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Apple could launch camera-equipped AirPods as early as September 2026. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports the earbuds may debut alongside Apple’s next iPhone lineup in September. While Apple has not confirmed the launch yet, the reported push comes from its growing focus on AI wearables with cameras that may help Siri understand its surroundings.
Apple reportedly has two AirPods projects, B790 and B798, under development. B790 appears further along, while B798 remains linked to a later 2027 launch. References to B790 in iOS 27 code have added weight to reports about a possible 2026 release.
The rumored Camera AirPods may use visual input for Apple’s Visual Intelligence features rather than regular photography. Gurman said the cameras are meant to see surroundings and feed information to Siri. “They can’t capture media,” he further clarified.
Reported software examples include reading text, recognizing landmarks, and identifying everyday objects. The system could also request another image when lighting or clarity affects recognition. Apple may use the same visual data to help Siri answer questions about nearby items.
The earbuds could feature longer stems that accommodate camera hardware and an LED indicator for cloud data transfers. The tech giant may also use the AirPods Ultra name for the high-end product. Earlier reports placed the camera AirPods above the current AirPods Pro range.
A separate report creates uncertainty around the September timeline for camera-equipped AirPods. TechTimes says B790 could instead become a camera-free AirPods update this year. B798 could then remain the main camera-focused model planned for 2027.
The conflicting reports make the September camera launch possible, though the outcome remains unclear. Apple has not confirmed either project, leaving the final design and features unknown.
The reports still show the company pushing AirPods toward AI-powered ambient computing. The launch date, branding, pricing, and camera capabilities still remain unconfirmed.
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