Apple is reportedly gearing up to enhance its Apple Watch lineup with cameras and AI features, potentially hitting the market as early as 2027. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, these upgrades could redefine how users engage with their surroundings through wearable tech.
Camera Integration: A Tale of Two Models
The camera placement is set to differ across Apple Watch models. For the standard Series watches, Apple is exploring embedding the camera directly into the display. Meanwhile, the beefier Ultra models might sport a camera on the side, positioned next to the side button. These cameras won’t just snap photos—they’re the foundation for cutting-edge AI capabilities.
Visual Intelligence: AI Meets Wearables
The big plan? Powering features akin to Visual Intelligence, which debuted with the iPhone 16. This tech lets users point their camera at, say, a flower, and get an AI-generated rundown of what it is. Apple’s vision is to bring this seamless, real-time insight to the Apple Watch, turning it into a hub for environmental awareness. Gurman hints that Visual Intelligence could eventually expand “far beyond the iPhone,” becoming a cornerstone of Apple’s future devices.
Will It Win Over Buyers?
Not everyone’s sold on the idea. A December survey from Sellcell.com found that 73% of iPhone users and 87% of Samsung users feel current AI features “add little to no value.” This skepticism could pose a hurdle for Apple as it bets big on AI to drive wearable sales.
Good News for iPhone 15 Pro Owners
Can’t wait until 2027? If you’ve got an iPhone 15 Pro, Visual Intelligence might land on your device sooner. Gurman reports that Apple plans to roll out this feature with next month’s iOS 18.4 update, giving users an early taste of what’s to come.
The Road Ahead
As Apple pushes forward, integrating cameras and AI into its wearables could mark a bold leap in tech innovation. Still, its success hinges on whether these features can spark excitement—or if they’ll get lost in the growing apathy toward AI bells and whistles. Only time will tell.
