Apple files for unannounced headphones with FCC

Which one is it?

Recently, people online noticed that Apple filed for new bluetooth over-ear headphones with the FCC. This is particularly puzzling because Apple just released AirPods Max 2 only a few months ago. Releasing a new pair of headphones now, at least under the Apple brand, doesn't really make a ton of sense.

However, since Apple owns Beats, and files their products, often, under Apple model numbers and codes, this could be another filing for Beats, not for Apple. The listing for the FCC does not give much more information on the brand that it is selling for, or even the model of the product.

The details for this submission are vague or not there, so there is not a ton to go off of. This is most likely for confidentiality. In addition to this, Beats products also use the same A#### numbering scheme for their model numbers as Apple uses for4 their model numbers. This means that it is much more difficult to identify which product line this belongs in.

The model number for this product is A3577, so determining where it is sold is very tricky. Beats also had somewhat of a renaissance period a few years ago, when the Beats refreshed the Studio Pro and Solo 4 headphones.

This brought a lot of people back to the brand, seeking headphones that both connected well to the Apple ecosystem, and to the Android ecosystem. The hopes were that Beats would bounce back again, but it is clear it did not catch on for Beats in the way that it was intended to.

While it is still not the first choice of many people nowadays, they are still somewhat popular, in no small part because of the Beats Studio Pro and the Beats Solo 4. Hopefully this new filing will bring into view more advanced Beats headphones that can bring Beats back to the top.

Apple's FCC filing for new headphones is confusing, as it is unclear if it is meant for an Apple product of a Beats product. We will have to wait and see what Apple does soon.