AirPods with infrared cameras will come out in 2026
By ForGeeks Apple is developing a new generation of headphones with spatial recognition and visual data transfer to the iPhone. The cameras in AirPods will be able to orient the user in space, analyze their surroundings, and complement Apple Intelligence. Production of the devices will begin in 2026.
An analyst Ming-Chi Kuo confirmed his June predictions. According to him, future AirPods will get infrared cameras that will allow the device to recognize objects and build basic models of the environment. Such a system could be an intermediate step between earbuds and full-fledged wearable augmented reality devices.
The IR cameras will be used for visual navigation: AirPods will be able to suggest a route and direction, as well as recognize the position of the user’s head and surrounding objects. The data will be automatically transmitted to the iPhone, reinforcing the work of Apple Intelligence, a new AI system being introduced in 2024.
Kuo envisions that cameras will be able to function even when the iPhone is in your pocket. This will open up possibilities for phonemic visual processing, for example – recognizing location, gestures, or orientation in a room without direct smartphone involvement. In this way, AirPods become not only an audio device, but also a wearable environmental sensor.
A parallel rumor mentions that the upcoming AirPods Pro future AirPods Pro model may get a heart rate sensor built into the case. It’s expected to be powered by the new H3 chip and replicate a similar feature available in the Powerbeats Pro 2. It would continue Apple’s trend of expanding the biometric capabilities of its earbuds.
Potential support for live translation is also being discussed. In conjunction with iOS 19, the updated AirPods will not only be able to translate speech in real time, but will also be able to use the iPhone’s speaker to respond back, allowing for a full dialog between two users in different languages.
According to Kuo, AirPods with IR cameras aren’t expected to be released until 2026 at the earliest. The AirPods Max, with a redesigned, lighter lighter design, will be released a year later in 2027.
The AirPods with infrared cameras will come out in 2026 was first published on ITZine.ru.
