According to reports, Apple is going to expand its presence in the wearable market with a new product: smart glasses.
The Apple smart glasses that have been reported are a departure from the spatial computing platform of the Apple Vision Pro. They won’t be a headset and they won’t offer AR or spatial computing. They aren’t going to be a computing device in any way.
Instead, they will be glasses like those from Meta AI and other companies. They will be designed like typical eyeglasses, not a headset or goggles. They will have built-in cameras, speakers, and microphones for taking pictures and video, and to interact with the iPhone. These glasses are expected to function as an AI-powered wearable, potentially launching in 2027.
This article will track the latest reports on the Apple smart glasses. Check this space often for the latest news before they are released.
Unlike the bulky Vision Pro, Apple’s smart glasses are expected to resemble a normal pair of eyewear.
Apple is said to be prioritizing a lightweight, accessory-like design rather than the heavy, immersive approach of the Vision Pro. To appeal to a mainstream audience, the glasses are rumored to be significantly lighter and more affordable, positioned primarily as an iPhone companion.
According to various reports, the glasses will look like traditional frames and will not adopt a headset-style design.
To accommodate the necessary hardware, the frames may be slightly bulkier than standard glasses and will likely use plastic or similar lightweight materials.
One potential frame style could be inspired by the glasses worn by Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Apple
In April 2026, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple has four frame styles in testing:
Apple is also experimenting with finishes such as black, light brown, and ocean blue. The frames are reportedly made from acetate, which Gurman describes as “more durable and luxurious than standard plastic.”
Apple is developing the frames in-house rather than partnering with third-party brands, unlike Meta (Ray-Ban, Oakley) or Google (Warby Parker). The goal is to create a product that is instantly recognizable as an Apple device.
Earlier reports suggest Apple is aiming for a higher level of build quality compared to competing smart glasses from Meta and Google.
Apple’s smart glasses are expected to be a lightweight, AI-first accessory designed to complement the iPhone rather than replace it. Unlike the Vision Pro, which focuses on immersive spatial computing, these glasses will likely take a more subtle approach – similar to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses – prioritizing everyday utility and privacy.
The glasses are not expected to function as a standalone device. Instead, they will rely heavily on a paired iPhone via Bluetooth. How much functionality will be available without an iPhone remains unclear.
The Apple smart glasses are reported to offer the following features: The built-in cameras are rumored to feature vertically oriented oval lenses with surrounding indicator lights, distinguishing them from the circular cameras used in Meta’s glasses.
One of the primary purposes of the smart glasses is to act as a wearable interface for Apple Intelligence. Much of their functionality will depend on Apple’s next-generation Siri, which is rumored to be previewed alongside broader AI upgrades at WWDC26.
Apple
The first generation will likely focus on audio features and basic visual overlays. Over time, Apple is expected to evolve the product into true augmented reality glasses capable of rendering 3D digital content seamlessly within the user’s physical environment.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is exploring more advanced features, including: Health tracking has also been mentioned, though it’s expected to be less comprehensive than what’s offered by the Apple Watch.
According to Mark Gurman, the device will likely use a modified version of the Apple Watch S-series chip. Apple is reportedly developing custom chips for the glasses based on the Apple Watch S-series, modified for extreme power efficiency to manage camera controls and AI tasks.
The glasses are expected to include open-ear speakers, a microphone for voice commands, and a built-in camera for capturing photos and video.
Reports indicate that Apple may chose a display-less design for its first iteration, similar to the Meta Ray-Ban glasses.
The early reports for the Apple smart glasses have not stated if they can be outfitted with prescription lenses. Since other smart glasses support this, it seems likely that Apple will, too.
Reports have also not stated how Apple will handle frame sizing for customers. As prescription glasses wearers know, some frame styles fit better than others. Also, some styles can’t be used with multifocal lenses.
With the Apple Vision Pro, customers book demos at the Apple Store to get the experience of using one and also get fitted properly. Apple has this infrastructure in place and can use it with the new smart glasses.
No reports have been made regarding the name for the Apple smart glasses. Within Apple, the device has the code name of N50.
We can speculate on what the naming system will be, based on recent history. Apple no longer gives products “i” names, so it’s unlikely that they will be called iGlasses (though that won’t stop the media and others from calling it that until the official name is released).
“Apple” is in the company’s branding: Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Apple Business, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, etc. So it seems like a viable possibility that this device will be called “Apple [something].”
This leads to whether Apple uses some form of the term “glasses” in the name. It seems unlikely that Apple will use “smart glasses.”
One interesting development to watch for is whether Apple decides to include the device in the Vision Pro lineup. If it does, then it will use some form of “Vision” in its name. If not, then Apple will not use “Vision” in the name in order to signify the separation.
While Apple has made no announcements relating to smart glasses, it does seem that development work has been ongoing at the company for some time. Back in November 2024, Gurman reported that Apple had begun research into the smart glasses market by performing focus group discussions with Apple employees. Then, about a year later in October 2025, Gurman reported that Apple had decided to abandon its work on an Apple Vision Pro redesign to prioritize smart glasses. Several detailed roadmaps from industry analysts suggest a launch could occur between late 2026 and 2028.
In August, the macOS 26.7 release candidate contained references to new products, including a possible update to the Vision Pro. Many of the references are unidentified model numbers, so one or several of these numbers may refer to the Apple smart glasses.
No reports have been made so far regarding the prices for the Apple smart glasses.
For reference, here are the starting prices for the Meta AI glasses without prescription lenses and other lens options: Apple will want to be competitive with these prices, but the variance is wide, so the company could offer the higher prices that you’ll often find with designer frames.