Apple AirPods Pro 3 may add infrared cameras in 2026
The Apple AirPods Pro 3’s cameras will work with Apple Intelligence to analyze your surroundings.
- Trusted industry tipsters have stated that Apple is developing AirPods Pro 3 with infrared cameras.
- These reportedly work with Apple Intelligence to analyze a wearer’s surroundings.
- The updated earbuds could launch at Apple’s iPhone event in the fall.
Apple is reportedly working on a refreshed pair of AirPods Pro 3 with built-in infrared cameras. The leaks come from several trusted industry tipsters, including Ming-Chi Kuo, Mark Gurman, and Kosutami. Since mid-2024, Kuo has reported that Apple will release AirPods with integrated IR cameras in the future. In 2025, he reiterated that IR camera-equipped AirPods will enter mass production in 2026.
This coincides with reports from Kosutami, who stated on February 8, 2026, that “Next AirPods Pro can see around you. At same price avail.” However, the latter statement seems unlikely. Instead, the updated AirPods Pro 3 are likely to follow the pricing model of the AirPods 4. In this case, the AirPods Pro 3 with IR cameras will likely cost approximately $299, compared to the original model’s $249 price tag.
Apple usually refreshes its earbuds lineup at its annual iPhone event in the fall.
Talk of Apple’s updated AirPods Pro 3 comes amid a wider report by Mark Gurman. This states that the company is developing AI wearables, including an Apple Intelligence Pendant, Apple Glasses, and upgraded AirPods Pro. Writing at Bloomberg, Gurman notes that the AirPods will release this year, the Glasses will launch next year, and the Pendant is yet to receive an anticipated release date. Most likely, we’ll see Apple’s refreshed AirPods Pro 3 at this year’s iPhone event in the fall.
The AirPods Pro 3’s new IR cameras are expected use the Siri digital assistant to power Apple’s Visual Intelligence features. These will likely include some of the ‘AI companion’-type capabilities coming later to Apple Glasses. For example, the earbuds should be able to understand what a wearer is seeing and doing in real-time. Users would also no longer need to rely on their iPhone camera to provide Visual Intelligence data, and IR cameras could provide environmental information. Limited depth mapping capabilities could also feature, particularly if they are used in a system similar to the TrueDepth camera array’s emitter and receiver. However, we must wait for official confirmation for firm details.
