According to Apple leaker and prototype collector Kosutami, Apple’s upcoming next-generation AirPods Pro will include cameras enabling them to “see around” the wearer — likely via tiny sensors built into each earbud.
This aligns with prior reports from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has indicated that the 2026 AirPods Pro upgrade will feature infrared cameras to support advanced features like hand gesture recognition, improved spatial audio (especially with Vision Pro), and enhanced environmental awareness for Apple Intelligence capabilities.
Hartley Charlton for MacRumors:
Kosutami added that the new AirPods Pro will be available at the same $249 price as the current model. This contrasts with previous rumors suggesting that the next AirPods Pro would be a secondary version of AirPods Pro 3 this year, sitting in the lineup alongside the current model.
The Chinese leaker known as “Instant Digital” corroborated the rumors about new AirPods Pro featuring infrared cameras for gesture controls, with some additional details and clarifications. Rather than being a new generation, the 2026 AirPods Pro will apparently be a pricier, high-end variant of the AirPods Pro 3 introduced in 2025, suggesting that both models will ultimately be on sale alongside each other. It is worth noting that Apple offers two version of the AirPods 4 at $129 and $179 price points, so this is a highly plausible move.
MacDailyNews Take: Hopefully, these hand gestures will work while running, as controlling volume via swipes of the AirPods Pro’s tiny stems is hit-or-miss.
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