Apple is developing smartwatches with cameras and artificial intelligence

Apple is working on new versions of the Apple Watch that will feature built-in cameras and artificial intelligence capabilities, according to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman.

Integration of Visual Intelligence

The cornerstone of these future smartwatches is Visual Intelligence, a feature first introduced with the iPhone 16. This technology leverages a camera to recognize objects and analyze the surrounding environment. Apple aims to bring it to the Apple Watch, enabling the device to “see” the world around the user and deliver more precise, AI-driven insights.

“Right now, this feature isn’t in high demand since it’s exclusive to the iPhone 16. But with the iOS 18.4 release next month, it’ll expand to the iPhone 15 Pro, accessible via Control Center and the Action Button,” Gurman notes.

Design and Camera Placement

Per the insider’s report, cameras will appear in two Apple Watch variants:

• In the Series models, the camera will be embedded in the display, similar to the iPhone’s front-facing camera.
• In the Ultra models, it will sit on the device’s side panel.

Potential Release Timeline

Though development is underway, no firm launch date has been set. Gurman suggests the project could take considerable time before these smartwatches hit the market.