Crystal Cox/Business Insider
It's possible the 'X Generation'
A mysterious model of Apple AirPods called "Apple AirPods X Generation" has reportedly appeared in Target's inventory system.
On Saturday, YouTuber and tech analyst Jon Prosser shared an image on Twitter purporting to show the AirPods, which are priced at $399.99.
In a follow-up tweet, Prosser said there were three different stock-keeping units listed for the X Generation AirPods in Target's system, suggesting the AirPods could end up being released in three different colors or editions.
As Prosser himself speculated, it's possible the 'X Generation' name is a placeholder for Apple's widely expected over-ear headphones, which may be branded "StudioPods."
On Saturday, several Target staffers told Apple-focused news publication AppleInsider that "placeholders for new products are common," lending weight to Prosser's theory.
Rumors of Apple launching own-brand, over-ear wireless headphones have swirled for months, but this is the first time a third-party seller like Target has featured in the speculation.
Prominent Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo penciled in a 2020 release date for high-end wireless headphones, while Bloomberg suggested back in June 2018 that Apple was developing "studio-quality over-ear headphones" f0r as early as 2019 - a point the publication reiterated in a January 2019 article on Sonos.
Business Insider has approached Prosser, Apple, and Target for comment.
Multiple Target employees have started reaching out to me about this ��
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
- Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) February 22, 2020