3rd August 2026 – (Cupertino) Apple’s long-rumoured plan to introduce AirPods fitted with built-in cameras may materialise sooner than previously anticipated, following fresh indications that an earlier variant of the product is progressing rapidly through development.
Initial reports suggested that Apple was working on a single camera-enabled model, internally codenamed B798, with release once targeted for 2026 before being postponed to 2027. That version is widely understood to represent a more sophisticated iteration of the concept, incorporating the company’s Visual Intelligence technology as a core feature.
However, recent disclosures indicate the existence of a separate model under the codename B790. According to industry sources, Apple has been developing parallel versions of the device, a practice the company is known to employ when refining new hardware. The B790 model appears to be further advanced than previously realised, with references already embedded within the iOS 27 codebase and the product listed on Apple’s internal roadmap for a potential launch as early as late 2026.
Last month, developer Sam Henri Gold reported discovering mentions of the B790 variant in the second beta release of iOS 27, lending weight to speculation that Apple could unveil the first generation of camera-equipped AirPods as soon as its traditional September product event.
While specific design and feature differences between the B790 and the more advanced B798 remain unclear, earlier reports have suggested that the earbuds may feature slightly elongated stems to accommodate miniature cameras. An external LED indicator is also expected, signalling when data is being transmitted to cloud services.