There are new Beats headphones, but you can't buy them for a weird reason

TechAudioHeadphonesThere are new Beats headphones, but you can’t buy them for a weird reasonIs Apple starting to move away from supporting the (RED) charity?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Is Apple starting to move away from supporting the (RED) charity?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Beats / Apple)

Beats Product(RED) Solo 4 headphones

(Image credit: Beats / Apple)

Quick SummaryBeats' new Product(RED) headphones aren’t going to be in your local Apple Store this year.They’re for artists and “influencers” only.

Beats' new Product(RED) headphones aren’t going to be in your local Apple Store this year.They’re for artists and “influencers” only.

Beats' new Product(RED) headphones aren’t going to be in your local Apple Store this year.

They’re for artists and “influencers” only.

Applehas announced a set of Beats headphones with a difference… you can’t buy them.

The headphones, launched to mark World AIDS Day, are part of the Product(RED) branding but will only be available in an extremely limited edition. You’ll almost certainly never see them in the wild or be able to get hold of your own – unless you’re a pop star or social media influencer, that is.

According to Beats' chief marketing officer Chris Thorne, the company is “excited to use its network of talent and influencers to seed this custom product and raise awareness.”

To mark our long partnership with (RED) and continue supporting their mission, we created these custom Beats Solo 4 headphones. As part of the collaboration, artist and designer @YinkaIlori_ brings his bold and kaleidoscopic approach to exclusive special-edition packaging. pic.twitter.com/dhJnqTNgaiDecember 1, 2024

What’s going on with Apple and (RED)?

Apple has sold Product(RED) versions of its key products for years now. But with these headphones, Beats has chosen to make its own donation to (RED) and its Global Fund rather than sell a product outright. The brand hasn’t disclosed the amount of its donation.

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Apple first supported Product(RED) back in the Steve Jobs era, and its special edition products have included iPods, iPhones and one-offs, such as solid gold EarPods.

I’ve got the (RED)Apple WatchSport band, but it’s no longer on sale and the (RED) Apple Watch is no longer an option. There aren’t any (RED)iPhone15 or 16 models, and the only current (RED) iPhone, the iPhone SE, is due to be replaced early next year.

We don’t know Apple’s future plans. However, if Apple is planning to quietly stop manufacturing (RED) versions of Apple devices but didn’t want the bad PR of an official ending, moving to make limited editions for influencers is exactly how it might do it.

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