Apple is reportedly developing a future iteration of the Apple Watch featuring an integrated camera, a major leap in smartwatch innovation. According to a Bloomberg report published on Sunday, the next-generation Apple Watch will include a camera to enhance its capabilities with Visual Intelligence, allowing the device to perceive and interpret the world around it.
Camera Integration in Standard and Ultra Models
The report suggests that Apple plans to release two variants of the Apple Watch equipped with cameras. The standard model is expected to feature an “inside-the-display” camera, seamlessly integrated into the watch face. Meanwhile, the Ultra variant Apple’s premium smartwatch offering may include a visible camera placed beside the Digital Crown. Both designs aim to provide users with advanced functionalities without compromising the sleek aesthetic of the Apple Watch.
Enhanced Visual Intelligence with AI
The inclusion of a camera in the Apple Watch is set to extend Apple’s Visual Intelligence capabilities beyond iPhones. Currently, Apple offers AI-driven camera functionalities on iPhones, but with a camera-equipped Apple Watch, users could potentially capture images, engage in video calls, or even use AI-driven recognition tools directly from their wrist.
Apple’s focus on integrating artificial intelligence aligns with its broader strategy of making devices more intuitive and contextually aware. With AI-powered Visual Intelligence, the Apple Watch could identify objects, scan QR codes, or even provide real-time information based on what the camera detects.
Apple’s Expanding Vision: AirPods with Cameras
Apple is also working on an AirPods Pro model featuring a built-in camera, according to the same Bloomberg report. The AirPods camera is expected to offer similar Visual Intelligence capabilities, possibly enhancing augmented reality (AR) experiences and improving spatial awareness for users.
Potential Impact and Release Timeline
The Bloomberg report indicates that these developments could arrive within the next two years, suggesting a possible launch between 2026 and 2027. If realized, this would mark a significant evolution in Apple’s wearable technology, further integrating AI and enhancing user experience across its ecosystem.
As Apple continues to push the boundaries of innovation, an Apple Watch with a camera could redefine how smartwatches interact with the world, making them more versatile and intelligent than ever before.
