Often rumors in the tech sector turn out to be unfounded speculation, but the appearance of a device in government databases always represents concrete proof and nearly irrefutable. In the last few hours, a new document published by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) of the United States has drawn attention.
The certification, initially spotted by the MacRumors team, explicitly references an unreleased pair of over-ear headphones with Bluetooth connectivity produced by Apple, formally identified by the model number A35577.
With the upcoming annual WWDC, curiosity surrounding this mysterious hardware has risen quickly, prompting enthusiasts to question the true identity of the product.
New Apple over-ear headphones certified, not AirPods Max
Many people’s first thought naturally turned to the company’s high-end audio device family. However, a more careful analysis of the data that emerged categorically refutes the hypothesis that this could be an update or a new variant of AirPods Max 2.
This specific model, in fact, is registered in the same archives with a completely different identifying code, namely A3454.
Consequently, the headphones appearing in the federal documentation do not represent a simple reissue with new colors or a reduced weight of the current flagship models.
Similarly, it is possible to rule out the idea that these are the future AirPods Max 3. According to the accurate forecasts of analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the third generation of these headphones will not arrive before 2027.
Cupertino’s Secrecy and Launch Timelines
True to its longstanding secrecy, Apple has deftly omitted any revealing details from the documentation filed for regulatory approval.
It is a completely standard practice for the company to withhold crucial information and technical specifications in order to protect trade secrets until the official presentation.
Publicly accessible files currently show only an extremely stylized and minimal drawing of an earcup housing, a clearly insufficient element to draw definitive conclusions about the overall aesthetics.
Despite the lack of details, the document’s publication itself provides a crucial timing hint. Generally, in the consumer electronics market, the interval between certification by the federal commission and actual availability on shelves varies between 2 and 8 weeks.
The return of a classic Beats-branded product?
Given the imminent launch windows and the products currently listed, options on the table are greatly narrowed.
Venturing into the realm of hypotheses, the most plausible option points directly to a renewal of Beats’ lineup. Specifically, the timing seems ripe for the debut of a new model dedicated to the Beats Studio Pro line.
The original device was released in July 2023 and has now spent almost three years in physical and digital stores.
A second iteration, or at least a thorough hardware refresh of the original version, appears to be the most coherent move for the company’s audio division.
