Apple’s Camera AirPods Could Launch This Year — Here’s What We Know

Apple could be preparing one of its most futuristic wearable products yet. While AirPods have traditionally focused on audio, health, and connectivity, the company may now be working on something far more ambitious: AirPods with built-in cameras and AI capabilities.

For months, rumors surrounding these camera-equipped AirPods have been uncertain, with reports suggesting Apple had paused or delayed the project. However, new information indicates that development may be progressing faster than expected, with one version reportedly still on Apple’s roadmap for this year.

Camera-Equipped AirPods Could Be Coming

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, Apple is continuing to work on multiple versions of camera-equipped AirPods.

The original model is reportedly known internally as B798. This was the version first linked to Apple’s plans for adding cameras to its wireless earbuds.

Rather than functioning like traditional smartphone cameras, these sensors are expected to play a more intelligent role. They could potentially help the AirPods understand the user's surroundings and work alongside Apple’s AI technology.

This could open the door to features such as recognizing objects, identifying landmarks, providing contextual information, and improving navigation.

Apple Is Also Developing a Second Model

The biggest development, however, involves another AirPods model known internally as B790.

References to B790 reportedly appeared in the code of the second iOS 27 developer beta. Even more importantly, Gurman says this model is currently on Apple’s roadmap for this year.

That could be a major indication that Apple is actively preparing the product for a potential launch.

The B790 could also be a lower-end or slightly different version compared with the original B798. If Apple has delayed one model while continuing development on another, it could explain the conflicting reports we've seen recently.

Was the Project Actually Delayed?

Earlier reports created significant confusion around Apple's camera AirPods.

A leaker who previously supported analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's 2024 claims about camera-equipped AirPods recently suggested that Apple had suspended the project. Initial reports had also indicated that B798 was expected to arrive this year before potentially being pushed back to 2027.

However, the latest information suggests Apple may not have abandoned the technology entirely.

Instead, the company could simply be focusing on another version. If B798 has indeed been delayed while B790 continues development, Apple could still have a camera-equipped AirPods model ready for launch this year.

Could They Debut in September?

This is where things get particularly interesting.

If B790 is genuinely on Apple's roadmap for 2026, September could be the most logical launch window. Apple traditionally introduces its biggest new-generation products around this time, alongside the latest iPhone lineup.

A September announcement would also give Apple the perfect opportunity to position these AirPods as part of its broader AI and wearable strategy.

The cameras could potentially work with Apple's intelligence features to create an entirely new type of wearable experience one where your earbuds can understand what's happening around you rather than simply playing audio.

Apple’s Next Big Wearable?

Nothing has been officially confirmed by Apple yet, so these details should still be treated as rumors. But the combination of iOS 27 references, multiple internal codenames, and Gurman’s claim that B790 is on Apple's roadmap makes the possibility increasingly interesting.

If Apple actually unveils camera-equipped AirPods this September, they could represent far more than a routine AirPods upgrade.

They could be Apple's first major step toward AI-powered wearables that can see, understand, and interact with the world around you.

And if that happens, the next-generation AirPods could end up being one of Apple's biggest surprises of 2026.