Apple's Ambitious Roadmap for XR Wearables: Vision Pro Updates and Smart Glasses on the Horizon

Apple may launch Vision Air headset and smart glasses in next two years, analyst says

Apple could be coming out with some new headgear in 2027. (Image credit: Apple) Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in early June brought plenty of news about the company's latest operating system updates across its devices. One device that received minimal attention, even though it's the newest product from the company, was the Apple Vision Pro. The VR headset is just over a year old, and it has yet to catch on with the public thanks to its expensive price tag and lack of functionality. While the Apple Vision Pro inspired the company to introduce Liquid Glass across all upcoming software updates, the company had few features to reveal for the headset. It does appear, however, that Apple is coming for everyone's head, literally. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo posted about Apple's plans for the future, and it appears the company is going to focus on both eyewear and headsets. He says, "Apple views head-mounted devices as the next major trend in consumer electronics" and predicts the company will release multiple products for this trend starting in 2027. Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. According to Kuo, Apple will release a lighter version of its Apple Vision Pro in 2027, which he refers to as Vision Air. This new VR headset will be more than 40% lighter. This new lighter headset would also come at a much lower price. Before the release of the Vision Air, Kuo predicts Apple will release another Vision Pro with the same design but an upgraded M5 processor replacing the current M2 chip. Then, in 2028, Kuo says Apple will release its second generation of the Vision Pro. This new headset will have a different design, lighter weight, and a lower price than the original, with a Mac-grade processor. For smart glasses, Kuo predicts Apple will release its smart glasses in 2027, with projected shipments to be 3 to 5 million units. Apple has "made progress" on a specialty chip designed for smart glasses, which could include versions with and without AR functionality. These glasses would compete directly with Meta, the current market leader, and its Ray-Ban and upcoming Oakley models. The smart glasses will offer multiple frame and material options, along with voice control and gesture recognition, according to Kuo. The glasses will also have audio playback, camera, video recording, and AI environmental sensing features. The glasses don't stop there. Kuo predicts Apple will begin production of a pair of XR glasses in 2028. These will have the same voice control and gesture recognition as the smart glasses while also having a color display. Kuo also says Apple is working on another "display accessory" that could return to development. This accessory would tether to an Apple device, such as an iPhone, and display content.

Apple Smart Glasses: Ray-Bans-like, will drive the next wave of consumer electronics in 2027

Apple Smart Glasses expected in 2027 with Ray-Bans-like style, voice control and gesture recognition, will be the 'next wave' in consumer electronics. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. TweakTown may also earn commissions from other affiliate partners at no extra cost to you. Apple's upcoming Smart Glasses are in the headlines today, with the Ray-Bans-like smart glasses expected with no display, using a gesture recognition user interface, and expected to release in 2027. In a new report from insider Ming-Chi Kuo, we've got a bunch of new details on Apple's Vision Pro and Smart Glasses roadmap for 2025-2028, with the new Smart Glasses being a Ray-Bans-like product that is expected to arrive in multiple frames and temple material options, with mass production expected in Q2 2027. Apple is reportedly projecting shipments of its new Smart Glasses to be somewhere between 3 million and 5 million or more in 2027, with no display functionality and core features including audio playback, camera, video recording, and "AI environmental sensing" reports Kuo. Kuo adds that Apple's purported Smart Glasses will "potentially replace some TWS and smartphone camera functions" adding that the new product category represents the smart glasses segment with "highest near-term potential" with global shipments across all brands expected to exceed 10 million units in 2027". We're also hearing about the XR glasses from Apple, which Kuo says will enter mass production in the second half of 2028 with the same voice control and gesture recognition user interface as Apple's upcoming Smart Glasses. The difference here is that the XR glasses will feature a display with LCoS with waveguide technology, supporting a color display. AI functionality is "crucial to product success", with Kuo adding that an additional variant is in development with a later production timeline and "lower visibility" in the market. Kuo finishes the smart glasses-type product roadmap from Apple with a "display accessory" that was originally scheduled for Q2 2026 after a pause since Q4 2024. Apple's new "display accessory" is reportedly under review for repositioning and specification refinement, with a "project restart possible". This new display accessory would be a tethered connection to display content from Apple devices like an iPhone, with its display technology featuring Birdbath optics with electrochromic dimming as an "additional key selling point". Kuo reports that development on Apple's purported display accessory halted due to "insufficient competitive advantage" as the weight of the display accessory would be around 120-130g versus the current competing products weighing under 100g. Apple's new smart glasses are set to "drive the next wave in consumer electronics" but if the company is integrating AI, then it has a long way to go after tripping over and pretty much failing the AI market so far with its Apple Intelligence flopping alongside the expensive, and not-so-great selling Vision Pro headset.

Apple Developing 7 Head-Mounted XR Wearables, Says Ming-Chi Kuo

The company may restart development of XR display accessory for iPhone Apple is said to be developing several head-mounted wearable products. According to a market analyst, as many as seven extended reality (XR) headsets and smart glasses are in the works across two product groups, and the launch timeline for about five of them is known. The first will be a M5-powered Apple Vision Pro and it may be introduced as soon as Q3 2025. Meanwhile, the Cupertino-based tech giant is also developing a smart glass competitor to the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses. In a blog post, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple is planning to launch the next iteration of the Apple Vision Pro powered by the M5 chipset. Its mass production is slated to be scheduled for Q3 2025 and the Cupertino-based company is expecting to ship between 150,000 to 200,000 units in the first year. Most of the specifications are said to remain unchanged, except for the SoC which may get an upgrade from M2 to M5. As per Kuo, the Vision Pro will still remain a niche product which is aimed at XR applications, developing the ecosystem, and reducing the component inventory. The second product in the Apple Vision lineup is said to be the Vision Air. The analyst said that its mass production will begin in Q3 2027, powered by a flagship iPhone processor. The XR headset is reported to feature a new form factor. It may weigh up to 40 percent less compared to the Vision Pro, with Apple replacing glass with plastic, using magnesium alloy, and reducing the sensor count. The Apple Vision Air may come with a "significantly" lower price tag than the current XR headset, which retails for $3,499 (roughly Rs. 2,99,000). Previous reports put the Vision Air between $1,500 (roughly Rs. 125,900) and $2,000 (roughly Rs. 167,900). In the coming years, Apple is expected to diversify its wearables lineup starting with a smart glass competitor to the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses. Kuo said this product will come with multiple options for frame and temple material. It is expected to offer voice control and gesture recognition for navigating across the UI. Similar to the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, the Apple smart glass may not come with display functionality. Instead, they may rely on audio playback, camera, video recording, and AI-based environmental sensing. Mass production of the Apple smart glasses is slated to begin in 2Q 2027, with 3-5 million units projected to ship in the first year. As per Kuo, the smart glass category could replace TWS and smartphone camera functions and is said to have the "highest near-term growth potential". Meanwhile, Apple is also developing another type of XR glasses whose mass production may begin in the second half of 2028. Similar to the Ray-Ban Meta competitor, these glasses are also reported to come with voice control and gesture recognition. However, the company will also equip them with a Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) with waveguide and a supporting colour screen. AI functionality is said to be at the centre of this product. As per Kuo, another variant of the XR glasses with lower visibility and a later production timeline is also in development. The last product that is in the works at Apple is a Display accessory which may display content from other devices like the iPhone when tethered. It could have Birdbath optics along with electrochromic dimming. The product was originally scheduled for mass production in Q2 2026, but has been put on hold since Q4 2024 due to "insufficient competitive advantage. The Cupertino-based tech giant is reportedly deliberating over its repositioning as well as the requirement of specifications.