AirPods Ultra with IR Cameras Reach Advanced Testing Stage, September Launch Expected

Apple's next-generation earbuds — widely expected to carry AirPods Ultra branding — have reached the Design Validation Testing (DVT) stage, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. DVT is the second-to-last phase before mass production begins, signaling that the design and feature set are nearly finalized.

What the IR Cameras Do

• Eyes for Siri: Tiny infrared cameras in both earbuds feed visual information to Apple Intelligence, letting you look at an item and ask Siri questions about it
• Hand gesture controls: The cameras can recognize hand movements to control music playback, calls, and other features without touching the earbuds
• Spatial awareness: Visual data enables more accurate turn-by-turn navigation directions and context-aware reminders
• Privacy indicator: A small LED light illuminates when the cameras are actively sending visual data to Siri

Expected Specs

The AirPods Ultra will reportedly feature Apple's new H3 chip with improved ANC, better power efficiency, and on-device Apple Intelligence processing. They won't take photos or videos — the IR cameras are exclusively for AI-powered contextual awareness.

What This Means for Buyers

A September 2026 launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and the rebuilt Siri in iOS 27 looks increasingly likely. If you're shopping for premium earbuds today, the AirPods Pro 3 at $199 remain excellent and will continue receiving software updates. But if camera-powered AI features excite you, waiting 3-4 months could be worthwhile. For Android users, the Sony WF-1000XM6 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro remain the top picks. Compare all earbuds in our earbuds guide.