Apple tipped to launch camera-equipped AirPods with foldable iPhone in 2027

Apple is reportedly working on AirPods with built-in cameras that could give Siri visual awareness of a user's surroundings. The AI-focused earbuds are said to launch in 2027 alongside a new foldable iPhone and a special anniversary iPhone.

In Short

• Apple reportedly targeting late 2027 launch for camera-equipped AirPods
• Cameras may help Siri understand surroundings instead of taking photos
• Anniversary iPhone and second-generation foldable iPhone also said to be in development

Apple is reportedly preparing a major hardware lineup for 2027, and one of the most unusual products in development could be a pair of AirPods with built-in cameras. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company is targeting a late 2027 launch for the earbuds, which are expected to arrive alongside a special anniversary iPhone and a second-generation foldable iPhone.

The camera-equipped AirPods are said to represent Apple's first wearable product built primarily around AI. Unlike traditional cameras found on smartphones, these sensors will not be used for taking photos or recording videos. Instead, they are designed to help Siri understand the user's surroundings in real time.

The report claims that cameras embedded in the AirPods' stems will gather visual information and provide Siri with context about what the wearer is looking at. This could allow Apple's voice assistant to answer questions about nearby objects, offer more accurate navigation guidance while walking, and potentially provide contextual reminders based on what it sees around the user.

Apple already offers a similar concept through its Visual Intelligence feature, which can analyse images captured by users and provide information about them. The company is reportedly expanding these capabilities, and the new AirPods could take that experience a step further by continuously understanding the environment around the user.

To address privacy concerns, the earbuds are expected to feature a visible indicator light that activates when data is being sent for processing. According to the report, the design of the new AirPods will largely resemble the current AirPods Pro series, with the biggest change being the addition of cameras in the stems.

Interestingly, earlier reports had suggested that Apple was aiming to launch the camera-equipped AirPods as early as 2026. However, Bloomberg says the company has faced challenges with its AI development efforts and needed more time to build visual intelligence models capable of accurately identifying objects and scenes. Those hurdles are believed to have pushed the launch timeline to 2027.

The new earbuds are reportedly being tested internally with iOS 28, even though Apple is currently preparing iOS 27 for public release. Bloomberg notes that all of the upcoming AI-focused devices are being developed together, though the final launch schedule could still change.

Alongside the AirPods, Apple is also said to be working on a second-generation foldable iPhone. While the company is widely expected to enter the foldable smartphone category before then, the existence of a follow-up model suggests Apple sees long-term potential in foldable devices rather than treating them as a one-off experiment.

Another product reportedly in development is the long-rumoured 20th anniversary iPhone. Gurman claims the device could feature a "nearly edge-to-edge display, with curved glass that wraps around the sides." The phone is expected to retain screen sizes similar to Apple's Pro models while introducing a more futuristic design.

Apple's AI ambitions are also believed to extend beyond AirPods. The company is reportedly developing smart glasses that could arrive as early as the end of next year. If those plans remain on track, the glasses and camera-equipped AirPods may eventually work together as part of a broader ecosystem of AI-powered wearable devices.

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