February 9, 2026
Earbuds with eyes? What could go wrong
AirPods Pro 4 Could Feature Cameras to 'See Around You'
Apple’s ‘ear-cams’ spark privacy panic, Japan jokes, and “jump the shark” cries
TLDR: Apple’s 2026 AirPods Pro may pack tiny infrared cameras to read hand gestures and boost Vision Pro audio. Comments explode: privacy panic and “banned everywhere” jokes versus calm explanations it’s gesture-only, plus skeptics asking if ear-cams are just a gimmick.
AirPods that can “see” around you? That’s the spicy rumor: leaker Kosutami says the next AirPods Pro will pack tiny cameras in each bud, while analyst Ming-Chi Kuo teases a 2026 model with an infrared (IR) sensor for hand gestures and better spatial audio with Vision Pro. Price whispers clash: Kosutami claims the same $249, but other chatter says a pricier high‑end variant sitting alongside AirPods Pro 3, much like Apple’s current two‑tier AirPods 4 lineup. Timing? Apple tends to drop earbuds at September iPhone events, but the community isn’t waiting to argue.
The comments went full popcorn mode. One user warned, “get AirPods banned everywhere—genius,” imagining “ear‑cams” outlawed at gyms, theaters, and offices. Japan jokes popped off—will they need audible shutter sounds “on the outside”? Meanwhile a cooler head chimed in that IR means it sees hand movements, not your life, linking MacRumors and suggesting this is more Wii‑style gestures than spy gear. Practical folks just want “find the runaway earbud” for late‑night bed dives. And the cynics? “Did tech jump the shark?” If Apple ships eye‑buds, expect a split screen: privacy panic vs gesture geeks—plus a lot of memes about earbuds peeking over your shoulder.
Key Points
- •Leaker Kosutami claims the next AirPods Pro will include cameras to “see around” the wearer, likely one per earbud.
- •Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports a 2026 AirPods Pro with at least one tiny infrared camera for gesture recognition and enhanced spatial audio with Apple Vision Pro.
- •Kosutami suggests a $249 price, while leaker Instant Digital says the 2026 model will be a pricier, high-end variant sold alongside 2025’s AirPods Pro 3.
- •Apple’s current AirPods lineup sits at $129, $179, $249, and $549, leaving room for an additional product between AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.
- •Apple typically announces new AirPods in the second half of the year, often at the September iPhone event; a 2026 successor to AirPods Pro 3 is expected despite Apple’s usual three-year cadence.