Apple Develops iPhone Game Controllers Under Beats Brand

Apple is developing two official game controllers for the iPhone and Apple TV 4K, with plans to launch the hardware under its subsidiary, Beats by Dre. The project has been in development for over a year and is being led by Beats executives who are overseeing the engineering and design to target a younger, lifestyle-focused audience.

Evidence of the devices emerged from macOS 26.7 release candidate code, where hardware profiles codenamed T6502 and T1057 were discovered before being removed. Both models are expected to feature standard gamepad controls, including D-pads, thumbsticks, shoulder buttons, and haptic feedback. The T1057 model reportedly includes an accelerometer and gyroscope for motion sensing, while the T6502 does not.

By using the Beats brand, the company intends to implement lower price points and use more economical materials than those typically found in premium Apple-branded products. This strategy aims to increase developer investment in AAA games for iOS and Mac and complement the existing Apple Arcade subscription service. While the iPhone already supports third-party controllers from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, Apple has not officially announced a release date for its own hardware.