By a tech journalist
Honestly, the latest scoop from Mark Gurman, a well-known tech journalist, has just dropped: Apple’s AirPods with built-in cameras have entered the design validation testing (DVT) phase. That means the testing team has already gotten their hands on the prototypes, and the hardware design is almost finalized. Typically, the development process for electronic products includes EVT (engineering validation), DVT (design validation), PVT (production validation), and MP (mass production) stages.
Here’s the deal: the AirPods being tested have a distinct design that sets them apart from existing products. Both the left and right earbuds have built-in camera components. To accommodate the sensors and lenses, the earbud stems are slightly longer than those of the AirPods Pro 3. The overall design language remains consistent with the family style, with only minor adjustments to fit the new hardware.
Unlike Meta’s smart glasses, the cameras on these AirPods aren’t for taking photos or recording videos. Instead, they capture low-resolution visual information about the user’s surroundings, serving as the “eyes” for an upgraded Siri. Users can ask questions about objects in front of them using voice commands, like asking for cooking instructions when facing ingredients. This feature enables hands-free interaction, similar to AI-powered visual Q&A services, but with a focus on portability and seamless interaction.
Additionally, Apple has included a privacy protection design, featuring a small LED indicator that lights up when visual data is uploaded to the cloud, notifying the user that the camera is active.
Gurman predicts that the new AirPods with cameras might be released later this year.
Industry insiders have mixed opinions about the design logic and market prospects of this product. Some analysts believe that this product is a key part of Apple’s AI hardware strategy, focusing on scenario-based AI while prioritizing privacy and practicality. Others think that the product’s attempt to create a seamless AI experience might raise concerns about user privacy and information overload, and its core value still needs to be validated by the market.
Besides the camera, Apple has also introduced AirPods with real-time translation capabilities. With Apple’s smart technology and pairing with iPhone 15 Pro or later models, AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods Pro 2, or AirPods Pro 3 can translate conversations in real-time, allowing users to hear the translation in their preferred language.
Currently, Apple’s Chinese website offers a range of AirPods products across different price segments. The AirPods 4 basic model starts at 999 yuan, while the active noise cancellation model costs 1399 yuan. The AirPods Pro 3, featuring active noise cancellation and heart rate sensing, is priced at 1899 yuan. The flagship AirPods Max 2 costs 3999 yuan.
As the core product of Apple’s wearable business, AirPods have shown stable performance in the company’s latest financial report. In the second quarter of the 2026 fiscal year, Apple’s wearable, home, and accessories business generated revenue of $7.901 billion, up 5.04% year-over-year. The growth was mainly driven by AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2.
In the first quarter of the 2026 fiscal year, Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that AirPods Pro 3 had seen strong demand since its release in September 2025, exceeding the company’s expectations. During that quarter, the wearable, home, and accessories business reported revenue of $11.49 billion, down 2.2% year-over-year. Cook believed that this data did not reflect the true market demand and emphasized that if it weren’t for the production constraints on AirPods Pro 3, the business segment would have seen growth that quarter.
AirPods Pro 3’s popularity can be attributed to its significant feature upgrades. In addition to improved sound quality and enhanced active noise cancellation, the product introduced a new feature: motion heart rate monitoring. This feature greatly expanded the earbuds’ usage scenarios.
Now, with the introduction of cameras in AirPods, the success of this feature ultimately depends on Siri’s future performance. The new Siri has been delayed multiple times, and Apple has spent around $170 million to settle a related lawsuit. The latest news suggests that the new Siri might be unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
According to Gurman’s leak, the new Siri will have a significant upgrade, offering a new interaction experience similar to ChatGPT, an independent app, and support for multiple commands. Additionally, it will support third-party AI entities, and the promised “context-aware” feature will make an appearance.
On May 7, Apple’s stock price briefly reached $290.33 per share, refreshing its historical high for the first time in five months, with a market capitalization of $425 billion. However, by the end of the trading day, the stock price fell to $287.44, with a market capitalization of $422 billion, still lagging behind NVIDIA and Google.
