Apple has reached the final stages of developing new AirPods with built-in cameras, an important milestone for what will likely be the company’s first wearable device designed for the artificial intelligence era.
The project has entered a stage where the prototypes already have a design and features close to the final version, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The headphones, which use cameras to see the user’s surroundings and provide information, are in advanced testing, said these people, who requested anonymity because the work is still confidential.
Apple is betting that the new device will be able to build on the success of the AirPods while putting the company in contention in AI hardware — an area in which it faces competition from OpenAI, Meta and others.
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The cameras essentially function as “eyes” for the Siri digital assistant and are not designed to take photos or record video. These components — present on both the right and left headphones — allow you to capture visual information in low resolution. Apart from longer stems to accommodate the cameras, the product should look similar to the AirPods Pro 3.
Apple planned to launch the headphones in the first half of this year, but the debut was postponed after delays in a renewed version of Siri. The new Siri is now expected in September, after Apple updated its base models using Alphabet Inc.’s Gemini technology.
Testers inside Apple are actively using prototypes of the new AirPods in a phase known as DVT, or design validation testing (design validation test). This is the last relevant development step before PVT, production validation test (production validation test), which involves manufacturing the first units at scale.
While the hardware is nearly ready, concerns about the AI elements could still delay the launch if Apple is not satisfied with the quality of the “visual intelligence” features, the sources said. A spokesperson for Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple declined to comment.
The idea is to allow users to ask questions about whatever is in front of them. For example, someone might be looking at ingredients in the kitchen and wondering what they could cook for dinner. It’s a similar experience to uploading photos to AI services like ChatGPT, from OpenAI, or the iPhone’s own Visual Intelligence feature.
Apple is also working on other uses for AI cameras. The device could, for example, send a reminder based on something the camera detects, or use the external environment to offer more advanced turn-to-turn directions. The AI could cite a specific landmark ahead when indicating when to turn.
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The company also wants to address privacy concerns from people who don’t want to be filmed by gadgets — an issue that also affects smart glasses. Apple has included a small LED light in the earbuds, which will light up when visual data is being sent to the cloud. Given the small size of the headphones, it’s not yet clear how visible this light will be.
The new AirPods have been in development for around four years and will be part of a wave of AI products. The company is also working on smart glasses and a pendant with cameras, scheduled for at least next year, but the development of these two products is behind that of the AirPods.
Apple expects strong demand for the new AirPods and has already deployed operations teams to secure enough components for launch. This task is particularly challenging right now because of the global shortage of memory chips and other silicon components.
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Unlike the Apple Vision Pro headset — another device packed with external sensors — the new AirPods are not designed to support hand gesture control. Future Apple Glasses are also unlikely to offer this feature, according to people familiar with the products.
John Ternus, Apple’s future chief executive (CEO), has been highlighting the strength of the company’s product pipeline in recent meetings with employees, saying the company is poised to shake up the industry on a similar level to the iPhone, iPad and iPod.
“We are about to change the world once again,” Ternus told employees after being announced as Apple’s next CEO. “If you’re lucky—really lucky—you might have a moment or two in your career where you take part in something profoundly important. Now we’re at a time where we can do it again.”
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Ternus oversees the development of about 10 major new products, a list that includes a touchscreen MacBook, a foldable iPhone and AI-powered smart home devices. He will replace Tim Cook as CEO on September 1 and will lead the company’s big annual launch event that month.
Apple is also looking to improve the iPhone’s visual AI capabilities. The company plans a new Siri camera mode in iOS 27, which will make AI visual features more central to the operating system. The move should expose more users to the concept of sending visual data to AI services.
The company is racing to compete with OpenAI, Meta and others in the nascent AI device segment. OpenAI has been recruiting Apple hardware engineers to work on competitors to the company’s mobile and smart home devices, while Meta overhauls its own line of AI wearables.
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Bloomberg News first revealed in February 2024 that Apple was developing AirPods with built-in cameras. The company also worked on an Apple Watch with a camera, but canceled the project last year.
AirPods are a natural point for Apple to start implementing AI, given the huge installed base of headphones. Customers often buy the accessory together with iPhones, the company’s main product.
AirPods have been a success for Apple since their launch in 2016. The company introduced new headphones at the end of last year, adding a heart rate monitor similar to the Apple Watch. The over-ear headphones, AirPods Max, were updated in March.
© 2026 Bloomberg L.P.
