Apple to begin mass production of ‘AirPods with camera sensors’ in 2026.
According to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the camera-equipped AirPods will start large-scale production by 2026. Earlier this year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurnman also mentioned that Apple is developing a way to integrate low-resolution camera sensors into AirPods.
This move is aimed at making the AirPods compatible with the Vision Pro and the newly launched spatial devices, which might lead to a modification in their appearance.
The AirPods are anticipated to include air gesture support, thanks to their ability to easily recognize changes in the environment with the aid of an IR camera.
The forthcoming AirPods are expected to include camera components that are comparable to those in the FaceID system, equipped with an infrared sensor. This addition is anticipated to improve the viewing experience of videos by providing a better spatial audio quality.
The infrared camera function would represent a major breakthrough in how humans interact with technology, enabling individuals to operate their devices using just hand gestures as Apple will begin mass production of AirPods with cameras.
Kuo disclosed that Foxconn’s aim is to hit the year 2026 with the commencement of a large-scale production of AirPods incorporating IR cameras to the tune of approximately 18-20 million which translates to 10 million pairs of AirPods.
First introduced with the iPhone 7 lineup, Apple AirPods have quickly become a popular choice for wireless earphones for the users.
Earlier, Mark Gurnman also revealed that Apple is working to integrate camera sensors into the AirPods. This further can be utilized to gather and analyze user information by leveraging AI technology.
Within the recent years, Apple has enhanced the capabilities of AirPods by adding numerous new functions. The California-based company Apple has also revealed new features in the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).
Also, the inclusion of camera sensors feature into AirPods' is not just proof of Apple's innovation but also a sign of the future prospects of wearable gadgets.
Kuo also mentioned that Apple is developing a 20-inch foldable MacBook, which is set to begin mass production in 2026 and begin distribution in 2027.
Moreover, in the smartwatch front, the Apple Watch 10 will showcase a larger display as compared to the predecessor models. It will also feature a blood pressure monitor function. It could also assist users in monitoring any fluctuations in their blood pressure over a period.