Apple to launch camera‑equipped AirPods with iPhone 18 Pro in 2026

Apple is developing two camera‑enabled AirPods models, internally codenamed B790 and B798. The B790 version has appeared in the iOS 27 developer beta and is on track for a possible launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series in September 2026. The earlier B798 model, originally slated for 2026, has been pushed to 2027. The built‑in cameras are intended as low‑resolution visual sensors to feed environmental data to Siri and Apple Intelligence, with a small LED indicator to address privacy concerns.

In parallel, Apple has released a fourth beta firmware build (9A5336b) for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4 and AirPods Max 2, available to developers on iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate. The update adds a new AirPods interface, a custom equalizer, an adaptive‑mode slider and compatibility with the upcoming Siri AI features, preparing the ecosystem for the forthcoming hardware enhancements.