Apple's AirPods Pro may be on the verge of a significant upgrade, with rumors suggesting one future iteration could feature infrared cameras and enhanced AI capabilities. The AirPods Pro, first released in 2019, received notable updates in 2022 with the Pro 2 model and in 2025 with the Pro 3, which introduced heart rate sensing and improved active noise cancellation.

Initial speculation pointed towards the fourth-generation model incorporating built-in cameras. However, more recent reports indicate that a version with incremental upgrades might be released first, possibly in 2026. This model is expected to offer minor enhancements such as a temperature sensor, improved battery life, and connectivity, but likely without cameras.

The more advanced AirPods Pro, reportedly codenamed B798, are anticipated to arrive in 2027. These earbuds are rumored to utilize cameras for AI-driven features, enabling them to interpret the surrounding environment for tasks like navigation assistance, identifying objects, or potentially even sign language interpretation. While some earlier rumors suggested gesture recognition, newer claims indicate the focus will be on camera and Siri integration. The design is expected to remain similar to the current AirPods Pro 3, with pricing also anticipated to stay consistent.