References to the unreleased controllers first surfaced in macOS 26.7 beta code. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman added further detail today in his Power On newsletter, reporting that the controllers have been in development for over a year and are designed specifically for iPhone.
Beats Keeps Growing Beyond Headphones
Since Apple’s acquisition of Beats, the brand has steadily diversified past its original audio lineup. It now sells charging cables and iPhone cases alongside its headphones and speakers. Game controllers would be the next step in that same direction, and the choice to launch under Beats rather than the Apple name suggests the company wants to keep this accessory line feeling distinct from its core product identity.
According to Gurman, Apple views gaming as a growing market it wants a real foothold in. Entering through accessories, using a sub-brand that already has consumer trust, is a lower-risk way to test that space compared to launching hardware under Apple’s own name.
No Word on Price or Launch Date
Apple has not announced pricing or availability for either controller. As with most unconfirmed hardware, consumers will likely need to wait for an official event or press release before real details emerge.
Part of a Packed Release Week
The controller rumors land in the middle of a busy stretch for Apple. iOS 27 rolled out today with new AI capabilities, and macOS Golden Gate is also set for release the same day, September 14. Apple recently detailed Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 as well, making this one of the company’s more crowded release windows this year.
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