Apple May Put Cameras in Your Ears: AirPods Pro 4 Could Offer Gesture Control

February 10, 2026: Apple is reportedly planning a revolutionary upgrade for its AirPods Pro 4—fitting tiny cameras inside the earbuds. According to industry analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Kosutami, these cameras will use infrared technology to understand a user’s surroundings and recognize hand gestures, allowing control without touching your phone or earbuds.

How the Ear Cameras Will Work
The cameras are not meant for photography. Instead, they will enhance Apple’s visual intelligence features and work alongside the Vision Pro headset to deliver an immersive audio-visual experience. Users may be able to:

• Change music or adjust volume with simple hand gestures in the air.
• Activate Siri or other commands using hand or head movements.
• Interact seamlessly with Apple devices without direct contact.

Effectively, Apple aims to transform the AirPods Pro 4 from simple audio devices into intelligent sensors, capable of interpreting their surroundings to improve the overall experience with Apple’s ecosystem.

Pricing and Models
Reports suggest that the AirPods Pro 4 could be priced around $249 (~₹21,000–25,000), similar to previous models. However, some speculate that Apple may position them as a premium high-end version of the AirPods Pro 3. The earbuds could also be marketed as a special accessory for Vision Pro users, potentially limiting initial availability to that audience.

Expected Launch
Historically, Apple updates its AirPods series every three years. With AirPods Pro 3 released in 2025, the camera-enabled AirPods Pro 4 could debut in 2026, possibly at Apple’s annual event. If widely available, the earbuds could offer an unprecedented hands-free control experience for everyday users.

Apple’s innovative approach with gesture-controlled earbuds could reshape the way users interact with audio devices, merging convenience, accessibility, and advanced technology in a single wearable.