New information indicates that Apple may launch its first camera-equipped AirPods sooner than expected. As revealed by Bloomberg expert Mark Gurman, these innovative wearable devices could hit the market next month, earlier than initially anticipated in previous projects. The focus date for this advancement is August 3, 2026.
The technology company has invested for years in developing AirPods with integrated cameras, codenamed “B798.” This project is part of Apple’s broader strategy to create wearable devices focused on artificial intelligence, which also includes smart glasses and an AI pendant. Although the B798 model was scheduled for 2026, its launch was postponed to 2027.
In his latest “Power On” column, Gurman detailed the existence of a side project, called “B790”, which also refers to AirPods with a camera and is progressing at a rapid pace alongside the B798. According to the expert, it is not uncommon for Apple to develop competing versions of the same product internally. He further added that the B790 hardware is in a more advanced production phase, with components already identified in the iOS 27 code and listed internally as a potential launch later this year.
This is not the first sign of the B790’s existence. Previously, developer Sam Henri Gold had discovered hints of the same codename in the second developer beta of iOS 27 last month. Gurman, however, did not specify the differences between the hardware of the B790 and the more advanced B798 model, leaving uncertainty about whether Apple will introduce both.
The expectation is that the sensors on these AirPods with a camera are not intended for taking photos or recording videos. Instead, they should provide the Siri assistant with a real-time view of the user’s environment, integrating with the Visual Intelligence capabilities that Apple already has. Due to the higher production cost compared to the current AirPods Pro 3, which cost $249, Gurman mentioned that Apple is considering the “AirPods Ultra” brand for this new model, rather than “AirPods Pro 4.”
If the B790 model is indeed launched this year, the most likely date would be in September, coinciding with the presentation of the new iPhones. Meanwhile, the B798 version, which promises more features, remains expected to arrive at the end of 2027.
