Apple intends to release smart glasses by the end of 2026, according to a report from Bloomberg, positioning them as competitors to devices like Meta Ray-Bans and Google’s recently unveiled Android XR glasses.
The forthcoming Apple Glasses will incorporate cameras, microphones, and artificial intelligence features, mirroring functionalities found in Meta Ray-Bans. Functionality will include photo and video capture, real-time translation, navigational directions, music playback, phone call facilitation, feedback on the wearer’s visual input, and query responses. However, the initial release will not feature augmented reality capabilities.
Siri is expected to be central to the user experience, and Apple is reportedly prioritizing improvements to the personal assistant in anticipation of the product’s launch.
Apple is accelerating development, with plans to manufacture a significant number of prototypes by the close of this year. This accelerated timeline allows for extensive testing prior to mass production and a public announcement.
A source familiar with Apple’s plans told Bloomberg that the glasses are “similar to Meta’s glasses, but better made.” While Meta’s Ray-Bans utilize Meta Llama and Google Gemini, Apple intends to leverage its own proprietary AI models.
The current smart glasses project represents an interim step toward Apple’s long-term ambition of creating lightweight augmented reality glasses. The company cites the need for advancements in component technology, specifically reductions in the size and cost of chips and batteries, before true augmented reality glasses become feasible.
