Leaked Video Offers Glimpse of Camera-Equipped AirPods
A short video hidden inside Apple's macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate has offered the clearest look yet at the company's long-rumoured camera-equipped AirPods. The footage, first spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris and shared widely on X, shows a man holding up a book so a camera in the AirPods can see the title. A voiceover in the demo states, "With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes savable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later."
The cameras themselves are not visible in the footage, and the earbuds closely resemble the current AirPods Pro, with the most noticeable difference being a somewhat thicker stem. The camera on the AirPods is designed to feed information to Visual Intelligence, allowing Siri to answer questions about the wearer's surroundings and log information.
The system also appears to account for practical obstacles – the software includes an alert that notifies users if hair is covering the AirPods. Apple has also built in a message warning users to keep the AirPods uncovered "to get the most accurate information about things in your environment."
Code Suggests Timeline and Design
Code found in the release candidate references a product identifier 'B790', described as AirPods with cameras expected later in 2026, including a debug string reading "B790 start image stream failed for left bud." A separate report indicates the model, codenamed B790, is nearly ready for release, with another version, B798, said to be in development for 2027.
This finding is consistent with reports that camera-equipped AirPods may not launch alongside this year's new iPhone. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, citing sources familiar with Apple's plans, said the camera AirPods "isn't expected until next year" and attributed the delay to supply-chain constraints and software issues, not privacy complications.
Earlier, Bloomberg had reported that Apple is working on a camera-equipped AirPods model that could arrive in 2027. MacRumors had also uncovered a hidden macOS framework called "AccessorySensorManager," which contains references to sensors capable of collecting visual and environmental information from connected AirPods. That framework suggests each earbud could contain a camera sensor capable of capturing synchronized RGB images at up to one megapixel, focusing on still-image capture rather than conventional photography or video. It also references active and passive capture modes, with one potentially triggered through Siri and another collecting lower-resolution environmental information about nearby speech, sound changes, posture, head movement, and other contextual signals.
Notably, the framework appears to include a hardware indicator that could visibly signal when image capture is taking place.
Privacy Concerns Rise as Timing Shifts
The potential for cameras in earbuds has already triggered a skeptical response. Unlike smartphones or smart glasses, earbuds are small, discreet, and often worn for hours at a time, making it difficult for others to know when a camera might be active. Users on Reddit have noted concerns that such devices could face restrictions in offices, schools, or other sensitive environments. One Reddit user imagined a blanket ban: "Gyms obviously ban phones in locker rooms, but now I'll have to take off my AirPods to make sure people feel comfortable." Another user acknowledged they could be a "dope disability aid," but "I don't see the point."
On LinkedIn, commenters expressed similar worries. One suggested camera AirPods could be a "legal nightmare waiting to happen inside companies." Another speculated the devices would spawn "lawsuits a plenty as soon as employees wear them into the bathroom," and one person suggested wearers are "going to be part of the surveillance state." Many commentators also drew parallels to Meta's Ray-Ban wearables, which have earned the label "pervert smart glasses" after incidents involving comedian Diane Morgan.
Apple has not yet announced a camera-equipped AirPods product, and none of these findings confirm when, or even whether, they will be released. MacRumors notes that the code could relate to an earlier design.
The delay, if real, may be a wise plan given the public reaction. The cameras reportedly have a low resolution and won't capture photos or videos; their purpose is to act as a source of visual information for Apple Intelligence. The author of an analysis piece suggested that Apple likely processes images on-device securely and only rarely sends them to remote systems, but that remains a personal opinion rather than a confirmed fact. Many companies lack up-to-date guidelines for wearable technology, which could add to the obstacles.
What Else Might Debut Soon?
While the camera AirPods may be months away, speculation about other Apple audio products has intensified. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that this year's iPhone rollout "will include new AirPods 5, an update to Apple's entry-level earbuds." According to MacRumors, AirPods 5 references were discovered in the same macOS 26.7 release candidate. AirPods 4, released two years ago, come in two variants – with and without noise cancelling – and AirPods 5 are expected to follow suit with list prices of $130 and $180, respectively.
It is unclear whether AirPods 5 will include any design changes, but performance upgrades are expected, and it's possible they may be the first AirPods to be powered by Apple's rumored H3 chip. AirPods 4's active noise cancelling is described as a "technological marvel" for open earbuds, but not as effective as what you get with the AirPods Pro 3 and other top noise-canceling earbuds from Bose and Sony. With the AirPods 5 likely to see some gains on that front, however, since Apple has had two years to make it even more effective.
Separately, Apple-owned Beats is rumored to release new over-ear headphones. Spain's star winger Lamine Yamal teased unreleased Beats headphones in an Instagram post ahead of the World Cup. Speculation about a product dubbed the "Beats 360" emerged after MacRumors reported that Reddit users found signs of its listings on UK websites like Amazon, though those listings have since been removed. According to that report, the headphones would have a sporty slant, an IPX4 sweat and water resistance rating, replaceable cushions, and a custom Beats chip rather than Apple's H2. The listings described them as offering "up to 1.75x more noise cancellation than Beats Studio Pro," with an expected price of around $300 in the US. Whether they will be released in the coming weeks is uncertain, with one source estimating the odds seem close to 100%.
Outlook for Camera AirPods
The leaked footage and code suggest Apple is advancing its Apple Intelligence integration with wearable devices. But the future of camera AirPods remains uncertain: it could replace an existing variant or launch as a higher-tier "AirPods Ultra" at its September event, possibly alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and a foldable iPhone. However, Gurman's reports indicate the camera version is more likely to arrive next year or later.
The cameras' limited role as sensors rather than photography tools may help Apple navigate some privacy concerns, but public reaction and potential workplace policies remain hurdles. As one Reddit user observed, "I'll have to take off my AirPods to make sure people feel comfortable." Whether Apple can ease such concerns remains to be seen.