If you were a tech enthusiast or a Samsung enthusiast in the early 2010s, you might recall the Galaxy Gear, a smartwatch that featured a built-in camera. This allowed users to capture photos and videos on the go without pulling out their smartphones.
Now, Apple is reportedly developing Apple Watches with cameras—but not for photography. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, these cameras will serve a different purpose.
Future Apple Watches to feature cameras for Visual Intelligence?
Rather than being used for traditional photo and video capture, future Apple Watch models will integrate cameras to enhance Apple’s Visual Intelligence feature. Originally introduced on the iPhone 16 series, Visual Intelligence can be accessed via a long press of the Camera Control button, allowing users to point their device at objects, text, stores, or restaurants to receive AI-powered insights. With the help of ChatGPT or Google Search, it provides instant translations, business details, and object recognition.
With a camera embedded in the Apple Watch, users would no longer need to pull out their iPhones to utilize object detection and recognition. Instead, they could simply point their wrist at an object to receive relevant information instantly.
According to Gurman, Apple plans to equip both the Apple Watch Series and Ultra lineups with cameras. The Series models will likely feature an under-display camera, while the Ultra version, thanks to its larger form factor, may have a camera positioned near the digital crown and side button.
Camera-equipped AirPods in the works too?
Apple’s vision for camera-integrated accessories doesn’t stop with the Apple Watch. Another report from Gurman suggests that future AirPods may also feature cameras, designed to work with Visual Intelligence.
With this setup, users wouldn’t need to raise their hands or hold a device to scan an object. Simply looking at an item could prompt the AirPods’ cameras to gather information and relay details via audio feedback.
Although these developments sound exciting, they are still in the early stages. According to Gurman, camera-equipped Apple Watches and AirPods are not expected to hit the market until at least 2027.
