Apple's AirPods Evolution: AI-Powered Cameras and Health Sensors Coming in 2026

Cameras in AirPods may arrive as soon as AirPods Pro 4, according to a new report

IR cameras will reportedly assist unspecified Apple Intelligence features We've been hearing tales of AI camera-equipped AirPods for many months now, and the predicted launch date has been swinging forward and back for a while: it's 2027! It's 2026! It's 2027 again! But a new report suggests that there's a more solid timeline now, and that the cameras might arrive in the AirPods Pro 4 and perhaps the AirPods 5 too. That "might" is doing a lot of heavy lifting, however. It comes in a report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman who says that now the AirPods Pro 3 are done and dusted, Apple is working on the next generation and the H3 chip to power them and add new AI features. And as part of that, Apple has been "exploring the idea of embedding cameras in the device." The short answer is "maybe". The first camera-equipped AirPods were reported back in 2024 by respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said that embedded infra-red cameras would help deliver more precise spatial audio in the Vision Pro. And the story was apparently confirmed by an Apple patent filing unearthed the following summer (although Apple files many patents, only some of which make it into production hardware). Kuo returned to the topic last year, saying that the cameras would be able to see gestures that could then be used to control app or system features. It's also been suggested that the cameras will work with unspecified Apple Intelligence features, most recently by Mark Gurman: he said that the camera exploration was part of the "bigger deal" of "turning them into AI devices." If the cameras are indeed coming to AirPods' next generation, it seems very unlikely to me that Apple will put them in the AirPods 5: those are the less premium versions, and Apple likes to differentiate the Pros from the more affordable models. Gurman says that it's unlikely Apple will bring heart rate sensing to that product line, and that makes cameras seem even less likely. I don't see embedded cameras coming to AirPods Max either, because those headphones are in the limbo between "too popular to discontinue" and "not popular enough to justify big investments". So we're left with AirPods Pro 4 as your ear-powered AI pals. And that means even 2027 seems awfully optimistic. The first generation was from 2019 to 2022, and the AirPods Pro 2 ran from 2022 to 2025. If Apple sticks to that timescale then we shouldn't expect to see the replacement for the 2025 AirPods Pro 3 until 2028. If cameras are indeed coming to AirPods, they'll take a while yet.

Apple's AirPods Get Cameras and Health Sensors in 2026 Upgrade - Phandroid

Apple is transforming its AirPods lineup into AI-powered health devices. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that the company is developing AirPods with embedded infrared cameras, advanced health sensors, and deeper Apple Intelligence integration for a 2026 launch. The AirPods camera features will use tiny infrared sensors to gather environmental data and detect user gestures. These cameras will work alongside Apple Intelligence to enhance spatial audio and enable hands-free gesture control. They'll also improve interaction between AirPods, iPhones, and Apple Vision Pro. The technology could recognize whether the AirPod is in your ear, detect hand waves for controls, and even assist with navigation. Health monitoring is also getting a major boost. Both the upcoming AirPods Pro 4 and AirPods 5 will reportedly add in-ear temperature sensing to complement existing heart rate tracking. Experts consider ear temperature readings among the most accurate. This positions AirPods as serious competitors to smartwatches for discreet health monitoring in clinical or fitness settings. Processing power is getting upgraded too. The new H3 chip aims to deliver improved audio quality and lower latency, helping AirPods respond faster to voice commands. This could enable features like live translation in future updates, similar to what Apple already offers through Apple Intelligence features in other devices. This marks a major shift for AirPods. Apple is repositioning its earbuds as mobile AI companions that go beyond audio. They'll deliver vision, gesture recognition, and contextual computing directly from your ear. Infrared cameras could unlock hands-free control and new accessibility features. Users would gain the ability to interact with devices through simple in-air gestures. Meanwhile, expanded health monitoring could let AirPods rival smartwatches without requiring wrist space. The camera-equipped AirPods are expected in 2026, while health-focused models should arrive sooner.