Apple, Hampered by Model Limitations, Struggles to Create Genuine AI Hardware.

To empower Siri to 'perceive the world,' Apple aims to equip it with 'an additional pair of eyes'.

On March 26, 2026, MacRumors reported on the latest advancements of the 'Apple Pin': This wearable smart gadget, roughly the size of an AirTag, is set to debut as an 'iPhone accessory.' It will provide Siri (the new Siri will be deeply integrated with Apple Intelligence) with visual and auditory perception capabilities beyond those of the iPhone.

Image Source: Gemini

However, regarding the visual solution for this 'Apple Pin,' two media outlets have presented differing speculations: Bloomberg suggests that the 'Apple Pin' will incorporate a low-resolution, always-on camera for perception; whereas The Information proposes that the 'Apple Pin' will feature a 'wide-angle + ultra-wide-angle' dual-camera system akin to the digital series iPhones.

From Leikeji's standpoint, the debate over 'single versus dual cameras' is not the primary concern for the 'Apple Pin.' The fundamental issue lies in Apple's product positioning for it.

MacRumors noted that the 'Apple Pin' is not an autonomous smart device capable of independent operation. It merely contains a low-power chip with highly constrained performance, akin to the AirPods H2, with all AI inference computations being managed by the iPhone.

Indeed, in a certain sense, the so-called 'Apple Pin' is essentially just an external camera. The question arises: Does such an external mobile phone camera warrant being labeled as an 'AI smart device'?

The ability to function independently of a smartphone is a hallmark of superior AI hardware.

To comprehend why the 'Apple Pin' has been relegated to an iPhone accessory, we must first elucidate the two technological trajectories in the current AI hardware sector. Leikeji posits that, based on the 'independence' of devices (whether their primary functions can operate autonomously from the parent device post-initialization), AI products in the industry can be categorized into two main types: 'non-standalone devices' and 'standalone devices.'

Non-standalone devices are relatively straightforward. Most smart bracelets, non-eSIM smartwatches, and common AI glasses, AI earphones, and AI recording devices fall under this category of non-standalone smart hardware. Although these products possess complete interaction, computation, and storage architectures in terms of hardware, they are constrained by factors such as chip performance, Wi-Fi capabilities, and battery life, necessitating a connection to a smartphone to fully leverage their AI capabilities.

The 'Apple Pin,' the focus of our discussion today, falls into this category: To ensure a comfortable wearing experience, the 'Apple Pin' cannot accommodate a large battery, and the battery capacity restricts the chip performance of the 'Apple Pin,' compelling it to delegate actual computations to the smartphone.

In contrast, standalone devices typically come equipped with eSIM, enabling them to directly access cloud computing resources via mobile networks (without the need for a smartphone intermediary). The Lightwear AI full-sensory wearable device that Leikeji experienced late last year, as well as the AI Pin that garnered attention at MWC a few years ago, exemplify standalone AI devices.

It's Not a Matter of Choice for Independence, But Rather Technological Limitations

If independent operation represents the 'ultimate aspiration' for AI hardware, why are 'accessories' like the 'Apple Pin,' which still require an iPhone connection, prevalent in the 2026 market?

From Leikeji's perspective, the reasons can be distilled into three key points: power consumption, battery life, and cost.

Let's commence with the most direct issue: power consumption. Anyone who has attempted to run on-device large models (SLMs) on their computer is aware that on-device large model inference imposes significant demands on device performance and power consumption. The recent surge in demand for the M4 Mac mini, driven by the OpenClaw craze, occurred because the M4 Mac mini strikes a balance between performance and power consumption among consumer AI terminals.

Image Source: AI PIN/Humane

However, if Apple were to incorporate a chip like the A19, capable of handling multimodal interactions, into a device the size of an AirTag—even if solely for local data preprocessing and desensitization—its instantaneous power consumption would soar. Clearly, to safeguard user experience, Apple cannot incorporate an active fan into the 'Apple Pin.'

According to the theory of 'thermal volume' changes in electronic products, the smaller the product's motherboard, the smaller its 'thermal volume,' leading to swifter heat accumulation and the outer casing reaching the critical 45°C scalding point within minutes. Compared to allowing the 'Apple Pin' to continuously generate heat on the user's chest (prolonged contact with a 44°C object can cause low-temperature burns), having the iPhone heat up gradually in the pocket while maintaining the 'Apple Pin' in a 'cool' state is evidently the most viable product strategy.

Secondly, independent operation would necessitate the 'Apple Pin' to simultaneously power a 5G baseband, camera, and processor. Under such high-load conditions, it's questionable whether the 'Apple Pin's' battery could endure even 4 hours, and it would likely follow in the footsteps of the Apple Vision Pro, with practicality overshadowed by its 'decorative' appeal.

However, if the 'Apple Pin' is designed as an accessory and operates in conjunction with a smartphone, it only needs to manage low-power data transmission, potentially achieving battery life comparable to the Apple Watch.

Image Source: Leikeji

Of course, cost control, serving as the 'goalkeeper' in product design, is also, in Leikeji's view, the fundamental reason why the 'Apple Pin' can only function as an accessory. Standalone hardware must integrate eSIM, baseband chips, and supporting antenna arrays, essentially transforming into a more potent Apple Watch.

Since every potential Apple Pin user already carries a high-performance, always-connected, and computationally redundant iPhone in their pocket, what incentive does Apple have to recreate a higher-performance, more costly 'pocket watch version of the Apple Watch' in an AirTag-sized form factor?

AI Computing Power and Hardware Interaction Will Inevitably 'Decouple' in the Future

Although non-standalone hardware may appear to be the most 'rational' hardware strategy from a technical standpoint, Leikeji remains steadfast in the belief that standalone devices represent the ideal hardware form for the AI era. The rationale is straightforward: In the AI era, smart hardware should not merely serve as an extension of smartphone functions but rather as a 'new window' for users to interact with cloud-based AI.

Image Source: Apple

Under the mobile internet paradigm of the past decade, the smartphone reigned supreme as the 'computing center' and 'interaction hub.' However, in 2026, with AI Agents managing digital life, this smartphone-centric computing model has begun to shift toward cloud-based computing power. In this model, where on-device processing handles only rapid requests and data desensitization while all other computations are offloaded to the cloud, AI hardware's computing power and interaction will 'decouple.'

Once computing power and interaction 'decouple,' different AI devices will vie based on interaction, inevitably enhancing the user experience of AI hardware. After all, the more natural the interaction, the more user-friendly the device, the more seamless the service, the higher the usage frequency, and consequently, the higher the sales.

Even OpenAI CEO Altman has stated that OpenAI will not release a single device in the future but rather 'a series of small devices,' none of which will rely on smartphones. Therefore, Leikeji boldly predicts that with the progression of upstream chip manufacturers, the new AI hardware model of 'standalone hardware + cellular networks + cloud computing power' will inevitably become the mainstream in the future.

The Present of Smart Bracelets Foreshadows the Future of 'Non-Standalone Devices'

However, having said that, if standalone hardware is destined to become the future mainstream, what awaits the current popular 'non-standalone hardware' and 'smartphone accessory' models? Leikeji believes that non-standalone devices will not vanish but will inevitably become 'budget alternatives' to high-end standalone hardware, much like smart bracelets today.

In terms of pricing, after eliminating costly 5G/6G baseband modules and complex cooling structures, non-standalone devices can slash BOM costs to a fraction of those of standalone devices. Aesthetically, non-standalone devices can also be rendered thinner and lighter. For users who do not seek extreme experiences but merely wish to 'dip their toes into AI,' these 'smartphone accessories' remain the most cost-effective entry point into the AI era.

Of course, whether standalone or non-standalone hardware, these are not the most pressing issues for Apple on its AI device journey. As the adage goes, 'you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs,'—Apple's shortcomings in key AI models constitute the most significant obstacle to the development of its AI hardware.

The original Apple Intelligence model, once highly anticipated but overpromised for years, has effectively been abandoned, while the 'Apple version of Gemini,' developed in collaboration with Google, still requires time for optimization. At this juncture, even if Apple were to unveil a truly revolutionary AI hardware design, who besides tech bloggers would purchase it? In Leikeji's view, Apple's current AI hardware resembles the lyrics from Eason Chan's song 'Tourbillon':

'If the soul is sold, even winding won't make it tick.'

Apple AI Hardware

Source: Leikeji

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