Apple appears to be quietly working on a new product that could challenge Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is developing a custom chip for smart glasses, with a launch expected sometime between late 2026 and 2027.
But don’t expect a futuristic mixed-reality headset. Apple’s first glasses are rumored to offer basic smart features like photo and video capture, putting them in direct competition with Meta’s camera-equipped eyewear.
Apple’s Custom Chip for Smart Glasses
The upcoming smart glasses won’t rely on an iPhone-style processor. Instead, Gurman reports that Apple is designing a low-power chip similar to the Apple Watch processor produced by longtime partner TSMC.
The chip will be:
- Highly energy-efficient, removing unnecessary components
- Optimized for long battery life
- Capable of powering multiple integrated cameras in the glasses
Mass production of the chip could start in late 2026, suggesting that Apple’s smart glasses could debut in 2027.
Apple Expands Its Wearables Portfolio
This project reflects Apple’s bigger push to expand its camera-equipped wearables lineup. Apple is already developing custom chips for future camera-enabled AirPods (codenamed “Glennie“) and a camera-equipped Apple Watch (codenamed “Nevis“), both rumored for around the same timeline of 2027.
The company currently offers:
- Apple Watch
- AirPods
- Vision Pro (Apple’s $3,500 mixed reality headset launched in 2024)
However, Vision Pro targets a niche professional market. Apple’s rumored smart glasses would aim for a wider, more mainstream audience—competing directly with the likes of Meta’s Ray-Ban Stories.
What do you think about Apple’s move into camera-equipped smart glasses? Are you excited or skeptical? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
