The next generation of AirPods Pro could represent an unusual leap even by Apple’s standards – not because of improved sound quality, but due to the ability to see the surroundings. According to reports from insiders close to the production chain, Apple is working on earbuds that will include tiny cameras in each earbud, allowing them to capture visual information around the user. If this sounds like an idea coming from the world of augmented reality glasses, it is probably not by chance.
The main reason for integrating the cameras is to strengthen the connection between the earbuds and the company’s mixed-reality glasses, the Vision Pro. Senior analyst Ming-Chi Kuo notes that the planned infrared cameras will be able to recognize hand gestures in the air and synchronize the sound astonishingly accurately with what the user sees in front of them. In fact, the earbuds will become part of the digital space sensor array, allowing control of devices without physical touch, using hand movements alone.
Regarding price and product positioning, the market is preparing for two possibilities. Some reports indicate that Apple will try to maintain the current target price of NIS 249, but other industry sources estimate that this will be a high-end luxury version. This model could be sold alongside the standard AirPods Pro 3, a move that would allow Apple to offer especially advanced earbuds for those seeking the newest technology, similar to the separation made this year in the AirPods 4 series.
In terms of timing, a 2026 launch is considered unusual for Apple, which typically waits about three years between significant hardware updates for its earbuds. Although the exact timing is not yet final, experience shows that Apple usually unveils its sound innovations at the main September event. If the predictions come true, the AirPods will stop being just an accessory for listening to music and will become a smart device that understands and analyzes the world around us.