Apple's camera-equipped AirPods Pro detailed in macOS beta, launch pushed to 2027

A video captured in the macOS 26.7 beta on Monday showed a pair of AirPods Pro with built-in cameras. In the clip, a user holds a book and asks Siri to remember it using Visual Intelligence, while the earbuds appear identical to the current AirPods Pro 3.

Analysis of the beta’s code indicates Apple is adding an AccessorySensorMgrd framework to manage image capture. The framework refers to the camera sensor as the “Kino Sensor” and describes two capture modes—active and passive. In active mode each earbud captures a 640×640 image that is processed into a 1024×1024 output, while passive mode uses lower-resolution 320×320 captures for environmental awareness. A privacy indicator light is also referenced to illuminate when images are recorded.

According to Bloomberg, the product is not slated for an immediate release. Mark Gurman reported that Apple is developing two variants: a camera-modified version of the AirPods Pro 3 (code-named B790) and a next-generation model akin to a potential AirPods Pro 4 (code-named B798). Both are expected to launch no earlier than 2027, and the cameras are intended to scan surroundings for Siri and other AI functions rather than record photos or video.

"The AirPods Pro cameras won’t be able to take photos and videos. Instead, they are designed to scan the surrounding environment and provide context to the Siri digital assistant and other AI tools," Bloomberg’s report said.

The revelations provide the most detailed view yet of Apple’s planned camera-enabled earbuds, though the timeline suggests they remain a long-term project.