Key facts
- Apple is developing camera-equipped AirPods with a 'Visual Intelligence' feature for AI integration.
- A demo video of the product was leaked in the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate.
- The new AirPods are designed to allow Siri to identify and save visual information from the wearer's surroundings.
- The device is expected to launch in 2027, with a potentially earlier version codenamed B790 possibly arriving in September.
- Privacy concerns exist, but an indicator light for camera activation is expected.
Apple is reportedly on track to launch camera-equipped AirPods in 2027, a move that would position the company in the AI wearables market. Despite a recent leak of a demo video within the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate, which showcased the 'Visual Intelligence' feature, the product's timeline remains largely consistent.
The leaked video demonstrated how the AirPods' cameras could feed low-resolution imagery to Siri, enabling it to identify and save objects or information from the wearer's surroundings. For instance, a user could ask Siri to remember a book they are reading, with the AI responding, "With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes saveable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later."
Internally, Apple has developed at least two versions of camera-equipped AirPods, codenamed B790 and B798. While the B798 model is slated for a 2027 launch, the B790 version is reportedly closer to release and could debut as early as September, potentially alongside new iPhone models. The design is expected to be similar to current AirPods Pro, with the addition of cameras embedded in a thicker stem. An indicator light to signal camera activation is anticipated to address privacy concerns.
These camera-equipped AirPods are expected to leverage an upgraded H3 chip and may be positioned as a premium product, possibly under the 'AirPods Ultra' moniker, though references in the leaked software suggest 'AirPods Pro' might be retained.