Apple Plans Smart Glasses Launch by 2026, Skips Augmented Reality for Now

Apple should want to launch its first smart glasses by the end of 2026. The first version will not offer typical augmented reality functions, but will rather compete with Metas Ray-Ban glasses.

Apple Glass comes without AR features

This reports Bloomberg author Mark Gurmann in his Latest edition of the Poweron Newsletter. As a rule, he offers well-founded insider information there, so the news from the newsletter is always eagerly awaited.

Staggered plans

The specially developed chips for the glasses are to go into series production at the latest in 2027. Apple relies on its own processors to optimize efficiency and performance for portable AI applications. According to the Bloomberg newsletter, the company is currently working intensively to meet the schedule. At the end of this year, Apple wants to produce large quantities of prototypes with suppliers abroad.

Competition to Meta instead of AR revolution

Instead of full-fledged AR glasses, Apple first releases a model that competes with Metas Ray-Ban Smart Glasses. The devices are contained cameras, microphones and speakers. In addition, functions such as Siri activation, live translation, navigation and telephone calls are under discussion. Users could take photos and videos without having to take the iPhone in hand.

A decisive advantage would be the close integration with Apple’s existing ecosystem. While other manufacturers are fighting integration into the iPhone, Apple can create a seamless connection – similar to Watch, Airpods or iPad. At the same time, Apple also works on new functions for airpods and smartwatches. Cameras are planned in the AirPods, which could be ready for the market by 2027 using the specially developed Glennie chips.

These AirPods could be used together with the smart glasses and offer additional perspectives, better microphones and optimized audio drivers. This would create Apple a networked wearable ecosystem. Incidentally, the rumors about the Apple’s Glasses came up in 2020, and Amazon is also supposed to work on smart glasses.