Summary
- A demo for camera-equipped AirPods was found in macOS Tahoe 26.7 RC
- The product appears under the B790 codename
- The sensors are intended to provide Visual Intelligence and visual context to Siri
- The demo shows a book being recognized and its information saved
- A possible 2026 launch remains unconfirmed
- Pricing, technical specifications, and availability have not been announced
A demo discovered in macOS Tahoe 26.7 RC reveals AirPods with built-in cameras and Visual Intelligence features, providing the strongest indication yet that Apple is preparing earbuds capable of “seeing” the wearer’s surroundings.
MacRumors found a short demonstration video inside the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate showing a person wearing new AirPods and holding up a book so that Visual Intelligence can recognize what is in front of them and save the information for later. The same software identifies the product under the B790 codename.
The significance of the leak goes beyond a conventional AirPods upgrade. Apple appears to be testing a new way of interacting with artificial intelligence in which Siri gains visual awareness of the physical world without requiring users to repeatedly take out their iPhone and open its camera. Apple has already officially expanded Visual Intelligence and Siri’s multimodal capabilities across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro.
Here is your first look at AirPods with Cameras in action using Visual Intelligence.
This video file came from macOS 26.7 RC pic.twitter.com/yo7RI4MCeu
— Aaron (@aaronp613) August 18, 2026
What the macOS video shows
In the demo, the wearer holds a book in front of them while using the previously unseen AirPods. Visual Intelligence is presented as understanding the object and allowing Siri to retain related information for future use.
The feature is not presented as a conventional camera system for taking photos or videos. Instead, its apparent purpose is to feed visual information from the wearer’s surroundings into Siri and Visual Intelligence.
A setup instruction found in the software is particularly revealing. If the AirPods are covered, for example by hair, the wearer is warned to keep them unobstructed so that the system can obtain more accurate information about the environment. This strongly suggests the sensors require a clear field of view.
B790 and the clues pointing to a launch
The model appearing in the macOS files carries the B790 codename. According to 9to5Mac, the same software also contains references to an “image stream,” further supporting the conclusion that the hardware handles actual visual data.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman had previously reported that Apple was developing B790 and that the model could appear as early as 2026. MacRumors points to September as one possible launch window, but Apple has not officially announced the product. Its release date therefore remains unconfirmed.
A second camera-equipped AirPods project, codenamed B798, has also been reported and appears to follow a different schedule, potentially targeting 2027. This means the various reports about “AirPods with cameras” do not necessarily refer to the same product.
The camera becomes an input for AI
The direction fits with what Apple has already officially announced for its new Siri. The company has introduced image understanding and multimodal capabilities that allow Siri to answer questions about visual content. On iPhone, the new Siri mode inside the Camera app can already use what the camera sees to provide information and perform actions.
On iPad and Mac, Visual Intelligence can work with onscreen content, while on Apple Vision Pro Siri can answer questions about real-world objects the wearer is looking at. Camera-equipped AirPods could extend the same concept to a device that users wear for long periods and that has no display of its own.
In practical terms, Siri could gain visual context without requiring constant interaction with a phone. The demo confirms at least one such use case: recognizing an object and saving related information for later. More advanced applications remain reported possibilities rather than confirmed B790 features.
What the new AirPods look like
The video does not provide a clear close-up of the cameras themselves. The earbuds look similar to AirPods Pro 3, although the stems appear somewhat thicker, possibly because of the additional hardware required.
Apple introduced AirPods Pro 3 in September 2025, so a new camera-equipped model does not necessarily have to be a direct “AirPods Pro 4.” Current reports point more toward a separate variant or a new tier in the AirPods lineup, with no official commercial name announced so far.
Cameras in AirPods also raise privacy questions
Adding visual sensors to earbuds introduces a different set of privacy concerns compared with a phone camera. An iPhone is relatively obvious when it is being pointed at someone, while AirPods can remain in the ears continuously without bystanders necessarily knowing what types of sensors are active.
Apple has not officially clarified whether B790 will be capable of recording photos or video, when its sensors activate, whether there will be a visible recording or activity indicator, or how much processing will take place locally on the device or through other Apple hardware. Any firm conclusion on these points would therefore be premature.
Apple says its new Siri architecture uses both on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute when required, with privacy protections designed to prevent personal information from being stored or made accessible to Apple. However, the company has not announced a privacy policy specifically addressing camera-equipped AirPods.
What we know and what remains unknown
The presence of the demo inside a macOS release candidate and the B790 references provide substantially stronger technical evidence than earlier supply-chain rumors or media reports. They still do not amount to an official Apple product announcement.
The commercial name, price, battery life, exact sensor type and resolution, full feature set, launch date, and availability in Greece and the European Union have not been confirmed.
What we think
The important development is not simply that Apple wants to put a “camera in earbuds.” B790 points toward an attempt to turn AirPods into wearable sensors for Siri and Visual Intelligence, giving AI context from the physical world without forcing the user to take an iPhone out of their pocket.
Finding the demo inside an official macOS build makes this project considerably more tangible than an ordinary rumor, but details such as the launch date still require caution until Apple makes an announcement. Equally important will be Apple’s answer to the privacy question, as cameras in an always-worn device raise legitimate concerns not just for the user but also for everyone around them.
Frequently asked questions
Has Apple officially confirmed AirPods with cameras?
Not through a product announcement. However, a demo and references to B790 were found in macOS Tahoe 26.7 RC, providing exceptionally strong evidence that the product is being developed internally.
Will the cameras take photos and videos?
That has not been confirmed. The material discovered so far presents the cameras as a source of visual information for Visual Intelligence and Siri rather than as a conventional photography system.
What will Visual Intelligence do on AirPods?
The demo shows an object, in this case a book, being recognized and its information saved for later. Apple has already developed Visual Intelligence so Siri can understand and act on visual content across other devices.
When are they expected to launch?
Reports indicate that B790 could appear as early as September 2026, but Apple has not confirmed a presentation or release date.
Is this the same model as the camera-equipped AirPods rumored for 2027?
Not necessarily. Available information distinguishes B790 from a second project codenamed B798, which has been linked to a possible 2027 release.
