Many rumours and leaks have pointed toward Apple entering the smart glasses arena and the latest information backs that up yet again. The brand's first pair of glasses is rumoured to compete with the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and could arrive in different frame styles, leaning toward premium aesthetics.
The First Apple Smart Glasses are Coming
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is currently testing at least four different frame styles for its upcoming smart glasses. Similar to the original Apple Watch release in 2015, the brand plans to debut several different styles and colours to appeal to a wide variety of audiences.
The four styles that are being tested include a thick rectangular frame like the Ray-Ban Metas, a slimmer rectangular design frequently worn by Apple CEO Tim Cook, a large oval frame and a smaller, more subtly circular option.
For those unaware, a Ray-Ban Meta-like form factor means these will be standard wearable spectacles equipped with cameras, microphones and sensors with an AI assistant at the centre of the experience.
Apple Smartglasses Will Boast a Durable Body
Rather than relying on standard plastics, Apple is reportedly building the main body out of Acetate. For those unaware, it's a durable, luxurious material used in high-end designer eyewear. Even the Ray-Ban Metas come in acetate frames.
The brand is reportedly exploring several finishes as well, including Classic Black, Ocean Blue and Light Brown. Additionally, the glasses could be easily distinguishable with front-facing cameras arranged ovally surrounded by indicator lights, likely for privacy.
Gurman further suggests that the Apple XR AI Glasses could be a hybrid between AirPods and Apple Watch. They will pair directly with an iPhone, relay incoming notifications, capture photos and videos, play audio and enable hands-free interactions with an upgraded Gemini-powered Siri and Apple's Visual Intelligence features.
The tipster also reports that the glasses could be announced by early 2027, with a retail launch slated for the spring or summer of 2027.
However, if we were to go by Ming-Chi Kuo's Apple Wearable launch roadmap, they could be released by the second half of 2028. As of now, Apple's upcoming AI XR glasses will be a part of a broader push into new wearable form factors.
