With Meta scaling new heights in the smart glasses segment, Apple is reportedly accelerating the development of its first-generation smart glasses. The iPhone maker has a potential unveiling scheduled for 2026 and a product launch following in 2027. This ambitious timeline positions Apple to enter this eyewear market, but with a surprising caveat – the first version of the spectacles will notably miss out on an augmented reality (AR) screen.
According to reporting by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the decision to launch the spectacles without an AR screen emerges from a desire to deliver a non-bulky product that can be worn comfortably for extended periods. Apple is aiming for a simpler, mass-market device to compete directly against rivals like Meta. The rumored 2026 announcement is designed to give developers ample time to prepare apps, similar to the launch strategy of the Apple Vision Pro.
Apple smart glasses: Function over immersion
Instead of projecting visual data onto the lenses, Apple’s first smart glasses are expected to function as a high-tech iPhone companion. The device will focus on streamlined, hands-free tasks, reducing the need for users to constantly pull out their smartphones. These core features will likely include answering phone calls, discreetly capturing photos, and other essential actions, something like the Ray-Ban Meta.
This basic approach focuses on solving general, high-frequency user problems rather than complex spatial computing. While the lack of an AR display might dampen the excitement of some early adopters, it allows the company to minimise weight, reduce thermal issues, and maximise battery life—three persistent challenges in the smart glasses category.
Apple to use advanced chip
Apple is reportedly securing a vast initial capacity of TSMC’s advanced 2-nanometer (N2) lithography process. This cutting-edge silicon is crucial for the glasses’ design because it offers significant efficiency gains — up to 20 per cent improved power efficiency compared to current 3nm processes.
By integrating this advanced chip, Apple can pack powerful, iPhone-level computing capability into the tiny spectacle frame while avoiding the heavy thermal design and battery bulk. This design move promises to solve the engineering challenge of delivering high computational power at one-tenth of the energy draw, making it all ready for a 2027 launch.