Apple has been working on AI smart glasses for a while, to compete with the Meta Ray-Bans and provide a hardware platform for Siri and its Visual Intelligence features. Although they were supposed to be announced at the end of this year and start at the beginning of next year, that has been delayed, as the launch is now going to be done at the end of 2027, for example. Bloomberg.
On the other side of things, a cheaper and lighter version of the Apple Vision Pro, called the Vision Air, could arrive as soon as 2028, possibly 2029.
Apple’s smart glasses are facing a new delay
When we first heard about Apple’s advanced efforts to release smart glasses this time last year, the company was on track to announce a pair later this year. Now, the timelines have slowed down a bit, and Apple will need an extra year, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman:
There have been bumps in the road for Apple to become an eyewear giant. It originally planned to launch its smart glasses, codenamed N50, in late 2026 and ship them in early 2027. But as is often the case with new Apple products, there have been delays. The company is now working to launch the glasses by the end of next year, I’m told.
While Siri is on track to debut before the end of this year, the biggest concern with the development is that Apple’s virtual AI technology may not be up to par by the end of this year. Apple doesn’t want to risk launching an unpopular product.
These glasses are mainly being introduced as the Apple Intelligence hardware platform, but the feature set of the products will grow over time:
Apple’s first glasses will use design elements to stand out, with oval-shaped cameras, unique colors and multiple frame styles. Over time, Apple believes that glasses can evolve into a health device and eventually incorporate real augmented reality technology that can improve the way people see.
Finally, Apple believes it has a huge opportunity here in the eyewear space, and wants to capture the billions of people who rely on prescription glasses, wear sunglasses casually, or use glasses as a fashion accessory. Therefore, it makes sense that the company wants to take more time to nail down the product offering.
Vision Air may debut in 2028-2029
Despite the previous report that the development of Vision Air was put aside in favor of the AI glasses described above, it sounds like Apple is putting resources into its development again. According to Mark Gurman, Apple’s smaller and lighter version of the Vision Pro may debut in late 2028 or 2029:
Apple has also been working on a smaller and lighter headset to succeed the $3,499 Vision Pro, but I don’t think that will launch before late 2028 or 2029. Apple needs to fix the design and cost issues that turned the original Vision Pro into a flop, and that phase will be on hold until then.
2029 sounds far away, but it’s also worth noting that the Vision Pro debuted 3 years ago at WWDC 2023, so, we’re probably about the same time away from the Vision Air as we are from the original Vision Pro. I’m not sure if that comparison really helps or makes everyone feel old, but still, 2029 isn’t too far away – and there’s still an optimistic case for late 2028.
It’s also worth noting that Gurman refers to the segment as ‘on ice until then’, so we shouldn’t expect anything new than the current generation M5 Vision Pro until the Vision Air launches in 2-3 years.
My favorite Apple accessory recommendations:
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