iOS 27 developer beta code discovered on July 3, 2026 contains references to a mystery device codenamed B790 with dual cameras, marking concrete evidence that Apple’s AirPods Ultra will launch in late 2027. App designer and developer Sam Henri Gold uncovered the code, which describes how the device can relay two images from cameras on either side of a user’s head and how Visual Intelligence will process landmarks, text, and known objects using these feeds.
As reported by MacRumors, Gold initially speculated the code might reference Apple’s rumored smart glasses, but the evidence points more directly to AirPods Ultra with embedded cameras. The previous-generation AirPods Pro 3 were codenamed B788, while Apple’s smart glasses carry the designation N50. The B790 designation, arriving only one generation later in the numbering scheme, aligns more closely with the next iteration of the AirPods line.
The embedded code shows how Visual Intelligence will interpret the wearer’s surroundings through the dual camera system. Examples cited in the code include the Eiffel Tower in Paris and a coffee mug, suggesting the system is trained to recognize both landmarks and everyday objects. This capability ties directly to Visual Intelligence, which allows users to point their device at objects and receive contextual information from Siri.
Apple plans to use tiny infrared cameras similar to the Face ID sensor already present in iPhones and iPads. These cameras will send visual data about the wearer’s surroundings to Siri, providing context about location and nearby objects. Apple needed additional development time to create visual AI models capable of reliably identifying objects, which explains the shift from earlier rumors suggesting a 2026 launch to the confirmed late 2027 timeline.
The physical design will closely resemble the current AirPods Pro 3, with cameras embedded directly in the stem. Apple plans to include a light that activates when visual data is being sent to the cloud, giving people around the wearer transparency about when the cameras are actively recording and transmitting information.
The AirPods Ultra could arrive as part of a significant product refresh expected in late 2027. The rollout includes a 20th anniversary iPhone and a second-generation foldable iPhone, both currently being tested alongside the new AirPods Ultra using iOS 28, the software update Apple is already developing in parallel with iOS 27. The timing for all three devices remains fluid and could change, indicating Apple’s launch schedule is still in flux.
Apple’s smart glasses, which carry their own advanced camera system, are also targeting a 2027 launch with production potentially beginning as soon as December 2026. The glasses will feature a high-resolution camera for capturing photos and video alongside a second camera that provides visual context and distance measurement to Siri, functioning similarly to the LiDAR sensor found on current iPhones.
Beyond these two wearables, Apple is concurrently developing an AI pin with a lower-resolution camera capable of providing visual insight but without photo or video recording capabilities. This device could launch as soon as 2027, representing a third distinct approach to wearable camera integration depending on use case and price positioning.
