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Almost a year ago, well-respected analyst Ming-Chi-Kuo made a prediction about Apple's plans to mass produce AirPods with an infrared (IR) camera system by 2026. However, in a recent update, Kuo has indicated that any significant upgrades to the AirPods won't be seen until next year.
Kuo's announcement also mentioned the possibility of a lighter version of the over-ear AirPods Max being released in 2027. This aligns with previous reports by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who suggested that Apple is looking to incorporate a camera into the AirPods to enhance features like Visual Intelligence.
Visual Intelligence, currently available on select iPhone models, allows users to utilize their device's camera for AI-powered tasks. While speculation has varied regarding the timeline for the release of new AirPods models, Kuo's insights suggest a potential delay in Apple's wearable offerings.
Despite conflicting reports from other sources, the absence of a new AirPods Pro model since 2022 raises questions about Apple's release schedule. The decision to postpone updates could be tied to the integration of advanced technologies like an IR camera, which may require additional development time.
