Apple’s smart glasses have been a hot topic, with the tech giant reportedly setting its sights on competing with Meta’s popular Ray-Ban smart glasses. Recent reports from Bloomberg suggest that Apple is accelerating its smart glasses development, simultaneously halting work on a lighter iteration of the Apple Vision Pro headset. This strategic shift also hints at a new launch approach for the smart glasses, possibly introducing a longer waiting period between the official product announcement and its eventual release to consumers.
Apple Ramps Up Development for Its Inaugural Smart Glasses
According to a new Bloomberg report, Apple is planning a significant gap between the unveiling and the actual retail availability of its highly anticipated Apple Glasses. The company is reportedly working on two distinct smart glass models. The first, codenamed N50, is said to operate in conjunction with an iPhone and will not feature its own display. Sources cited in the report indicate that “Apple intends to reveal this N50 model as early as next year, with a planned release in 2027.”
This revised timeline would represent a departure from Apple’s traditional launch strategy, where new products typically become available for purchase soon after their formal introduction. This new method might be employed to build excitement and maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly expanding augmented reality (AR) wearables market.
Meanwhile, Apple appears to have temporarily halted the development of a more lightweight and budget-friendly version of the Apple Vision Pro, known internally as N100, to expedite the creation of its smart glasses. This new Vision Pro variant, which some speculate might be called Vision Air, was originally slated for a 2027 release.
Bloomberg further details that Apple has redirected key team members from the N100 project to fast-track the development of its smart glasses. These Apple Glasses are expected to enter direct competition with Meta’s existing wearable tech lineup.
Apple’s first smart glasses are projected to emphasize voice interaction and integrate advanced artificial intelligence. An enhanced version of Siri, anticipated to launch in March, could serve as the primary engine powering the glasses’ speakers, displays, and cameras.
The Apple Glasses are expected to be available in various styles and will likely run on a custom-designed Apple chipset. They are anticipated to feature built-in speakers for audio, cameras for media capture, and voice-control capabilities that seamlessly connect with an iPhone. Furthermore, health-tracking functionalities are also expected to be a core feature.