Wesley Hilliard
Target employees have been sharing images of UPC scanners and computer systems indicating a yet unannounced Apple product called "Apple AirPods (X Generation)" coming soon with a price tag of $399.
In a tweet from Jon Prosser, images show a listing for what is potentially Apple's rumored over-the-ear headphones.
Multiple Target employees have started reaching out to me about this
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) February 22, 2020
Showing up in their systems and on UPC scanners is this mysterious "Apple AirPods (X Generation)" listing, priced at $399.
Potentially Apple's over-ear "StudioPods" headphones. Launch soon (March)? pic.twitter.com/NVcqH8As47
Given many names in the rumor mill with "HeadPods" and "AirPods Studio" being popular, this new listing utilizes another Apple naming convention — an X. The Beats product line uses this for its cheapest wireless earbuds, the BeatsX, and doesn't seem to indicate anything in particular.
This listing could be a placeholder, or used only in UPC systems. The marketing name is likely differ entirely once it is actually released. The $399 price tag is a full $150 more than the current AirPods Pro and indicates a huge step up in terms of hardware capabilities.
AppleInsider spoke with multiple Target staffers on Saturday morning regarding the screenshot. While they could not provide us any information about the provenance of the image, they did say that placeholders for new products are common, with pricing information — but not accurate product names — often provided by the manufacturer in advance of release.
As a general rule, products with a placeholder ship within a month, and sometimes as soon as a week following initial appearance in the system.
This follows the recent news of a rumored "AirPods Pro Lite". The name suggests a more budget friendly option than the already $250 AirPods Pro, and not a $399 product. The arrival of two new AirPods products at a high and low price point makes sense, as Apple likes to keep an obvious upgrade path while adding new products.
An event is expected to occur in March where new products like Apple "AirTags" and the "iPhone SE 2" are expected. This UPC item could indicate an imminent release of Apple's branded studio quality headphones at the event.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
9 Comments
It could quite easily be a placeholder for simply the generation number. You know, how some stores still sell the "new" Airpods as "Airpods (2nd Generation)". Don't think this proves anything other than at some point, there will be a third generation of Airpods.
Probably just a placeholder name... those of us in Generation X are in our 50’s now, not sure Apple would be wanting to associate the product with a single age-group, especially given the grief that the older generations get from millennials these days...
That’s ONE HUNDRED FREAKING DOLLARS more than a HomePod.
That price can’t be right. It could only legitimate with some sort of innovation, since a pair of custom IEM’s can be had at that price. Although the convenience of wireless is it’s obvious advantage.
My guess is this *is* a placeholder and that the price is immaterial and the name is incorrect.
But I’d like to be wrong, I have a great IEM, but sometimes while running about town, I’d like the accessibility of wireless buds. My biggest concern with what’s offered though is sound quality for music.
Having said all that, I don’t think anything is coming out soon. They just released the pro’s, so this release only fits with Apple’s track record, if it is a replacement for the OG air pods.
A new device that might make hearing aids obsolete for 1/10th the cost of current hearing aids? It would certainly fit for Generation X people.