Apple is developing AirPods models equipped with cameras, according to multiple reports. The company is working on two variants with the codenames B798 and B790.
The B790 model may be unveiled at Apple's September event this year, while the B798 model is slated for a 2027 launch. Reports indicate the project was initially planned for 2026 but was pushed back to 2027.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the camera-equipped AirPods model has reached the final testing stage. However, another leaker, Kosutami, claimed the model has been cancelled, creating a discrepancy in reports. While some sources indicate the project is actively progressing, Kosutami's claim suggests otherwise.
The cameras in the B790 model are said to be infrared-based and are not intended for taking photos or videos. Instead, they are expected to support the next-generation Siri, introduced at WWDC26, by providing data about the user's surroundings. Siri is expected to use this data to gain context and apply it across various AI features.
2027
Expected launch year for the B798 model of camera-equipped AirPods. According to reports, the B798 model is expected to launch in 2027.
The camera-equipped AirPods are expected to have slightly longer bodies than current AirPods Pro to accommodate the cameras. They are also rumored to include an LED light that indicates when data is being sent to the cloud, providing transparency in privacy and data transfer processes.
The B790 codename was detected in iOS 27 beta 2 code by developer Sam Henri Gold. It remains unclear what the technical differences are between the B790 and B798 models or whether both will be brought to market.
Apple's September event is also expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, a foldable iPhone possibly named iPhone Ultra, and new Apple Watch models. The standard iPhone 18 is expected to be introduced and go on sale in the first quarter of 2027.
Updates
These camera-equipped AirPods models, potentially named AirPods Ultra, are expected to be more expensive than current AirPods Pro models. The integrated infrared cameras are intended to scan the user's surroundings to provide data for AI features.
The infrared cameras in these models are intended to scan the user's surroundings to provide data for AI features, while the new devices may be named AirPods Ultra and are expected to be more expensive than the current AirPods Pro models.
The infrared cameras are intended to scan surroundings to provide data for AI features, while the B790 model is reportedly nearing mass production. These camera-equipped models, potentially named AirPods Ultra, may be more expensive than both the AirPods Pro and the $549 AirPods Max. Additionally, concerns have surfaced regarding unauthorized filming, and the devices might require specific head movements or utilize wide-angle systems to perceive the environment.
The infrared cameras, located in the stems and resulting in a longer design than AirPods Pro, are intended to scan surroundings for real-time Siri AI environmental analysis rather than for photography. Development is progressing with the B790 model being further along than the B798 variant, with the B790 model's presence detected in iOS 27 beta 2 code and a possible 2026 release indicated in Apple's internal roadmap. Additionally, the project reached the Design Validation Test stage in May, suggesting the B790 model is approaching mass production.
The infrared cameras, located in the stems of a slightly longer design, are intended to scan surroundings for Siri AI-powered real-time environmental analysis rather than for photography or videography. While two competing variants are under development, the B790 model is reportedly further along and was detected in iOS 27 beta 2 code, with Apple's roadmap suggesting a possible 2026 release. New claims suggest the models, potentially named 'AirPods Ultra,' could be more expensive than the $549 AirPods Max, though they may require a screen-based interface or specific head movements to capture images effectively.
