Icon for Apple's Rumored Over-Ear Noise Canceling Headphones Discovered in Leaked iOS 14 Code - MacRumors
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Icon for Apple's Rumored Over-Ear Noise Canceling Headphones Discovered in Leaked iOS 14 Code

New icons for Apple's unannounced over-ear headphones have been discovered in leaked code for iOS 14 today (via 9to5Mac). The icons appear to relate to two different colors of the headphones: one white and one black, potentially similar to color options offered for the HomePod in White and Space Gray.

AirPods Max

Image via 9to5Mac

The icons found in the iOS 14 code relate to use in the operating system's battery and charging widget, similar to where you'll currently see AirPods and Beats headphones appear today. The design of the headphones falls in line with what is largely expected from Apple's first party over-ear headphones, with two large, padded cups that appear in style to the Beats Studio3 line.

The over-ear Apple headphones have been rumored for a few years now, and could include features like auto-pausing and auto-resuming when removing and replacing the headphones, noise cancelation, and quick connection to iOS devices. Because the new icons were uncovered in leaked iOS 14 code, this could mean the headphones will launch after iOS 14 in the fall, but of course nothing is confirmed as of yet.

Since 2018, rumors have predicted launch dates for these headphones that continuously miss their mark, from launching in late 2018 to sometime in the second half of 2019. Apple is reportedly planning to target the high-end audio market with the device, with active noise canceling features and high-quality build, all of which could be causing ongoing delays in the manufacturing process as the company tries to perfect the design.

Related Roundup: AirPods Max 2
Tag: iOS 14
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Max (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

79 months ago
White and Black? Come on macrumors. That’s the normal and dark mode color schemes.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thadoggfather Avatar
79 months ago
I think Apple branded cans makes total sense.

the beats brand to me always felt like a conflict of interest branding wise... but I'm no marketing executive.

--

I ditched my Solo 3's recently after I got my Bose 700's. Just way more comfortable and the Beats were collecting dust, but that W1 chip was nice and awesome range / battery life. Just way too much headphone clamp for me, especially with glasses on, and not the most premium feeling or looking cans even matte black (tried to mask that I had Beats haha)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thadoggfather Avatar
79 months ago

The Beats brand is still popular and profitable, so there's no way they're ditching that until it inevitably becomes uncool. They may release a separate line under the Apple label for people who are "uncomfortable" with the Beats brand, however.
I didn't suggest they would be ditching it. Just saying there are probably a lot of Apple users not thrilled with Beats as a brand
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DinkThifferent Avatar
79 months ago
Yay! Us happy Apple nerds are excited because of a leaked icon! 😃 i like how we are all obsessed with everything Apple, it is a friendly environment here, away from the corona hysteria and oil troubles.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rocko99991 Avatar
79 months ago

Although I'm inclined to agree ... before we look for a custom EQ for the headphones (considering iTunes on iOS has it's EQ in Settings yet does not affect playback), the quality of the codec would need to change.

Currently iTunes Match, Apple Music, and iTunes downloads use 256Kbps AAC which is lossless codec, better quality than MP3's. I'd like to see Apple use Hi-Res audio formats like ALAC (lossless compression by Apple) or FLAC Sony's Hi-Res using 24 bit/192 kHz.
I think you meant it's a 256 AAC is a lossy codec. But I agree. I'd like to see the ALAC/FLAC options.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
79 months ago
These could be great, the AirPods and now the AirPods pro are game changers, to have such great noise cancelling in such a small comfy great form factor rocks, I’ve used twice now the pro on long haul flights from London to NZ - 24 hours charged along the way, pure bliss. I have some sony xm3 and they’re great but I’d be into some headpods.
I briefly owned the Bose 700 and guys I found them from a design point to be so poorly designed, swiping on volume etc on such a small area because the head band is restricting where your hands need to swipe, man they were disappointing and I’ve loved the Bose as a noise cancelling on aeroplane can. The sony Xm3 are pretty spectacular but with the AirPods pro I’m using them less and less. I’d like the head pods because I’m a fan and Apple really creates wonderful devices it’s not about hype it’s about craft and ease of use and beautiful aesthetics, I’ll still probably use the AirPods pro more they are a holy grail headphone... earphone but I’d like to try the headpod
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)