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Apple is reportedly preparing to introduce a new generation of smart glasses, signaling a significant expansion of its wearables portfolio.
Unlike the high-end Vision Pro headset, these upcoming glasses are designed to resemble everyday eyewear. They are lightweight, camera-equipped, and embedded with smart capabilities.
Two Variants in Development
According to a detailed report, Apple is exploring two models:
- A standard version akin to Ray-Ban’s Meta smart glasses
- An advanced AR-enabled version that rivals Meta’s Orion project
These devices are expected to deliver a seamless user experience through “multiple cameras” and built-in speakers. They may also include features like real-time object recognition and contextual overlays — elements Apple has been gradually introducing in iPhones.
Powering the Glasses: A Purpose-Built Chip
At the core of these smart glasses lies a custom-designed chip. Based on Apple Watch silicon, this chip has been stripped of unnecessary components and enhanced for energy efficiency. It’s engineered specifically to manage camera feeds and AI features while maintaining a compact footprint for glasses-style wearables.
Mass production of this chip is anticipated between late 2026 and 2027, aligning the product launch within that timeframe.
A Broader Chip Strategy
This effort is part of Apple’s overarching goal to bring more technologies in-house and reduce dependence on third-party suppliers. Alongside the smart glasses chip, Apple is developing custom silicon for upcoming versions of AirPods and Apple Watch, with launches targeted “by around 2027.”
The strategy also includes the recently introduced C1 chip, powering the iPhone 16e’s 5G capabilities, and newly rumored AI server chips, which could accelerate on-device and cloud-based AI processing.
These AI chips are intended to handle Apple Intelligence workloads more efficiently than the current reliance on high-end Mac chips like the M2 Ultra.
Competing with Meta’s Timeline
Apple’s timeline appears to parallel Meta’s roadmap for its second-gen Orion AR glasses, which are also projected for a 2027 public release. While Meta’s first Orion iteration is not intended for consumer use, Apple’s product is set to go directly to market, potentially giving it a competitive edge.
While Apple’s Vision Pro headset marked the company’s first step into spatial computing, these glasses represent a broader attempt to reshape everyday interaction with technology. If successful, they could emerge as Apple’s next major hardware platform, further embedding the company’s ecosystem into users’ daily lives.
