Apple’s smart glasses may be waiting, but AirPods Ultra may just be confirmed. Buried in iOS 27’s beta code is a mystery wearable that reads images from two cameras, located on each side of your head. And Apple’s own sample data has it identifying the Eiffel Tower and a coffee mug.
If you’ve ever wanted Siri to actually see what you’re looking at instead of just hearing you describe it, this could be it. Apple is reportedly working on just that, and the newly spotted code hints at how close it might be, and which product, AirPods or glasses, is likely to land first.
AirPods Ultra or smart glasses? The codename points to AirPods
The discovery comes as Apple races to bring Apple Intelligence beyond the iPhone and into a new generation of wearable devices. Rivals like Meta are already finding success with AI-powered smart glasses, while Apple has been rumored to be developing both camera-equipped AirPods and its own smart glasses. We may have an answer about which will be out first.
It comes in the form of a system prompt file in the second iOS 27 developer beta. Uncovered by developer Sam Henri Gold, it hints at a product codenamed B790 built to process dual-camera input from a device worn on the head.
The description might in the code might neatly line up with Apple’s long-rumored smart glasses. But Apple’s own naming convention complicates the picture, since B-series codenames usually belong to AirPods, not eyewear. For example, AirPods Pro 3 carry the codename B788, which puts B790 closer to Apple’s audio lineup than to the smart glasses, reportedly codenamed N50.
That numerical overlap is exactly why several leakers point to camera-equipped AirPods, often called “AirPods Ultra.”
Some recent reports do claim Apple paused work on those camera-equipped AirPods, which has kept the smart-glasses theory alive for a few observers. Still, the codename evidence tilts toward AirPods over glasses. Apple, unsurprisingly, isn’t commenting.
Visual Intelligence is already on your iPhone, but not on your face
The iPhone 15 Pro and later models already have Visual Intelligence. The feature allows you to point your phone at an object, piece of text or landmark and let Siri explain what you are looking at through the Camera app. But the beta code suggests Apple could be working to bring the same capability to a wearable, moving Siri’s vision off your phone screen entirely.
That could be the entire story behind the codename. Apple may not be borrowing just another iPhone feature, but laying the groundwork to put Siri’s camera-based intelligence on a device you’ll be wearing, not just holding.
AirPods Ultra vs. Smart glasses: What the timeline suggests
The camera-equipped AirPods and the first Apple smart glasses are reportedly coming out in late 2027, so a stage reveal at the upcoming iPhone event is unlikely. What this code hints at is that Apple isn’t willing to sit out the wearable-camera race, especially with Meta’s Ray-Bans selling like hotcakes. And if the codenames are anything to go by, AirPods with cameras look the safer bet to land first.
