Apple has reportedly scrapped its long-rumored plan to release an Apple Watch with built-in cameras. Though patents and rumors suggested a smartwatch with photography or Face ID features, the company has now pulled the plug, according to a Bloomberg report.
Sources say Apple explored multiple designs, including placing the camera in the Digital Crown or embedding it into the strap. The latest rumors even suggested that both the standard Apple Watch and the Apple Watch Ultra might receive camera upgrades for Visual Intelligence features. But those plans are no longer moving forward.
Visual Intelligence Features Delayed for Watches
The proposed camera-equipped Apple Watch would have offered enhanced Visual Intelligence—Apple’s suite of AI tools that help users scan environments and access smart data. This feature already exists in the iPhone 16 and 15 Pro lines, where users can scan a flyer to add an event to their calendar or identify objects with the camera.
Integrating these capabilities into a smartwatch seemed promising, but Apple reportedly faced design and user experience challenges. The company may have decided that the benefits didn’t outweigh the added complexity and cost.
Focus Shifts to Smart AirPods and Glasses
While the camera watch has been shelved, Apple remains committed to bringing Visual Intelligence to other wearable devices. Work continues on camera-equipped AirPods, expected to launch in 2026. These could offer users hands-free object detection, navigation, or even live translation by pairing with iPhones.
Additionally, Apple plans to release AI-powered smart glasses in 2026. These glasses will likely offer immersive features without the need for bulky external hardware.
Apple appears to be avoiding the fate of failed AI gadgets like the Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1. Instead of building new standalone devices, it’s enhancing existing platforms—like the iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch—with powerful AI tools.
A Smarter Future, Without Extra Devices
Rather than adding another gadget to users’ lives, Apple seems focused on improving the products people already use. Although the Apple Watch won’t get a camera anytime soon, the evolution of AI in AirPods and glasses may still deliver Apple’s futuristic vision—without compromising simplicity.
