A collector of various rare devices with the nickname Kosutami posted on Twitter an image of the AirPods prototype, the case of which is made in pink color. This type of earphones was supposed to match iPhone 7 in Rose Gold color.

Apple used to release color version of 1st gen AirPods, they planned to make Pink, ProductRED, Purple, Black, Blonde.
Reason of that: they wanted to match the color with iPhone 7. (Purple version of iPhone 7 cancelled at last)
And it’s been cancelled. #appleinternal #Apple pic.twitter.com/AaQqrJZbSr

— Kosutami (@KosutamiSan) May 30, 2023

Apple reportedly had prototypes of the first-generation AirPods in a total of five colors to match the colors of the iPhone 7: pink, red, purple, black, and white. By the way, the release of the purple iPhone 7 was also canceled.

Apple seems to have given up on the idea of colored AirPods only at the stage of design testing or validation, which suggests that the decision was made at a fairly late stage. The reasons for such a change of plans are not reported.