Apple Smart Glasses coming in 2026, Vision Pro Light stopped
Apple has decided to stop work on a cheaper, lighter version of its $3,499 Vision Pro headset to instead focus its resources on the first Apple Smart Glasses, Bloomberg reports. Apple wants to accelerate the development of daily wearable glasses to better compete with Meta.
Apple Smart Glasses instead of Vision Air
There were rumors that Apple would launch a lighter and cheaper Vision Air in 2027. Instead, engineers are currently being transferred from this project to Apple Smart Glasses.
The Apple Smart Glasses are intended to compete with the Meta Ray-Ban AI Glasses. The glasses will have cameras, microphones, and AI capabilities. Apple could unveil the glasses as early as next year and then launch them in 2027. The first version of the glasses will not have a display, but Apple is developing another model with an integrated display. Apple planned to unveil the version with a display in 2028, but now wants to accelerate development.
The Meta Ray-Ban Display Glasses feature a high-resolution, full-color display built into one of the lenses. The display can show messages, photos, and information from Meta AI. Despite the additional display, Meta’s glasses look like regular glasses and are the first step towards Meta’s augmented reality glasses called “Orion”. Meta introduced its AR glasses last year, presenting thick glasses with two AR displays. However, both Apple and Meta plan to launch lightweight augmented reality glasses in the future.
Meta has released several versions of Meta Ray-Bans since 2023 and has a more advanced AI product than Apple. Apple Smart Glasses will rely on AI and voice-based commands, which the next generation of Siri will need as a foundation.
Apple has postponed its own AI assistant after it failed to meet expectations for the promised Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18. An updated version of Siri, based on a new architecture, is expected in spring 2026.
Apple plans to launch its first smart glasses with various materials and frame options, making them a fashion accessory. Buyers can choose their preferred color and frame shape. The glasses will contain an Apple-designed chip but will still rely on a connected iPhone. Other features include cameras, microphones, and health monitoring capabilities.
While work on a lighter version of the Vision Pro has been paused for now, Apple still plans to refresh the current model with an M5 chip later this year.
Apple Smart Glasses with Five Main Functions
Design
Like the first versions of the Apple Watch, Apple Smart Glasses will be more of a fashion accessory than bulky frames with limited style options. Apple plans to offer multiple frame and temple materials for a customized look. There needs to be room for a battery, a chip, and multiple cameras, so it’s not yet clear how slim Apple can make the glasses, but various color, size, and shape options are likely.
Meta initially had only a limited color and style selection for its Ray-Bans, but in recent years it has added more shapes and colors and expanded its offerings to include Oakley frames.
Siri
Apple can’t bring smart glasses to market until a functional next-generation version of Siri is available. Control is largely voice-based, so Siri needs to be intelligent enough to understand your wishes and respond accordingly.
Apple has redesigned Siri with extensive language models. A more intelligent version, more like Claude, Gemini, or ChatGPT, is expected in spring 2026.
You should be able to ask Siri all sorts of questions. For example, thanks to the cameras integrated into Apple Glasses, Siri could provide feedback on what you see, look things up, translate foreign languages, remember where you parked or left your keys, give instructions for tasks, play music, send messages, and much more.
Apple will want to adopt many of the features of the Meta Ray-Bans, and Meta AI can do all of this.
Rumors
The Apple Smart Glasses, as mentioned, won’t have a display like Meta’s latest Ray-Ban display glasses, but they will have the same AI features, cameras, and audio capabilities as Meta’s cheaper Ray-Bans.
We don’t know everything about Apple’s glasses yet, but we’ve heard rumors about some of the features that will be included.
- Take photos
- Video Record
- Play audio, including podcasts, music, and audiobooks
- Offer directions
- Answer questions
- Describe your surroundings
- Identify plants, animals, landmarks, and more with Visual Intelligence
- Make phone calls
- Send messages
- Translate languages
iPhone connection
The Apple Smart Glasses will have an Apple-designed chip based on the chip in the Apple Watch. However, you still need a connected iPhone. They can’t operate independently and require a connection to an iPhone for AI processing and other functions.
We don’t know what the battery life will be, but handing tasks over to the iPhone should help extend battery life.
Launch date in 2026
Apple is accelerating the development of smart glasses, and current rumors suggest they could be unveiled by the end of 2026. This would make a market launch likely in early 2027.
There’s no information yet on how much the glasses might cost, but Meta’s Ray-Ban AI glasses start at $380. So we expect a price under $500.
