AirPods Pro 3 launched just a few months ago, but rumors indicate there’s a second model coming this year with one key upgrade: IR cameras. Here are the details.

After having mixed first impressions of AirPods Pro 3 due to personal fit issues, I’ve since had a completely positive experience as my ears and the AirPods finally began to get along.

AirPods Pro 3 do everything that I was hoping for, like improve audio quality and upgrade Active Noise Cancellation.

But rumors indicate Apple has one more upgrade coming via a separate, higher-end hardware model.

AirPods Pro 3 will reportedly gain infrared (IR) cameras as part of a push into more AI capabilities for the product.

What new features would those cameras enable?

Mark Gurman has reported that “external cameras and artificial intelligence [will help users] understand the outside world and provide information.” He has also specifically highlighted Visual Intelligence as being at the core of the camera-equipped AirPods.

More recently, leaker Instant Digital said the new model might remove pressure-sensitive buttons from the ear stems in favor of supporting hand gestures. Though Apple could also support both features. That might be helpful considering the growing number of features that rely on the stem buttons.

These new AirPods are otherwise expected to be largely the same as the current AirPods Pro 3. But they’ll arrive at a higher price point.

In other words, just like Apple offers AirPods 4 with and without Active Noise Cancellation, it seems the company plans to offer two versions of AirPods Pro 3: the current model, and a new one with cameras.

Are you interested in AirPods Pro 3 with cameras? Let us know in the comments.

• AirPods Pro 3 (limited-time $229 price)
• AirFly Pro 2 for connecting AirPods to standard headphone jacks
• Belemay leather case for AirPods Pro
• Magnetic strap neckband for preventing lost AirPods
• Memory foam AirPods Pro eartips for a more comfortable fit