Since Apple acquired Beats in 2014, it has been intriguing to observe the various strategic changes the company has implemented. Overall, the Beats brand has remained largely unchanged, with Beats Music being replaced by Apple Music and the Beats 1 radio station rebranded under the latter.
Moreover, Apple has consistently introduced new Beats headphones over the years. Recently, however, the company has embarked on a fascinating new direction by promoting Beats as a brand for accessories.
During the launch of the iPhone 16, Apple made a rather unusual move that many might have overlooked. They introduced a new hard plastic case priced at $49, but interestingly, it was designed by Beats, not Apple.
The case turned out to be quite impressive. After reviewing it, I found it to be enjoyable, although I do wish the price point wasn’t so high for what is essentially a plastic case. It seems Apple enjoys marketing their accessories at a premium, so the price wasn’t entirely shocking.
Additionally, Apple went a step further by unveiling new colors and a redesign of the Beats case for the iPhone 16 in December.
According to MacRumors, Apple is also gearing up to release new Beats charging cables in a variety of colors. These will include several options: USB-C to USB-C, USB-C to Lightning, and USB-A to USB-C.
This development is particularly noteworthy for two reasons:
- For the first time, Apple is producing a USB-A to USB-C cable.
- Apple has historically been hesitant to release colored cables, although they do include colored cables with the 24″ iMac.
The anticipated retail price for these cables is around $20 USD for the 5-foot variant, making them a bit more affordable than Apple’s current offerings.
As these cables are not yet available, I can’t assess their quality. However, I find Apple’s initiative to launch more cost-effective accessories under the Beats name quite intriguing.
Will this strategy continue to expand? It’s hard to say. Personally, I think a Beats-branded portable battery pack could be a compelling idea since Apple no longer offers one.
What are your thoughts on Apple’s current strategies with Beats? Share your opinions in the comments.
My favorite Apple accessories on Amazon:
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