Apple Plans Camera-Equipped AirPods for 2027 After 2026 Delay and Readies N50 Smart Glasses

Apple is developing camera-equipped AirPods that will use tiny cameras in the stems as sensors to supply Siri with visual context rather than capturing photos or video. The earbuds, code-named B798, will closely resemble current AirPods Pro models and are intended to become the company’s first AI-centric wearable device.

The AirPods were originally targeted for a 2026 release, but the timetable slipped in part because of Apple’s prolonged challenges in artificial-intelligence software development.

The company also needed to build visual AI models capable of identifying objects in a user’s environment, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News. External lights on the new AirPods will alert people around the wearer when data is being sent from the earbuds to the cloud.

Apple has already made Visual Intelligence a centerpiece of its revamped Siri and iOS 27, integrating the feature directly into the Camera app.

The company also plans to launch its first smart glasses, code-named N50, as soon as late 2027. The N50 glasses will feature more advanced cameras capable of capturing photos and video and are expected to compete with products from Mark Zuckerberg-led Meta. Apple is also developing an AI-focused pendant equipped with a camera that could be worn on clothing or as a necklace.

The upcoming slate of offerings is intended to be Apple’s largest debut of new products yet, Bloomberg News reported. John Ternus will succeed to the role of chief executive officer in September. The new products could provide tailwinds during the first full year of his tenure.