Highlights
- Newly leaked images show Apple once tested AirPods in bright pink and yellow.
- These prototypes were fully developed designs and were reportedly aimed at appealing to younger, expressive users.
- Apple has also been experimenting with Pink, Product Red, Purple, Black and Blonde AirPod colours.
We know Apple for its clean design philosophy, but newly leaked images indicate the company once considered a much bolder look for AirPods. Fresh photos shared by leaker Kosutami @Kosutami_Ito on X show early AirPods prototypes and reveal an experimental design choice that never reached consumers.
Early AirPods Prototypes Reveal Apple’s Colourful Experiments
According to reports, these colourful prototypes are believed to date back to the development phase of the first-generation AirPods. While Apple ultimately launched the earbuds only in white, internal testing reportedly included several vibrant colour options.
The newly surfaced images add weight to earlier reports suggesting Apple explored finishes inspired by the playful colour scheme of the iPhone 5c.
The pink and yellow variants, in particular, appear to reflect Apple’s past efforts to appeal to younger users and those looking for more expressive devices. Notably, these prototypes seem to be fully developed designs rather than early-stage mock-ups, indicating serious consideration within Apple’s product teams.
Christmas post 🎄 Abandoned iPhone 5c colored AirPods 1st gen prototype. #appleinternal pic.twitter.com/Y2wzZTxgLC
— Kosutami (@Kosutami_Ito) December 24, 2025
Apple’s Experiments with Colourful AirPods
This is not the first time evidence has emerged of Apple experimenting with different AirPods colours. Back in 2023, Kosutami revealed that Apple had tested AirPods in colours meant to complement the iPhone 7 series including Pink, Product Red, Purple, Black and Blonde. Despite these trials, Apple chose to stick with its signature white finish for the final consumer release.
Among those earlier experiments, the purple version was reportedly dropped before launch. This aligns with Apple’s long-standing approach of testing bold colour options internally before settling on more conservative choices for mass-market products.
However, Apple continues to sell its standard AirPods and AirPods Pro only in white.
The newly revealed prototypes offer a glimpse of how different the AirPods lineup could have looked if Apple had embraced a more playful design language early on. They also join a growing list of unreleased Apple products that have intrigued enthusiasts over the years, such as the cancelled AirPower charging mat and various prototype devices linked to Apple Vision hardware.
FAQs
Q1. What did the leaked images of AirPods prototypes reveal?
Answer. They showed Apple once tested bright pink and yellow AirPods, inspired by the playful iPhone 5c design.
Q2. When were these colourful AirPods prototypes developed?
Answer. They are believed to date back to the first‑generation AirPods development phase, though Apple only released white models.
Q3. Has Apple experimented with other AirPods colours before?
Answer. Yes, in 2023 leaks revealed Apple tested colours like Pink, Product Red, Purple, Black, and Blonde, but none reached consumers.