Apple’s two leaked iPhone game controllers may reach stores with a Beats logo rather than an Apple logo. In a post on X, Mark Gurman (@markgurman) reports that Beats executives are leading the product concept and engineering, and that he has consistently heard the accessories are intended for the Beats brand.
Code found in Apple’s operating systems recently pointed to two controllers, while Gurman says development has been underway for a little over a year. Apple reportedly sees a growing market around iPhone gaming and wants to compete with established third-party options.
Why Beats fits a gaming accessory
Gurman says the “culture and lifestyle around gaming controllers” fits naturally under Beats. The brand gives Apple room to use more affordable materials and a more expressive design without forcing the product into the premium finish expected from Apple’s own accessories.
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Beats has already moved beyond headphones. Its official accessories range includes iPhone cases and several USB-C cable designs, supporting Gurman’s view that Apple uses Beats to test adjacent product categories.
MacObserver previously reported that Apple was building two different game controllers, including wired and wireless concepts. Apple also recently added Sony Access Controller support across iPhone, iPad and Mac, strengthening the accessibility side of its gaming platform.
Apple’s iPhone controller guide confirms that iOS supports Bluetooth and wired controllers, button customization and Buddy Controller. That software foundation means a Beats controller could work across existing games without Apple building a separate input system.
Gurman’s report does not identify the final shapes of the two controllers or say whether both will carry Beats branding. Earlier code suggested different wired and wireless approaches, but code references can describe prototypes that change before release. Pricing will be especially important because iPhone owners already have many compatible alternatives from established third-party accessory makers today.
A bundled service trial or broad Apple Arcade promotion could also shape the launch, but neither has been reported.
Neither Apple nor Beats has announced the controllers, their designs, prices or release date. The Beats branding remains reported information, although it would fit the company’s recent accessory strategy. Would you buy a Beats controller for iPhone, or keep using a console gamepad? Let us know below.
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