Apple’s Camera-Equipped AirPods to Fall Under ‘Pro’ Banner, Not ‘Ultra’
Cupertino, CA – Apple is poised to introduce a groundbreaking iteration of its popular AirPods, featuring an integrated camera. Contrary to earlier speculation suggesting a new "AirPods Ultra" branding for this premium device, recent discoveries within macOS Tahoe 26.7 indicate that these innovative earbuds will likely join the existing AirPods Pro lineup. This revelation, stemming from internal development files, suggests a strategic decision by Apple regarding its product nomenclature and pricing.
Sources familiar with Apple’s development process, including confirmed internal documentation, have revealed that the camera-equipped AirPods are actively in development. A specific file within macOS Tahoe 26.7, which includes a full video demonstration of the new AirPods, explicitly labels the device as "AirPods Pro." While the possibility of a placeholder name cannot be entirely dismissed, the inclusion of detailed visual content within the software update significantly diminishes the likelihood of an "AirPods Ultra" branding for this particular product.
The decision to integrate the camera-equipped AirPods into the Pro series carries implications for both branding and pricing. Previously, industry analyst Mark Gurman of Bloomberg had suggested in March that Apple was exploring an "Ultra" moniker for several forthcoming high-end devices, including a foldable iPhone Ultra, AirPods Ultra, and an OLED MacBook Ultra. Gurman had posited that the "Ultra" branding for AirPods could denote a significantly higher price point than the current $249 AirPods Pro 3. However, the apparent adoption of the "Pro" designation for the camera-equipped model hints that Apple may aim to position its pricing closer to the existing Pro series, potentially making this advanced technology more accessible.
The journey of these camera-equipped AirPods through Apple’s development pipeline has been marked by some confusion and shifting timelines. Early rumors largely focused on a product codenamed B798. In June, Gurman reported that the B798 camera AirPods had faced delays, primarily due to complexities with Siri AI integration, pushing their potential launch to September 2027, coinciding with the 20th-anniversary iPhone.
However, Gurman provided an updated timeline in early August, indicating that Apple was much closer to debuting camera AirPods under the codename B790. It appears the B790 model has been progressing in parallel with the B798, a common internal practice at Apple where "the company famously creates competing versions of the same product internally." This suggests that the B790 variant is now the frontrunner for an imminent launch.
While the precise differences between the B790 and B798 products remain undisclosed, the strong evidence found in macOS Tahoe 26.7, including a comprehensive video, strongly suggests that the camera-equipped AirPods are nearing completion and are expected to launch this year.
Crucially, the camera integrated into these AirPods is not intended for conventional photo or video capture. Instead, its primary function will be to provide visual information to Siri AI, enhancing a more intuitive and user-friendly version of Visual Intelligence. This innovation could unlock a new realm of hands-free, context-aware interactions for AirPods users, further blurring the lines between personal audio and augmented reality.
