Apple is preparing AI-powered smart glasses for a 2026 reveal, with the first model expected to pair with an iPhone and skip an in-lens display. A display-equipped follow-up is tracking later. That is the picture from Bloomberg’s reporting and related round-ups.
Why it matters: a lighter, cheaper wearable could reach more people than Vision Pro. Apple is now prioritizing glasses, moving staff from a cheaper Vision Pro effort to accelerate development. Expect a 2026 show-and-tell and a release window that may stretch into 2027, depending on the model.
Timeline: reveal vs release
Bloomberg says Apple is aiming to release smart glasses by end-2026, with large-scale prototyping slated for late 2025. Reuters summarized the same timeline. More recent reports add that the first “N50” variant will pair with an iPhone and ship later if needed.
Analyst counterpoint
Supply-chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo places mass production in 2027, and MacRumors’ guide reflects a 2026 reveal with a 2027 launch. Read that as a band, not a date.
What the first-gen likely includes
Early features align with what’s feasible today: open-ear speakers for music and calls, microphones, and cameras for photos and video. Expect tight Siri and Apple Intelligence hooks for hands-free tasks. First-gen is widely expected to lack an in-lens display.
iPhone now, Mac later
Gurman’s latest notes suggest a future mode that can run fuller visionOS features when the glasses are connected to a Mac, and a lighter interface with iPhone. Even so, the first model is not expected to include an in-lens display.
Display model: why it matters
A second-generation pair with a display is on Apple’s roadmap, reportedly fast-tracked after the pivot away from a cheaper Vision Pro. Timelines discussed point to 2028 for the display model. The trade-off is weight and battery life, so expect incremental optics.
How it compares to Meta Ray-Ban Display
Meta and EssilorLuxottica have traction with Ray-Ban smart glasses, including a new display option. Apple’s first model is expected to compete without a display, leaning on AI, audio, and camera capture, plus deep iPhone integration.
Comparison Table Expected vs Shipping
| Feature | Apple smart glasses (1st-gen, expected) | Meta Ray-Ban Display (shipping) |
|---|---|---|
| In-lens display | No (expected) | Yes |
| Cameras | Yes (photos, video) | Yes |
| Audio | Open-ear speakers | Open-ear speakers |
| Voice assistant | Siri / Apple Intelligence | Meta AI |
| Phone tie-in | iPhone first, deeper visionOS with Mac later | iOS and Android |
| Ship window | Reveal 2026, likely ship 2026–27 band | Shipping now |
Price and availability
No firm price yet. Given positioning, expect a range similar to AirPods/Apple Watch at launch, competing with Meta’s $799 display model and lower-priced non-display variants. India and U.S. are likely early priorities if component supply aligns.
Privacy and recording
Anticipate a visible camera indicator light. Even with an indicator, many venues restrict recording. Users should check local laws on consent for audio and video before use. Meta’s current products set the baseline for norms Apple will have to match or exceed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Apple smart glasses replacing Vision Pro?
No. Apple paused work on a cheaper Vision Pro to prioritize glasses, but Vision Pro remains a separate line.
Will there be more than one model?
Yes. Reporting points to at least two: an iPhone-paired model without a display and a later model with an in-lens display.
Do they run visionOS?
A future version may run fuller visionOS features when connected to a Mac, with a lighter mode on iPhone. First-gen is expected to be simpler.
What about prescription lenses?
Not confirmed, but Vision Pro already supports prescription inserts via Zeiss, so support is plausible.
When exactly can I buy them?
Treat the window as 2026 reveal, with sales possibly into 2027 depending on model and region.
How do they compare to Meta Ray-Bans?
Meta has shipping glasses with an optional display. Apple’s first model is expected to compete without a display and lean on iPhone tie-in.
Will there be a recording light?
Expect a visible indicator when recording, similar to other smart glasses, but final design is unknown.
Featured Snippet Boxes
When will Apple smart glasses launch?
Reports point to a 2026 reveal and a 2026–27 shipping window. Bloomberg outlined the 2026 target, while analyst notes and guides suggest some models may slip to 2027. Plan for reveal first, release later.
Will the first version have a display?
Unlikely. The initial model is expected to skip an in-lens display and lean on cameras, open-ear audio, voice control, and iPhone pairing. A display-equipped version is expected later.
How will it work with iPhone and Mac?
First-gen should pair with iPhone for capture and AI tasks. A future mode may enable fuller visionOS features when connected to a Mac, with a lighter mobile interface on iPhone.
How much might they cost?
No price yet. Expect a band similar to premium wearables. Meta’s display model starts at $799, which sets a reference point for Apple’s positioning.
