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Apple Plans Beats-Branded Gaming Controllers for iPhone
By Drooid · · How we work
Apple’s Planned Beats-Branded Gaming Controllers for iPhone
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman reports that Apple has been developing two first-party gaming controllers for the iPhone for more than a year. The devices, identified in macOS 26.7 code as codenames T6502 and T1057, include dual thumbsticks, shoulder buttons and D-pads. Although the code appears in macOS rather than iOS, Gurman says the hardware is intended for iPhone use. Development is being led by Beats executives, and the controllers are expected to be marketed under the Beats brand rather than Apple’s primary label.
Background: Beats as an Outlet for Experimental, Lower-Priced Apple Products
Apple acquired Beats in 2014 for $3 billion. Since then, Beats has expanded beyond headphones to accessories such as an $18.99 woven USB-C cable. Gurman notes that Apple increasingly uses Beats as a “repository for lower-priced goods,” allowing the company to experiment with product categories without affecting the premium perception of the Apple brand.
Rumored Hardware Specs and Development Details
A MacRumors reader uncovered references to the two controllers in a macOS release candidate, confirming the presence of gaming-controller components. Gurman describes the planned devices as featuring the standard gamepad layout—dual analog sticks, shoulder triggers and a directional pad—mirroring popular third-party accessories already sold in Apple’s online store, such as Backbone and SteelSeries controllers.
Strategic Rationale for Using the Beats Brand
According to Gurman, positioning the controllers under Beats serves two strategic purposes. First, it enables a lower price point by avoiding the premium materials and finishes typical of Apple-branded products. Second, the gaming culture and aesthetic align more naturally with Beats’ existing consumer base, potentially broadening appeal among gamers who might find Apple’s higher-priced offerings out of reach.
Official Statements & Responses
Apple has not released an official comment on the rumored controllers. Beats executives have also remained silent, and no launch timeline has been disclosed. The information currently relies on Gurman’s reporting of internal sources and the code findings reported by the MacRumors community.