Apple’s long-rumoured camera-equipped AirPods may be arriving much sooner than expected.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has been developing camera-enabled AirPods for several years as part of a wider push into AI-powered wearables. While the more advanced model was previously expected to launch in 2027, a separate version is now said to be much closer to release.
Gurman reports that Apple has been working on two internal projects simultaneously. The first, codenamed B798, remains the more ambitious version and is still expected to arrive in 2027. However, a second model, known internally as B790, has reportedly progressed much further and is now considered a candidate for release before the end of 2026.
Evidence for the device has also begun appearing in software. Components linked to the B790 project have reportedly surfaced in iOS 27. In addition, developer Sam Henri Gold previously uncovered references to the same codename in the second iOS 27 developer beta. This adds weight to claims that the hardware is nearing launch.
Despite the “camera” branding, these AirPods aren’t expected to function like miniature action cameras. Instead, the sensors are tipped to feed visual information to Siri, allowing Apple’s AI assistant to better understand a user’s surroundings through the company’s existing Visual Intelligence features. That could enable more context-aware responses without getting your iPhone out of your pocket.
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Apple hasn’t revealed how the B790 differs from the more advanced B798 project, and Gurman says it’s still unclear whether both products will ultimately reach consumers. Apple is known for developing multiple versions of the same product internally before deciding which one to release.
The addition of camera hardware is also expected to push prices beyond the current $249 AirPods Pro 3. Gurman has previously suggested Apple is considering launching the new earbuds under “AirPods Ultra” branding rather than positioning them as the next generation of AirPods Pro.
If the report proves accurate, Apple’s September launch event looks like the most likely stage for the new earbuds to make their debut. Meanwhile, the more fully featured camera-equipped model remains on track for a later 2027 release.