Next generation Apple AirPods with camera to enter mass production in 2026: Report

Upcoming AirPods might allow users to control the camera without actually touching the device.

Apple AirPods | Apple AirPods USB C case | Apple AirPods case

The latest AirPods already has a USB Type-C port for charging. (Express Photo)

Since its inception, the Apple AirPods have become a lot better thanks to a lot of new features, However, the core design has remained intact over the years. Now, industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that the next-generation AirPods featuring a camera will enter mass production in 2026, to help them integrate with the Vision Pro and upcoming spatial computers, possibly with a design change. Back in February, Bloomberg also reported a similar development.

New IR Camera-Equipped AirPods to Enhance User-Device Interaction and Strengthen Apple’s Spatial Audio/Computing Ecosystemhttps://t.co/q2xcNwwtUg

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) June 30, 2024

The next AirPods is said to feature camera hardware similar to the FaceID receiver setup, featuring an infrared sensor, which is said to enhance the user experience while watching a video by offering an enhanced spatial audio experience. It’s currently unclear if the upcoming AirPods will look different or continue to carry the signature AirPods design.

Besides that, the camera hardware is also said to be capable of detecting environmental changes, which could enable air gestures, allowing users to control the AirPods using air gestures, without actually touching them.

Also read | The new AirPods Pro 2 can mute MotoGP Bharat and give space to my classical music

Foxconn is said to be the new product introduction (NPI) supplier for the AirPods, and annually, the company is reported to produce 18 to 20 million sensors for over 10 million pairs of AirPods.

Apple AirPods, originally introduced alongside the iPhone 7 series, have been the most popular wireless earphones across the world. Over the last few years, Apple has improved the AirPods with several new features and also announced new capabilities at the recently held 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). With new camera hardware, Apple is likely looking at a bit more than just making them compatible with Vision Pro, for which one has to wait until the second half of 2026.

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