Apple Prepares Massive 2027 Hardware Push Featuring Camera AirPods and 20th-Anniversary iPhone

Apple is quietly laying the groundwork for what could be its most ambitious hardware refresh cycle in recent memory. Slated for late 2027, the company is preparing a massive wave of new devices designed to transition its ecosystem from software-based artificial intelligence to dedicated, ambient computing hardware.[1][8]

The late-2027 roadmap, detailed in a sweeping leak this week, outlines a multi-device strategy that includes camera-equipped AirPods, the company's first smart glasses, a second-generation foldable iPhone, and a radical "20th-anniversary" iPhone redesign.[1][2][3]

Perhaps the most unusual product in the upcoming lineup is a new pair of AirPods featuring built-in cameras. Code-named B798, the earbuds are expected to look similar to the current AirPods Pro models, but with tiny infrared sensors embedded directly into the stems.[3][5]

These cameras are not designed for taking traditional photos or recording video. Instead, they will act as continuous visual sensors, feeding real-time environmental data to Siri and Apple's "Visual Intelligence" systems.[5][7]

The goal is to provide the AI assistant with constant contextual awareness. A user could theoretically look at a collection of ingredients on a kitchen counter and ask Siri for recipe suggestions, or receive turn-by-turn walking directions based on the street signs they are actively looking at.[1][5]

The camera AirPods were originally slated for a 2026 release, but the deadline slipped by a full year. The delay reportedly stems from Apple's prolonged struggles to perfect the underlying AI software, specifically the visual models required to reliably identify objects in a user's surroundings in real-time.[3][6]

By pushing the AirPods to late 2027, Apple has synced their launch with a historic milestone: the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone. To mark the occasion, the company is developing a special anniversary iPhone model, internally known as V73 and V74, which will succeed the iPhone 18 Pro series.[2][6][8]

This anniversary device is expected to feature a nearly edge-to-edge display with curved glass that wraps around the sides of the chassis, representing one of the most significant design overhauls in the product's history.[2][3]

Sharing the stage in late 2027 will be a second-generation foldable iPhone, code-named V78. The fact that Apple is already locking in plans for a sequel before its highly anticipated first-generation foldable has even reached consumers signals a deep, long-term commitment to the book-style folding form factor.[2][6][8]

Both the anniversary iPhone and the second-generation foldable will be powered by Apple's next-generation 2-nanometer A21 chip, internally dubbed "Naxos." These devices are currently being tested alongside iOS 28, which carries the internal codename "Bell."[2][6][8]

Beyond phones and earbuds, Apple is also targeting late 2027 for its long-rumored entry into the smart glasses market. The eyewear, code-named N50, is designed for everyday use and will compete directly with Meta's popular Ray-Ban smart glasses.[1][4]

The first iteration of Apple's smart glasses will reportedly skip heavy, battery-draining augmented reality displays. Instead, they will rely on built-in speakers, microphones, and vertically oriented oval cameras to deliver an audio-first AI experience, allowing users to interact with Siri and capture media.[4]

Apple is reportedly testing multiple frame styles for the glasses, including a slimmer rectangular design reminiscent of the frames worn by CEO Tim Cook, and is exploring proprietary plastic materials in colors like ocean blue and light brown.[4]

For the broader tech industry, Apple's simultaneous development of camera AirPods and smart glasses suggests that the next major platform battle will be fought at the "sensor layer." As AI assistants become more capable, the company that controls the hardware feeding them real-time visual and audio context will hold a massive advantage.[7]

While timelines in hardware development remain fluid and subject to change, the sheer density of the late-2027 roadmap indicates that Apple views that year as a pivotal inflection point. The company is betting that the combination of advanced silicon, mature visual AI, and novel form factors will successfully carry its ecosystem into the post-smartphone era.[3][5][8]