Apple AirPods with cameras will enter mass production in 2026: Ming-Chi Kuo

Noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said that Apple aims to begin mass production of new AirPods with built-in infrared camera modules by 2026. These infrared cameras are expected to resemble the Face ID receivers found in iPhones, Kuo wrote in a Medium post spotted by 9to5Mac.

Foxconn will provide the infrared components

Foxconn is reported to be a supplier of new infrared components, and the Taiwanese electronics company intends to initially supply parts for approximately 10 million AirPods. While it’s unclear which AirPods model will be the first to feature this technology, Kuo says AirPods Pro seem to be the most likely candidate, given their exclusive support for lossless audio on the Vision Pro.

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“Foxconn is a new product supplier (NPI) for IR cameras with an annual capacity plan of 18-20 million units, or approximately 10 million AirPods. Actual demand and orders will depend on market conditions,” Kuo wrote.

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The IR cameras in the AirPods are designed to work with the Apple Vision Pro and upcoming headsets, which aim to improve spatial processing and audio experience. These cameras can detect changes in the environment, enabling a wider range of gestures for better user interaction. For example, if a user is watching a video with the Apple Vision Pro and the new AirPods, turning their head in a specific direction can improve the sound from that direction, thereby improving the spatial audio experience.

“Apple’s hardware, software and services planning has always been focused on strengthening the competitiveness of the ecosystem, and spatial computing is no exception. As the commercialization conditions for spatial computing mature in the future, Apple, which has a significant advantage in this field, is likely to generate new and strong growth momentum,” Kuo further noted.

Recall that in early February, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg News reported that Apple was exploring several ideas for wearable devices, including AirPods headphones with cameras. The company is also exploring the development of smart glasses along the lines of Meta Ray-Bans, a smart ring and future versions of the Apple Watch.