Apple is rumored to be preparing an unusual version of AirPods Pro — with infrared cameras that will “see” the owner’s surroundings. This is not a replacement for the iPhone camera: the earbuds won’t take photos or videos. Instead, the cameras will give the earbuds context — what’s happening around them, what gestures the user is making. The new product is expected as early as 2026, presumably alongside the new iPhones in September.
The new AirPods will look virtually unchanged externally
Why the New AirPods Pro Need Cameras
Several sources claim that Apple is embedding tiny infrared cameras into the new AirPods Pro. It’s important to understand: this is not about photo or video recording. The cameras will collect information about what’s near the user and transmit data to the connected iPhone.
The cameras will be needed for AI functionality
According to rumors, the cameras will improve the performance of Visual Intelligence and Siri — features that Apple plans to develop in iOS 27. For example, the earbuds will be able to “tell” the iPhone what the user is looking at, without needing to take out the phone.
Gesture Control in AirPods Pro
The infrared cameras will be able to recognize hand gestures. This means switching tracks, adjusting volume, or answering calls could be done with hand movements — without touching the earbuds.
Current AirPods Pro already support head nods and shakes for accepting or declining calls. Hand gestures will significantly expand these capabilities. Moreover, according to one rumor, Apple may remove the pressure-sensitive stem entirely, making gestures the primary control method.
How convenient this will be in practice remains an open question. Gesture control looks impressive in presentations, but in real life a lot depends on recognition accuracy and response latency.
How New AirPods Pro Will Integrate with Apple Vision Pro
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the cameras in AirPods Pro will improve spatial audio when used with the Apple Vision Pro headset. The infrared sensors will help more accurately track the user’s position in space, making the sound more realistic.
AirPods Pro with cameras promise to improve spatial audio paired with Vision Pro
For most users, this isn’t very relevant yet — Apple Vision Pro remains a niche and expensive device. But if you’ve already invested in this headset, the updated AirPods Pro could noticeably improve the experience.
What Apple Might Call the New AirPods Pro with Cameras
There’s no clarity on the name yet. AirPods Pro 3 launched in September 2025, and the new model with cameras, according to rumors, won’t become AirPods Pro 4. Several options are being discussed:
- An updated version of AirPods Pro 3 with cameras (similar to AirPods 4 with and without noise cancellation)
- A separate name — AirPods Ultra, which some insiders mention
- A simple addition to the current name: AirPods Pro 3 with Cameras
The name “AirPods Ultra” sounds logical, given that Apple already uses the Ultra designation for Apple Watch. But for now, these are only rumors.
Sound Quality in AirPods Pro 2026
The H3 chip will be the heart of the new earbuds
There’s a possibility that Apple will install the H3 chip in the new earbuds. The current AirPods Pro 3 run on the H2 chip — the same one that was in the AirPods Pro 2. That means the audio processing hardware hasn’t changed for two generations.
The H3 chip is expected to deliver lower audio latency and improved audio quality. For those who use earbuds for video calls and watching videos, reduced latency is a noticeable improvement. However, there’s no confirmation yet that the H3 will definitely make it into this particular model.
AirPods Pro 4 vs AirPods Pro 3: Differences
AirPods Pro 3 launched in September 2025 and remain current earbuds — with the H2 chip, heart rate sensor, noise cancellation twice as good as the predecessor, and 8 hours of battery life with ANC. The new model with cameras is not a replacement but an upgrade: the same basic capabilities plus fundamentally new features.
| Feature | AirPods Pro 3 (2025) | AirPods Pro with Cameras (2026, rumors) |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple H2 | Apple H3 (expected) |
| Infrared cameras | No | Yes |
| Hand gesture control | No (head nods) | Yes |
| Stem press | Yes | May be removed |
| Visual Intelligence / Siri | Voice control | Visual context via cameras |
| Spatial audio | Yes, with head tracking | Enhanced with IR sensors |
| Heart rate sensor | Yes | Yes (expected) |
| Battery life | Up to 8 hrs with ANC | No data |
| Vision Pro integration | Basic | Enhanced via cameras |
| Protection | IP57 | No data |
| Price | $249 (from 27,000 ₽) | $249–299 (from 27,000–33,000 ₽) |
In short — for most users, AirPods Pro 3 are still more than enough. The new model with cameras will be of interest to those who want gesture control, work with Apple Vision Pro, or are waiting for full integration of earbuds with Apple Intelligence.
Price of the New AirPods Pro with Cameras
Rumors diverge here. According to one version, the new AirPods Pro will cost the same as the current ones — $249 (available from 20,000 ₽ in Russia). In this case, the model with cameras would simply replace the current AirPods Pro 3.
Naturally, the new earbuds will be more expensive
According to another version, the price will rise to ~$299 (approximately from 25,000–27,000 ₽ in Russia), and then the earbuds with cameras will be sold alongside the regular AirPods Pro 3. The second scenario seems more likely if Apple decides to call them AirPods Ultra — a separate product with a premium for “advanced” features.
