Apple's secret iPhone game controllers could launch under the Beats brand

[Shawn Knight]

TL;DR: It's been just over a week since code discovered in an early macOS 26.7 release candidate pointed to two unreleased game controllers. Now, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman is chiming in on what he knows about the first-party hardware.

According to the well-connected Gurman, Apple has been working on in-house game controllers for the iPhone for over a year now. The main goal is to enter what Apple has identified as a growing market and compete with the slew of third-party options that already exist.

Data extracted from the macOS release candidate points to a fairly conventional gamepad layout, complete with a D-pad, dual analog sticks, shoulder buttons, analog triggers, and home/menu buttons. Two models were identified: one with an accelerometer and gyroscope, the other without. Haptics support also differs between the two, it is believed.

Executives at Beats are leading development, suggesting the game pads could debut under the Beats brand rather than directly from Apple. In addition to earbuds, headphones, and speakers, Beats now sells charging cables and iPhone cases. These products cover a range of price points and building materials, and afford Apple the flexibility to experiment with new products without having to stamp them with the more premium Apple branding.

Gurman stopped short of saying when the gamepads would hit the market or at what price point. In the meantime, there is no shortage of excellent options from third-party providers like 8BitDo and Hyperkin. I'm typing this on an 8BitDo retro mechanical keyboard (not the $499 variant from the company's NES40 collection, but the far more affordable $99 model) and aside from it being a little heavier than I'd prefer, I absolutely love it. The quality and attention to detail is top notch, as is the typing experience.

Unfortunately for gamers, all things are seemingly getting more expensive. Here is to hoping Apple keeps its budget conscious shoppers in mind when launching its Beats-branded game controllers. With any luck, maybe they'll arrive in time for the holiday season.

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Apple's secret iPhone game controllers could launch under the Beats brand

 

[NumberNine]

Here is to hoping Apple keeps its budget conscious shoppers in mind when launching its Beats-branded game controllers.

Yes, because when I hear Apple and Beats audio brand collaboration cash grab video game controllers, I think about value and quality on a budget... Good luck with that.

 

[m4a4]

Considering how much disdain Apple seems to have towards gaming in general, I don't see this going over well.
You'd think Mac would be more gaming friendly otherwise, beyond basic compatibility.

Heck, they couldn't even launch their VR goggles with proper controllers to support the majority of existing games that could be ported to their platform...

 

[LordVile95]

Yes, because when I hear Apple and Beats audio brand collaboration cash grab video game controllers, I think about value and quality on a budget... Good luck with that.

Beats have improved markedly since Apple took them over. They actually sound… like there’s something other than muddy bass. Though that being said there’s a ton of people who ridiculed Beats for that and then hopped on the XM hype despite them being exactly the same just with ANC. But I guess sony paid enough YouTubers to call them the best headphones ever.


The real question is parallel or offset?

 

[texasrattler]

So itll be the Backdone but with Beats logo?
Or an actual controller? One with Apples logo could sell well if it worked with multiple devices. Since its being made by Beats I'd assume its there logo that would be used but for controller I'd like Apples logo.