Next AirPods Pro could gain tiny cameras for spatial awareness and advanced AI features

Your next AirPods might get tiny cameras to sense the world

Rumored built-in cameras could add spatial awareness and AI tricks without raising the price. Apple's next pair of premium earbuds could gain a feature that sounds more sci-fi than audio: cameras. A new leak, shared by well-known leaker Kosutami Ito, suggests that the upcoming AirPods Pro may include tiny built-in cameras or visual sensors designed to understand your surroundings better. Surprisingly, they might not cost any more than today's model. According to the leak, it appears that Apple is developing a version of AirPods that can "see around you," thereby opening the door to more advanced AI features and tighter integration with spatial computing. Just to be clear, though, these would be infrared (IR) sensors, not standard cameras, meaning they wouldn't capture photos or video. Instead, they'd function more like the depth and tracking sensors found in Apple Vision Pro, feeding spatial and environmental data into Apple's AI systems. What the cameras could actually do In practice, these cameras could let AirPods better understand your surroundings, which would help in adjusting audio based on where you are, improving gesture detection, enhancing head tracking for spatial audio, or supporting accessibility and navigation features. It also fits into Apple's bigger push toward spatial computing and on-device intelligence. By giving wearables a kind of environmental awareness, AirPods could feel less like simple audio accessories and more like smart companions that react automatically to what's happening around you, cutting down on taps and voice commands. The bigger surprise, however, is pricing. According to the leak, Apple isn't expected to raise prices despite the added hardware. That's notable at a time when most upgrades usually come with a premium, and it suggests Apple may treat these sensors as a core feature rather than a luxury extra. Of course, none of this is official yet. Apple hasn't confirmed any camera- or sensor-equipped earbuds. But if the rumors hold, the next AirPods might do more than just play music. Instead, they could quietly sense the world around them and make smarter decisions in the background.

Next AirPods Pro could "see around" you and it's all about Visual Intelligence

Apple might fit the next AirPods Pro upgrade with IR cameras to aid the AI Visual Intelligence feature A new rumour claims Apple's next AirPods Pro wireless earbuds will be equipped with components that'll "see around" the wearer. That's according to the leaker Kosutami, who, in a tweet over the weekend, also suggested the upgraded model will be available at the same price as the current, third generation AirPods Pro. The leaker doesn't specify how the earbuds will see around the wearer but previous reports have claimed it will be via IR cameras. Reports to date have claimed an update will arrive this year and won't be a fully-fledged AirPods Pro 4. It was said to be for the purpose of leveraging Apple's Visual Intelligence feature that offers contextual information about the world around them. Earlier in January, for example, Bloomberg Mark Gurman reported "external cameras and artificial intelligence [will help users] understand the outside world and provide information." As 9to5Mac reports, the idea the price could stay the same casts doubt on the veracity of the leak. If Apple were to upgrade the AirPods Pro with camera sensors, it's likely that would carry a higher price. We'd guess Apple would tag and extra £50/$50 on the price tag. However, if Apple is serious about getting Visual Intelligence into the hands (or ears for the purposes of this conversation), it may decide to price the AirPods Pro 3... 3.5 perhaps? ... aggressively.

Apple's Next AirPods Pro Will Reportedly Be Able To "See Around You"

0-20%: Unlikely - Lacks credible sources 21-40%: Questionable - Some concerns remain 41-60%: Plausible - Reasonable evidence 61-80%: Probable - Strong evidence 81-100%: Highly Likely - Multiple reliable sources Apple recently launched the AirPods Pro 3 with a single marquee feature, one relating to Apple Intelligence. However, if the latest tidbit pans out, the device's next iteration would be all about spatial perception. For the uninitiated, Apple's new AirPods Pro 3 feature smaller earbuds that offer a better fit, an improved spatial listening experience, up to 2x more effective noise cancelation, live translation powered by Apple Intelligence, a heart rate sensor, an 8-hour long battery, and IP57 sweat and water resistance, all for just $249. However, as is evident from the X post above, the tipster Kosutami believes the next AirPods Pro will be able to perceive their surroundings. What's more, this feature is not expected to result in a corresponding price bump. Of course, it remains unclear if Apple will equip the AirPods Pro 4 with an actual camera or merely an IR sensor. After all, the prolific Apple-geared analyst, Ming Chi-Kuo, tipped back in 2024 that IR camera-equipped Apple earbuds were in the offing. This comes as Apple received a patent 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 has tantalizing applications for its bespoke earbuds. We would hazard a guess that these new AirPods Pro could serve as stepping stone for Apple to introduce its rumored AI pin, which would be roughly the size of an AirTag and come equipped with multiple cameras, a speaker, microphones, and wireless charging.

AirPods Pro 4 may get a new spatial awareness feature: Here's why it matters

In 2024, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested Apple was exploring infrared camera modules for future AirPods. Apple's next-generation AirPods Pro could bring environmental awareness, if a new leak is accurate. Tipster Kosutami posted on X that the 'Next AirPods Pro can see around you'. The claim follows earlier rumours of Apple bringing new IR-equipped AirPods to its spatial audio/computing ecosystem. The new leak also suggests the company won't increase the price of these upcoming AirPods Pro. So, this story matters more than one way. Here are the details. In a short post shared on X, Kosutami stated: 'Next AirPods Pro can see around you. At same price avail.' The tipster has shared no technical explanation, and we have no official hints from Apple either. But the phrase 'see around you' leaves room for interpretation. It could mean the addition of cameras, infrared (IR) sensors, or depth-mapping components that allow the earbuds to better understand their surroundings. In 2024, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested Apple was exploring infrared camera modules for future AirPods. These would reportedly work alongside devices such as the Vision Pro to enhance spatial computing experiences. Further, Apple secured a patent in July 2025 detailing the use of camera systems, similar to Face ID's dot projector, for proximity detection and 3D depth mapping. While patents do not guarantee products, they show Apple is researching this area. Also Read: Leaked Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro renders show redesigned earbuds and case If the next AirPods Pro gain environmental sensing hardware, the shift would be significant. For users, this could offer: If priced at Rs 25,900 again, like the AirPods Pro 3, the new feature would represent a major hardware offering at no added cost, potentially pressuring competitors such as Sony and Bose to accelerate similar innovation. Apple appears to be positioning AirPods as more than audio accessories. The AirPods Pro 3 already introduced a heart rate sensor and deeper AI integration. Adding spatial perception would align the product closer to Apple's broader spatial computing strategy. However, privacy concerns would inevitably surface if cameras are involved. Apple would need to clarify whether any imaging system captures full visuals or merely depth data. The leak is unverified and based on a single social media post. Furthermore, Apple's hardware roadmap is often fluid, and features can shift between generations. There will be regulatory and privacy scrutiny around such a device. However, if the leak turns out to be true, and you are interested in environmental awareness and spatial computing features, you may wait for this pair. Let's wait for more concrete details in the meantime. Keep reading Digit.in for similar stories.