Apple is reportedly working on integrating cameras into its future Apple Watch models as part of an effort to enhance its AI capabilities, particularly Visual Intelligence, within the next two years. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the addition of cameras is aligned with the company’s broader strategy to enhance its AI-driven features across various devices.
Shift to In-House AI Models
Apple’s Visual Intelligence technology, which is currently dependent on services from OpenAI and Google, is set to evolve with the aim of relying entirely on Apple’s own AI models. Gurman noted that this shift could expand to multiple devices, including the upcoming camera-equipped AirPods. Apple’s ultimate vision is to embed this technology within the core of its future devices, with the camera-equipped Apple Watch models playing a significant role.
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Camera Integration in Standard and Ultra Models
The company is said to be working on two versions of the Apple Watch with cameras: a standard model and the Ultra variant. For the standard Apple Watch, the camera would likely be embedded within the display, similar to the setup found in iPhones. It’s unclear whether this would involve under-display technology or require a cutout in the display.
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On the other hand, the Ultra Apple Watch would feature a camera positioned on the side of the watch, near the digital crown and side button. This positioning takes advantage of the extra space available on the larger Ultra model, allowing users to more easily point their wrists for scanning or other functions.
Apple’s Long-Term Vision for Camera Integration
While the concept of a camera-equipped Apple Watch has surfaced multiple times in the past through rumours and Apple patents, the idea has not yet materialized into a market-ready product. Patents have included concepts for using cameras for video calls, biometric monitoring, and even hidden camera features that appear only when needed. One patent from 2020 proposed a camera system that could be concealed within the Digital Crown or attached to the end of the watch band.
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Despite the ongoing speculation, Gurman suggests that the first Apple Watch with a camera may not arrive until 2027, contingent on the progress of Apple’s AI teams. Alongside the camera-equipped AirPods, these advancements in AI-driven hardware could reshape how Apple devices function in the near future.
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