Apple may release branded headphones despite owning Beats

Apple may soon enter the high-end headphone business.

The iPhone maker — despite the fact that it shelled out $3 billion in 2014 to acquire Dr. Dre’s Beats headphones label — may be releasing a pair of luxury headphones under its own brand as soon as this year, according to an analyst.

In a note to investors this weekend, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple’s plan is to create a product that will “be as convenient as AirPods with better sound quality.”

The new headphones are expected to be priced “higher than AirPods,” which retail at $159 and are one of Apple’s best-selling products.

It is not yet clear how the new product will differentiate itself from any of the offerings from Beats, but it is likely they will use Apple’s in-house Bluetooth- pairing chip.

Apple is also expected to release the first of two AirPod updates later this year, which is believed to feature built-in Siri functionality that can be summoned via voice command, according to a report by Bloomberg.

With that new model, AirPod users will be able to say “Hey Siri” to activate the virtual assistant. The updated earbuds will also feature an improved chip for managing Bluetooth connections.

The second update is a water-resistant model that will be able to withstand splashes, rain and sweaty workouts, according to the report, which pegged its release for 2019 at the earliest.

Apple shares were trading up 1.8 percent Monday afternoon, at $178.70.