Apple’s Camera-Equipped AirPods Delayed to 2027 Amid Leak and Privacy Debate

Apple is developing a new generation of AirPods that embed low-resolution cameras in the stems. The cameras feed visual data to Apple’s “Visual Intelligence” feature, allowing Siri to recognize objects such as book covers and respond with contextual actions. A demo video showing a user holding a book for the earbuds to read was discovered inside the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release-candidate build. The video, first reported by MacRumors, confirms two internal variants: the B790 model (a modified AirPods Pro 3) and the B798 model (a new-generation AirPods Pro). Both are slated for a 2027 launch after Apple postponed mass production because of supply-chain and software challenges identified in 2026. Apple declined to comment on the leak.

MacRumorsApple Spotted Developing Camera-Equipped AirPods…Demo Video Leaks from macOS — BigGo Finance Apple video accidentally leaks AirPods with cameras BloombergBoy Genius ReportLatest macOS 26.7 Beta Includes References to AirPods with Cameras and Other Incoming Products Engadget

The camera-AirPods are part of Apple’s AI-wearables strategy, which also includes a neck- or shirt-worn pendant and the company’s first smart glasses slated for later in 2027. Development began with internal testing in early 2026, and the devices are expected to complement a major Siri overhaul scheduled for the September iPhone event. The upcoming hardware event will be the first under incoming CEO John Ternus, who assumes the role on September 1.

BloombergApple video accidentally leaks AirPods with cameras Latest macOS 26.7 Beta Includes References to AirPods with Cameras and Other Incoming Products EngadgetMacRumorsBoy Genius Report

• Australian analyst firm Telsyte reported 1.2 million smart hearables sold in the first half of 2026, a 16 % year-over-year increase.

Apple video accidentally leaks AirPods with cameras

• 48 % of Australian users wear their hearables daily, and 25 % use voice features every day, according to the same report.

The Next Web (TNW)

Apple’s spokesperson declined to comment on the leak. Unnamed sources said the cameras are “low-resolution sensors” designed for environmental scanning, not for capturing photos or video. Apple’s privacy messaging emphasizes that the earbuds will not record people without consent, echoing the company’s stance on privacy criticisms faced by competitors’ smart-glass products.

Bloomberg

• Launch timing: Bloomberg and MacRumors cite internal sources that the earbuds will not appear until 2027, while earlier Bloomberg reports by Mark Gurman suggested a possible September 2026 launch. Gurman later revised the timeline twice, creating contradictory expectations.

MacRumors

• Camera capabilities: The demo video shows the earbuds detecting a book cover, but sources disagree on whether the devices can capture still images or video. Some analysts argue the hardware may eventually support image capture, though Apple has not confirmed such capability.

Apple Spotted Developing Camera-Equipped AirPods…Demo Video Leaks from macOS — BigGo Finance

• Product naming: The codename B790 appears in multiple leaks, but potential commercial names such as “AirPods Ultra” or “AirPods Pro” have both been mentioned, leaving the final branding uncertain.

MacRumors

• “Better to start with old design and new technology,” — G. Siegler

The Next Web (TNW)

Apple’s next hardware event is slated for the first half of September, with the leadership transition to John Ternus on September 1. Analysts expect the company to outline its AI-wearables roadmap at that event, though no official confirmation of a camera-AirPods launch date has been given. The product remains on Apple’s 2027 release schedule pending resolution of the identified supply-chain and software issues.

Bloomberg