Apple reportedly plans camera-equipped AirPods for 2027
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says Apple is testing AirPods with stem cameras and preparing more foldable and anniversary iPhone models.
By Hana Yoshida · Markets Reporter
3 min read
Apple is aiming to put cameras into AirPods as part of its push to give Siri more awareness of a user’s surroundings, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. The reported earbuds would extend Apple’s AI hardware work beyond phones and computers and could come before the company’s long-rumored smart glasses.
Gurman reported that the camera-equipped AirPods remain on track for a late 2027 release. He said Apple is testing the earbuds internally with iOS 28, even as developers and early users examine beta versions of iOS 27 for features due this fall.
AirPods could feed visual context to Siri
According to Gurman, the planned AirPods would place cameras in the stems. The design would also include lights that show when data is being sent to the cloud, he reported.
Gurman said the cameras could help an upgraded version of Siri understand what is around the wearer. That would give Apple a way to test visual AI features in a small wearable device before a possible move into smart glasses, according to his reporting.
The Verge reported that Gurman had previously written about Apple’s work on AirPods with cameras. The latest timing places the product roughly a year and a half away, if Apple keeps to the schedule described in the Bloomberg report.
Foldable iPhones remain in the pipeline
Gurman also reported that Apple is preparing a second-generation foldable iPhone. That device would follow a first foldable model that he said is expected this fall.
The follow-up model would signal that Apple plans to stay in the foldable phone category beyond a first release, according to Gurman’s report as described by The Verge. The report did not give specifications for the second model or say how Apple would use the additional screen space.
The foldable phone market has already shown both the appeal and trade-offs of larger screens in pocketable devices. The Verge noted that current foldables can face compromises such as apps that do not adjust well to larger displays and battery limitations compared with some standard flagship phones.
Anniversary iPhone details
Gurman also reported new details on Apple’s long-rumored 20th anniversary iPhone. He said the models are known internally as V73 and V74.
According to Gurman, those phones would follow this year’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max and use similar sizes. He reported that the anniversary models would add a display that comes close to the edges and curved glass that wraps around the sides.
Gurman reported that the standard iPhone 18 may arrive next year rather than alongside the Pro models this fall. He said that phone may use an A20-series chip similar to chips planned for phones due this fall.
For other 2027 iPhones, Gurman reported that Apple plans to move to a 2-nanometer A21 chip. The Verge’s account also said Apple has plans to shift later to 1.4-nanometer chips, though the details available in the report were limited.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.