Highlights

• Apple may introduce AirPods with expanded head gestures for controlling volume adjustments and auto-pause playback when users fall asleep.
• Users might snap photos using AirPods, while a new high-quality mic mode could turn AirPods into studio-level audio devices.
• The aim is to improve AirPods pairing with shared iPads, making them more seamless in classrooms.

Caption – Upcoming AirPods feature revealed in an exclusive report. (Image credit – Apple)

We recently had an exclusive look at the expected iOS 26 updates, which could be announced during the upcoming WWDC25 keynote. Now, the same folks from 9to5Mac, who were behind that exclusive, have shared an exclusive leak about the five new AirPods features Apple is reportedly working on. Here’s what we know.

New Head Gestures

Apple first introduced head gestures with AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, letting users nod “up and down or side to side to accept or decline Announce Calls and to interact with or dismiss Announce Notifications without using your hands”.

Caption – Control AirPods with head gestures. (Image credit – Apple/9to5Mac)

Now, Apple is said to be working on even more head gesture options. One upcoming feature may let users end the Conversation Awareness volume adjustment, where AirPods lower the volume during a conversation, using a simple head movement.

Currently, you can end this mode by “pressing and holding on the AirPods stem or swiping up on the stem”, but soon a gesture could do the same.

Sleep Auto-Pause

If you often fall asleep while wearing your AirPods, this one’s for you. Apple is reportedly developing a feature that can detect when a user has fallen asleep and automatically pause playback.

While it’s unclear if this will work independently or alongside the Apple Watch’s sleep tracking, it promises to be a helpful addition, especially since not all apps offer built-in sleep timers.

Camera Control

Apple is also working on bringing camera controls to AirPods. Similar to the old wired EarBuds, this feature would let users snap a photo on their iPhone or iPad with a click on the AirPods stem.

While it might feel odd to touch your ear every time you take a photo, the functionality will be handy, whether you’re snapping selfies or just holding one AirPod casually.

Audio Mix for AirPods

Last year, Apple introduced Audio Mix with the iPhone 16. It “uses machine learning to identify and separate background elements from speech and lets you choose from three voice options,” In-frame, Studio, and Cinematic.

Now, Apple is working on bringing a similar high-quality mic mode to AirPods. This would make AirPods more appealing to creators by turning them into a viable alternative to lavalier mics for studio-quality audio.

Improved Classroom Support

Apple is also planning improvements for using AirPods in classrooms. A new feature aims to make it easier to pair AirPods with shared iPads, a common setup in schools. This should reduce the need for manual steps and create a smoother experience for students using the same device.

As always, Apple could decide to delay or tweak these features before they’re officially announced. But if even a few make the cut, WWDC25 could bring big upgrades to existing AirPods models without the need to buy new hardware.

WWDC25 – What Else to Expect?

At WWDC25, Apple is expected to unveil major updates across all platforms including iOS 26, macOS 26, iPadOS 26 and watchOS 26. With AI expected to take a back seat this year, Apple may focus more on design refreshes and long-awaited features like better window management on iPad.

FAQs

Q1. How will AirPods detect when a user falls asleep?

Answer. Apple is reportedly developing a sleep auto-pause feature, which can detect when a user has fallen asleep and automatically pause playback.

Q2. What new gesture controls are coming to AirPods?

Answer. Apple may introduce expanded head gestures to end Conversation Awareness volume adjustments, eliminating the need to press or swipe the AirPods stem.

Q3. How will AirPods work as a camera control device?

Answer. Apple is working on a feature that will let users snap photos on iPhone or iPad with a click on the AirPods stem, similar to how wired EarBuds used to function.

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