Apple Is Secretly Building Two Very Different Game Controllers

New Games app on iPhone
Image credit: Apple

Recent rumors suggest that Apple might finally be making its own hardware for video game fans. While the company already lets you use almost any popular gamepad with your devices, new evidence shows it could be building something in-house. Hidden code found recently reveals two unreleased gamepads with very different features. This suggests the tech giant wants to do much more than just offer basic software support for your favorite titles.

Hidden code shows a basic and a premium controller model

A user on the MacRumors forum spotted references to the new devices inside an early version of the macOS 26.7 update. The code was quickly removed in the second release of the macOS Tahoe beta. But the details were already out there. The two hardware models are listed under the names T6502 and T1057. Both options will come with a familiar layout that includes a four-button setup, two clickable thumbsticks, shoulder buttons, analog triggers, plus Home and Menu buttons.

The first option, T6502, looks like a basic wired model. It only connects through a USB cable and does not have motion sensors. It adds an extra Options button and uses a software trick to send four different vibration signals through a shared physical motor. This setup should help reduce feedback distortion.

Don’t miss the best of The Mac Observer

Set us as a preferred source and our Apple reporting ranks higher in your Google Search results and Discover feed — one tap, no account changes.

Or get it by email

On the other hand, the T1057 model seems to be a premium wireless option. It supports connections through USB, Bluetooth, and Beats USB. This higher-end version drops the Options button but adds an accelerometer and gyroscope to track motion. It also features a single addressable motor system for more precise feedback.

Right now, it is unclear why the company wants to jump into such a packed market. Gamers already have plenty of choices from Xbox, PlayStation, and other third-party brands. If it does release its own controllers, the hardware will need to deliver some very unique features to convince buyers to play games with them instead of the hardware they already use.

Discussion

Join the discussionCommenting as a guest — your email is never published · Log in

Protected by Akismet — be kind, stay on topic.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.