Apple is pushing back the release of its AI-powered smart glasses and also delaying plans for the lighter Vision Air headset. The glasses will be delayed by at least a year — until the end of 2027, according to insiders. Against this backdrop, it’s especially telling that Google has already shown off its own glasses, making them as stylish as possible, while Apple keeps postponing the release. One wonders how much more Apple will delay. Maybe they should try pushing back the smart Siri again?
Some have already shown finished smart glasses, while for others it’s still just rumors
Apple Smart Glasses: Release Timeline and Reasons for the Delay
Apple has been developing smart glasses for years — as a response to Meta’s* popular Ray-Ban glasses and as a new platform for Siri and visual AI features. The announcement was originally planned for late 2026, with shipments starting in early 2027.
Naturally, Apple’s glasses will have cameras
Now the timeline has shifted. The glasses, codenamed N50, will be shown closer to the end of 2027, according to Gurman. The company needed an additional year for development.
The main reason for the delay isn’t Siri but visual AI. Siri itself is expected to be updated by the end of this year, but the technology for recognizing and analyzing the surroundings, according to the insider, may not be ready to the required level. Apple doesn’t want to release a half-baked product that would disappoint users.
What Features Will Apple Smart Glasses Get
According to the insider’s description, the first glasses are primarily a device for Apple Intelligence (Apple’s proprietary AI), not full-fledged augmented reality. The feature set will expand over time, and Apple wants to replicate the success of AirPods and Apple Watch, turning glasses into an equally familiar everyday accessory.
The glasses will analyze everything around you and provide the necessary information
What is known about the first version from insider reports:
- An unusual design with oval cameras, bright colors, and several frame options
- Focus on the voice assistant and analysis of what the camera sees
- In the future — transformation into a health device
- In the more distant future — addition of augmented reality that changes how a person sees the world
Apple is counting on the enormous eyewear market — billions of people wear prescription glasses, sunglasses, or use them as a fashion accessory. That’s precisely why the company is willing to spend an extra year to avoid missing the mark with the product.
Vision Air: What We Know About Apple’s New Headset
Vision Air could come in black
The second part of the insider report concerns Vision Air — a lighter and thinner version of Vision Pro. Last fall, it was reported that Vision Air development had essentially been frozen in favor of the glasses. Now, according to Gurman’s information, Apple is investing in the project again.
Vision Air could launch in late 2028 or in 2029. According to the insider, Apple needs to fix the problems of the original Vision Pro — its poor design and excessively high price. As a reminder, the current Vision Pro costs $3,499 — roughly 377,000 rubles in Russia. It was precisely the price and weight that made the first generation a niche product. By the way, Apple is already considering building a display directly into the lenses of its future glasses.
Should You Wait for Apple Smart Glasses?
In short — there’s no need to rush or start saving money right now. Actual smart glasses sales are still at least a year and a half away, and Vision Air is two to three years out. All the dates mentioned are insider reports, not official promises, and they could easily shift again, as already happened with the glasses.
Who should keep an eye on this topic:
- Those who have been eyeing Meta’s* Ray-Ban glasses and are waiting for an Apple alternative — but the wait will be long
- Those who wanted to buy Vision Pro but were put off by the price — the lighter version could be more affordable, though this hasn’t been confirmed yet
Everyone else can safely move on: nothing new will appear in the coming year. If you need an Apple headset right now, the only option is the current Vision Pro, and the situation won’t change until 2028-2029.
*recognized as extremist and banned in Russia
