Unreleased AirPods 5 Models Referenced in macOS 26.7
In a notable addition to the unreleased Apple products referenced in yesterday's macOS Tahoe 26.7 software update, AirPods 5 models have also been spotted. Internally codenamed B868M and B868E, the models almost certainly refer to AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with Active Noise Cancellation. Current AirPods 4 models, launched in September 2024, have the codenames B768M and B768E. While next-generation features are unknown, AirPods 5 could get an updated H3 chip with improved sound quality and lower latency. Launch timing however remains unclear. On a side note, macOS 26.7 also contains a reference to an unreleased Beats Solo Buds model. Related Roundup: AirPods 4 Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Caution) Related Forum: AirPods This article, " Unreleased AirPods 5 Models Referenced in macOS 26.7 " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
What happened?
In a notable addition to the unreleased Apple products referenced in yesterday's macOS Tahoe 26.7 software update, AirPods 5 models have also been spotted. Internally codenamed B868M and B868E, the models almost certainly refer to AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with Active Noise Cancellation. Current AirPods 4 models, launched in September 2024, have the codenames B768M and B768E. While next-generation features are unknown, AirPods 5 could get an updated H3 chip with improved sound quality and lower latency. Launch timing however remains unclear. On a side note, macOS 26.7 also contains a reference to an unreleased Beats Solo Buds model. Related Roundup: AirPods 4 Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Caution) Related Forum: AirPods This article, " Unreleased AirPods 5 Models Referenced in macOS 26.7 " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
Story details
In a notable addition to the unreleased Apple products referenced in yesterday's macOS Tahoe 26.7 software update, AirPods 5 models have also been spotted.
Internally codenamed B868M and B868E, the models almost certainly refer to AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with Active Noise Cancellation.
Current AirPods 4 models, launched in September 2024, have the codenames B768M and B768E.
Why it matters
This page keeps Apple rumors separate from official updates, so readers can follow early reports without confusing them with confirmed announcements.
Original source
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/18/unreleased-airpods-5-models-referenced-macos-26-7/