Apple’s long-rumored smart glasses may be closer to reality than previously expected. According to a new Bloomberg report, the tech giant could launch its first glasses-style wearable as early as late 2026 or early 2027. This marks a significant acceleration from earlier projections that suggested a 2030 timeline.
The report also highlights Apple’s deep investment in custom chip development to power the upcoming device, internally known as N401.
Unlike the Apple Vision Pro, which offers a fully immersive spatial computing experience, Apple’s smart glasses are expected to take a lighter and more accessible approach. The wearable could feature a data overlay interface that displays contextual information directly onto the user’s real-world view without fully blocking or replacing the environment. This would position the glasses as a more practical and fashionable alternative to bulky AR headsets, following the design ethos of the Apple Watch—technology that integrates seamlessly into everyday life.
While details remain limited, the glasses are rumored to include multiple cameras, microphones, and AI capabilities for object recognition, environment scanning, translation, and spatial video capture. These features would place the device in direct competition with Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, which offer similar camera and AI tools but lack a true augmented reality display. Apple’s key advantage may lie in its vertically integrated ecosystem, enabling smooth pairing with iPhones and leveraging technologies like Visual Intelligence to enhance situational awareness.
Realizing this vision will require significant engineering breakthroughs. To make the glasses lightweight and energy efficient, Apple is developing a specialized chip based on the low-power silicon architecture of the Apple Watch. This custom processor, designed to handle multiple cameras and offload intensive tasks to a nearby iPhone, is being manufactured by TSMC. Production could begin in late 2026 or 2027, aligning with the expected launch window.
The smart glasses are reportedly a top priority for CEO Tim Cook, signaling Apple’s strategic push to outpace Meta in shaping the next era of wearable technology. While Meta has gained momentum through its Ray-Ban partnership, Apple’s planned integration of AI, spatial video, and refined hardware could establish a new industry benchmark.
At the same time, Apple is expanding its silicon development across its entire product ecosystem. Bloomberg reports that the company is working on Nevis and Glennie chips for future camera-equipped Apple Watch and AirPods models, new Mac chips (M6 and M7), a server-grade AI processor codenamed Baltra, and next-generation cellular modems (C2 and C3) for upcoming iPhones.
(via Bloomberg)
