According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s report, Apple is working on the mass production of Airpods with cameras that will be launched in 2026. He revealed this news after the Bloomberg report stated that Apple is considering camera-powered Airpods.
However, the Airpods with cameras wouldn’t be for selfies or taking pictures. The built-in cameras basically incorporate infrared cameras like the ones that detect your face ID. Kuo gives more details about this: these cameras will likely use Apple’s Vision Pro and future headsets, which could detect environmental image changes and enable new spatial audio experiences.
He also says a user could watch a video with Apple Vision Pro and Airpods on, and when they turn their head in a specific direction, the sound source coming from that direction could be emphasized to enhance the experience. The IR camera might offer other advantages, like in-air gestures and spatial computing.
