What we’re expecting
Hand gestures could make AirPods Ultra feel more natural by letting you control playback, answer calls, or interact with Siri without touching the earbuds. The problem is that Apple’s two most reliable sources disagree on whether the feature is actually coming, making it one of the roadmap’s least certain predictions.
In June 2024, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple’s infrared camera system could enable in-air gesture controls, allowing users to interact with AirPods Ultra using simple hand movements. If implemented, gestures could provide an alternative to touch controls for common actions such as answering calls, controlling playback, or activating Siri. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman later reported that he does not expect gesture controls to be part of the first generation of AirPods Ultra. That disagreement between two of Apple’s most reliable sources makes this one of the roadmap’s more speculative features. The hardware required to detect gestures may still be present even if Apple does not enable the feature at launch. Until additional reporting or Apple confirms its plans, in-air gesture controls should be viewed as a possibility rather than an expected capability.