Apple is reportedly accelerating development of smart glasses targeted for a 2027 launch, with production potentially beginning as early as December 2026. At the same time, the company is said to be working on an AI-powered pin and AirPods with cameras, all designed to integrate tightly with the iPhone and a next-generation version of Siri.
Apple AI smart glasses targeting 2027
The most advanced product in development appears to be Apple AI smart glasses, internally codenamed N50. Production could begin as early as December 2026, pointing to a potential 2027 launch if development stays on schedule.
Unlike Apple Vision Pro, these glasses are not expected to include a display. Apple is positioning them as an AI companion rather than a head-mounted screen. That places them in more direct competition with Ray-Ban Meta glasses from Meta, though Apple is reportedly differentiating through higher-end materials and a more advanced camera system.
The glasses are expected to feature dual cameras. One high-resolution sensor would support photo and video capture, while a second sensor would focus on environmental awareness, feeding visual data to Siri. This secondary system could help measure distance between objects and interpret surroundings, similar in principle to LiDAR on the iPhone.
In practical terms, Apple AI smart glasses would allow users to make phone calls, listen to music, capture photos and video, and interact with Siri using voice commands. Because the cameras provide contextual input, users could look at an object and ask Siri questions about it, receive walking directions based on visible landmarks, or have physical text recognized and added to apps such as Calendar. Live translation and context-aware reminders are also reportedly under consideration.
Early prototypes reportedly relied on an external battery pack and iPhone connection, but more recent versions integrate the battery and core components directly into the frame. Apple is said to be designing its own frames in multiple sizes and colors, using premium materials to reinforce the product’s positioning as a high-end wearable designed for all-day use.
AI pin as an iPhone extension
Alongside the glasses, Apple is working on an AI pin that can clip onto clothing or be worn as a pendant. This project is at an earlier stage and could still be canceled, but if it moves forward, a 2027 release is possible.
The AI pin would include a low-resolution, always-on camera intended to provide environmental context rather than capture photos or videos. A built-in microphone would enable direct interaction with Siri. Internally, the device has reportedly been described as the “eyes and ears” of the iPhone.
Unlike standalone AI gadgets, Apple plans to market the AI pin strictly as an iPhone accessory. It would include a dedicated chip similar to those used in AirPods, while the iPhone handles most of the heavy processing. A speaker for two-way Siri conversations is reportedly being considered, though not finalized.
The positioning is clear. The AI pin is not meant to replace the iPhone but to extend its awareness into the physical world without requiring users to constantly pull out their device.
AirPods with cameras in development
AirPods with cameras are also part of the Apple AI wearables roadmap, and development is said to be further along than the AI pin. These upgraded AirPods would incorporate low-resolution cameras focused on contextual awareness rather than image capture.
By feeding environmental data to Siri, AirPods with cameras could enable more intelligent, real-time responses based on what a user is looking at or interacting with. Reports suggest these AirPods could arrive as early as this year, though Apple has not publicly confirmed timing.
Together, the smart glasses, AI pin, and camera-equipped AirPods reflect a unified strategy. Apple AI wearables are designed to quietly gather context, process it through the iPhone, and deliver responses through a smarter Siri without relying on screens.
Next-generation Siri is the foundation
All three Apple AI wearables depend on a major Siri overhaul. While iOS 26.4 has not yet delivered major new Apple Intelligence features, Apple is reportedly preparing a chatbot-style Siri for iOS 27.
This updated Siri is expected to leverage AI models developed by Google. A significantly more conversational and context-aware Siri is essential if Apple AI wearables are to deliver meaningful value.
Without major improvements to Siri, these devices risk feeling limited. With a stronger AI core, Apple could turn lightweight hardware into a new interface layer for the iPhone ecosystem.
Apple’s broader AI hardware push
Beyond wearables, Apple is reportedly working on a home hub smart display that could launch later this year, along with a more advanced version featuring a larger screen and robotic arm targeted for 2027. Updates to HomePod and new indoor sensors for home security and automation are also said to be in development.
For now, Apple AI wearables represent the clearest signal of where the company sees the future of personal computing. Instead of another display strapped to your face, Apple appears focused on context-first devices that understand what you see and hear, then respond intelligently through Siri.
If Apple can deliver a genuinely upgraded Siri alongside polished hardware, its smart glasses, AI pin, and camera-enabled AirPods could mark the next major expansion of the Apple ecosystem.
(via Bloomberg)
