Apple Leaks Camera-Equipped AirPods With Visual Intelligence

Apple accidentally leaked video footage of upcoming camera-equipped AirPods within a developer version of the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate. The leaked demo reveals a feature called Visual Intelligence, which utilizes infrared, low-resolution sensors to scan the wearer's environment. This system provides visual context to a rebuilt version of Siri, allowing the AI to recognize surroundings and identify objects via voice commands rather than capturing traditional high-resolution photos or videos.

Reports indicate the company has developed two versions under the codenames B790 and B798, with the latter being a next-generation AirPods Pro model. While some speculation suggested a launch as early as September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, subsequent reports indicate that supply-chain and software challenges have pushed the release schedule to 2027. To address potential privacy concerns, Apple intends to process the device's data using Private Cloud Compute.

Separately, Apple released beta firmware build 9A5347a for H2-chip AirPods models, including the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max 2. This update prepares devices for the upcoming iOS 27 and the next iPhone launch. While the camera-equipped models face delays, Apple may still unveil other new AirPods capabilities during its scheduled September event.