Rumor: Apple comes with sports AirPods and wants to phase out Beats brand
Apple may come later this year with new AirPods specifically intended for sports, and with over-ear headphones. The company, meanwhile, is said to be phasing out the Beats line of headphones.
Apple was set to showcase over-ear headphones at the World Wide Developer Conference this summer, YouTuber Jon Prosser says on Twitter. The headphones are said to be codenamed B515, and resemble the Bose 700. Prosser says the device will cost $350. It’s not the first time there have been rumors about the company’s over-ear headphones. Earlier this year, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said such headphones would be forthcoming. Also at the beginning of this year, code was discovered in iOS that would indicate over-ear headphones. Prosser also says that Apple is coming with new AirPods that are specifically intended for sports. The AirPods X are said to be similar to the Beats X and cost $200, and will be announced in September or October.
According to Prosser, Apple plans to phase out the Beats brand over time. This does not happen immediately, but only over a longer period of time. The company would first like to grow its own AirPods brand, and to use up the existing Beats stock. The AirPods brand is “more meaningful and valuable” to Apple, according to Prosser. Prosser also says Apple employees can buy Beats products at significant discounts, which the company is already trying to use up.