Apple Watch May Soon Get a Camera—Yes, on Your Wrist

Apple is exploring big changes to the Apple Watch as part of its broader plan to expand AI features across its devices, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his weekly Power On newsletter.

People familiar with the matter say Apple wants to build Visual Intelligence into future wearables, starting with camera-equipped AirPods and eventually the Apple Watch. This AI feature would help devices “see” the world around them and provide useful information in real time, all while relying more on Apple Intelligence and not other AI services.

As part of this plan, Apple is said to be testing new versions of the Apple Watch that include cameras. These models are likely still years away, but are already being discussed internally. Sources say the company is looking at two different designs: one for the regular Series watches and another for the larger Ultra model.

The idea right now for the regular Series-based Apple Watch is to embed a front-facing camera inside the display, similar to the front camera on an iPhone. The Ultra model would instead place the lens on the side of the watch, near the crown and buttons. People familiar with the design process say the Ultra’s thicker frame makes it easier to include a camera without sacrificing space.

The idea is that users could point their wrist to scan objects or take photos, which could help the watch deliver context-based AI responses. FaceTime would be the ultimate dream, but that seems like a far-fetched reality.

We’ve previously seen an Apple patent that details a camera in the Digital Crown, but this new camera rumour seems completely different for the regular Apple Watch Series models.

Meanwhile, Apple is still having trouble with other long-term Apple Watch features. Gurman reports that internal testing of a long-awaited blood-pressure tracking system isn’t going well. Another rumoured device, a cheaper Apple Watch SE with a plastic body, may not launch either—sources say the design team dislikes how it looks, and manufacturing hasn’t proven to be cost-effective compared to the current aluminum version.

Camera on Apple Watch? Sounds cool, but what would be really helpful is longer battery life on an Apple Watch Series 10, to allow it to track your sleep without needing a boost recharge, after a busy day of workouts.