Apple Smart Glasses: What we know so far

Technology Apple Smart Glasses: What we know so far Display-free and iPhone-tethered, Apple's answer to Meta Ray-Ban is now projected late 2027.

Key points

• There has not been any official pricing announcement yet, but Meta's Ray-Ban and Oakley models at present cost between $299 and $499.
• Pareesa Afreen is a reporter and sub editor specialising in technology coverage, with 3 years of experience.
• Apple's next wearable won't look anything like the Vision Pro.
• The interaction with the glasses will heavily depend on the advanced version of Siri.
• The cameras are additionally noted to have vertically aligned oval-shaped lenses along with indicator lights around them.

Apple's next wearable won't look anything like the Vision Pro. According to mounting reports, the firm is developing a pair of AI-powered smart glasses styled after ordinary eyewear rather than a bulky headset, making them a direct rival to Meta's Ray-Ban line rather than an extension of spatial computing.

In the first generation of the glasses, the AR visuals will be completely skipped, and the glasses will employ an internal camera, a speaker, and a microphone to interact with the paired iPhone using Bluetooth technology.

As reports indicate, the documented features will include live object recognition by way of visual intelligence, live translation, turn-by-turn audio directions, and a heads-up display restricted to notifications only.

In practice, the interaction with the glasses will heavily depend on the advanced version of Siri.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman documented in April that Apple has four frame designs in testing: a substantial rectangular style resembling Ray-Ban Wayfarers, a slimmer rectangular design similar to CEO Tim Cook's own glasses, and two oval or circular options in different sizes.

Notably, the frames are created from acetate rather than standard plastic, and Apple is developing them entirely in-house instead of partnering with an eyewear brand, unlike Meta's tie-ups with Ray-Ban and Oakley or Google's agreement with Warby Parker.

Meanwhile, the Apple Smart Glasses are probable to have a modified version of the Apple Watch's S-series processor, designed to be energy-efficient for camera operations and AI operations without having a bulky battery attached to it.

In practice, the cameras are additionally noted to have vertically aligned oval-shaped lenses along with indicator lights around them. It is something different than the round cameras present on Meta's glasses.

After some developmental delays, and could be unveiled at the WWDC event in June 2027, apple had planned on releasing its smart glasses early next year, 2027, but according to a recent report by Gurman, the new product may come out towards the end of 2027.

Pareesa Afreen is a reporter and sub editor specialising in technology coverage, with 3 years of experience. She reports on digital innovation, gadgets, and emerging tech trends while ensuring clarity and accuracy through her editorial role, delivering accessible and engaging stories for a fast-evolving digital audience.

Taken together, the developments around apple Smart Glasses: What we know so far point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.