Apple accidentally leaks unreleased AirPods with cameras hidden inside the stems

While rumors had been circulating for several months now, Apple has just accidentally confirmed a controversial new feature present in the currently-unreleased next generation AirPods, with cameras hidden in the stems shown off in a leak.

Unlike the usual leaks, however, this one came direct from Apple itself — with the Release Candidate (RC) version of macOS 26.7 arriving with an unexpected video file showing off how to use Visual Intelligence with the new AirPods.

Apple is certainly going all-in for its Siri overhaul, aiming to finally stick the landing in the AI space, and key to that seemingly is the integration of AirPod-bound cameras that see the world alongside you.

While everyone has their phone on them most of the time, having a seamless experience and interaction with its assistant tools is what Apple is likely aiming for, and these AirPods could complete the experience for somebody wanting to become fully immersed.

Apple leaks AirPod cameras in new video

As reported by MacRumors, it had been speculated for a long time that the newest generation of AirPods would feature a camera for AI functions, and we've finally got to see that in action.

The video, shared by Aaron Perris on X, boasts how your surroundings can suddenly become 'saveable' with Visual Intelligence, as you can use the cameras hidden within the earbuds to lodge things for later on so you don't forget.

It uses a book in this particular instance, with the man in the video simply holding the cover up in front of himself for the AirPods to scan, which he can then presumably return to later without having to hope that he's remembered what it's called.

You could argue that this is already possible by simply taking a note, but Apple would suggest that having the means to do this by just looking at the book – or anything you want to remember – is a better option, especially as its likely automatically sorted and saved into an easy-to-find location that could also be brought up naturally in conversation with the revamped Siri.

It's also likely that saving things for later isn't the only use for these new cameras, as they will probably be used to interact more generally with the world around you.

For example, you could ask the cameras to scan a flower to find out more about it, ask it to look at something written in a foreign language and quickly translate it, or even have it make a suggestion about the layout of your home.

Will the cameras trigger privacy concerns?

That doesn't also come without a number of privacy concerns for both the user themselves and anyone who might be caught in the view of the cameras, especially in a time when there's heavy scrutiny over new gadgets like the controversial Meta AI glasses.

One user in the replies to the leaked video claimed that this is "worse than Meta Ray Bans — everyone has AirPods," but the nature of these new cameras does make the situation slightly different.

As opposed to the cameras inside the Meta glasses, these new AirPods are likely unable to take pictures or record video as they are infra-red — but that could perhaps change in the future.

It could also spark other companies to follow in Apple's footsteps and implement cameras into their own earbuds, but they might not be using the same technology and could in turn trigger similar privacy fears.