Headphones that can see their surroundings long sounded like science fiction. Apple has been working on them for about four years – and is now working on two versions simultaneously, with release schedules more than a year apart.
The AirPods Pro 3 arrived in September 2025 with improved sound, stronger ANC, and, for the first time, heart rate monitoring. Despite these improvements, they still use the H2 chip from 2022 and are part of a product line ranging from the AirPods 4 to the AirPods Max 2 – those who want to see the differences clearly outlined can find them in the buying guide for the current models. Above these, a premium model with infrared cameras and the new H3 chip is rumored to be in development, tentatively named AirPods Ultra. Consistent reports from Ming-Chi Kuo, Mark Gurman, and several Weibo leakers paint this picture, but since August 2026, there's a crucial addition: two parallel development paths.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Expectation |
|---|---|
| Product | Higher-priced AirPods Pro 3 with IR cameras, possibly "AirPods Ultra" |
| Variants | Two versions developed in parallel: B798 and B790 |
| Release | B798 by the end of 2027, B790 according to the roadmap significantly earlier |
| Chip | H3 (new generation) |
| Cameras | Infrared sensors for visual intelligence and gesture control |
| Price | Estimated price: €299–349 (AirPods Pro 3 cost €249) |
| Replaces | Nothing – the AirPods Pro 3 will remain in the product range alongside the new models. |
Two code names, two timelines
For years, all reports revolved around a single device with the internal designation B798. This project was originally scheduled for the second half of 2026 and was subsequently pushed back to the end of 2027.
In addition, there is a second version called B790. Internally, it is considered more advanced and is slated for a significantly earlier launch on Apple's roadmap. Developing competing versions of the same product in parallel is common practice at Apple.
| Feature | B790 | B798 |
|---|---|---|
| Expected start | earliest 2026 | End of 2027 |
| first known | July 2026 via beta code | February 2024 |
| Development status | According to the roadmap, further progress has been made. | Postponed several times |
| Presumed role | simpler version | more technically sophisticated version |
The technical differences between the two versions are unclear. It's also uncertain whether both will even be released – parallel developments regularly end with only one variant surviving.
Name: AirPods Ultra or AirPods Pro with cameras?
Apple has not yet made a decision. Two scenarios are being discussed.
In the first case, there would be two versions of the AirPods Pro – with and without cameras, similar to the AirPods 4, which are available with and without ANC.
In the second scenario, a standalone product called AirPods Ultra would be created. Apple already uses the Ultra label for the Apple Watch Ultra, for chips, and for CarPlay Ultra. A price above that of the AirPods Pro 3 would create a new premium tier – between the Pro 3 at €249 and the AirPods Max 2 at €579.
Development status: Prototypes with near-final design
According to a Bloomberg report, the prototypes are currently undergoing Design Validation Testing – an advanced phase in which internal testers put devices with a near-final design through their paces in everyday use. Only Production Validation Testing remains before early mass production can begin.
The launch wasn't delayed because of the hardware, but because of the software: The next major Siri generation serves as the basis for the AI functions and takes longer to develop. Additionally, Apple had to create visual models that can reliably recognize objects in the environment.
The hardware is therefore considered to be very advanced, but the market launch remains tied to the maturity of the software.
How the reported development halt can be explained
In early July 2026, the timeline was thrown into disarray twice, in opposite directions. First, prototype collector Kosutami reported on X that Apple had temporarily suspended development, thus correcting an earlier statement from June that the project was complete.
He provided no evidence, and his track record is mixed: He was correct about the metal-encapsulated battery of the iPhone 16 Pro, but wrong about the supposedly imminent launch of the AirPods Pro 3 in August 2024.
Just hours later, a counter-signal emerged from Apple's own code. In the second iOS 27 beta, a developer stumbled upon an entry for a device with cameras designed to process two images from both sides of the head – precisely the setup of a camera-equipped earbud. The code cites landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and everyday objects like a coffee cup as examples.
The two-pronged structure paints a coherent picture: A halt could have affected B798, while B790 continued operating. This interpretation is not proven, but it fits the facts better than the assumption that a nearly finished product was discontinued within a few weeks and then resumed shortly thereafter.
Cameras: What they can – and can't – do
The cameras are not photo or video cameras. They capture the environment in low resolution and send the data to Siri and Apple Intelligence.
A typical use case: a glance into the refrigerator, a question about what can be cooked with the available ingredients – the answer comes directly to the ear, without having to take the iPhone out of the pocket. The concept is similar to the image recognition that already works on the iPhone, but without the detour via the smartphone camera.
The cameras are located in both earbuds. This allows the environment to be captured from two perspectives, making spatial perception more precise than with a single camera.
Expected features at a glance:
- Visual Intelligence: Object recognition, text recognition, and context-related information directly through the earbuds.
- Gesture control in the air: hand movements instead of pressure on the stem – some reports suggest that Apple could completely replace the pressure-sensitive stems.
- Spatial Audio with Vision Pro: improved head tracking through the combination of IR sensors and H3 chip
- Context-dependent memories that arise from what has been seen
- More precise navigation, where specific landmarks are named as turning points.
Design: Longer stem and status LED
Visually, the AirPods Ultra are expected to closely resemble the current AirPods Pro. The main change lies in the stem: it is longer because it needs to house the cameras.
A small LED on the casing is designed to signal when visual data is being transmitted to the cloud. Apple is thus adopting a principle familiar from the camera on the Mac – a visible indicator provides transparency precisely at the moment the device is recording.
Chip: H3 for gestures and sensors
Despite new features, the AirPods Pro 3 still use the H2 chip from 2022. The new H3 chip, which is reportedly already in development, is intended for the AirPods Ultra.
Expected improvements:
- Better sound quality and lower latency
- Computing power for real-time gesture processing and IR data analysis
- Higher energy efficiency to support the additional sensors
- Closer integration with iPhone and Vision Pro
Health functions
The AirPods Pro 3 already measure heart rate and offer hearing tests. With the H3 chip and additional sensors, further features could be added, such as enhanced fitness data or improved ambient sound analysis.
No source has yet provided specific details. This expectation is based on the direction of development, not on a report of confirmed features.
Price and positioning
The AirPods Ultra would fill a gap in the product range. The AirPods Pro 3 will remain on sale alongside the AirPods – just as the AirPods 4 with and without ANC will coexist.
| Model | Price (DE) |
|---|---|
| AirPods 4 | from €149 |
| AirPods 4 with ANC | from €199 |
| AirPods Pro 3 | 249 € |
| AirPods Ultra (expected) | €299–349 |
| AirPods Max 2 | 579 € |
Release: When will the AirPods Ultra be released?
For a long time, autumn 2026 was considered the most likely timeframe – along with the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone Ultra and the Apple Watch Series 12. Ming-Chi Kuo had previously assumed a production start in 2026.
A Bloomberg report subsequently postponed the market launch to the end of 2027, coinciding with the expected release window for Apple Glass. However, since August 2026, this date has only applied to the B798 chip.
According to the roadmap, the B790 variant is slated for release much earlier, making a launch as early as 2026 conceivable. Which version will be released, under what name, and at what price remains to be seen – as does whether the earlier variant will offer the full range of features or be a precursor.
The catch for buyers in the EU
Cameras worn on the ear only make sense if the paired iPhone can actually do something with the image data. This is precisely where the problem lies for Germany and Austria: Siri AI won't be launching on iPhones and iPads in the EU for the time being because Apple and the Commission can't agree on the interpretation of the Digital Markets Act. Apple has explicitly not provided a timeline.
Switzerland is exempt. As a non-EU country, it is not subject to the DMA, and the restrictions do not apply there.
For the German and Austrian markets, this means that as long as the situation remains unchanged, an accessory will be released whose core function is missing from the main device. This is the most important caveat regarding this product – more important than any discussion about the chip, price, or release date.
Who are the AirPods Ultra intended for?
The AirPods Ultra are not a replacement for the AirPods Pro 3. Anyone simply looking for good headphones with ANC is perfectly happy with the Pro 3 and doesn't need to wait for anything.
This model will be interesting for anyone who actively uses Apple Intelligence, owns a Vision Pro, or is interested in gesture control and spatial applications. If you're planning to buy new AirPods right now, you can confidently choose the Pro 3 – they will remain in the product line and continue to receive software updates.
Those waiting for the next big Apple headphone innovation should keep two timeframes in mind: 2026 for the previously released version and late 2027 for the fully upgraded model. Apple has not confirmed either the product or a release date.
The information regarding development status, codenames, and timelines is primarily sourced from the Bloomberg newsletter Power On, which is considered the single most reliable source for product roadmaps in the Apple sphere. Information from individual leakers is marked as such in the text and is significantly less well-substantiated. (Image: Shutterstock / Ivan_Shenets)
- Apfelpatient Weekly #17
- Password Manager Comparison: Apple, 1Password and Bitwarden
- iPhone Air or iPhone 17 Pro? All the differences compared
