Apple’s camera AirPods may arrive in September

Apple could introduce its first camera-equipped AirPods as soon as September, despite previously reported delays to the project. The earbuds are intended to support Visual Intelligence, but Apple appears to be developing more than one version.

Two AirPods camera variants

The original camera-equipped AirPods reportedly carry the codename B798. Apple initially planned that model for 2026, but the release was postponed to 2027. A second model, codenamed B790, may arrive sooner and is reportedly further along in development.

According to the Power On newsletter, Apple often develops competing versions of the same product internally. References to B790 have already appeared in iOS 27 code, and the model is included on Apple’s internal roadmap for a debut as early as this year.

“This B790 device also appears to be further along: References to the product have already shown up inside iOS 27 code, and it’s been on Apple’s internal road map for a debut as early as this year.”

Developer Sam Henri Gold also found references to B790 in iOS 27 beta 2 last month. Those references do not establish that Apple will ship the product, however.

What the camera AirPods may look like

The differences between B790 and B798 remain unclear, and it is not known whether both models will reach the market. Previous reports have suggested that camera-equipped AirPods could use slightly longer stems than AirPods Pro to accommodate the cameras.

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The earbuds are also expected to include an LED indicator that lights up when data is being sent to the cloud. Apple has not disclosed a price, a confirmed release date, or the specific Visual Intelligence features these AirPods would provide.

A September launch would therefore represent the earlier B790 variant, not the B798 model that is currently associated with a 2027 release.