Unannounced Beats Studio Buds appear in Apple’s latest beta software

Aside from churning out some limited edition colors, Beats has been in a bit of a quiet period since the release of the Beats Flex last October. But it seems that the Apple-owned brand is preparing to launch some new, high-end earbuds. As spotted by MacRumors, there are images of “Beats Studio Buds” in the latest beta releases of iOS and tvOS.

The unannounced earbuds look much different than the Powerbeats Pro, which have become a popular pick among the fitness crowd. These don’t have any ear hooks whatsoever, and they seem to have a diagonal steam that extends slightly upward.

Image: MacRumors

These images being included in “release candidate” builds of Apple’s software could mean that the Beats Studio Buds are due to be announced in the near future. The Verge has reached out to Beats for comment.

Apple is also expected to update its main AirPods earbuds sometime this year with a revamped design featuring shortened stems and other aesthetic details borrowed from the AirPods Pro. But they’re likely to retain the hard plastic, one-size-fits-most fit. Beats, however, seems to be sticking with silicone tips for an in-ear seal.

Beats has been going through a transition period after former president Luke Wood departed Apple last year. Recently, it’s been rumored that Scott Croyle, formerly of HTC, is playing a significant role in Beats hardware design.