Apple is currently developing multiple new Apple Watch models boasting built-in cameras for release by 2027, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.
Gurman’s comments came in his Power On newsletter on Sunday, where he said Apple plans to add a camera in the screen area on a future Apple Watch Series model. He said he expects the camera to be on the right side of a future Apple Watch Ultra model, near the Digital Crown.
Gurman does not expect the cameras to allow use of FaceTime on the Apple Watch. Instead, he said the cameras would be used for Visual Intelligence on future Apple Watch models, allowing Apple Watch users to quickly receive information about items or places in their surroundings. For example, a user could point their Apple Watch at a restaurant or a store to receive its hours or customer ratings as they walk by.
Gurman on Sunday also said Apple may drop the idea of offering a plastic Apple Watch SE later this year, saying the plastic Apple Watch SE is now in “jeopardy” for two reasons: design and cost issues.
“The design team doesn’t like the look, and the operations team is finding it difficult to make the casing materially cheaper than the current aluminum chassis,” he said.
Gurman also said Apple is still exploring the use of tiny cameras in future AirPods models. The cameras would likely make an appearance as infrared sensors.
