MKBHD and Mrwhosetheboss say tech companies are “basically lying” to consumers in new video

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Two popular YouTube tech reviewers teamed up to explain how tech companies often exaggerate small improvements to their products, making them seem much more innovative than they actually are.

So, MKBHD and Mrwhosetheboss just dropped this video, and honestly, it’s a deep dive into how tech companies can be pretty misleading. They basically break down all the tricks companies use to make their products seem better than they actually are – it’s a really interesting watch if you’re like me and pay attention to tech specs and marketing.

The pair argue the tactics are widespread across smartphones laptops cameras and electric vehicles.

What they found

The video starts with a disclaimer stating “up to,” which, according to Maini, protects companies legally when the performance they advertise isn’t consistently met in real-world conditions.

Brownlee explains a tactic companies use called the “imaginary spec,” where they present a combination of top-end performance features and a low starting price, often on the same webpage.

Tech companies often mislead customers by:

– Comparing new products to much older models, making it hard to see real improvements.

– Creating meaningless technical specifications to confuse buyers (for example, focusing on irrelevant zoom capabilities).

— Arun Maini (@Mrwhosetheboss) April 25, 2026

The Rivian R1T is often highlighted as a performance example, claiming it can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds and travel up to 420 miles on a single charge. However, these impressive figures aren’t available on the most affordable version of the truck, which costs around $74,000.

MKBHD explains that when cameras refer to a “1-inch sensor,” it’s a bit misleading. The sensor isn’t actually one inch in size. This term comes from old 1950s technology using vacuum tubes, and the sensor itself is closer to 16 millimeters measured diagonally.

As a fan, I’ve noticed people are questioning Apple’s marketing of the M5 chip. It seems a little odd that they’re showing how it stacks up against the original M1 from five or six years ago, instead of comparing it to the M4, which is the chip it actually replaces. It feels like they’re picking an older comparison to make the M5 look better!

Samsung is facing criticism for showcasing software features at its Galaxy launch events that users have already been able to access on older Samsung phones and tablets.

The list of features also includes “aerospace-grade aluminum,” which is actually a common material also used in things like Razor scooters. Additionally, advertised brightness levels often reflect a single pixel’s peak output for a short time, not the overall, typical brightness you’ll experience while using the screen.

The video recommends shoppers avoid focusing on maximum numbers or “up to” claims when considering a new purchase. Instead, it suggests directly comparing a new product to the older version they already have before deciding to upgrade.

Brownlee has criticized the tech industry before for being dishonest with customers. Most recently, in 2024, he publicly called out Google’s Team Pixel program, pointing out that it forced influencers to avoid showing competitor products alongside the Pixel phone.

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2026-04-26 15:19