Apple may debut iPhone gaming controller under the Beats brand

Apple is said to be close to entering the iPhone gaming hardware market with two new controllers, identified by the internal codes T6502 and T1057. Both designs incorporate dual thumbsticks, shoulder buttons and directional pads, and have been in development for more than a year. Beats, Apple’s audio subsidiary, is handling product engineering and may brand the controllers, which could make them cheaper than an Apple-branded version.

The move would also tie Beats' cultural appeal to gamers. While Apple already sells third-party controllers like Backbone and SteelSeries, these in-house devices would be the first Apple-originated options. The source did not provide a timeline for a potential launch.