Details continue to emerge about Apple’s next-generation premium earbuds, widely referred to as “AirPods Ultra” and sometimes described in leaks as the fourth-generation AirPods Pro. They reportedly will bring a significant jump forward, including adding cameras and health-monitoring features. And they aren’t too far away.
Here’s what to expect.
AirPods Ultra rather than AirPods Pro 4?
AirPods Pro 3 launched in fall 2025, and rumors of a follow-up began circulating almost immediately. That’s surprising — the usual span of time between new models is about three years.
But it seems the leaks aren’t about a fourth-generation model. Instead, Apple is apparently working on a very advanced version that many expect to be the first in a new “AirPods Ultra” line.
It’ll supposedly be joined by a folding “iPhone Ultra” as well as a “MacBook Ultra” with a touchscreen. The name change indicates a notable leap forward rather than a routine update, as previously happened with Apple Watch Ultra.
Apple’s first AI device?
A highlight of iOS 27 is rumored to be upgrading the Siri voice assistant into an AI-powered chatbot. Apple advertising will surely position AirPods Ultra as the best option to access this AI wherever it’s needed. To be clear, Siri will run on the user’s iPhone or Mac, not the earbuds.
Looking ahead, the AirPods Ultra could even function as a lightweight, screen-free interface for Apple’s AI, greatly reducing how often users need to look at their iPhone. Far beyond simply controlling music playback, voice commands to the AI could be used to get driving directions, send and receive texts and much more.
- See also: How Apple will win the AI war
Cameras? Really!?
Early reports that Apple might build cameras into the AirPods Ultra might have people chuckling at the idea of taking pictures with their ears, but they reportedly won’t be intended for that.
Instead, the cameras will give the Siri AI a way to see the world around the user. They’d let wearers easily make use of Apple’s own visual intelligence feature. With the current version, users point an iPhone camera at an object in the real world to receive an explanation for it. The AI feature can read and summarize text, identify objects, translate languages on signs and more.
Building low-res cameras into AirPods Ultra would let this happen almost seamlessly.
Beyond that, multiple reports indicate these cameras will function as depth and proximity sensors. That’s fostered speculation that the earbuds might also get gesture detection, allowing iPhone users to control audio playback by moving their hands in specific patterns. There’d be no more squeezing the stem — assuming Apple can get the tech to work reliably.
More health-monitoring features
AirPods Pro 3 brought the first health-related feature to Apple’s earbuds: heart-rate monitoring. The upcoming Ultra version is expected to build on that. Unconfirmed reports point to improved heart rate monitoring plus the possible addition of body temperature tracking.
More broadly, the earbuds are rumored to deepen Apple’s “hearing health” push as well, with features like hearing tests and more protection from loud environments.
If accurate, these moves would continue Apple’s push to turn everyday accessories into passive health monitoring tools.
Better audio, of course
Audio performance is expected to improve in the AirPods Ultra, potentially through the new H3 wireless chip that enhances both sound quality and connectivity. But that’s par for the course for new AirPods — audio quality keeps improving with each new generation.
Plus, leaks coming out of Cupertino mention better active noise cancellation and more adaptive transparency modes, refining features that have become central to the AirPods Pro line.
And no one should be surprised that Apple is supposedly working to improve battery life, a key area of competition in the premium earbud market.
Start saving your money
For now, the AirPods Ultra remains firmly in the realm of speculation. But taken together, the leaks suggest Apple is preparing a more ambitious update than usual, one that could blur the line between audio accessory and health device while deepening the earbuds’ role in the company’s expanding ecosystem.
Of course, the additional features lead to a higher price tag above the current Pro line. Estimates generally come in around $299, but the device could be higher.
As for the launch timing, rumors suggest the earbuds could debut as soon as September 2026 alongside the new iPhone 18 series. But it could be later, of course. With the earliest possible release still months away, it’s too early for anyone to be able to give a reliable launch window.
And if the product really is sold as “AirPods Ultra,” do not expect it to replace AirPods Pro 3 in Apple’s lineup. This is apparently a new third tier of earbuds.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh SE/30 (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer.
That’s because he’s a “tablet first” type of guy. Rather than use a Macbook, he connects a keyboard case to the iPad. And instead of a desktop Mac, he connects his tablet to a 27-inch display and full-size keyboard. (So don’t try to tell him that everyone has to use a Mac to be productive.)
Before coming to Cult of Mac, Ed wrote for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
