GoKawiilFor months, we’ve been hearing that Apple had a new version of its AirPods Pro on the horizon, equipped with tiny IR cameras designed to power new Siri AI visual intelligence features and perhaps recognize hand gestures like Apple’s Vision Pro headset.
Last week, a video found in the MacOS 26.7 release candidate allegedly showed the camera-equipped AirPods in action, supercharging rumors that new AirPods Ultra — or whatever Apple plans to name them — would turn up at this year’s iPhone event. But new rumors and leaks suggest new AirPods 5 open earbuds and new over-ear headphones from Apple-owned Beats are more likely to make their debut in the coming weeks.
AirPods 5 fresh rumors
Citing unnamed sources, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said this year’s iPhone rollout “will include new AirPods 5, an update to Apple’s entry-level earbuds.” Meanwhile, Gurman maintains that the camera-equipped version of the AirPods “isn’t expected until next year.” And according to MacOS Rumors, AirPods 5 references were already discovered in MacOS 26.7 Release Candidate code. Released two years ago, the AirPods 4 are available with and without noise canceling, and AirPods 5 should also be available in two versions with similar list prices of $130 and $180, respectively.
The AirPods 5 could look similar to the AirPods 4 (shown) but feature performance upgrades. David Carnoy/CNET
It’s unclear whether the AirPods 5 will include any design changes, but one would expect them to offer performance upgrades, and it’s possible they may be the first AirPods to be powered by Apple’s rumored H3 chip.
The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are something of a technological marvel, as ANC is a rare feature for open earbuds because it typically doesn’t work with an open design. As I said in my review, while the AirPods 4’s ANC isn’t that great compared with what you get with the AirPods Pro 3 and other top noise-canceling earbuds from Bose and Sony, that it works at all and is reasonably effective is kind of wild. Apple has had two years to make the ANC even more effective, so I’d expect the AirPods 5 to see some gains on that front, which would be impressive.
Read more: Best Wireless Earbuds of 2026
Beats 360 headphones teases and leaks
Ahead of the World Cup in June, Spain’s star winger Lamine Yamal teased unreleased Beats headphones in an Instagram post. Since then, there’s been a steady trickle of leaks about the new Beats headphones, which are apparently called the Beats 360 and loosely share some design similarities with Apple’s AirPods Max headphones, though they look cheaper. Last week, MacOS Rumors reported that multiple Reddit users “found signs of the Beats 360 on UK websites like Amazon, though those listings have now been removed.”
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