AirPods Ultra: All the rumors at a glance

Apple is apparently planning a completely new product category: AirPods with infrared cameras. What was previously only science fiction - headphones that can see their surroundings - could become reality by the end of 2027. The new model is expected to be positioned above the AirPods Pro 3 and may be called AirPods Ultra.

The AirPods Pro 3 arrived in September 2025, bringing improved sound, stronger ANC, and, for the first time, heart rate monitoring. However, they still used the H2 chip from 2022 and joined an AirPods lineup ranging from the AirPods 4 to the AirPods Max 2.

Now, reports from Ming-Chi Kuo, Mark Gurman, and several Weibo leakers indicate that Apple will release a premium model with IR cameras and the new H3 chip – though according to a recent report, not until late 2027. It would be the biggest expansion of the AirPods line since its introduction in 2016.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Expectation
Product	Higher-priced AirPods Pro 3 with IR cameras, possibly "AirPods Ultra"
Release	End of 2027 (according to the latest report; previously expected in autumn 2026)
Chip	H3 (new generation)
Cameras	Infrared sensors for visual intelligence and gesture control
Price	Estimated price: €299–349 (next to AirPods Pro 3 for €249)
Replaces	Nothing – the AirPods Pro 3 will remain in the product range alongside the new models.

Name: AirPods Ultra or AirPods Pro 3 with cameras?

Apple has not yet made a decision. Two scenarios are being discussed:

Option 1: Two versions of the AirPods Pro 3 – with and without cameras. Similar to the AirPods 4, which are available with and without ANC.

Option 2: A standalone product called AirPods Ultra. Mark Gurman considers this option likely. Apple already uses the "Ultra" label for the Apple Watch Ultra, for chips (M-Ultra), and for CarPlay Ultra. A price above the AirPods Pro 3 would create a new premium tier in the AirPods lineup – positioned between the Pro 3 (€249) and the AirPods Max 2 (€579).

Development status: Prototypes with near-final design

Apple's development of AirPods with cameras has reached a crucial stage. According to a Bloomberg report by Mark Gurman, the prototypes are already in Design Validation Testing (DVT) – an advanced validation phase in which Apple's internal testers put the devices, with their near-final design, through their paces in everyday use. The only remaining development step before early mass production is Production Validation Testing (PVT). Apple has been developing the project for approximately four years.

Originally, a launch was planned for the second half of 2026. These plans were postponed because the next major Siri generation – which serves as the basis for the AI functions of the new AirPods – requires more time.

The market launch has now been pushed back even further: According to a recent Bloomberg report, the camera-equipped AirPods – internally codenamed B798 – are now expected to be released at the end of 2027. The reason given is once again Apple's ongoing difficulties with the AI software, the same delays affecting other devices; in addition, Apple had to develop visual AI models capable of reliably recognizing objects in the environment. While the hardware is considered to be well advanced, the final market launch remains contingent on software maturity.

A rumor about a halt – and a code discovery that contradicts it

In early July 2026, the previously quite clear timeline began to falter – twice, and in opposite directions. First, prototype collector Kosutami reported on X that Apple had temporarily suspended development of the camera-equipped AirPods, thus correcting an earlier statement from June that the project was "completed." He provided no evidence, and his track record is mixed: he was correct about the metal-encapsulated battery of the iPhone 16 Pro, but wrong about the supposedly imminent launch of the AirPods Pro 3 in August 2024. The reported development halt is therefore an indication, but not a certainty – especially since it contradicts Bloomberg reports, which recently placed the project in an advanced testing stage.

Just hours later, a counter-signal emerged, ironically from Apple's own code: In the second iOS 27 beta, developer Sam Henri Gold stumbled upon an entry for a device codenamed B790, which is supposed to process two camera images from both sides of the head – precisely the configuration that would fit a camera-equipped earbud. The code specifies how visual intelligence would work, citing landmarks like the Eiffel Tower or everyday objects like a coffee cup as examples. The internal identifiers suggest that AirPods, rather than the smart glasses, are the intended recipients: The AirPods Pro 3 ran under the code B788, while the smart glasses are associated with the identifier N50 – B790 fits logically into Apple's B-series for audio hardware. However, this doesn't rule out the glasses entirely.

There doesn't necessarily have to be a real contradiction between the two reports. Software preparation and hardware development at Apple don't always follow the same pace, a codename in the beta could represent an earlier development stage, and either signal could simply be inaccurate. The common denominator remains the enhanced Visual Intelligence introduced with iOS 27, which is considered a core function of such wearables. Definitive clarity about the project's status will likely only emerge once Siri AI is widely rolled out with the release of iOS 27 and it becomes clear how reliably the visual AI functions work in everyday use.

Cameras: What can they do – and what can't they do?

The cameras in the AirPods Ultra aren't for taking photos or videos. They capture the surroundings in low resolution and send the data to Siri and Apple Intelligence – acting as the "eyes" of AI. A typical use case: a glance in the refrigerator, a question to Siri about what to cook with the available ingredients – the answer comes directly to your ear, without having to take your iPhone out of your pocket. This concept is comparable to the Visual Intelligence feature on the iPhone, but without the detour via the smartphone camera. Other planned uses include context-sensitive reminders based on what's seen, or significantly more precise navigation where the AI provides specific landmarks indicating where to turn.

To clarify: The cameras are located in both earbuds – one on the right and one on the left. This allows the environment to be captured from two perspectives, making spatial perception significantly more precise than with a single-camera solution.

Expected features:

Visual Intelligence: The cameras provide environmental data to Siri and Apple Intelligence – without taking the iPhone out of your pocket. Object recognition, text recognition, and contextual information are made possible directly via the AirPods.
Gesture control in the air: Instead of pressing the stick, hand movements could suffice – pause, resume, accept. Some reports suggest that Apple could completely replace the pressure-sensitive sticks with gesture recognition.
Spatial Audio with Vision Pro: Improved head tracking and spatial perception through the combination of IR sensors and the H3 chip. This would make the AirPods Ultra an ideal companion for Apple's AR headset.

Leaker Kosutami summed it up perfectly: The next AirPods Pro "can see around you" and are "connected to Apple Intelligence".

Design: Longer stem and privacy LED

Visually, the AirPods Ultra are expected to closely resemble the current AirPods Pro. The key change lies in the stem: it's longer to accommodate the cameras. A small LED on the casing will also indicate when visual data is being transmitted to the cloud – a privacy feature that transparently informs users about any active image processing. With this, Apple is adopting a concept that has already proven successful with the iSight camera on the Mac: a visible status LED creates transparency and trust precisely at the moment the device is actively "seeing."

Chip: H3 for more performance

The AirPods Pro 3 still use the H2 chip from 2022 – despite new features. The AirPods Ultra are expected to receive the new H3 chip, which, according to Gurman, is already in development.

Expected improvements:

Better sound quality and lower latency
Performance for real-time gesture processing and IR data analysis
Improved energy efficiency for acceptable battery life despite additional sensors
Stronger connection with iPhone 18 Pro and Vision Pro

Health features

The AirPods Pro 3 already introduced heart rate monitoring and hearing tests. With the H3 chip and additional sensors, the AirPods Ultra could offer further health features – such as expanded fitness data or improved ambient noise analysis. However, specific details are not yet known.

Price and positioning

The AirPods Ultra would fill a gap in the AirPods lineup:

Model	Price (DE)
AirPods 4	from €149
AirPods 4 with ANC	from €199
AirPods Pro 3	249 €
AirPods Ultra (expected)	€299–349
AirPods Max 2	579 €

The AirPods Pro 3 will remain available for purchase – just as the AirPods 4 will exist side-by-side with and without ANC. Those who don't need IR cameras should continue to choose the Pro 3.

Release: When will the AirPods Ultra be released?

For a long time, autumn 2026 was considered the most likely timeframe – along with the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone Ultra, and the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4; analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had even predicted mass production would begin in 2026. However, the latest Bloomberg report now pushes the market launch back to late 2027 – roughly the same timeframe as the Apple Glasses, which are also expected at the end of 2027. Until Apple confirms anything, the exact date remains uncertain, but the trend is clearly pointing towards a later date.

AirPods Ultra: Who should wait for them?

The AirPods Ultra are not a replacement for the AirPods Pro 3. Anyone simply looking for good headphones with ANC will be perfectly happy with the Pro 3. The Ultra are aimed at users who actively use Apple Intelligence, own a Vision Pro, or are interested in Apple's future in gesture control and spatial computing.

Anyone looking to buy new AirPods right now can confidently opt for the Pro 3 – they'll remain in the product line and continue to receive software updates. However, those waiting for the next major innovation in Apple headphones should keep an eye on the period around the end of 2027.

The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / Mohd Syis Zulkipli)