Mysterious $399 AirPods reportedly showed up on Target's systems, fuelling speculation that Apple's rumored over-ear headphones are coming
- A mysterious model of Apple AirPods described as "Apple AirPods X Generation" has reportedly appeared in Target's inventory system.
- On Saturday, YouTuber Jon Prosser shared an image on Twitter purporting to show the AirPods X Generation, which sport a $399.99 price tag.
- Prosser said there were three different stock-keeping units listed for the X Generation AirPods in Target's system, suggesting a new generation of Apple's earbuds could be available in three different colors or editions.
- As Prosser himself speculated, it's possible the 'X Generation' name is a placeholder for Apple's as-yet-unannounced "StudioPods" over-ear high-end headphones.
- Business Insider has approached Prosser, Apple, and Target for comment.
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A mysterious model of Apple AirPods called "Apple AirPods X Generation" has reportedly appeared in Target's inventory system.
On Saturday, YouTuber and tech analyst Jon Prosser shared an image on Twitter purporting to show the AirPods, which are priced at $399.99.
In a follow-up tweet, Prosser said there were three different stock-keeping units listed for the X Generation AirPods in Target's system, suggesting the AirPods could end up being released in three different colors or editions.
As Prosser himself speculated, it's possible the 'X Generation' name is a placeholder for Apple's widely expected over-ear headphones, which may be branded "StudioPods."
On Saturday, several Target staffers told Apple-focused news publication AppleInsider that "placeholders for new products are common," lending weight to Prosser's theory.
Rumors of Apple launching own-brand, over-ear wireless headphones have swirled for months, but this is the first time a third-party seller like Target has featured in the speculation.
Prominent Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo penciled in a 2020 release date for high-end wireless headphones, while Bloomberg suggested back in June 2018 that Apple was developing "studio-quality over-ear headphones" f0r as early as 2019 - a point the publication reiterated in a January 2019 article on Sonos.
Business Insider has approached Prosser, Apple, and Target for comment.
