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 in the fall of 2026. The new model is expected to be positioned above the AirPods Pro 3 and may be called AirPods Ultra.

The AirPods Pro 3 were released in September 2025, bringing improved sound, stronger ANC, and, for the first time, heart rate monitoring. However, they still use the H2 chip from 2022. In our AirPods buying guide: Pro 3 vs. AirPods 4 vs. Max 2, we compared the current selection.

Now, reports from Ming-Chi Kuo, Mark Gurman, and several Weibo leakers suggest that Apple will launch a premium model in 2026 featuring IR cameras and the new H3 chip. This would be the biggest addition to the AirPods line since its introduction in 2016.

The most important points in brief

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 – 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 in the first half of 2026 was planned. 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. Since the new Siri generation is expected alongside iOS 27, the launch of the AirPods Ultra remains within the timeframe of the second half of 2026, coinciding with the regular fall iPhone lineup. Apple is thus sticking to its original schedule - the hardware is ready in any case, but the final market launch will remain tied to software maturity.

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:

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?

September or October 2026 is 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 confirmed that IR camera AirPods are expected to enter mass production in 2026.

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 fall 2026.

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

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