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A top Apple analyst predicts that Apple could introduce next-gen AirPods with an IR Camera, Apple Intelligence & more for 2026

1cover-AirPods

Back in February 2024, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple could introduce AirPods with built-in cameras at sometime in the future. Apple's project B798 that reportedly began last year would also support Apple Intelligence. Yesterday, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo posted a new round of research notes that includes a prediction of when these future AirPods may arrive and more.  

  • His latest supply chain survey indicates that Apple plans to mass-produce these new AirPods with camera modules by 2026, featuring an IR camera similar to the iPhone Face ID receiver (not the transmitter).
  • Foxconn is the new product introduction (NPI) supplier for the IR camera, with an annual capacity plan of 18–20 million units, or about 10 million AirPods. Actual demand and orders will depend on market conditions.
  • The new AirPods are expected to be used with Vision Pro and future Apple headsets to enhance the user experience of spatial audio and strengthen the spatial computing ecosystem. For example, when a user is watching a video with Vision Pro and wearing this new AirPods, if users turn their heads to look in a specific direction, the sound source in that direction can be emphasized to enhance the spatial audio/computing experience.
  • The IR camera can detect environmental image changes, potentially enabling in-air gesture control to enhance human-device interaction. It is worth noting that Apple has filed related patents in this area.

2 AirPods with in-air-gesture feature

  • Apple’s planning for hardware, software and services has always focused on strengthening the competitiveness of the ecosystem, and spatial computing is no exception. As the commercialization conditions for spatial computing mature in the future, Apple, which has a significant lead in this area, is expected to generate new and strong growth momentum.

 

Apple's next-gen AirPods / earbuds advantage will once again derive from its holistic approach to devices that uniquely blends hardware and software.  

Kuo also has published research notes regarding the stainless steel battery for the iPhone 16 that you could review here

10.X - Research notes & Rumors from Ming-Chi Kuo