Apple is reportedly developing a new pair of smart glasses that closely resemble traditional spectacles, with features of the device emerging online. The announcement follows the launch of the Apple Vision Pro, a mixed-reality headset that debuted in select markets last year at a price of $3,499 (approximately Rs. 2,98,600). The anticipated smart glasses from Apple are expected to have a design similar to Meta’s Project Orion prototype revealed last year, or the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which retail for as much as $379 (around Rs. 32,000).
Potential Features of Apple’s Smart Glasses
In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that the proposed Apple smart glasses are codenamed N50. These glasses are expected to rival Meta’s forthcoming smart glasses, which are anticipated to launch later in the year, featuring a small display and application support, unlike the earlier Ray-Ban Meta version.
According to Gurman, the upcoming Apple smart glasses will be capable of “analyzing the surrounding environment and providing information to the wearer,” although they will not be classified as “true augmented reality (AR)” devices. He further noted that the product is still in the early stages of development but will incorporate Apple Intelligence features.
Previous reports indicated that Apple has not yet reached a decision regarding the inclusion of media-capturing functionalities in its smart glasses, primarily due to privacy issues. In contrast, the Ray-Ban Meta glasses offer users the ability to take photos and videos with an integrated camera and microphone, as well as a built-in speaker.
Further speculation suggested that Apple’s smart glasses, along with AirPods featuring cameras, could hit the market by 2027. Another analysis pointed out that the company may require “three to five years” to fully launch its AR smart glasses, facing challenges in balancing the device’s weight, battery life, and price.
Meanwhile, Meta has announced that its collaborative smart glasses with Ray-Ban will soon expand availability to new markets, including India, the UAE, and Mexico.
