Apple has reportedly canceled its long-rumored plan to add cameras to the Apple Watch lineup, including the Apple Watch Ultra. According to Bloomberg, the project, which aimed to integrate Visual Intelligence features via built-in cameras, has been shelved in favor of other wearable innovations.
The concept wasn’t new Apple’s patents for watch-based cameras date back to 2019, and a March 2025 rumor hinted at Visual Intelligence arriving by 2027. This feature would have allowed users to scan posters for event scheduling or identify objects, directly from their wrist. The Apple Watch Ultra was even rumored to feature a side-mounted lens, but none of this will materialize.
However, Apple isn’t giving up on camera-based AI. Camera-equipped AirPods are reportedly still in development, poised to deliver similar Visual Intelligence capabilities. The wearable earbuds could relay environmental data and location-based insights while the iPhone stays pocketed. Meanwhile, Apple continues to push its AI strategy, with several Apple Intelligence upgrades still awaiting public release since WWDC 2024.
