Apple is positioned to unveil its first camera-integrated AirPods well ahead of earlier timelines, with fresh details pointing to a possible September arrival for one model. This represents a notable acceleration compared to previous outlooks that targeted 2027. The update also reveals the company is evaluating two distinct camera AirPods prototypes internally, with one variant advancing more rapidly after references appeared in iOS 27 code.

Apple Could Introduce Camera AirPods Before End of 2026

Mark Gurman of Bloomberg reports in his latest Power On newsletter that Apple has pursued two camera-equipped AirPods designs simultaneously under the codenames B790 and B798. B790 appears further along and could reach the market later this year, potentially aligning with the annual iPhone event in September.

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Mentions of B790 have surfaced in iOS 27, underscoring the project's momentum toward release. Developer Sam Henri Gold first spotted the codename in an earlier iOS 27 beta, providing additional confirmation of the hardware within Apple's software ecosystem.

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Apple has invested multiple years in camera-equipped AirPods development under the codename B798 as part of its expanding AI wearables initiative, which encompasses smart glasses and an AI pendant. B798 had been slated for 2026 before shifting to a 2027 target, with recent indications tying it to a late-2027 launch alongside the twentieth-anniversary iPhone and a next-generation foldable model.

The report leaves open how B790 and B798 differ from each other. Gurman notes that Apple frequently explores competing versions of products before selecting one for production, leaving uncertainty about whether both camera AirPods efforts will reach consumers.

Some outlets have proposed an alternative view of B790, suggesting it may represent a camera-free AirPods Pro update instead. Yet the software references align more closely with the camera-equipped interpretation.

iOS 27 Hints at New Smart Wearable With Two Cameras

Gold's analysis indicates the device would process visual data from cameras positioned on each side of the wearer's head. Initial speculation linked the references to smart glasses, but the placement better suits earbuds. The B790 designation follows B788, previously connected to AirPods Pro 3.

The code contains examples of identifying landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, reading text aloud, recognizing objects like a coffee mug, and prompting for another image if the first is unclear or dimly lit. Gurman has noted the system might also detect groceries and propose recipes based on the scene.

Earlier information indicates the cameras are intended to enable Siri to understand the wearer's environment via Visual Intelligence rather than record photos or video. The earbuds may include slightly extended stems to house the hardware and an LED that activates during cloud data transmission.

Gurman has suggested Apple could brand the camera model as AirPods Ultra rather than AirPods Pro 4 due to its higher expected price. Even if B790 launches this year, the more advanced B798 is still projected for late 2027.