Apple is preparing to introduce AirPods that include built-in cameras in late 2027, according to people familiar with the company’s product schedule. The earbuds are part of a larger product wave that will also bring a next-generation foldable phone and a new iPhone model marking the 20th anniversary of the iPhone line.
Sources told reporters that the three products have progressed into advanced development phases over recent months. Prototypes of the camera-equipped AirPods reportedly show hardware and software that are close to a final form, according to a May report that tracked the program’s status.
In parallel with those device efforts, Apple is said to be designing new chips destined for future products using next-generation silicon manufacturing processes. Those chip projects are mentioned alongside the device timelines as part of the broader engineering work under way.
The planned late-2027 launch window would fall within the first full year of John Ternus in his role as chief executive officer, a position he is scheduled to assume on September 1. The alignment of leadership transition and a significant product wave was highlighted by the people familiar with the plans.
Those sources requested anonymity, the accounts say, because the product and chip roadmaps remain private and subject to internal confidentiality. The reports do not include public confirmation from Apple.
Summary
Apple aims to ship camera-enabled AirPods in late 2027 as part of a synchronized set of launches that also includes a next-generation foldable phone and a 20th-anniversary iPhone. The devices are reportedly in advanced development, with near-final prototype hardware and software for the AirPods cited in a May report. Work on next-generation silicon chips is also underway. The timing coincides with John Ternus’s first full year as CEO, beginning after his September 1 start date.
Sectors potentially affected
- Consumer electronics and wearables
- Smartphone hardware and foldable devices
- Semiconductor design and advanced chip manufacturing