● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 neutral
AirPods with Visual Intelligence delayed to 2027; current AirPods 4 and Pro 3 models compared
Key points
- Camera-equipped AirPods with Visual Intelligence are delayed to 2027.
- AirPods 4 offer open-ear design, H2 chip, and optional ANC.
- AirPods Pro 3 provide stronger noise cancellation, heart rate monitoring, and longer battery.
- iOS 27 will add Custom EQ across both AirPods models.
Visual Intelligence AirPods Delayed
Apple's camera-equipped AirPods, featuring Visual Intelligence, are now projected for a 2027 release. This update follows a recent leak of a B790 model in a macOS Tahoe 26.7 Release Candidate video, which initially suggested an earlier launch. However, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that the B790 model was a modified AirPods Pro 3 design that has been removed from Apple's 2026 roadmap, with Apple continuing development on a newer B798 generation.
AirPods 4 Features and Pricing
The AirPods 4 prioritize comfort and value with an open-ear design. The $129 model includes Apple's H2 chip, Personalized Spatial Audio, and up to five hours of listening, but lacks Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Transparency mode, and wireless charging. A $179 model adds noise cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, and a wireless charging case with a Find My speaker. The open design of the AirPods 4 results in less effective ANC in noisy environments like airplanes.
AirPods Pro 3 Capabilities
The AirPods Pro 3, priced at $249, offer a more comprehensive feature set. They include foam-infused tips for enhanced bass and significantly better noise cancellation, with up to eight hours of listening with ANC enabled. These models also feature heart rate measurement during workouts and support Apple's Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, and Hearing Protection functionalities. Workout heart-rate readings from AirPods Pro 3 have shown consistency with Apple Watch data.
Software Enhancements
Upcoming software updates will bring new features to both AirPods lines. iOS 27 will introduce Custom EQ across both AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3. The AirPods Pro 3 will also gain additional benefits from their heart-rate sensor and newer charging case through these updates.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
Apple's camera-equipped AirPods with Visual Intelligence are now expected in 2027, not 2026, according to Bloomberg. This clarifies the timeline for a new AirPods generation, while current AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 models offer distinct features and price points for consumers.