The Apple Watch may soon be able to see around it
The watches may be fitted with cameras and use Apple Intelligence to process information
Ever wished you could use Apple Intelligence on your Apple Watch, only to realize it doesn’t have any AI features? No? Well, Apple is giving you that option anyway. And according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, we're getting Visual Intelligence first.
If you've been keeping up with Apple's AI features, you would know that Visual Intelligence is one of the standout features of Apple Intelligence that allows devices to analyze and interpret their surroundings using AI-powered image recognition. Basically, it’s the kind of feature that could make pointing your watch at something for instant identification feel like something out of a spy movie.
Oyinebiladou Omemu
For it to be able to work, though, the device needs to be able to see its surroundings, which is why Apple is reportedly planning to integrate cameras into both its standard Series and Ultra models by 2027.
The Series version would have a camera inside the display, similar to a front-facing lens on a smartphone. The Ultra model, on the other hand, would place its camera by the side, near the digital crown. If implemented, these cameras could allow the watch to analyze surroundings and provide contextual information, similar to visual search tools on smartphones.
With AI making its way into nearly every device, it’s no surprise Apple is adding it to the Watch. What’s more surprising is that this could make Apple among the first tech giants to combine cameras, AI, and smartwatches—at least that's one thing Apple fanboys might soon be able to brag about.
Aside from the watch, reports also suggest Apple is looking into adding infrared cameras to future AirPods by 2026, enabling in-air hand gesture recognition, spatial audio improvements, and integration with devices like the Apple Vision Pro. While details remain unclear, this signals Apple’s push toward AI-driven functionality across its product lineup.
If Apple moves forward with these updates, this could give the Apple Watch a real edge over the competition. However, the actual effectiveness of these features will depend on how well the company's AI performs right now.
Apple Intelligence has stirred a lot of controversy recently, with lawsuits over issues like Siri hallucinating or inaccurate notification summaries. By the time these camera-equipped watches arrive, Apple will need to have ironed out those AI-related issues—otherwise, an AI-powered watch might feel more like a headache than a breakthrough.
Kelechi Edeh
