GoKawiilBloomberg’s Mark Gurman has today corroborated references discovered in macOS beta code that indicated Apple is designing its own game controllers for iPhone.
Apple already sells some controllers like the Backbone One (pictured above) and SteelSeries Nimbus+ through the Apple Store, and now it wants to take a slice of the iPhone gamepad market for itself.
The code findings indicated the development of two controllers, with model identifiers T6502 and T1057 respectively. The code findings showed evidence of a D-Pad, thumbsticks, haptic motors, and possibly an integrated accelerometer and gyroscope for motion controls. However, the exact design of what the Apple-made game controllers look like is not yet known.
Gurman believes the Apple-developed accessory may ultimately be released under the Beats brand, with the project being overseen by Beats executives. Beats accessories often target lower price points with slightly cheaper materials than the more premium Apple brand implies.
As a reminder, users can connect MFI-compatible game controllers to their Apple devices, as well as traditional game console controllers like the PlayStation DualShock and the Xbox Wireless Controller.
An Apple or Beats-branded game controller could also help improve the gaming ecosystem on Apple TV 4K, and boost engagement with the increasingly-sophisticated AAA games being made available on iOS and Mac.