Apple has been working on camera-equipped AirPods for quite some time, with Visual Intelligence at the forefront of the product. This product had initially been rumored for this year, then ended up getting pushed back to sometime next year.
However, there’s now a new chance that we end up seeing our first version of camera-equipped AirPods later this year anyways. Here’s why.
When news first started spreading about Apple’s camera equipped AirPods, they were about one variant: codename B798. That one is still set to debut in 2027, and is presumably a more advanced version of the product.
For years, Apple has been working on the camera AirPods under the code name B798. This device was initially scheduled for release in 2026 before being postponed until 2027, I’ve reported. But Apple has also been developing another version under the code name B790 (Apple famously creates competing versions of the same product internally).
This B790 device also appears to be further along: References to the product have already shown up inside iOS 27 code, and it’s been on Apple’s internal road map for a debut as early as this year.
This isn’t our first time hearing about the B790 variant. Last month, Developer Sam Henri Gold spotted references to it in iOS 27 beta 2.
Only time will tell what these actually end up looking like, but it’s very possible we see the first version of AirPods with cameras as soon as September. It’s still unclear what the differences between the B790 and the B798 versions will be, nor is it clear if both will even end up making it to market.
Previous reports have suggested AirPods with cameras will have slightly longer stems than AirPods Pro to house the cameras, and will feature an LED for when data is being sent to the cloud.
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Michael is 9to5Mac’s Weekend Editor, keeping up with all of the latest Apple news on Saturday and Sunday. He got started in the world of Apple news during the pandemic, and it became a growing hobby. He’s also an indie iOS developer in his free time, and has published numerous apps over the years.
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Despite a new version reportedly being around a corner, I still personally believe AirPods Pro 2 are a great deal. They're already equipped with USB-C, and continually gain new software features. With them consistently going on sale, it's a great purchase to make. Features like Adaptive Audio are incredible.
