UMVA has learned that a mysterious pair of unreleased Apple headphones has been spotted on not one, but three high-profile soccer players, in a series of eyebrow-raising social media posts that have left fans and industry insiders alike scratching their heads.
The saga began with Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal, who took to social media to share photos and a video of himself wearing or holding the unidentified Beats over-ears on two separate occasions earlier this month. The posts were remarkably subtle, with no explicit mention of the product, but it was clear that the headphones were the real stars of the show.
The over-ears were showcased in two different colorways, corresponding to the Cloud Pink and Sandstone hues of the Beats Solo 4 and Beats Studio Pro, respectively. The Beats logo was prominently displayed, and the design was noticeably different from any existing Beats headphones on the market.
According to information obtained by UMVA, industry speculation is rife that these may be an updated version of the Beats Studio Pro, with documents filed with the FCC in May adding fuel to the fire. But Apple, which owns the Beats brand, is clearly not leaving anything to chance, with two other high-profile players getting in on the action.
U.S. left-back Antonee Robinson and South Korean player Kang-in Lee have both posted photos on Instagram showcasing what appear to be the same pair of headphones, in different colorways. The posts have been remarkably brazen, with Robinson sharing seven photos in celebration of his team's victory over Paraguay, and Lee appearing in two photos wearing the headphones in yellow and white.
The latest posts suggest that the product may allow customers to mix and match ear cups and headbands in different colors, adding a new level of customization to the Beats lineup. One thing is certain: the hype surrounding these headphones is reaching a fever pitch, and it's only a matter of time before they're officially unveiled.
The question on everyone's mind is: when will Apple finally confirm the existence of these mysterious headphones? The flood of stealth marketing is becoming increasingly hard to ignore, and fans are eager to get their hands on the real deal.
