For years, Apple’s earbuds have been synonymous with a single color: pristine white. From the earliest iPod EarPods to the revolutionary AirPods and AirPods Pro, that glossy white plastic has become an instantly recognizable signature.
But a recently discovered prototype reveals a fascinating “what if” scenario. Images surfacing online showcase AirPods cases in vibrant yellow and playful pink, hinting at a path Apple ultimately didn’t take.
The images, unearthed by a collector, are believed to depict a first-generation AirPods prototype, potentially dating back to 2015 or earlier. The collector suggests these were test designs inspired by the colorful iPhone 5c.
The color choices directly mirror those offered on the iPhone 5c – a bold move by Apple at the time to offer personalization. Seeing those hues applied to the AirPods case, however, feels…unexpected.
Perhaps it’s simply a matter of ingrained expectation. We’ve become so accustomed to the stark white of AirPods that any deviation feels jarring. The mismatch between the case color and the white earbuds themselves also contributes to the unusual aesthetic.
Ultimately, Apple seems to have agreed. These prototypes were shelved, and the iconic white remained the sole option for AirPods. Despite years of requests from fans for colored AirPods, Apple has largely stuck to its signature look.
While the AirPods Max offer a departure with their range of colors, the standard AirPods line remains firmly rooted in white. And judging by these unearthed prototypes, that might have been the right decision all along.
