Key Points
- Apple testing four frame designs for smart glasses expected to launch in 2027
- Glasses will have no display but will include camera, calls and Siri integration
- Designs include rectangular and oval frames in black, ocean blue and light brown
Apple is testing four different frame designs for its first smart glasses, which the company plans to sell in 2027 and may unveil by the end of this year, Bloomberg reported on Saturday.
The glasses represent a scaled-back approach after the company’s more ambitious mixed reality plans faced delays and a lukewarm response to the Vision Pro headset launched last year. For Indian consumers watching Apple’s wearable strategy, the shift signals a focus on practical, lighter devices rather than immersive headsets.
Mark Gurman, Bloomberg’s technology reporter who has tracked Apple’s augmented reality efforts for years, said the company is evaluating four distinct looks for the product. These include a large rectangular frame, a slimmer rectangular version similar to the style worn by chief executive Tim Cook, a larger oval or circular frame, and a smaller oval or circular option.
Colour options and camera design
Apple is also considering multiple colour variants for the glasses, according to the Bloomberg report. The options under evaluation include black, ocean blue and light brown.
The devices will feature oval-shaped camera lenses, Gurman reported. This camera will allow users to capture photographs and record video directly from the glasses, a feature that has driven adoption of similar products from competitors.
Unlike augmented reality headsets that overlay digital information onto the real world, these glasses will not include any display. Instead, they will function as audio and camera accessories that connect to an iPhone.
Features mirror Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses
The functionality Apple is building sounds similar to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, which launched in 2023 and have sold well globally. Meta’s glasses, made in partnership with eyewear company EssilorLuxottica, allow users to take hands-free photos and videos, listen to music through built-in speakers and make phone calls.
Apple’s version will offer comparable capabilities, according to Bloomberg. Users will be able to answer phone calls, play music and interact with Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, through the glasses. Siri is expected to receive significant upgrades powered by artificial intelligence, which Apple has been developing under its Apple Intelligence branding.
The glasses mark a retreat from Apple’s earlier vision for wearable computing. The company had planned to release multiple mixed reality and augmented reality devices. Mixed reality refers to technology that blends digital content with the physical environment, allowing users to interact with both simultaneously. Augmented reality is a related technology that overlays digital images onto real-world views.
Vision Pro struggles shape new strategy
Apple’s Vision Pro headset, which went on sale in the United States in February 2024 and launched in India at ₹3,49,900, received praise for its display quality and technical capabilities but faced criticism for its weight, limited battery life and high price. Sales have reportedly fallen short of Apple’s internal targets.
The decision to pursue simpler glasses without displays suggests Apple wants to reach a broader audience with a more affordable and comfortable device. The company has not announced pricing for the smart glasses.
For the Indian market, where Apple has been expanding its retail presence and manufacturing operations, lightweight smart glasses could attract buyers who find the Vision Pro inaccessible due to cost or discomfort. The company opened its first two retail stores in India in April 2023 and has since increased local iPhone production.
Apple could reveal the glasses at an event later this year, according to Gurman’s reporting. The company typically announces new product categories at its September iPhone event or at dedicated launches in the spring.
Your Questions, Answered
When will Apple smart glasses launch?
Apple plans to sell its first smart glasses in 2027, according to Bloomberg. The company may unveil the product at an event by the end of 2025 or 2026.
Will Apple smart glasses have a display?
No. Unlike the Vision Pro headset, the smart glasses will not include any display. They will function as camera and audio accessories that connect to an iPhone.
What features will Apple smart glasses offer?
The glasses will allow users to take photos and videos, answer phone calls, play music and interact with Siri. They will include oval-shaped camera lenses.
How do Apple smart glasses compare to Meta Ray-Ban glasses?
Both devices offer similar features including hands-free photography, music playback and calls. Neither includes a display. Apple's version will add Siri voice assistant integration.
