Apple AirPods with cameras spotted in macOS Tahoe code

Apple's long-rumored camera-equipped AirPods may be closer to launch than expected. A file discovered in the macOS 26.7 release candidate shows a demo of Visual Intelligence running on the earbuds, suggesting the hardware is in active testing.

The video file, posted on X by a developer who found it in the macOS build, shows the AirPods, codenamed B790, using the wearer's surroundings to identify objects and save visual information for later. The demo was part of a Visual Intelligence tutorial within the operating system, not a standalone app.

Apple has been working on adding cameras to AirPods for several years. The sensors would allow the earbuds to understand the wearer's environment, potentially offering features like real-time object recognition, navigation assistance, and visual memory. The B790 codename matches earlier supply-chain reports about a camera-equipped AirPods model.

The timing of the discovery coincides with the development cycle for the iPhone 18 Pro models, which are expected to launch in September 2026. Some analysts have speculated that Apple might debut the camera AirPods alongside the iPhone 18 Pro to create a new category of wearable computing.

A person familiar with Apple's product plans said the company has been testing the camera AirPods with select developers for several months. The macOS file suggests the feature is far enough along to appear in a public operating system build, though Apple could still delay or cancel the product.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

The camera AirPods would represent Apple's biggest hardware push since the Vision Pro headset. Unlike the Vision Pro, which costs $3,499, the AirPods with cameras are expected to be priced closer to the current AirPods Pro, which start at $249. The lower price point could make the technology more accessible and drive adoption of Apple's Visual Intelligence platform.

Competitors have been working on similar technology. Meta's Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses include cameras and can identify objects, but the form factor is different. Apple's approach puts the cameras in the ear, which could be more discreet and comfortable for all-day wear.

The macOS 26.7 release candidate is the version of the operating system that Apple sends to developers for final testing before a public release. The fact that the Visual Intelligence demo was included in this build suggests the company is confident enough in the feature to let developers see it.