Apple Delays Camera-Equipped AirPods to 2027

Apple has delayed the launch of its camera-equipped AirPods to 2027, according to multiple reports, following the accidental leak of a demo video showcasing the device's potential functionality. The project, internally coded B798, was initially slated for release in 2026 but has been postponed due to ongoing supply chain and software development challenges, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported.

The discussion intensified after a video demonstrating the feature was discovered in the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate earlier in August 2026. The clip showed a user holding a book up to the earbuds, prompting Siri to read the title and save the information using Apple's Visual Intelligence system. However, sources familiar with the development told Gurman that the AirPods are not on Apple's 2026 release schedule.

At least two design variations were reportedly explored for the product. One, known internally as B790, was based on the existing AirPods Pro 3 design with added cameras and was briefly considered for a 2026 launch. That model appears to have been shelved. The current focus is on the more advanced B798 model, which is conceived as a next-generation AirPods Pro product. Both...