Leaked video shows Apple prototype AirPods with built-in cameras
A demo clip from Apple’s macOS beta reveals a prototype of AirPods that include low-resolution cameras for Visual Intelligence features, hinting at a possible launch later this year.
A short video extracted from the macOS Tahoe 26.7 Release Candidate shows a man wearing a new version of Apple’s AirPods while holding a book so that the device’s Visual Intelligence can read the title. A Siri voice-over explains the feature, saying, "with Visual Intelligence, your world becomes savable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later."
The prototype resembles a slightly thicker AirPods Pro 3 with longer stems, which analysts had expected to house the cameras and LED indicators for cloud data transmission. The clip only displays the back of the earbuds, so the LEDs are not visible.
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman previously noted that the cameras are intended to capture low-resolution visual data to support AI functions such as contextual Siri queries and navigation assistance. Apple’s approach could place the device in competition with other camera-enabled AI wearables, including Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, while the company is also developing its own smart glasses.
Apple has not confirmed a launch date, but the presence of the demo in an OS beta suggests the camera-equipped AirPods may debut alongside an upgraded Siri version expected in September with the next iPhone generation.