Apple’s AirPods Pro roadmap for 2026 is shaping up to be one of its most interesting wearable shifts yet. Multiple leaks and analyst reports now suggest that Apple is working on AirPods Pro with cameras, allowing the earbuds to visually sense the space around the wearer. The goal is not photography or video recording, but spatial awareness that unlocks new ways to interact with Apple devices.
The latest claims come from prototype collector Kosutami, who says the next AirPods Pro will be able to “see around you.” That description aligns closely with earlier reporting from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has said Apple plans to introduce AirPods Pro with built-in infrared cameras as part of a major hardware upgrade expected in 2026. These infrared sensors would function similarly to Face ID components, focusing on depth and proximity detection rather than capturing images.
AirPods Pro with cameras would primarily enable gesture-based controls. Instead of tapping the stem or issuing voice commands, users could control playback, calls, or system actions with simple hand movements in the air. Kuo has previously noted that infrared cameras could detect environmental image changes, making reliable in-air gesture recognition possible even in low-light conditions.
Another major benefit would be improved spatial audio. By better understanding how the user is positioned in space, camera-equipped AirPods Pro could deliver more precise directional audio, especially when paired with Apple Vision Pro and future mixed reality headsets. This would strengthen Apple’s broader push toward spatial computing, where audio, visuals, and physical movement are tightly integrated.
There is still debate around how Apple will position these new AirPods Pro in its lineup. Some reports describe them as AirPods Pro 4, while others suggest they will be a premium variant of the existing AirPods Pro 3, which launched in 2025. Apple already sells multiple versions of AirPods within the same generation, as seen with AirPods 4, so offering two AirPods Pro models side by side would not be surprising.
Pricing remains unclear. Kosutami has claimed that AirPods Pro with cameras will retain the current $249 price, but other leakers argue that Apple is more likely to charge extra for the added hardware. A higher-tier model priced around $299 would fit neatly between the standard AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, especially as competition in the premium wireless earbud market continues to intensify.
As for timing, most signs point to a 2026 launch, likely during Apple’s annual iPhone event in the second half of the year. That would be a faster upgrade cycle than Apple typically follows for AirPods Pro, but the company has already shown a willingness to break from tradition when new technologies are ready.
