Apple's smart glasses delayed to late 2027 as Meta extends its lead in AI eyewear market

Apple's AI Glasses Reportedly Delayed Until Late 2027

Expertise I have more than 35 years' experience in journalism in the heart of Silicon Valley. If you've had your sights set on sliding on a pair of Apple's smart glasses, you're going to have to wait a little longer than previously thought. Apple is now aiming to release the much-rumored AI glasses in "late 2027," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The glasses were previously expected to be announced later this year and begin shipping in early 2027, but Gurman reported in his Power On newsletter Sunday that Apple has experienced "bumps" in development. Apple's smart glasses are regarded as a key component of the company's product roadmap, Gurman writes. People close to Tim Cook tell Gurman that the outgoing Apple CEO is a strong supporter of the project and regards the glasses as his top priority. John Ternus, who will take the reins from Cook in September, is said to be the driving force behind the project, having led the product development team for the past two years. Gurman said the glasses will feature design elements such as "oval-shaped cameras, unique colors, and multiple frame styles" in an effort to stand out from the competition. "Over time, Apple believes the glasses could evolve into a health device and eventually incorporate augmented reality technologies capable of improving how people see," he said. Gurman reported in April that Apple was testing frame designs that include a large rectangular frame similar to Ray-Ban Wayfarers, a slimmer rectangular style, a larger oval or circular design and a smaller oval or circular option. Research released in March by Counterpoint Research suggests the smart glasses category is still in its early stages. The tech market research firm reported that the smart glasses market grew 139% year-over-year in the second half of 2025, compared with 2024. The smart glasses are expected to include cameras for capturing videos and photos; microphones and speakers for handling phone calls, listening to notifications and playing music. They'll also reportedly have a multimodal AI that could respond to requests via Siri. Apple representatives didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Meta's smart glasses lead grows as Apple reportedly hits another delay

Unlike Apple, Meta's smart glasses work across both Android and iOS, giving the company access to a much larger audience and a significant advantage as the category expands. For years now, Apple's smart glasses have felt like one of tech's longest-running rumors. Every few months, a new leak arrives promising that Apple's answer to Meta's Ray-Bans is just around the corner. Yet somehow, that corner keeps moving. The latest Bloomberg report suggests we may have to wait even longer. According to Mark Gurman, Apple is still working toward a smart glasses launch sometime next year. That doesn't sound too bad until you remember that previous reports pointed to a 2026 unveiling followed by a 2027 release. As is often the case with ambitious Apple hardware projects, the timeline appears to be slipping. And that's becoming a problem. A few years ago, Apple could afford to take its time. Smart glasses were still a niche category, and most companies were simply experimenting. That's no longer true. Android XR display glasses will be here sometime in 2026. And Meta has already turned its Ray-Ban smart glasses into one of the most convincing examples of wearable AI so far. Instead of replacing your smartphone, those handle simpler tasks such as taking photos, translating conversations, answering questions, and providing real-time information via voice commands. More importantly, Meta isn't standing still. Reports suggest the company is already preparing additional smart glasses models, potentially expanding beyond its Ray-Ban partnership. By the time Apple finally arrives, Meta could have years of real-world experience, user feedback, and ecosystem development under its belt. There's another challenge Apple may struggle to overcome -- Apple's products have historically worked best inside Apple's own ecosystem. That's great for iPhone owners, but it also limits the company's reach. Smart glasses are different from smartphones; they benefit from being as accessible as possible. Meta doesn't have that problem. Its glasses work across both Android and iOS, giving the company access to a much larger audience from day one. Ironically, Apple's eventual entry could help Meta. Whenever Apple enters a new category, consumer awareness tends to skyrocket. More people start paying attention, more people become curious, and the entire market grows. If Meta already has mature products on store shelves when that happens, it will be in a strong position to capture those customers. Apple may still deliver an incredible pair of smart glasses when they finally arrive. The company has a habit of entering categories late and refining the experience better than its rivals. But right now, we're still talking about promises, prototypes, and shifting timelines. Until Apple has an actual product ready to wear, Meta gets another year -- or perhaps even longer -- to widen its lead.

Apple killed its Vision roadmap for smart glasses, and suddenly Meta's lead matters more than ever

Apple is betting it can enter the smart glasses market late and still win on brand and ecosystem. A year ago, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo published a Vision product roadmap featuring seven devices. Now, he has published a new one with just two products remaining. The change in the product roadmap, Kuo claims, has been approved by John Ternus, Apple's incoming CEO, who officially takes over on September 1, 2026. What did Apple cut and what survived? According to Kuo's updated analysis (via X), only two of the seven products have survived, and Apple has cancelled five of them. Recommended Videos Of the two, one is a pair of AI smart glasses that competes directly with the Meta Ray-Ban lineup, while the other is a display-equipped pair of AR glasses that uses optical waveguides (it layers virtual content over the real world). The AI glasses are expected in 2027, and the AR glasses won't arrive until 2029 (at the earliest). Everything else, including plans for a successor to the Vision Pro, along with the lighter Vision Air, is gone. Apple's decision, Kuo explains, prioritizes "smart glasses with greater mass-market potential," and I couldn't agree more, but the timing might not be right. What makes smart glasses a better bet than mixed reality headsets? According to a Counterpoint Research report published in February 2026, the global smart glasses shipments grew 139% year-over-year in the second half of 2025. Meta, the company behind the most popular AI smart glasses in the world, is leading the market with its strong lineup (including the Meta Ray-Ban Display) and consistent rollout of AI-based features. It held a market share of 82% in the same period, owing to its global presence, strong collaborations with established eyewear brands, and hardware backed by intuitive software features. The company has single-handedly demonstrated the potential of the market, and it's only expected to grow further in the coming years. It's clear that Apple wants a piece of the market, but Meta's years of head start and experience may work against the Cupertino giant. Is Apple running out of time in the smart glasses race? Every month Apple spends restructuring its roadmap is a month Meta spends selling, iterating, and building the retail infrastructure that makes smart glasses feel normal. What's even more concerning is that the company's smart glasses might not ship until the end of 2027, which gives Meta at least another year and a half to come up with new products, refine its features, and solidify its position. Apple believes that it can enter late and still win on brand, design, and seamless iPhone integration, the same playbook that worked against the smartwatch incumbents in 2015. However, that means that the company's first AI glasses should be either as good or better than whatever Meta is shipping at that point. In my opinion, the Vision Pro was more of a platform bet than a consumer product, and Ternus' decision to cancel its successor is an acknowledgment that the strategy didn't pay off at the pace Apple had hoped. The question isn't whether redirecting those resources toward smart glasses is the right move; it's whether Apple is already too late.

The Apple smart glasses just got pushed to 2027, again

Meta has been selling AI-powered smart glasses since 2023, and the lineup has expanded steadily since. Apple's version has been in the rumor cycle almost as long, but according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the Apple smart glasses just got pushed back again. The original plan was to announce the glasses by the end of 2026 and ship them in early 2027. That's now off the table. Gurman reports Apple is targeting a launch at the end of 2027, which almost certainly means retail availability slips into 2028. The holdup is Apple's visual AI features, the main draw for the product. The more advanced visual layer isn't ready, and Apple reportedly doesn't want to ship without it. Siri's core overhaul is still on track for later this year, but that's a separate problem. The glasses are codenamed N50 and built to be a lightweight platform for Apple Intelligence. They'll skip any display and rely on cameras, microphones, and a direct line to Siri. According to Gurman, Apple plans multiple frame styles and unique color options. The front cameras sit in an oval arrangement, with indicator lights that are reportedly more prominent than what Meta uses. Meta Has a Head Start That's Only Getting Bigger While Apple smart glasses wait in development, Meta hasn't been sitting still. The Ray-Ban Meta lineup now runs from $299 for the camera-and-AI model up to $799 for the display version. Meta also recently expanded into prescription-compatible frames, targeting people who actually need corrective lenses daily. That's a significant chunk of the audience Apple wants to reach. Gurman's report notes that Apple sees eyewear as a massive long-term opportunity and thinks the glasses could eventually become a health device, with AR further down the road. But "eventually" keeps getting pushed. True AR from Apple isn't expected before 2030. For now, the Apple smart glasses are still coming. Just not soon. Meta, meanwhile, has had two years of real-world data and a growing head start it clearly intends to press.

Apple's Meta Ray-Ban Rivalling Smart Glasses Delayed Till Next Year

The company had initially planned to unveil them by the end of 2026 Apple has long been believed to be developing a pair of smart glasses. In recent months, the rumour mill has suggested that the Cupertino-based tech giant could finally unveil them soon. According to a seasoned journalist, Apple's smart glasses could become the next major computing platform, with the brand potentially aiming to replicate the success it achieved in the smartwatch category with its Apple Watch over the past decade. The smart glasses are reportedly being positioned as a competitor to the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses and more, but have been delayed till 2027. Apple's Smart Glasses According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the smart glasses are currently under development under the codename N50. The company had initially hoped to introduce the product by the end of 2026 and begin shipments in early 2027. However, delays have reportedly pushed the timeline further, with Apple now targeting a launch toward the end of next year. The iPhone maker reportedly sees a similar opportunity in eyewear as with the Apple Watch. While the smart glasses market has a few competitors, such as the various Ray-Ban Meta Glasses and Samsung's Android XR Smart Glasses, which were recently unveiled at Google I/O 2026, the market is relatively small. Apple is said to be targeting the mainstream eyewear segment, particularly products priced between $200 and $500. This would place the company in competition with brands owned by eyewear giants such as EssilorLuxottica, Safilo, and Warby Parker. The glasses are expected to rely on AI and a revamped Siri experience, although the latter has yet to be launched. The company reportedly believes that integration with its ecosystem of more than two billion active devices, combined with AI-powered features, could encourage consumers to choose Apple-branded eyewear over traditional alternatives. The first-generation product is said to feature multiple frame styles, unique colour options, and distinctive camera hardware integrated into the design. Apple's smart glasses are also believed to have strong backing from Apple's senior leadership, including the newly appointed CEO John Ternus, who has reportedly identified smart glasses as one of the company's top priorities. Vision Air Could Debut by 2029 Apple's smart glasses are not the only wearable reportedly in development. According to Gurman, the company is also continuing work on a lighter and slimmer successor to the Vision Pro headset, which could eventually arrive as the rumoured Vision Air. The latest report indicates that development is still underway. Gurman claims the company is working on a more comfortable headset that addresses some of the biggest criticisms of the current Vision Pro, including its weight, bulk, and high price tag. The report suggests that the Vision Air is unlikely to launch before late 2028 or 2029. Gurman added that Apple needs to resolve the design and pricing challenges that limited the appeal of the original Vision Pro before introducing a successor. As a result, the Vision headset category could remain largely unchanged for the next few years. If the reported timeline proves accurate, the Vision Air would arrive roughly six years after the Vision Pro was first unveiled at WWDC 2023.