Apple May Be Preparing Mysterious New Over-Ear Headphones

Apple May Be Preparing Mysterious New Over-Ear Headphones | PCMag

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Apple could be launching new headphones. But if you were waiting until the newest AirPods or Beats release to make your next purchase, unfortunately we don’t have many clues about what line-up they’ll be part of just yet.A recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filing unearthed by X user @Aaronp613 shows Apple has registered new “Bluetooth over-ear headphones.”This means that the new headphones, if they do see the light of day, won't be part of Apple’s in-ear AirPods range. But as MacRumors, which spotted the news, notes, there is nothing about the diagram or product number (A3577) that clearly reveals which product line the headphones will belong to. You May Also Like

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Apple offers two types of over-ear Bluetooth headphones at present: its Beats line, which it acquired in 2014, and the AirPods Max, a larger, bulkier version of its AirPods line, which debuted in 2020.MacRumors notes that it’s been a while since Apple’s Beats line got an update, meaning the headphones could potentially be part of the Beats brand. The latest iteration of the Beats line, Beats Solo 4, was released on May 2, 2024, arguably making it more due for an update. Meanwhile, Apple’s Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones were released in July 2023.Apple’s AirPods line was updated far more recently, with updated AirPods Max over-ear headphones shipping just last month in April 2026. But this is still entirely speculation. There is also the possibility the headphones could be part of an entirely new headphone brand, though there is nothing to suggest this in terms of recent Apple rumors. Recommended by Our Editors The Best On-Ear/Over-Ear Headphones for 2026 The Best Headphones for 2026 Apple's AirPods With Cameras Reportedly Move Closer to Production

There may be forward-looking new features set for future AirPods, if rumors are correct. Earlier this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman revealed that Apple has reportedly entered the final stage of testing new camera-equipped AirPods.The long-rumored AirPods could be one of Apple's first AI wearables, although they reportedly aren’t built to take pictures or record videos directly but instead “act as eyes” for Siri, providing the data needed to answer queries. For example, they could provide real-time cooking advice based on the ingredients in front of you.

About Our Expert Will McCurdy Contributor Experience I’m a reporter covering weekend news. Before joining PCMag in 2024, I picked up bylines in BBC News, The Guardian, The Times of London, The Daily Beast, Vice, Slate, Fast Company, The Evening Standard, The i, TechRadar, and Decrypt Media.I’ve been a PC gamer since you had to install games from multiple CD-ROMs by hand. As a reporter, I’m passionate about the intersection of tech and human lives. I’ve covered everything from crypto scandals to the art world, as well as conspiracy theories, UK politics, and Russia and foreign affairs. Latest By Will McCurdy Still Using Your Chromecast? Google Says It Will Live On Amid Fears Meta Joins Snap, TikTok, YouTube in Settling Social Media Addiction Case Texas AG Sues What­sApp for 'Lying About Pri­va­cy' Companies Using Anthropic's Mythos AI Uncover 10K+ Serious Software Bugs First VPN Seized by European Authorities Over Organized Crime Links More from Will McCurdy Read Full Bio

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