AirPods Pro 3 Unlikely to Feature Built-In Cameras
Ming-Chi Kuo dropped a bit of a bombshell this week by suggesting that AirPods won't see major updates until 2026 when infrared camera-equipped models enter production. But before you panic about waiting two more years for new earbuds, there's reason for optimism.

Kuo's timeline likely refers to regular AirPods, not the AirPods Pro line. Well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has suggested AirPods Pro 3 are arriving in 2025, and said they were potentially just "months away" as of February. It's a crucial distinction that could mean we're still on track for upgraded Pros this year.
Otherwise, the camera tech Kuo describes sounds genuinely compelling. The infrared cameras would be similar to Face ID components and could enhance spatial audio experiences with Vision Pro, according to the analyst. The cameras might even enable "in-air gesture control," letting you interact with devices through hand movements alone.
If AirPods Pro 3 do arrive this year as Gurman suggests, don't be shocked if they don't include any camera tech, coming before Kuo's 2026 prediction. For details on the new features we are expecting, check out our AirPods Pro 3 rumor roundup.
Popular Stories
OpenAI is working on a smartphone in what appears to be a significant reversal from previous reports that the company had no plans to enter the phone market, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Kuo shared the findings from his latest supply chain checks in a post on X, saying MediaTek and Qualcomm are the chosen chip partners and Luxshare Precision Industry is the exclusive...
OpenAI is said to be fast-tracking development of its first "AI agent phone," with the company now aiming to mass produce the device as early as the first half of next year, according to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Late last month, Kuo revealed OpenAI's work on a smartphone, contradicting earlier reports that the company had no plans to enter the mobile market. Kuo said MediaTek and...
Apple today released a new Pride Edition Sport Loop for the Apple Watch. The band features a rainbow design with 11 colors of woven nylon yarns.
The new Pride Edition Sport Loop is available to order now on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, and it will be available at Apple Store locations starting later this week. In the U.S., the band costs $49.
There...