- Apple is likely to launch the much-anticipated AirPods with built-in cameras by late 2027.
- This is a massive move from earlier reports stating it will launch later this year.
- The AirPods will share the stage with 20th anniversary iPhone 20 and second-gen iPhone Ultra, if all goes well.
Well, turns out AirPods with built-in cameras could arrive by late 2027. Those are the new estimates by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, according to whom the TWS could arrive alongside the iPhone Ultra (2nd gen) and the 20th-anniversary iPhone.
AirPods with built-in cameras are coming late 2027
Gurman said Apple is currently working on AirPods with built-in cameras. Note that although cameras are usually referred to as components to capture photos and videos, these implementations will double as AI sensors, thereby providing the revamped Siri AI with visual inference and awareness.
One such example is when users ask about dinner recipes, where the cameras could respond based on spatial awareness, looking at the ingredients visible. Another example is turn-by-turn walking directions that could save wearers from wandering in a different direction or needing to check their phones wherever a turn comes.
We have been aware of AirPods with built-in cameras for quite a while. These were earlier rumored to arrive late this year, followed by early next year. However, citing possible refinements and complexities, we have been told that the TWS will arrive later next year. Aptly dubbed AirPods Ultra (unofficially), Apple has made it quite clear that it would launch the hardware only if it were satisfied with the AI experience it is able to deliver.
The second-gen iPhone Ultra is in the pipeline as well
Apart from that, Apple is likely to launch a second-gen iPhone Ultra in late 2027 as well. This is by far a huge claim, given we haven’t got our hands on the original iPhone Ultra (or iPhone Fold) yet. It is slated to arrive later this year alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series, although there were reports of it being delayed, which turned out to be false outright.
There’s also a 20th-anniversary iPhone 20 in the pipeline for launch in late 2027. This comes as Apple will celebrate the 20th anniversary of iPhones (the original iPhone was released in 2007). It is also apparent that the iPhone 19 series appears to be skipped in line to go from iPhone 18 in 2026 to iPhone 20 in 2027.
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