Apple accidentally leaks Beats Fit Pro on AirPods 3 launch day

Leaked image of Beats Fit Pro via 9to5Mac.
(Image credit: 9to5Mac)

While Apple finally revealed the much-anticipated AirPods 3 at the Apple Event earlier today (Oct. 18), it seems the company has made an uncharacteristic slip and accidentally leaked the Beats Fit Pro. 

The Apple snoopers over at 9to5Mac were the first to uncover the Beats Fit Pro. In internal iOS 15.1 RC files, 9to5Mac found an image of the Beats Fit Pro, which bear a striking resemblance to the first generation Samsung Galaxy Buds from 2019. 

Beyond the leaked image, 9to5Mac did not find any deeper information regarding its specs or features. But sources do tell the Apple-focused website that the Beats Fit Pro are very similar to the affordable Beats Studio Buds from earlier this year. The Beats Fit Pro will, at least according to 9to5Mac's sources, feature active noise cancellation (ANC), Apple's H1 chip for fast pairing and Hey Siri support. Unlike the Beats Studio Buds, which have a rather large charge case given the earbuds' diminutive size, the Beats Fit Pro seem to be more pocketable.

At least for Apple, the timing of this leak could not have come at a worse time. Right now all attention is being given to the recent Apple "Unleashed" event in which the company announced the new M1 Pro and M1 Max computer chips, a newly redesigned MacBook Pro with an SD card slot and MagSafe charging and the AirPods 3. While it's atypical for Apple to leak the Beats Fit Pro in such a way, it will likely do little to dissuade buyers from cancelling their newly made AirPods 3 pre-orders. 

Unfortunately it's hard to know exactly when we'll see an official unveiling of the Beats Fit Pro. But considering it's already inside iOS 15 code, it could be coming very soon. Even then, with the holiday season fast approaching, and with many of the best Black Friday deals already landing, Apple should probably act sooner rather than later. 

Imad Khan

Imad is currently Senior Google and Internet Culture reporter for CNET, but until recently was News Editor at Tom's Guide. Hailing from Texas, Imad started his journalism career in 2013 and has amassed bylines with the New York Times, the Washington Post, ESPN, Wired and Men's Health Magazine, among others. Outside of work, you can find him sitting blankly in front of a Word document trying desperately to write the first pages of a new book.

Read more
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 in cream
Powerbeats Pro 2 could be getting a big new health feature — here's what we know
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 in cream
Powerbeats Pro 2 tipped to launch next week — here's the rumored date and price
Beats PowerBeats Pro worn by female runner
Powerbeats Pro 2 launching 'imminently' according to reports — here's what we know
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. Beats Fit Pro: Which are the best Beats earbuds?
PowerBeats Pro 2 spotted in Golfers ears
Powerbeats Pro 2 launch could be imminent — Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy spotted wearing new earbuds
Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro 2
Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. Apple AirPods Pro 2 — which Apple earbuds win?
Latest in Airpods
Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses next to AirPods Pro 2
New report says Apple is working on Meta-style smart glasses and AirPods with cameras
AirPods Pro 2 in hand
AirPods Pro 3 major upgrades just tipped by new Apple patent
AirPods Pro
Apple releases instructions for installing new AirPods firmware updates — here's how
AirPods Pro 2 in a person's hands in front of a MacBook
AirPods Pro 2 are cheaper than AirPods 4 right now — this is the lowest price ever for Prime Day
AirPods 4 on a table
Don't wait for Prime Day — here's 15 Apple deals I'd get now from Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart
AirPods Pro 2
Apple AirPods Pro 2 just granted FDA authorization for hearing aid use
Latest in News
(L-R) Yura Borisov as Igor, Mark Eydelshteyn as Vanya, Karren Karagulian as Toros and Mikey Madison as Anora "Ani" Mikheeva in "Anora"
Hulu top 10 movies — here's what you need to stream right now
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 tipster may have just leaked release month and launch plans
Disney Plus logo
Disney Plus upgrade just fixed one of my biggest problems with the home page
Tom Hiddleston as Robert Laing in "High Rise" now streaming on Netflix
5 best Netflix movies in March you haven't watched yet
iPhone 16 with Apple Intelligence logo for iOS 18.1
iOS 18.4: All the newest Apple Intelligence features coming to your iPhone
Maria Debska in "Just One Look" now streaming on Netflix
3 best Netflix shows in March you haven't watched yet