Apple will launch its smart glasses by the end of 2026, reports Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.
He says they’ll be comparable to the Meta Ray-Bans and the Android XR glasses that Google previewed this week. The “Apple Glasses” are expected to include cameras, microphones, and AI capabilities, and be able to take photos, record video, provide translations, give turn-by-turn directions, play music, facilitate phone calls, offer feedback on what the wearer is seeing, and answer queries. However, there won’t be augmented reality capabilities, he adds.
However, Gurman’s prediction is a reversal from his forecast in January. At that time he said in a “Power On” newsletter that work on “Apple Glasses” continues, but we won’t see such a product for years, he said in a “Power On” newsletter. Gurman said in January that the glasses are anticipated to be an augmented reality/virtual reality head-mounted display (HMD) that would be more akin in design to regular eyeglasses than the Vision Pro.
As for “Apple Glasses” and follow-ups to the Apple Vision Pro, the rumors are all over the place. Apple plans to release an updated Vision Pro headset with a M5 chip this year, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in an “X” post. The current Vision Pro is equipped with the M2 chip, which debuted in 2022. Kuo thinks a less expensive spatial computer has been delayed to 2027 or beyond.
However, in an October 13, 2024 “Power On” newsletter, Gurman said Apple may release a new Vision Pro in 2025 for about US$2,000, compared to the current model’s starting price of US$3,499.
He said that Apple will lower the price by using a less powerful processor and more plastic, less aluminum and glass. Gurman adds that the next version of the spatial computer will also drop the EyeSight feature. EyeSight reveals your eyes on the front of your Apple Vision Pro, and lets those nearby know when you’re using apps or fully immersed in an experience.
When it comes to more affordable smart glasses, Apple is purportedly conducing an in-house survey on the feasibility of such a product. The initiative, code-named Atlas, got underway in November 2024 and purportedly involves gathering feedback from Apple employees.
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