Newly released photos from a well-known prototype collector have revealed that Apple once played around with the AirPods design much more than we ever knew. The images posted by leaker Kosutami purport to show first-generation AirPods prototypes in bright pink and yellow – a significant departure from the strictly all-white look that Apple has championed since day one.
Apple’s unused experiment with colorful AirPods
According to Kosutami, these early devices featured colored outer cases for the charging case, while the inside of the case and the actual earbuds remained white. The shades are a real eye-catcher for the colors of the iPhone 5c, which came in blue, green, pink, yellow and white. This suggests that Apple was seriously considering a much more playful, vibrant aesthetic for its wireless earbuds in the early stages of development.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about Apple’s secret color lab. In 2023, Kosutami shared images of pink prototypes and claimed that Apple had actually developed five different color options to match the iPhone 7 lineup. Although they made it to the prototype stage, Apple ultimately scrapped the plan and went with the iconic white design that has since become a status symbol.
The discovery is a big deal because it proves that Apple has gone far beyond just sketching out ideas
While some people thought Apple might have only tested colored cases as an ancillary accessory, the existence of these physical prototypes shows that the company seriously considered a different color strategy before pulling the plug.
For users, this adds a sort of “what if” to the conversation. AirPods have often been criticized for their lack of variety, with many fans wishing they could customize their earbuds to suit their phone or personal style. The fact that Apple considered this route – and then backed away from it – underscores how protective they are of the AirPods’ specific brand identity.
So far, the AirPods Max are the only ones in the family that break the rules, coming in colors like Space Gray, Sky Blue and Pink. The standard AirPods and Pros have remained strictly white in every generation, which helps with brand recognition but definitely limits personal expression.
Looking forward, these leaked prototypes don’t mean we’ll be getting AirPods 5c any time soon. However, they show that Apple has revised the idea of color more than once behind closed doors. As the market becomes increasingly crowded and personalization becomes a bigger selling point for competitors, Apple may change its mind at some point – especially if they need a new way to highlight future models. For now, these images are just a cool look at a different reality that Apple says we weren’t ready for.
