Apple seems to be working on new AirPods that will come packed with cameras. The new iteration will come equipped with infrared radiation (IR) cameras, similar to the ones seen on the iPhone FaceID receiver. It is said that the new true wireless stereo (TWS) by the company will bring an enhanced spatial audio experience when used with the Apple Vision Pro.
During WWDC 2024, Apple launched new features for AirPods like gesture-based controls to interact with Siri, capabilities for head-tracking while playing games, and improved sound during voice calls.
In a Medium post, TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said, “My latest supply chain survey indicates that Apple plans to mass-produce new AirPods with camera modules by 2026, featuring an IR camera similar to the iPhone Face ID receiver (not the transmitter).”
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How Will Cameras Improve Spatial Audio On AirPods
The new features on AirPods are reportedly being added to improve the spatial audio experience when paired with the Vision Pro and any future Apple headsets that will come out. It is said that if a user is watching a video on the mixed-reality headset wearing the new earphones and turns their head in a specific direction, they will hear louder audio from the sound source in that direction.
According to the report, the IR cameras on the AirPods can detect environmental image changes. These will be capable of detecting when a Vision Pro user moves the head and the orientation of the video player changes in the AR or VR environment. Moreover, it is believed the earphones may also come with in-air gestures to interact with the device.
Kuo claimed that Foxconn is Apple’s provider of IR cameras. The former is reportedly planning to manufacture 18-20 million units, which roughly translates to 10 million AirPods. However, these are projected numbers and the final output would depend on market conditions.
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Apple To Mass Produce Foldable iPhone
According to a report to clients from Haitong International Securities analyst Jeff Pu (via 9to5Mac), Apple will start mass producing a 20.3-inch foldable device in late 2025 with a foldable iPhone coming in 2026.
Pu says that Apple is looking at two different internal screen sizes for the foldable iPhone, 7.9 inches and 8.3 inches. The report corroborates a previous report from TF International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who suggested in March that a 20.3-inch foldable MacBook was in the works.
While Kuo suggested a hybrid foldable from Apple to enter mass production in 2027, Pu notes that the device will go into mass production late next year. Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) and a reliable leaker, also called for the company to produce a 20-inch foldable device with a release in 2026 or 2027.