Introduction

For years, camera-equipped AirPods sounded like science fiction. Now, according to the latest reports, they could be just weeks away from becoming a real product. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has revealed that Apple is pushing to launch its first pair of AirPods with built-in cameras as early as next month, potentially timed with the iPhone 18 launch event in September 2026.

This would mark Apple’s first true AI-powered wearable, and it could change how people interact with Siri and their surroundings forever.

Two Secret Projects: Meet the B798 and B790

Apple has reportedly been developing camera AirPods for years, but there’s an interesting twist. The company isn’t working on just one version — it has two competing internal projects running in parallel, a strategy Apple is known for using across many of its products.

• B798: This was the original camera AirPods project, once expected to launch in 2026 before being pushed back to 2027.
• B790: A second, newer variant that appears to be further along in development and could reach consumers much sooner, possibly this year.

References to the B790 model were spotted inside the iOS 27 beta 2 code by developer Sam Henri Gold, adding credibility to the rumor that Apple is close to shipping this device.

Why Cameras, Not Photos

Unlike a typical camera product, these AirPods aren’t designed for taking pictures or videos. Instead, the built-in cameras exist to help Siri and Apple Intelligence understand what’s happening around the wearer in real time.

Here’s what this “Visual Intelligence” style feature could unlock:

• Answering questions about objects or scenes the wearer is looking at
• Delivering context-aware reminders based on what the camera sees
• Offering smarter, landmark-based turn-by-turn walking directions
• Acting as an early building block for Apple’s broader AI wearables lineup, which also includes rumored smart glasses

This puts the camera AirPods in the same competitive space as products like Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which already offer similar “ask about what you see” functionality.

Expected Design Changes

Reports suggest the camera-equipped AirPods will closely resemble the current AirPods Pro 3, with one key difference: slightly longer stems to house the embedded cameras. Apple is also expected to add a small LED indicator on the earbuds that lights up whenever data is being sent to the cloud, a privacy safeguard for users concerned about always-on cameras.

Why the Delay Happened

The camera AirPods were originally rumored to launch in the first half of 2026, but the release was reportedly delayed because the AI-powered version of Siri needed more development time. With Apple now expected to roll out its upgraded Siri experience alongside iOS 27 in September, the timing lines up for a possible fall 2026 debut for the B790 model.

However, it’s worth noting that none of this has been officially confirmed by Apple, and Gurman himself has cautioned that Apple’s internal timelines “remain fluid and could change.”

When Could They Actually Launch?

Based on current reporting:

Model	Status	Expected Launch
B790	Further along in development	As early as September 2026
B798	Originally the lead project	Delayed to 2027

It still isn’t clear whether both models will eventually reach the market, or how they will differ from one another in terms of features and pricing.

What This Means for Apple’s AI Strategy

If Apple does launch camera AirPods this year, it would be a major signal that the company is serious about catching up in the AI wearables race, an area where competitors like Meta have already gained a head start with smart glasses. Camera-equipped AirPods could become the first mainstream, mass-market AI wearable from Apple, paving the way for future devices like smart glasses and other AI-driven accessories.

Final Thoughts

While nothing is confirmed until Apple makes an official announcement, the signs are pointing toward a genuine possibility that camera-equipped AirPods could debut alongside the iPhone 18 series in September 2026. Whether it’s the B790 model or a surprise from Apple, one thing is clear: your next pair of AirPods might do a lot more than just play music.

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