Apple Stops Selling Headphones and Speakers From Third-Party Companies Ahead of Rumored Smaller HomePod and AirPods Studio Launch

Apple is no longer selling headphones and wireless speakers from companies like Sonos, Bose, and Logitech, as it prepares to launch a new, lower-cost HomePod and AirPods Studio headphones.

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According to checks performed by Bloomberg, Apple removed headphones and speakers from Bose, speakers from Logitech's Ultimate Ears brand, and Sonos speakers from its online Apple Store at the end of September. Searching for these products, which were previously sold online and in retail stores, brings up no results.

Employees at Apple retail locations have also allegedly been asked to pull third-party audio products from shelves over the course of the last few days. Retail stores and the online store continue to offer Beats-branded headphones and speakers alongside Apple's AirPods and ‌HomePod‌.

Apple has made similar moves in the past, eliminating stock of fitness trackers ahead of the launch Apple Watch. Apple told Bloomberg that it regularly makes changes to the products that it offers as new third-party accessories are released and the needs of customers change.

Rumors indicate Apple is working on several new audio products, including a smaller, lower-cost HomePod and high-end over-ear Apple-branded headphones that could be called "AirPods Studio," to be sold alongside the AirPods and AirPods Pro.

Both of these new products are expected to launch before the end of the year, and the removal of the third-party audio products from the online store suggests we could be seeing Apple's new audio devices soon, perhaps as soon as the iPhone-centric October event that's rumored to be in the works.

Current rumors indicate that Apple has an event planned for October 13, and if that's the case, we could see an Apple announcement as soon as tomorrow.

Related Roundups: HomePod, AirPods Max, HomePod mini

Top Rated Comments

FlyGuyDEN Avatar
32 months ago

HomePod is a great device.
HomePod is a great device as long as you're not interacting with Siri.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FHoff Avatar
32 months ago

I've had no problems with Siri via HomePod.
I’ll second that.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jarman92 Avatar
32 months ago



Come on Apple why can't we have comparisons to other vendors products in the store?
Consumers still have choice, just not at the Apple Store. It's a store for Apple's products...why would they sell products that compete with theirs? Should they also sell Microsoft and Dell PCs? Google phones? Samsung tablets?
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
farewelwilliams Avatar
32 months ago
HomePod is a great device.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
McKodiak Avatar
32 months ago
Apple is removing competing products from it's stores? Don't they have to allow competing products to have prominent floorspace, window advertising, and Apple Genius recommendations all at a 0% fee to the competitor?
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
farewelwilliams Avatar
32 months ago

HomePod is a great device as long as you're not interacting with Siri.
I've had no problems with Siri via HomePod.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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