Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast

Live at SXSW 2026: Can They Convince Marques to Shoot 24fps?

Date: March 17, 2026
Hosts: Marques Brownlee (MKBHD), Andrew Manganelli, David Imel
Location: SXSW, Austin, TX

Episode Overview

This special live episode from SXSW 2026 sees the Waveform crew—Marques, Andrew, and David—bring their signature tech banter and insights directly to a packed audience. Centered on interactive audience engagement, the episode covers major gadget and industry news, retrospective takes from last year, the ever-present FPS debate, community-driven trivia, and a lively Q&A with fans. Standout themes include the future of smartphones and form factors, the impact of AI in consumer tech, car industry updates, differences in tech across global markets, and a humorous but passionate defense of 30fps for YouTube.

Key Discussion Points

1. Rivian R2 Unveiling and Electric Vehicle Chatter

[03:14–10:11]

• Rivian’s R2 Pricing & Release Dates:
  • R2 Performance: $57,900, 330 miles, 3.6s 0-60, 656 hp, Spring 2026.
  • R2 Premium: $53,900, late 2026.
  • R2 Standard: $48,000, 2027.
  • “The most expensive is coming out first.” — Andrew [05:00]
• Market Positioning:
  • R2 seen as a Model Y competitor but "much more attainable.” [05:17]
  • R3 – the even cheaper, Subaru-like model – is remembered with longing but not expected before 2029.
• Color Commentary:
  • The group laments Rivian’s muted R2 color palette.
  • “I have a take: worst colors.” – Marques [08:19]
• Real-World EV Adoption:
  • Discussions around accessibility of EVs in New Jersey vs. NYC charging woes.

2. Tech Industry Predictions & Retrospectives

[10:33–21:28]

• Apple Intelligence & Siri:
  • Reflecting on last year’s misplaced optimism for LLM-based Siri.
  • Apple delayed, then later announced Google Gemini would power Apple Intelligence.
  • “We were all hoping for Siri to get good, but we’re still waiting for it.” – Marques [12:50]
• Digg & Reddit Rivalries:
  • Last year’s excitement for Digg’s relaunch fizzled—site lacks engagement.
  • “The people are the hardest part.” – David [16:52]
• Foldable Phones:
  • Apple’s rumored passport-style foldable likely for 2026.
  • “What’s the unique differentiating thing for Apple?” – Marques [18:09]
• Touchscreen MacBook Ultra:
  • The team jokes about Apple’s naming conventions vs. actual chip configurations.
  • “MacBook Ultra is not a good name.” – Marques [19:04]
  • Ongoing skepticism about true overlap of Mac and iPad, especially Apple Pencil support.

3. Audience Trivia and Interactive Polling

[26:10–31:47]

• Best Fashion & Niche Interests:
  • Audience votes Marques as “best dressed.” [28:00]
  • Top niche tech interest: David’s film cameras. [29:10]
• Worst Takes (a tradition):
  • “Worst takes” shame moves from Ellis to David: “They love your film cameras but don’t like your other takes.” – Andrew [31:36]
• Summer Tech Predictions:
  • Rabbit R1, local AI devices, and “OpenClaw-as-a-service” joked as unlikely hits.

4. Q&A Segment: Live Audience Questions

[33:07–69:12]

Autonomous Vehicles

• Comfort with Robotaxis:
  Marques and David approve of Waymo, citing safety and the joy of not making small talk.
  • “They drive kind of like a grandma—a little cautious.” – Marques [34:37]
• Tesla Cyber Cab Bet:
  If Tesla delivers by 2026, Marques promises to shave his head on camera.

Next Big Purchases

• Tech Upgrades:
  • Marques plans to replace Pro Display XDRs with newer Studio Displays and considers a Mac Studio. [39:24]
  • David’s ongoing Leica M7 camera temptation garners wide audience support. [40:31]

CES Highlights and Global Tech

• Autonomous snowblowers stand out as real-world helpful gadgets. [41:30]
• Desire for more live shows and international coverage—studio logistics and culture-bubble observations.
  • “We should do that more often... poke out of our own bubble.” – Marques [46:16]

Small Phones & Form Factors

• Nostalgia for compact devices but acceptance that the small-phone market is niche and likely to remain so:
  • “If you ask people, they all say we want smaller... then the bell curve is everyone getting the biggest phone.” – Marques [53:19]
• Android’s adaptability and new startups keep hope alive for tiny phones.

Annoying Tech Quirks

• Marques hates full-screen volume overlays on car displays. [54:50]
• David gripes about projector/AndroidTV volume mismatch.

Accessory Phones

• Discussion of Clicks Communicator and minimal “weekend” phones; SMS forwarding is a persistent challenge in the U.S. [57:06]

The 24fps Debate

• Can MKBHD be persuaded to shoot 24fps for YouTube?
  • A laughing, passionate defense:
    • “30fps is definitely the move and I’ll tell you why... I start seeing a little bit of shutter, stutter [at 24].” – Marques [59:01]
    • “TV is 30, and YouTube is TV. So YouTube should be 30.” – David [61:25]

Production Process Insights

• “Octopus” creator analogy—delegating tasks as you grow.
• Push for better internal fact-checking as the studio grows output.

AI in Phones & Content

• Early Gemini integration shown useful but remains mostly limited to flagship devices; AI likely to become the core of OSes.
  • “Every new Android launch is just about Gemini and it will become the entire platform.” – David [65:30]
• Skepticism toward AI-generated content’s staying power.
  • “People will ultimately want to watch human-made stuff... once we get over the novelty hump.” – Marques [69:04]

Vision for 2030’s PC Space

• Apple gaining ground in consumer PCs as Microsoft focuses on business/enterprise solutions.
  • “It just seems like they don’t care as much about the consumer side.” – David [66:50]

Notable Quotes

• “They’re matching up with Model Y prices, if not a little cheaper. Oh, and better range...” – Andrew [08:11]
• “Picture yourself making that video to a room of 200 people, and it recontextualizes what you just did.” – Marques [29:57]
• “Anything under 30 to my eye... I start seeing a little bit of shutter, a little bit of stutter, and that was enough to say, okay, it’s gotta be at least 30.” – Marques [59:01]
• “If you love gadgets or tech, you will gravitate toward the tools that help you get your time back.” – Marques [42:21]
• “Every new Android launch is about Gemini; it will become the entire platform.” – David [65:30]
• “People will ultimately want to watch human-made stuff... once we get over the novelty hump.” – Marques [69:04]

Memorable Moments

• Audience erupts in laughter over Marques’s firm anti-24fps stance.
• Intimate audience engagement—live trivia, reminiscing about last year’s “wrong” tech predictions.
• Marques’s spontaneous musings about the “octopus” analogy for creator work.
• Lighthearted roast about “worst takes,” audience affectionately picking on David.
• Repeated, humorous disclosure about David’s connection to the Clicks Communicator startup.

Segment Timestamps

• [03:14] Rivian R2 breakdown
• [11:22] Reviewing last year’s takes
• [18:15] Apple foldable, MacBook Ultra rumors
• [26:10] Trivia and audience survey results
• [33:07] Audience Q&A: robotaxis
• [38:13] Next big purchases
• [41:08] CES highlights
• [50:31] Form factor/small phone nostalgia
• [57:06] Accessory and minimal phones
• [58:48] Preproduction pipeline & FPS debate
• [62:32] Android XR and future of AR/VR
• [65:09] AI integration in phones
• [66:38] PC space forecast for 2030
• [67:30] AI content consumption

Closing Thoughts

This lively live taping delivers Waveform’s classic blend of tech insights, friendly debate, deep dives, and community spirit, all with the fun (and occasional chaos) of a live, interactive audience. The episode shines a light on evolving tech industry trends, dispels a few myths, and proves that some YouTube traditions—like the unwavering commitment to 30fps—die hard.

If you’re interested in behind-the-scenes creator workflow, nuanced EV opinions, global tech perspectives, or just enjoy seeing fans try and (not quite) succeed at convincing MKBHD to change his ways, this is an episode not to miss.