Apple has encountered setbacks in its AI research, but those challenges haven’t halted new explorations.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company is investigating the possibility of adding cameras to future Apple Watch models, a shift that could bring a feature Apple refers to as “visual intelligence” directly to users’ wrists.
Visual intelligence lets users interact with the physical environment through AI. This functionality, already introduced on the iPhone 16 series running iOS 18.2 or later, enables tasks that resemble Google Lens. By taking a photo, an iPhone can now identify objects, extract text, and offer immediate contextual details such as relevant product listings or informational links.
Gurman’s information suggests that Apple is considering multiple approaches to adding cameras to the Apple Watch. The standard model may incorporate a lens below the display surface, remaining mostly hidden until needed. The Apple Watch Ultra, on the other hand, might include a sensor placed near the crown and power button, allowing for quick camera access in rugged or fitness-oriented scenarios. Gurman anticipates that these camera-equipped models could arrive by 2027 if development goes as planned.
Recent leaks also point to Apple experimenting with AirPods featuring built-in cameras, a concept that would further deepen the company’s push into AI-driven wearables. By placing cameras in both smartwatches and wireless earbuds, Apple seems intent on integrating visual intelligence throughout its product ecosystem.
If these developments bear fruit, Apple’s ecosystem of wearables in the next few years could look considerably different, with AI-powered cameras redefining how users interact with their devices and the world around them.
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