Apple is developing a new version of the AirPods Pro with tiny infrared cameras that could arrive as soon as September 2026. Unlike iPhone cameras, these won't capture photos—instead they'll sense the wearer's surroundings and feed data to a connected iPhone, potentially enhancing upcoming iOS 27 features.

The infrared cameras could enable hand gesture controls for music and other functions, expanding beyond the existing head gesture support for call answering. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the cameras will upgrade spatial audio when used with the Apple Vision Pro headset, making the earbuds more integrated with Apple's broader ecosystem.

Naming remains uncertain—Apple might call them "AirPods Pro 3 with Cameras" or potentially "AirPods Ultra" rather than AirPods Pro 4. The device may include a new H3 chip for lower latency and improved audio quality. Pricing could stay at $249 to replace the current model, though rumors suggest $299 for a premium version sold alongside existing AirPods Pro 3.