Apple’s Highly Anticipated Smart Glasses Release Pushed Back to Late 2027

Speculation surrounding Apple’s development of smart glasses has been on the rise in recent times, but it appears that expectations for the release of these new wearables may have been overly optimistic.

For years, the tech world was abuzz with rumors of “Apple Glass” – a futuristic pair of augmented reality glasses that would revolutionize the way we interact with technology. However, Apple’s actual foray into mixed-reality wearables was quite different – a bulky headset weighing 1.5 pounds and priced at $3,500, requiring an external battery pack for power.

In early 2025, reports surfaced that Apple had abandoned its AR smart glasses project in favor of simpler smart glasses similar to Meta’s Ray-Bans. While Apple had initially aimed for a more advanced product like Apple Glass or even smart contact lenses, technological limitations led to a shift in focus.

These simpler smart glasses quickly took precedence in Apple’s roadmap, potentially surpassing a lighter and more affordable “Vision Air” headset. With Apple pushing full steam ahead, a late 2026 or early 2027 release seemed plausible.

However, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a prominent source on Apple’s AI and augmented reality endeavors, the timeline for the new “N50” smart glasses has been delayed by nearly a year. Gurman attributes this setback to unforeseen challenges in the development process.

While this delay may put Apple at a disadvantage compared to competitors, it could also result in a more refined product upon release. The smart glasses are expected to heavily integrate with Siri and leverage visual intelligence capabilities found in modern iPhone models.

Gurman suggests that Siri’s ongoing development and the need for enhanced AI capabilities may have contributed to the delay. Apple’s focus on camera-equipped AirPods Pro and an AI pin or pendant further underscores the company’s commitment to AI-driven wearables.

As Siri continues to evolve, the smart glasses project may benefit from a more mature voice assistant. The delay could also allow for the introduction of other camera-equipped AI wearables from Apple before the smart glasses hit the market.

[Please note that the information provided in this article is based on speculation and has not been confirmed by Apple. It is advisable to approach all rumors, especially in the tech industry, with caution.]