Apple is working on AirPods that have cameras for feeding data to Siri. The new earbuds will be Apple's first AI wearable, and current rumors suggest they're going to come out in late 2027.
Design
The AirPods will look similar to the current AirPods Pro 3, but with cameras embedded in the stem. Apple also plans to include a light that will come on when visual data from the AirPods is being sent to the cloud. The LED will let people around the wearer know the cameras are in use.
Size, design, and fit are expected to remain the largely same for the earbuds and the charging case, with the exception of the changes to the stem.
Rumors suggest Apple will use tiny infrared cameras, similar to the infrared camera used for Face ID.
Features
The cameras in the AirPods will be used for sending data about the wearer's surroundings to Siri, giving Siri more information about where the user is and what's nearby.
Siri will be able to answer questions about objects or whatever the wearer happens to be looking at. The camera-equipped AirPods could be useful for more exact turn-by-turn directions when walking, contextual reminders, 3D mapping, and more.
The iPhone already has Visual Intelligence, which uses AI to identify plants, animals, landmarks, art, books, and more. Camera-equipped AirPods will be able to supply data for Visual Intelligence without the need to use the Camera app.
Users aren't likely to be able to use the cameras to capture photos and videos.
H3 Chip
Apple is working on an upgraded H3 chip and it could make its first appearance in the next AirPods Pro. The H3 chip is expected to bring latency improvements and better audio quality.
Naming
Initial rumors about the AirPods with cameras said they wouldn't be a full new model and wouldn't be called the AirPods Pro 4, but launch timing has since changed. It's now likely the AirPods will be part of the AirPods Pro line, but naming is still unsettled.
Apple could call them the AirPods Pro 4, but AirPods Ultra is also a possibility.
Pricing
With the addition of cameras, the AirPods could be more expensive than the current $249 AirPods Pro 3.
Compatibility
Since the AirPods will feed data to Siri, an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence will be required to use the features. Apple Intelligence is available on the iPhone 15 Pro and later.
Release Date
There were rumors suggesting the camera-equipped AirPods could come out as soon as this year, but the latest information indicates the new earbuds will launch in late 2027 alongside the 20th anniversary iPhone and a second-generation foldable iPhone.
Apple reportedly needed more time for the AirPods to design visual AI models capable of identifying objects.
Apple is testing the new AirPods with iOS 28, an update that Apple is already developing.
