Apple plans AirPods with cameras for 2027 to give Siri eyes on your world

Apple Is Reportedly Planning AirPods With Cameras for 2027

With more than a decade of experience, Nelson covers Apple and Google and writes about iPhone and Android features, privacy and security settings, and more. Tiny cameras in your ears may be part of Apple's AI future. The company is preparing camera-equipped AirPods for release in late 2027, according to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman on Tuesday. The new earbuds are expected to arrive around the same time as a second-generation foldable iPhone and a 20th-anniversary iPhone model, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed people familiar with Apple's plans. Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The cameras reportedly wouldn't be meant for taking photos or recording video of the inside of your ear. Instead, they would act more like AI sensors, giving Siri visual context about the world around you. That could let someone ask Siri questions about what they're looking at, like what to make for dinner based on a set of ingredients, according to Bloomberg. This would most likely use Apple's Visual Intelligence feature, which is designed to analyze images and provide context based on what the camera on your device sees. Apple announced new Siri and Visual Intelligence features last week at WWDC 2026 as part of iOS 27 and its other operating system updates. The new Apple Intelligence features are expected to arrive this fall, while Siri AI will be available as a beta later this year. Bloomberg reported that the camera AirPods are code-named B798 and were originally planned for 2026 but were slightly delayed due to Apple's struggles with AI software. The company also reportedly needed more time to develop visual AI models capable of identifying objects in its surroundings. The earbuds are expected to look similar to current AirPods Pro models, aside from cameras embedded in the stems. Bloomberg also reported that the device would include external lights to show when data is being sent to the cloud for processing. The reported AI-powered AirPods are part of Apple's broader push into AI hardware. Bloomberg said Apple is also working on smart glasses that could arrive as early as late 2027, along with a camera-equipped pendant that could be worn on clothing or around the neck. Apple is reportedly preparing a busy iPhone lineup. Bloomberg previously reported that Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch in 2026. Apple is also said to be working on a 20th-anniversary iPhone with a nearly edge-to-edge display and curved glass that wraps around the sides. The timing could still change, as it has in the past. Apple hasn't announced camera-equipped AirPods, a foldable iPhone or a 20th-anniversary iPhone.

Apple 2027 rumors: AirPods with cameras for AI and the second folding iPhone

Now that we're clear of WWDC and all of the AI-powered features coming to Apple's platforms, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has more details about rumored new hardware like the camera-equipped AirPods he'd previously written about. He says they are currently on schedule for a late 2027 launch, and that while we're checking out beta releases for this fall's iOS 27 update, the new earbuds are internally being tested with next year's update, iOS 28. With cameras mounted in their stems and lights to indicate when data is being uploaded to the cloud, they could give the upgraded version of Siri "visual context" about your surroundings, before Apple eventually releases its first pair of smart glasses. Also mentioned is a second-generation foldable phone to follow the model that he says we can expect to see this fall, as an indication that Apple will be committed to the new product category, and, hopefully, find even better ways to take advantage of the extra screens than we've seen in the category so far. I like my Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but between apps that fail to adjust for the bigger screen and a smaller battery than the largest standard Pixel 10, it adds a lot of compromises and a hefty price. Gurman also mentioned the long-rumored "20th anniversary" iPhone, dubbed V73 and V74, which he says will follow this year's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max offering similar sizes, but adding a "nearly edge-to-edge display, with curved glass that wraps around the sides." Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 18 may not launch until next year, while running on an A20 series chip similar to phones planned for release this fall, before the other 2027 phones jump to a 2nm A21 chip, with plans to shift to 1.4nm technology for the A22 Pro, with Apple "considering" using Intel to handle some production along with its usual source, TSMC. This seems to line up with the rumors of the last few years that previewed the arrival of the skinny iPhone Air. But with John Ternus taking over as Apple's CEO, a RAM and component shortage looming over everything, and AI everywhere, even solidly rumored plans could change.

Apple's AI hardware roadmap: camera-equipped AirPods, smart glasses, and foldable iPhones

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. Forward-looking: Apple is quietly lining up new hardware built around the idea of using cameras and custom chips to help its devices better interpret the world around their users. The plan revolves around camera-equipped AirPods that act as ambient sensors, a refreshed iPhone lineup with more room for on-device AI, and a second-generation foldable phone meant to keep up with that software. That roadmap points to what may be Apple's most aggressive push yet into AI-driven hardware. The most striking product is a new version of AirPods with cameras in the stems, code-named B798. It's now tracking toward a late-2027 launch after slipping from an original 2026 target, reports Bloomberg, which cites people familiar with the plans. These are not meant to be tiny GoPros. Instead, the cameras act as computer-vision sensors, scanning a user's surroundings and sending that information to Siri so it can respond with visual context, not just voice or text. The product has moved into advanced development, with prototypes running near-final hardware and software as Apple continues to train the visual AI models behind the feature. Apple describes the broader concept as Visual Intelligence, and it is already appearing in its software plans. The idea is straightforward: let Siri look at the same scene a user is seeing, then reason over that image the way it now reasons over typed prompts. Someone looking at a pile of ingredients on the counter could ask what to make, and Siri would answer based on what the cameras see instead of a typed list. The company is also testing how the sensors might power contextual reminders or better walking directions by tying prompts to what the cameras recognize in the real world. Visually, the camera AirPods are expected to look close to today's AirPods Pro, with the addition of those stem-mounted cameras and external lights that switch on when data is being transmitted for processing. That indicator is meant to give people nearby a clear signal when data is being sent from the earbuds for processing. At its developer conference, the company showed similar functionality for the Vision Pro headset, but the report notes that the stakes are much higher for the AirPods, a more popular product that Apple believes has huge potential as an AI wearable. Those earbuds are just one part of a larger lineup of devices built around AI. Apple is working on its first smart glasses, code-named N50, with a launch targeted for as early as late 2027 with more advanced cameras that can both take photos and video and feed visual data into Apple's software. The company has also explored an AI pendant with an onboard camera that can be clipped to clothing or worn as a necklace, another way to keep computer vision running without requiring users to hold up a phone. Together with AirPods, these devices are meant to surround the user with sensors that can hand off to Siri and other AI tools as needed. Underneath all of this, Apple is reworking its chip roadmap to keep up with the AI load. This year's iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and the first foldable iPhone are slated to run on an A20 Pro processor known internally as Borneo, while next year's standard iPhone 18 will use a base A20 chip called Banda. After that, the company plans to shift key 2027 devices - the second-generation foldable and the 20th-anniversary iPhones - to a 2-nanometer A21 chip, code-named Naxos, which will power both the second-generation foldable and the anniversary models. The anniversary models, labeled V73 and V74 in Apple's internal system, are expected at the end of next year as successors to this year's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. They should come in similar sizes but with a nearly edge-to-edge display and curved glass that wraps around the sides. Those models are expected to arrive around the same time as iOS 28, an iPhone software update code-named Bell that Apple is now testing for 2027. Foldables are meant to be more than a one-off experiment. Apple's first foldable iPhone remains on track for a September debut, followed by a second-generation model code-named V78 roughly a year later. That cadence signals that Apple views foldables as a category that will get regular updates, rather than a one-off launch. The chip roadmap stretches further. A follow-on to the standard iPhone 18 is already in the works with a standard A21 processor dubbed Nimos, and Apple plans to move its high-end phones to an A22 Pro built on a 1.4-nanometer process by 2028. The company will primarily work with TSMC on that chip but is also considering Intel, an arrangement that underscores how important these AI-focused devices are to Apple's product plans.

Gurman: AI AirPods with cameras just tipped for 2027 launch in 'flurry of new releases'

Multiple reports suggest Apple has big plans for an ecosystem of AI products, but the lack of progress with Siri AI has been an obstacle. Now that Siri AI has been unveiled, and set to roll out to iPhones later this year, progress can finally be made on those devices. That includes the long-rumored camera-equipped AirPods, which some have referred to as "AirPods Ultra." According to a new report from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Apple is set to release those AirPods sometime in late 2027. This means they will likely launch around the same time as the iPhone 20, which is being released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone's release. The report notes that the AirPods are set to be the first wearable AI product Apple releases, and will be built around communicating with Siri AI. That includes being able to speak to the AI as normal, while also adding extra input via the AirPods' built-in cameras. How the AirPods Ultra will work The cameras themselves are not designed for recording video or taking photos, and are instead meant to offer Siri some visual input. The idea is that users can ask Siri about different objects or the environment, and have the AI understand what's going on without needing to look through an iPhone camera -- as has been the case so far. It's not entirely clear what kind of cameras are included, and past reports suggested that they could be infrared to enable hand gestures. However, considering Siri is supposed to be able to see things from those cameras, it's likely they're going to be pretty traditional camera lenses -- albeit rather small and low-powered. If that's the case, it's going to be interesting to see how Apple stops these AirPods from being hacked or jailbroken in order to record video from your ears. What AirPods Ultra could look like Gurman says that these new AirPods will resemble the AirPods Pro, with the only major design difference being the presence of both the camera and status LEDs that are visible to other people. Those lights are supposed to show others whenever the AirPods are sending data to the cloud for processing. The AI AirPods were expected to launch this year, but the issues Apple faced with Siri saw them pushed back. Don't expect them to be the only AI wearables Apple has to offer, either. Gurman has reiterated that Apple's AI glasses are supposed to launch at the end of next year too, and the rumored AI pendant will likely arrive in the near future. The AirPods are apparently further along the development process than both of these. The earbuds are said to have reached "advanced stages of development," with Apple actively testing them alongside iPhone 20, iPhone Fold 2 and iOS 28. This seems a little early, considering we're still around 15 months out from the 2027 iPhone launch event. But I suppose being proactive about these things ensures problems can be solved early, rather than scrambling to fix them at the last possible minute. It's going to be a long wait before these AirPods Ultra actually arrive, even if there aren't any issues that crop up over the next several months. But, hopefully, as time goes on we'll be hearing more leaks and rumors about what Apple has in store. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Subscribe to Tom's Guide on YouTube and follow us on TikTok. Finally, you can visit our dedicated Tom's Guide Savings Squad hub for expert help on getting the best products for less.

Apple's Camera-Equipped AirPods Coming in Late 2027 Alongside 20th Anniversary iPhone

Apple is working on camera-equipped AirPods that are expected to launch in late 2027 alongside the 20th anniversary iPhone and a next-generation foldable iPhone, reports Bloomberg. The AirPods will be Apple's first wearable AI product. The cameras in the AirPods are not designed for taking photos and videos, and will instead send information about the wearer's surroundings to Siri. Siri will be able to answer questions about objects and whatever the wearer is looking at. Contextual reminders are a possibility, as are improved turn-by-turn directions when walking. Apple already has a similar feature available through Visual Intelligence, which allows Siri to give details on photos that the user captures. In iOS 27, Visual Intelligence is accessible through the Camera app with a new Siri Mode. The AirPods will look similar to the current AirPods Pro 3, but there will be cameras embedded in the stem. An included light will inform people around the wearer when the cameras are feeding data to Siri. Multiple rumors, including from Bloomberg, have previously suggested the AirPods with cameras could come in 2026. Apple apparently wanted to release the AirPods in 2026, but Apple's ongoing struggles with AI and a need to develop visual models capable of identifying objects around the user caused the AirPods to be delayed. Bloomberg says all three devices are being tested with iOS 28, but timing "remains fluid and could change." Apple also has smart glasses in the works that could come as "early as the tail end of next year," which would presumably see the AirPods and the glasses launch at around the same time.

Apple's era of wearable intelligence begins in 2027 and cameras will be a big part of it

Apple's wearable future is starting to come into focus, and cameras appear to be at its center. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that camera-equipped AirPods and Apple's first smart glasses are currently on the roadmap for 2027. While they may look like ordinary accessories on the surface, both products could play a crucial role in helping Apple Intelligence understand the world around its users in real time. Your AirPods might start paying attention When most people think of AirPods, they think of music, podcasts, and phone calls. Cameras aren't exactly high on the wishlist. But Apple has a different vision. The cameras wouldn't be there for recording videos. Instead, they'd help gather information about the world around you and feed that data into Siri and Apple's AI systems. Imagine asking Siri about a building you're looking at, identifying an object in front of you, or getting contextual information without ever pulling out your phone. So, your AirPods could become another set of eyes for Apple's AI; that's a dramatically different role from what earbuds do today. Glasses to see, not just display Then there's Apple's smart glasses, arguably one of the company's most anticipated future products. Unlike the bulky Vision Pro headset, smart glasses could bring AI into a form factor people might actually wear all day. While details remain scarce, cameras are expected to play a crucial role, helping the device understand its surroundings and deliver real-time, useful information. What's particularly interesting is how these products fit into Apple's broader AI strategy. Most companies are trying to make AI more useful through apps and chatbots. Apple appears to be exploring something more ambient -- AI that observes the world around you and responds when needed. Whether consumers are ready for camera-equipped wearables is another question entirely. But if Gurman's report is accurate, 2027 could be remembered as the year Apple stopped thinking about AI as software and started turning it into something you wear.

AirPods with a built-in camera are reportedly on Apple's 2027 roadmap

Apple's camera-equipped AirPods could give Siri real-world awareness in 2027 Apple's long-rumored AirPods with built-in cameras may finally have a launch window. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is now targeting late 2027 for the release of camera-equipped AirPods, positioning them as one of the company's first dedicated AI wearables. The report follows a series of earlier rumors suggesting Apple has been developing AirPods with camera-like sensors that can provide visual information to its AI systems. Previous reports claimed the company was experimenting with infrared cameras and other sensors to help the earbuds better understand a user's surroundings. More recent leaks suggested the project had progressed into advanced testing. What camera-equipped AirPods could actually do For those hearing about these AirPods for the first time, the cameras are not expected to work like traditional smartphone cameras. Instead, they will reportedly serve as computer-vision sensors, feeding visual information to Siri and helping the assistant understand a user's surroundings. According to Gurman, this would allow users to ask questions about nearby objects, locations, and items, effectively giving Siri a way to "see" the world around it. Recommended Videos For example, a user looking at ingredients on a kitchen counter could ask Siri what meal they can prepare. Apple is also reportedly exploring features such as contextual reminders and navigation assistance that react to the wearer's surroundings. The earbuds are expected to resemble existing AirPods Pro models, with the main visual difference being the embedded sensors in the stems. This won't be the first project of its kind, however. Experts at the University of Washington recently showed off VueBuds, which were essentially off-the-shelf wireless earbuds armed with miniaturized cameras. More recently, a company named Ordo launched a pair of ear-hook-style earbuds that also come armed with a camera. Apple's AI ambitions are finally starting to make sense Now that Apple has rolled out a more capable AI-powered Siri through Apple Intelligence, these earbuds make more sense. The upgraded assistant is designed to be more personal, more context-aware, and capable of understanding information across apps and services. Camera-equipped AirPods could become a natural extension of that vision. While competitors such as Meta have focused on AI-enabled smart glasses, Apple may be able to bring similar contextual awareness to a product category that already sells in massive volumes. Instead of requiring users to wear a pair of glasses, Apple could leverage one of its most popular accessories to deliver visual AI features. Whether the feature catches on will depend on how useful it proves in everyday life. But if Apple can make Siri genuinely helpful when interacting with the world around a user, the camera-equipped AirPods could become one of the company's most ambitious wearable projects in years.

Apple's Next Big Bet? AI AirPods and a Redesigned Anniversary iPhone

The company is reportedly testing AirPods with built-in cameras Apple is said to be planning to expand its product lineup with several ambitious devices next year. According to a seasoned journalist, the Cupertino-based tech giant will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the iPhone in 2027, and it could mark it by launching a special iPhone. Alongside, AirPods with built-in cameras and Apple's second-generation foldable iPhone could also see the light of day. While the company has yet to officially confirm any plans, the purported devices are said to be in advanced stages of development. Apple's 20th Anniversary iPhone, AI AirPods Said to Be in the Works According to a report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is preparing a major wave of hardware launches for 2027. The lineup is said to be headlined by a redesigned iPhone commemorating the product's 20th anniversary. It will reportedly sport an edge-to-edge display with curved glass wrapping around the sides. If accurate, it would mark a significant visual shift from the current iPhone lineup, which features a flat screen. Apple's 20th-anniversary iPhone models are reportedly codenamed V73 and V74 and are expected to debut as the successors to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple's 2nm A21 SoC will reportedly power both handsets. Alongside, the tech giant may also follow up its foldable iPhone with a second-generation model, which is said to be internally known as V78. However, the lineup will not be limited to the iPhone. Gurman said that Apple is also preparing a new pair of AirPods with built-in cameras. But unlike traditional cameras used for photography, the camera on the AirPods would serve as an input base for Visual Intelligence features. The earbuds would allow users to ask Siri contextual questions about objects, locations, or surroundings without taking out their phones. Citing an example, the report mentioned that they may be able to glance at some ingredients in a kitchen and ask Siri for recipe suggestions. The product is reported to resemble existing AirPods Pro models in terms of design, but may include indicators that notify nearby users when visual data is being processed. AirPods with built-in cameras are reportedly internally codenamed B798. While the earphones were previously planned for an earlier launch, Apple's delay in launching advanced Siri and computer vision systems impacted the timeline. Broadening its AI ambitions, Apple could also launch smart glasses competing with Meta's offerings. Per Gurman, the smart glasses are expected to arrive as early as this year and may feature more advanced cameras capable of capturing photos and videos. The company has also been believed to be exploring AI-focused wearable concepts, including a camera-equipped pendant. While there is still some considerable amount of time before launch, the tech giant is said to be testing its 2027 hardware lineup alongside iOS 28. The software is reportedly internally codenamed Bell, and it could lay the groundwork for potentially one of the biggest product refresh cycles in Apple's history.

Apple Will Launch Its Camera-Equipped, Siri-Enabled AirPods Pro In 2027 Alongside The "Bezel-Less" iPhone 20 And The iPhone Ultra 2

Apple's product roadmap for 2027 is shaping up to be even crazier than what it has in store for the ongoing year, with the Cupertino-based tech giant going all-in on the "bezel-less" iPhone 20, a camera-equipped AirPods Pro, and the second iteration of the iPhone Ultra foldable. Apple is on a product launch galore, and 2027 is shaping up to be even crazier than the product-dense 2026 We reported back in February that Apple has been working on a new camera-equipped AirPods Pro. Do note that Apple received a patent back in July 2025 for leveraging cameras - akin to the Face ID's dot projector - in proximity detection and 3D depth-mapping use cases, which obviously retains tantalizing applications for the new AirPods Pro. Then, in May, we reported that the device was in its design validation stage, which is typically the last major step before early production kicks in. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman had revealed at the time that Apple's camera-equipped AirPods Pro would feed a constant stream of visual information to the Siri AI, allowing Apple's revamped voice assistant to understand its surroundings. What's more, users would be able to leverage Apple's new Visual Intelligence, which is all set to debut with iOS 27, to ask Siri AI about the objects in their vicinity, receive better and more personalized contextual reminders, and avail a much more detailed, step-by-step directional guidance. To counter privacy concerns, the device's LED indicator will light up whenever visual information is streamed to Siri. As far as their physical attributes are concerned, the new camera-equipped AirPods Pro apparently resemble the AirPods Pro 3, but with a larger stem to accommodate the cameras. Now, Gurman is out with yet another scoop, detailing that Apple's camera-equipped AirPods Pro will debut in 2027, with the device currently being tested on iOS 28. The delayed launch is apparently a direct function of Apple's recent Siri-related travails. What's more, Apple's new Visual Intelligence-enabled and camera-equipped smart glasses will also debut in "late 2027," while sporting integrated microphone, speakers, and a host of color and design options, including oval or circular frames. Elsewhere, Gurman reports that Apple is working on two versions of its "bezel-less" 20th-anniversary iPhone 20, which will be similar in size to the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Apple is apparently also working on a cheaper iPhone 19. All of these models will launch in 2027. As per the details that are already known, Apple's iPhone 20 will sport sides that curve around the edges, with Samsung billed as the exclusive supplier of these curved display panels. The iPhone 20 will either sport a hole-puch or an under-display selfie camera, and come equipped with a massive battery and new HDR camera sensors. Also, the iPhone 20 will switch to mobile High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) next year. After all, Apple has been exploring this DRAM upgrade to elevate its on-device AI experience. Finally, it will be powered by the A21 Pro chip. As a side note, Gurman does mention that we will also likely get the second iteration of Apple's upcoming foldable, tentatively dubbed the iPhone Ultra, next year. Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.

Apple to launch AI-juiced AirPods and sunglasses, going head-to-head with Meta

Apple is preparing for a huge wave of new product releases, including camera- and AI-equipped AirPods and glasses that will launch the company into the red-hot AI device market -- and into head-on competition with Meta's own AI-enabled camera sunglasses. Apple's new AirPods mark the next step in its development of what it calls Visual Intelligence, technology that can analyze images and provide instant context, according to Bloomberg News. The AI-juiced earbuds will closely resemble current AirPod Pro models, but with tiny cameras embedded in the stems. Rather than capturing photos or video, the device's computer-vision cameras would serve as sensors, supplying Siri with visual context - such as helping improve navigation during turn-by-turn walking directions. The tech giant is also planning to launch its first smart glasses as soon as late 2027, Bloomberg reported. Code-named N50, the shades will compete with products from Mark Zuckerberg-led Meta and will feature more advanced cameras capable of capturing photos and video. Meta - which has its own AI and camera tech embedded in Ray-Ban and Oakley sunglasses - has come under criticism as creeps and wannabe pickup artists have reportedly used them to record their come-ons to unsuspecting women, posting the pervy results in video form online. Privacy advocates have also issued warnings about the potential dangers of wearable AI tech. Apple's AI AirPods will have external lights that can alert people around the wearer when data is being sent from the earbuds to the cloud, according to Bloomberg. The new AirPods are intended to become Apple's first AI-centric wearable device. The release is set to come around the same time as a next-gen foldable phone and a new iPhone model to mark the product line's 20th anniversary. Apple intends the upcoming slate of offerings to be its largest debut of new products yet, Bloomberg reported. Early versions of Meta's smart glasses have been able to take pictures and shoot videos. With the addition of AI, they can answer questions and respond with text on one lens for "Display" models or via audio built into the stems of non-Display models. Apple has already made Visual Intelligence a centerpiece of its revamped Siri and iOS 27, integrating the feature directly into the Camera app. The aim is to allow users to ask Siri questions about objects and their surroundings. A user looking at a selection of ingredients, for instance, could ask the assistant what to make for dinner. The AirPods initiative is part of a broader push into AI-powered hardware from Apple. Apple is also developing an AI-focused pendant equipped with a camera that could be worn on clothing or as a necklace -- but probably not like the device that controls space and time in the "Black Mirror" episode "Bête Noire." The new products could provide tailwinds during the first full year of John Ternus' tenure as chief executive officer after he succeeds to the role in September. The AirPods, code-named B798, were originally targeted for a 2026 release, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. The timetable slipped in part because of Apple's prolonged challenges in artificial-intelligence software development. The company also needed to build visual AI models capable of identifying objects in a user's environment.