Apple is reportedly working on iPhone game controllers
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman says Apple is developing two game controllers intended for iPhone use and will likely sell them under the Beats brand, The Verge reports. MacRumors previously found references to two first-party controller devices in code for macOS 26.7, and Gurman says Beats executives are leading the project.
Why It Matters
If accurate, selling controllers through Beats would let Apple explore gaming hardware while targeting a broader, lower-priced market without altering the premium Apple brand. The move would expand Beats beyond audio accessories into a new product category already hinted at by existing Beats iPhone cases and cables.
Key Facts
- Reporters and outlets: Mark Gurman (Bloomberg) reported, summarized by Terrence O'Brien at The Verge (Sep 13, 2026).
- Number of controllers: Two game controllers reported in development.
- Intended device: Controllers are designed for iPhone use, per Gurman.
- Branding: Likely to be sold under the Beats brand.
- Code evidence: MacRumors found references to two first-party controllers in macOS 26.7 code.
Apple is reportedly developing two game controllers aimed at iPhone users, and the company may market them under its Beats label, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and a summary in The Verge. The report follows a separate code discovery by MacRumors that located references to two first-party controller devices in macOS 26.7.
Although the code citations were found in macOS rather than iOS, Gurman says the hardware is intended for use with iPhones. The two controllers have not been publicly detailed beyond those code references and Gurman’s reporting, and no release timeline or technical specifications have been announced.
Gurman also reports that Beats executives are leading the initiative. Apple has used its Beats subsidiary in the past to test new product categories and offer lower-cost alternatives that do not always follow Apple’s typical design language; examples cited include Beats-branded iPhone cases and USB-C cables.
A controller product fits that pattern: to reach a wide audience it would likely need to be priced affordably and avoid the premium materials and finishes associated with Apple’s main line. The Verge piece notes the lifestyle and culture around gaming hardware could align naturally with the Beats brand, but further details and official confirmation remain pending.
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