A new FCC database filing has revealed something unexpected: a pair of Apple over-ear headphones are on their way. What could they be and when will they arrive?
New Apple Model A3577 Spotted In Regulatory Database
The first inkling that something was going to happen came from Aaron Perris, an analyst at MacRumors. In a post on X, Perris revealed what he knew. “The FCC has just leaked an upcoming Apple product A3577 — ‘Bluetooth over-ear headphones’ was just spotted in the FCC database,” Perris said.
I’m not sure I’d have called it a leak, but each to their own. It’s regular practice for the FCC to describe products before they’ve been officially announced, and many of the details of this product are kept confidential, at Apple’s request.
Are New AirPods Headphones Coming?
So, what’s going on? It’s a bit of a mystery. There are no further details to be had, but the model number suggests it’s an all-new product. It’s not the same as other Apple headphones.
It would be a considerable surprise if Apple was releasing new over-ear headphones so soon after the announcement of AirPods Max 2.
Which means it may be that the new headphones will come from Apple’s other headphone brand, Beats.
Another analyst, Max Weinbach, thinks so, too. “Smells like beats,” he said in a post on X. I’ve never been one for nasal intuition, but I think Weinbach is right.
There are models of Beats headphones which are more urgently due an update than AirPods Max 2. Beats Studio Pro headphones were last updated in July 2023, so maybe that’s what’s coming.
Camera Features And Apple’s History Of Surprise Releases
Of course, there are rumors of new AirPods Pro earbuds with cameras built in, and if so, over-ears might be another clever place to put them, no?
But there have been no reports of new over-ears. Mind you, there were literally no leaks about the AirPods Max 2 which arrived as a complete surprise, so you never know.
The timing of the release of the mystery headphones is anyone’s guess. Theoretically, it could come just days after the FCC report but Apple will wait until the right moment.
If the new product is Beats Studio Pro, then the same part of the year as last time, July, could be the time they’ll land.
