Technology media 9to5Mac recently reported that Apple plans to expand its AirPods product line in 2026, adding an “AI version” with a built-in camera to the existing standard and Pro models.
According to insiders, the AI version of AirPods under development by Apple will break the traditional positioning of headphones as only audio input/output devices, achieving environmental awareness and interaction upgrades through a built-in camera. Previously, Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman revealed that the camera might be an infrared lens capable of capturing spatial information around the user, supporting functions like gesture recognition and object tracking. For example, users could directly control the headphones with head movements or gestures, and even achieve seamless integration with AR devices like the Apple Vision Pro to create an immersive experience in AR scenarios.
The design concept of the “AI version” of AirPods is highly aligned with Apple’s recent layout in the AR field. Analysts point out that the AI version of AirPods may become a key part of Apple’s “spatial computing” ecosystem, enabling complex functions such as environmental perception, real-time translation, and health monitoring through multi-device collaboration.