Apple’s Rumored Camera-Equipped AirPods Could Arrive as Early as This Year

AirPods could soon add a new way to help Siri understand what’s happening around you, and it may arrive sooner than expected. According to a report published Sunday by Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Apple could release camera-equipped AirPods later this year. That’s earlier than previous reports of a 2027 launch. The prediction is based on code found in the iOS 27 beta releases, which are early test versions of the software, that reference a device called B790. This device is reportedly a version of another camera-equipped AirPods device code-named B798, and B790 is supposedly further along in development than its counterpart. Since it’s already August, that means we could see camera-equipped AirPods in the next few months. An Apple representative didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Bloomberg reported in June that camera-equipped AirPods are meant to be Apple’s first AI-focused wearable product. Rather than capturing photos or videos, the cameras would function as visual sensors, giving Siri more context about what’s happening around the user. The AirPod cameras would analyze images and provide you with context based on what they see. There are still plenty of unanswered questions about the device. AirPods have long been prized for their compact, lightweight design, so adding cameras could make the earbuds noticeably bulkier. If they become too large, will they stay secure during activities like running or workouts? There’s also the question of how the cameras will work in practice. Will users need to point their heads in a specific direction for the cameras to capture what Siri needs to see, or will Apple use wide-angle or panoramic cameras that can recognize a user’s surroundings regardless of head position? The latter would likely provide a much smoother experience, while the former could make the feature feel awkward and unintuitive. If the cameras aren’t panoramic, will users be able to view what the AirPods see on another device, such as an iPhone? The feature also raises questions about whether a companion device with a display will be necessary. Without a screen, it may be difficult for wearers to confirm exactly what the cameras are seeing. Privacy is another question Apple will likely have to address. Wearable devices with built-in cameras, including Meta’s smart glasses, have drawn criticism over concerns that people could be photographed or recorded without their knowledge or consent. While camera-equipped AirPods would differ from smart glasses, they could face similar scrutiny because they also place cameras on a device that’s worn throughout the day. How Apple plans to address those privacy concerns remains unclear. Price is another unanswered question. The AirPods 4, Apple’s compact wireless earbuds, start at $129, while the AirPods Max, the company’s over-ear headphones, sell for $549. Depending on how much the camera hardware changes the AirPods design, a new camera-equipped model could end up costing as much as — or even more than — the AirPods Max. If Apple does release camera-equipped AirPods later this year, a September launch would be the most likely scenario. The company has historically used its fall iPhone events to introduce major AirPods updates, including the AirPods 4 in 2024 and AirPods Pro updates in 2025. However, Apple has also announced audio products outside its September events, so a different launch window remains possible. For more Apple news, here’s what to know about iOS 27 and everything announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Zachary McAuliffe Senior writer Zach began writing for CNET in November, 2021 after writing for a broadcast news station in his hometown, Cincinnati, for five years. You can usually f