The company is reportedly targeting a June 2027 developer reveal, taking a more cautious approach to cameras than Meta’s popular Ray-Ban glasses.
Apple plans to unveil its AI-powered smart glasses at its developer conference in June next year, according to a Bloomberg report, positioning the device to potentially reach the market in time for the holiday shopping season. Apple has worked on smart glasses for years, with the responsible division undergoing several internal shifts. Earlier reports suggested a launch this year, but the timeline appears to have slipped, partly over privacy concerns.
Rethinking the Camera Problem
Apple has reportedly made internal hardware and software changes to address the privacy issues long associated with smart glasses. The company is said to be testing a camera-free version, alongside a software-based approach that would include a full camera system while disabling photo and video capture entirely — using the cameras only to help AI features understand the wearer’s surroundings. Apple may extend similar technology to future AirPods.
The cautious approach is probably an attempt to distance itself from the controversy around the new Apple smartglasses, as this technology allows the wearer to look like just any other person in a crowd. In contrast, the built-in camera can secretly take photos and videos of others.
Matching Meta’s Playbook, Minus the Camera Risk
Despite the privacy-conscious approach, Apple’s glasses are still expected to include a camera, microphone, and speakers, along with Siri access, putting them in direct competition with Meta, which currently commands an estimated 80% of global smart glasses sales. Meta’s Ray-Ban-branded glasses, developed with EssilorLuxottica, start at $299.
A Broader Industry Bet
Apple isn’t alone in the space. Snap plans to launch its AR-focused Specs later this year at $2,195, while Google is re-entering the category more than a decade after Google Glass failed, this time partnering with Samsung on a new pair of AI-powered smart glasses expected later this year.
