根据透露，Apple 的摄像头 AirPods 已进入接近终稿的开发阶段，产品已到设计验证测试（DVT）阶段，预期之后进入小批量生产验证（PVT）。这款耳机的左右两边都嵌入低解析度摄像头作为 Siri 的视觉输入，不做拍照或录影用途；外观主要接近 AirPods Pro 3，但需更长耳机杆以容纳摄像头。产品原本计划在今年上半年上市，但因 Siri 改版延后，已调整到与今年 9 月 Siri 上线同步。
这些 AirPods 可让使用者以「看见即提问」的方式询问画面中的内容，例如食材建议、位置提醒、或基于周遭景物的进阶导航，甚至指出路口地标。为了回应隐私疑虑，AirPods 内建小型 LED 光源，在画面资料进入云端时会亮起，但由于耳机体积小，提示是否足够可见仍不明确。产品开发据称已持续约四年，Apple 也同步推进 AI 智慧眼镜与手环/吊饰（Pendant）方案，但目前落后于这代 AirPods。
苏的战略意图是凭借 AirPods 的高渗透率切入 AI 穿戴装置市场，对标 OpenAI、Meta 等竞争者。除耳机外，Apple 还在推进新一轮产品线，John Ternus（将于 2026/9/1 接任 CEO）提到约 10 个主要新产品，涵盖触控萤幕 MacBook、可折叠 iPhone 以及 AI 智慧家居设备；此外 iPhone 的 iOS 27 也将推出 Siri Camera Mode，加强影像 AI 能力。另有工艺材料面临全产业性的记忆体晶片与其他矽基元件短缺，已成为量产准备的难题。
Apple’s camera-enabled AirPods have moved into late-stage development, with prototypes in design validation testing (DVT) and likely headed toward production validation testing (PVT). The earbuds include low-resolution cameras in both right and left buds as Siri’s visual input and are not designed for photo or video capture. The design is expected to stay close to AirPods Pro 3 except for longer stems to accommodate cameras. Initial launch plans for the first half of this year were pushed back after Siri changes, and the launch is now aligned with the new Siri rollout in September.
Use cases center on visual question-answering: users may point at surroundings, ask about food ingredients, get reminders based on what the camera sees, or receive turn-by-turn directions using nearby landmarks. Apple added an LED indicator that lights when visual data is being sent to the cloud, though its visibility is uncertain due to the earbud size. Apple says development has run roughly four years. AirPods are positioned as the leading AI wearable entry, while other camera products such as AI smart glasses and a pendant are also in development but lag this model.
Strategically, Apple is using AirPods’ large installed base as an entry point into AI hardware, competing with OpenAI, Meta, and other entrants. The company is also broadening Siri visual AI through iOS 27’s new Siri Camera Mode and is working across about 10 major new product categories led by incoming CEO John Ternus (taking over Sept 1), including a touchscreen MacBook, a foldable iPhone, and AI-powered smart home devices. Apple is still navigating component constraints, notably shortages in memory chips and other silicon across the industry, while talent competition from OpenAI is reportedly intensifying in this rapidly crowded AI device race.