Apple’s camera-equipped AirPods are still planned for 2027, even after Apple accidentally included a video showing the unreleased earbuds using Visual Intelligence inside the macOS 26.7 Release Candidate. The leak raised speculation that Apple could announce the product sooner, especially with its September iPhone event approaching, but the company has reportedly removed the earbuds from its 2026 release schedule.
Bloomberg reports that Apple had previously planned to introduce the camera-equipped AirPods this year, with employees testing the product internally during the spring. However, supply chain problems and unfinished software pushed the planned launch into 2027, and Apple is still working through those product challenges.
“But the product challenges are still being resolved, and the camera AirPods remain off the company’s 2026 release schedule. Apple continues to believe the earbuds will launch in 2027,” Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported, citing people familiar with Apple’s plans.
Apple tested two versions of its camera-equipped AirPods
Apple has developed two versions under the internal code names B790 and B798. The B790 model reportedly modified the existing AirPods Pro 3 by adding sensors and AI features, while B798 represents a newer generation of AirPods Pro with the same camera-based technology.
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The accidentally leaked video reportedly shows the B790 version using Visual Intelligence, which lets Apple devices analyze nearby objects and provide relevant information through Siri and other AI features.
Privacy has already become a major concern around the product because users have questioned whether AirPods cameras could secretly capture people. However, the sensors reportedly use low-resolution cameras designed to scan the surrounding environment rather than take conventional photos or record video.
Apple has not commented on the unreleased product, but the current development schedule points toward a 2027 launch alongside several other planned devices, including Apple’s first smart glasses.
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