Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its first smart glasses in late 2027, a device that would take the company into a product category it has so far watched from the sidelines. According to reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and MacRumors, the glasses will feature two cameras, hand gesture controls, built-in speakers and an AI-powered version of Siri, and they could be unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2027 ahead of a release later that year. The reports stress that the product remains unannounced, and that its final design, features, pricing and release date could still change.
Unlike traditional augmented reality glasses, Apple’s first model is not expected to have a display. Instead, it will rely on cameras, voice commands and artificial intelligence to help users interact with their surroundings. That choice is significant, because it positions the glasses less as a screen worn on the face and more as an intelligent companion that sees, hears and responds. It also reflects a pragmatic reading of the technology: a display adds cost, weight, battery demands and manufacturing complexity, while a camera-and-voice device can be lighter, more discreet and closer to ordinary eyewear.
Two Cameras and AI Features
Apple’s smart glasses are expected to include two cameras with different functions. The first will reportedly be a high-resolution camera for taking photos and recording videos, giving users a hands-free way to capture moments without reaching for a phone. The second will be a lower-resolution wide-angle camera designed to recognise hand gestures and provide visual information to Siri. That combination could allow users to control certain features through hand movements rather than touching the glasses or using their phones, and it could help Siri understand what a user is looking at and provide relevant information about their surroundings.
Built-In Speakers and No Display
Apple is reportedly focusing on AI-powered assistance rather than displaying digital information directly in front of the user’s eyes. The glasses will feature built-in speakers and microphones for listening to music, making phone calls and interacting with Siri, and users could also receive spoken notifications and potentially get walking directions through voice instructions. For many everyday uses, spoken guidance may be enough, and it keeps the wearer’s eyes on the world rather than on a floating screen.
However, the first version is not expected to include an augmented reality display, and Apple may introduce display technology in future models, though reports suggest such features are still several years away. That restraint may disappoint those hoping for a true augmented reality headset in glasses form, but it also avoids the compromises that have held back earlier display glasses, including limited fields of view, dim visuals outdoors and short battery life. By leaving the display out, Apple can focus on getting the fundamentals right: comfort, battery life, audio quality and a reliable AI assistant.
Four Designs and Privacy Features
Apple is reportedly testing at least four frame designs for its smart glasses. These include a large rectangular frame similar to Ray-Ban Wayfarers, a slimmer rectangular design, and two oval or circular options in different sizes. The company is also exploring several colours, including black, ocean blue and light brown, and according to Bloomberg it is developing its own frames using acetate, a material commonly used in eyewear. The glasses could feature vertically arranged oval camera lenses with surrounding lights, a detail that would make the camera hardware visible rather than hidden.
Apple is also reportedly working on privacy protections, including a visible indicator to alert people when the cameras are recording. That feature matters, because glasses with cameras raise obvious questions about consent and surveillance in public and private spaces. A clear recording light does not resolve every concern, but it is a meaningful step, and it signals that Apple understands the social acceptance of the product will depend as much on trust as on technology. The company has not confirmed the final camera and privacy features, so these details remain subject to change.
Expected Launch and Pricing
Apple reportedly targets late 2027 for the release of its first smart glasses, though it could announce them earlier at WWDC 2027. The company had previously considered launching the device sooner, but development delays reportedly pushed back the schedule, a reminder that wearable hardware is difficult to perfect and that Apple has historically preferred to arrive later with a polished product than first with a flawed one. Bloomberg has suggested that Apple intends to compete with smart glasses currently sold in the two hundred to five hundred dollar range, though Apple has not announced an official price.
The glasses are expected to compete with Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, offering similar camera and audio functions with closer integration into Apple’s AI and iPhone ecosystem. Meta has the advantage of already selling glasses that people wear, while Apple has an enormous base of iPhone users. The real test will be whether AI glasses become a daily habit or remain a niche gadget, and Apple will be judged on whether people actually want to wear its vision of the future.
