Rumor has it that Apple may release AirPods with built-in cameras

Apple may be working on a version of AirPods equipped with infrared cameras. The IR sensor system would use technology similar to that found in the Face ID receiver on the iPhone.

The information came from Apple products analyst and expert Ming-Chi Kuo. This is in line with the previous report by Mark Gurman. BloombergThese new AirPods will be released in 2026. Foxconn will be the supplier of the camera system that will equip approximately 10 million units of the headphones.

Due to fierce competition in the headphone segment, Apple is reportedly planning to differentiate its devices with the introduction of “exclusive” technology. This will make even more sense if the resource is used widely within its ecosystem. Apparently, that’s exactly what the company wants to do.

The IR cameras built into the AirPods will be used to enhance “spatial audio,” a feature that will be used with the Vision Pro. This is an augmented reality-based tool that focuses on audio. Spatial audio offers greater immersion through head tracking, giving the user a better perception of the direction of the sound.

New functionality could make this experience even better. If the user is watching a movie using Apple headphones along with the new AirPods, the sound will increase when they turn their head in a certain direction.

The system could also offer airborne gesture control functionality, allowing for new ways to interact with the headphones. In this case, Apple even registered a patent for a similar feature.