Apple's new AirPods Max headphones cost $549 — more than the PlayStation 5

Apple has unveiled new headphones that, let's just say, don't exactly come cheap.

On Tuesday, Apple announced its new over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max, which will be available next week and cost a whopping $549.

Apple said the noise-canceling AirPods Max will have up to 20 hours of battery life and "deliver the ultimate personal listening experience." But by retailing for $549, CNN noted the AirPods Max will actually end up being more expensive than the iPhone SE, which starts at $399. Beyond other Apple products, PCMag pointed out the $549 price tag is more than that of the PlayStation 5, as the more expensive version of that console is $499. The headphones are also pricier than the new Xbox Series X console, which is $499.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Apple already sells the AirPods, which start at $159, and the AirPods Pro, which cost $249. But the AirPods Max are Apple's first over-ear headphones, TechRadar notes. Apple in the last fiscal year "generated $31 billion sales from accessories" like the Airpods, Bloomberg reports.

The new AirPods Max will be start shipping on Dec. 15, at which point perhaps consumers will actually be able to easily get them, very much unlike the PlayStation 5.