst upgrade they could have done.
As for pricing… if you think about it, it is also almost half the cost of the equivalent iPhone… that does not make much sense either, except from a marketing/get-in-market standpoint.
@charper9
March 22, 2026 at 7:10 am
Google put a knife in its own back by allowing Chromebooks to become so crappy over time (eliminating ad blocking plugins from Chrome and essentially enshitifying the internet on Chromebooks) and Microsoft just put a huge knife in their own back with Windows 11 and all the advertising and AI slop – this is Apple’s opportunity to take real market share from both of them and Apple is taking advantage of it. I would 100% get a Macbook Neo to replace the Chromebook I am typing this on because I can run a browser on it that does native ad blocking and the difference is almost unbelievable. I could try to run the Brave Android app on my Chromebook but the performance and user experience is terrible.
@jonathangot
March 22, 2026 at 9:19 am
I’d rather they do 0 marketing and drop the price of all products by 15%. I’ve used OSX since Tiger as I needed FCP and other creative software.
@justinwahlquist6374
March 22, 2026 at 11:11 am
I’m looking at like this. Ppl will buy the headphones more than the laptop. I don’t got both of them. I rather have the phone and the AirPods and Apple Watch
@shafiqshah3
March 22, 2026 at 12:29 pm
I was literally thinking about this the other day
@rudiandboh
March 22, 2026 at 2:08 pm
You mean I can get macbook neo for 499 even though I am not a student.
@DarthMarDash
March 22, 2026 at 3:58 pm
That’s why I’m surprised they came out with a cheap MacBook. That’s actually made well. I got one for Work. And I always thought the same thing about the Apple keyboard like how does the keyboard cost 250 bucks and it’s literally $50 cheaper than a whole iPad?!? I missed the days where crap was like 50 bucks and it was considered expensive 😂
@ZicoPestalozzi
March 22, 2026 at 10:15 pm
It’s apple’s costco roast chicken a.k.a their gateway drug
@scottstewart6260
March 22, 2026 at 10:25 pm
Meh.. the Neo is just an iphone running MacOS. No shockers there, people have been wanting MacOS on iPads for years because it will run. Apple chooses not to allow it.
@eric777a
March 23, 2026 at 6:01 pm
it’s very hard to convince people to buy a headphones that cost more than a laptop computer, my head keeps asking isnt a laptop more complicated and more parts than a pair of headphones? why mark up so much like 1000 times than production cost? developing cost? advertising? profit?