Apple is reportedly developing an Apple Watch with built-in cameras as part of its broader push to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) more deeply across its hardware, according to Mark Gurman’s latest newsletter published in Bloomberg. 

Apple is apparently targeting a 2027 release for the Apple Watch.

Gurman reports that Apple is actively exploring ways to embed cameras in both its standard Series models and the rugged Ultra line. For the standard Series, the camera could be housed within the display itself, similar to the front-facing camera on the iPhone. 

However, for the Ultra model, Apple is said to be testing a design where the camera is positioned near the digital crown and side button — a location that offers more space and may make it easier for users to aim the device for scanning objects. The thickness of the two watches also differ quite a bit to enable different camera placements.

The addition of cameras would work in tandem with Apple Intelligence, which was launched with iOS 18.1 last October. Apple Intelligence includes tools like Visual Intelligence that are designed to use your camera to identify objects and landmarks in the environment and deliver contextually relevant information. 

By giving the Apple Watch the ability to “see” its surroundings, Apple could significantly improve the functionality of these AI features, enabling users to interact with their environment in new ways.

Apple has not officially commented on the report.

Rumours about the Apple Watch sporting a camera aren’t new. In fact, one of the earliest reports that leaked about an Apple Watch with a built-in camera was back in 2015. At the time, Apple was believed to be working on integrating the camera into the second generation of the watch. 

Obviously that wasn’t true, but a lot of that rumour aligns with the latest report by Mark Gurman. The 2015 report suggested that Apple Watch will integrate a FaceTime camera on the top bezel. At the time, AI on devices was still a far-fetched dream, so it was assumed that the camera would be used for placing and receiving video calls.

Apple is reportedly also working to expand its AI ecosystem across other devices. Gurman previously reported in December that Apple is developing AirPods with infrared cameras, potentially launching by 2026. These sensors could allow for features such as hand gesture recognition and environmental awareness, particularly when paired with devices like the Apple Vision Pro headset.

Apple’s move to bring AI hardware to the Apple Watch and AirPods is part of a wider ambition to reduce reliance on external AI services like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s AI models. The company reportedly plans to build out its proprietary AI tools — such as its Visual Intelligence platform — which it sees as central to the next generation of its devices.

According to Gurman, Apple aims to integrate Visual Intelligence across its product range, making it a core part of future Apple Watches, AirPods, and other devices. However, much depends on the progress of Apple’s AI division, which is currently undergoing internal restructuring following a recent leadership shake-up.

But if things stay on track, the rumoured Apple Watch with built-in camera and an AirPod with a camera are believed to hit the market by 2027.

Source: India Today
--Agencies