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Apple may finally launch its camera-equipped AirPods next month
Aug 3, 2026 — 12:50 AM ET
- Apple could launch its first AirPods with built-in cameras as early as next month.
- References to a camera-equipped AirPods model have reportedly been found in iOS 27, pointing to a possible debut alongside the iPhone 18 series.
- The cameras are expected to help Siri understand the user’s surroundings rather than capture photos or videos.
Apple has long been rumored to be working on AirPods with built-in cameras. Previous rumors suggested that the buds could launch this year, only to be squashed later with an expected 2027 launch. Now, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has once again ignited hope that we might actually see the camera-equipped AirPods sometime this year.
According to Gurman, Apple is preparing two camera-enabled AirPods models. One of those model numbers is dubbed B798, which is expected to debut next year. However, a second pair, codenamed B790, is also reportedly coming with built-in cameras, and these could launch as early as this year.
Gurman says references to the camera-equipped B790 AirPods have been spotted in iOS 27, suggesting Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 launch event could also mark the debut of its first camera AirPods. Meanwhile, the B798 model is expected to be a more refined version set for a 2027 launch.
Back in May, it was reported that Apple employees were already using prototypes of the camera-equipped AirPods. Instead of capturing photos and videos, the cameras on these unannounced buds are designed to capture visual information for Siri, similar to how Gemini Live works with a real-time camera feed.
There’s no word on how these camera-wielding AirPods will be priced, but they’ll likely cost more than the current $249 AirPods Pro 3.
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