Apple is getting closer to launching AirPods with built-in cameras
According to a report, Apple is simultaneously advancing two new AirPods models with cameras, one of which is nearing production and may arrive sooner than expected. The cameras are not intended for photography, but to provide Siri with real-time visual information as part of the company's AI expansion.
Apple may introduce its first AirPods model featuring built-in cameras as early as next month, according to a new report by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. If realized, this would mark one of the company's most significant steps into AI-based wearable technology, aligning with a broader strategy that includes smart glasses and other wearable products.
For years, Apple has been working on a project codenamed B798—an advanced AirPods model with cameras originally slated for a 2026 launch. The schedule has since been delayed, with the product now expected to arrive no earlier than late 2027.
However, it has emerged that the company has been developing a parallel version, codenamed B790. According to Gurman, it is standard practice for Apple to develop multiple versions of a product simultaneously to test which one reaches maturity first. In this instance, the B790 model has progressed more rapidly.
Components related to the B790 have already appeared in the iOS 27 code, and the product is marked internally as a candidate for launch before the end of the year. Developer Sam Henry Gold also reported last month that he discovered references to this codename in the second developer beta of iOS 27, reinforcing the assessment that the project is in advanced stages of development.
It remains unclear exactly what distinguishes the B790 from the B798, and Gurman did not provide specific details on the technological differences between them. Whether Apple intends to launch both models remains an open question.
Despite the presence of cameras, these headphones are not intended for taking photos or videos. Reports indicate the sensors are designed to provide Siri with a live feed of the user's environment, allowing the voice assistant to utilize visual information and integrate with existing Visual Intelligence capabilities within the Apple ecosystem.
As this is a more complex and expensive product than the AirPods Pro 3, which currently retail for $249, Gurman previously reported that Apple is considering branding the new model as AirPods Ultra rather than AirPods Pro 4.
If the B790 is indeed ready for launch, the most likely venue would be Apple's fall event in September, alongside the new iPhone series. The more advanced B798 model is still expected to arrive toward the end of 2027.
