Apple’s AI Vision: How Cameras in Apple Watch and AirPods Could Redefine Wearables by 2027

Apple is steering its wearable technology into uncharted territory. By 2027, the company plans to embed cameras into its Apple Watch and AirPods, not for video calls or photography, but to power AI-driven “Visual Intelligence” features. This bold move, reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, signals Apple’s ambition to transform wearables into proactive, context-aware assistants. But with technical hurdles and privacy concerns looming, will this gamble pay off?

Apple is working on Apple Watch models with built-in cameras as part of its AI expansion! 📷⌚️

1. Standard Apple Watch – Camera embedded in the display
2. Apple Watch Ultra – Camera placed near the Digital Crown for better scanning

Apple’s Visual Intelligence tech is also… pic.twitter.com/icwnJWkNwn

— iGeeksBlog (@igeeksblog) March 24, 2025

The Camera Revolution: Design and Placement

Standard Apple Watch Series:

• Under-Display Camera: Future models could feature a camera integrated into the display itself, likely using advanced under-discreen technology to maintain sleek aesthetics.
• AI Use Case: Users might point their wrist at objects or locations to instantly retrieve information, such as restaurant ratings or event details.

Apple Watch Ultra:

• Side-Mounted Camera: Positioned near the Digital Crown and side button, this placement leverages the Ultra’s thicker chassis for better hardware integration.
• Ergonomic Advantage: The side location allows intuitive aiming, enabling real-time environmental scanning without awkward wrist movements.

AirPods Join the Fray:

• Tiny cameras in future AirPods could enable spatial awareness, such as detecting gestures or enhancing noise cancellation based on surroundings.

Visual Intelligence: The AI Backbone

What It Does:

• Real-World Interaction: Point your Apple Watch at a train station to get schedules or scan a flyer to auto-add events to your calendar.
• Beyond iPhone Integration: While the feature debuted on iPhone 16 models, Apple aims to shift reliance from third-party AI (like ChatGPT) to proprietary models by 2027.

The Siri Factor:

• Gurman notes that Apple’s AI ambitions hinge on revamping Siri, which has faced delays. The company’s leadership shakeup, including assigning Vision Pro chief Mike Rockwell to oversee Siri’s overhaul, underscores the challenge.

The Skeptic’s Corner: Challenges and Criticisms

Technical Limitations:

• Battery and Processing: Adding cameras to compact devices like the Apple Watch risks draining battery life and requiring more powerful (and space-consuming) chips.
• Privacy Risks: Always-on cameras in wearables could trigger backlash, especially if data collection isn’t transparent.

Market Realities:

• Delayed Timeline: With a 2027 target, Apple risks falling behind rivals like Google and Samsung, which are already integrating advanced AI into their ecosystems.
• Consumer Skepticism: Previous rumors of Apple Watch cameras (dating back to 2015) never materialized, fueling doubts about this rollout.

The Bigger Picture: Apple’s Wearable Ecosystem

Beyond the Watch:

• AirPods with cameras could enable gesture controls or adaptive audio, syncing with Apple Vision Pro for mixed-reality experiences.
• AI Synergy: Future devices might collaborate seamlessly—for example, an AirPod camera detecting a user’s gaze direction to trigger Watch-based actions.

Industry Impact:

• If successful, Apple could set a new standard for AI wearables, pressuring competitors to prioritize on-device intelligence over cloud-dependent solutions.

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