Presently, the Apple Glasses are said to come out in late 2026. Potentially, the device may be unveiled alongside Apple's first foldable iPhone. Alternatively, it may land in early 2027. Some reports indicate a 2028 release as well, but the most reports indicate 2027 is the year.
Device family
Announcement
Market release
Apple Glasses
fall 2026 or spring 2027*
fall 2026 or spring 2027*
* - probable dates
Reportedly, Apple's smart glasses have been delayed because of Apple Intelligence. Meanwhile, there are some rumors that hint the smart glasses by Cupertino may come together with the iPhone 18 as well.
Rumor has it that Apple is accelerating the smart glasses development now. Also, Google recently officially announced its own take on smart glasses in collaboration with Samsung, so the competition is heating up now.
Apple Glasses price
Currently, the Apple Glasses price has not leaked just yet. Expectations are they would be priced around Meta's smart glasses. For certain, they would be cheaper than the full AR/VR device Apple Vision Pro which starts at $3,499.
Apple Glasses camera
Earlier rumors claimed that Apple's smart glasses were not going to have cameras because of privacy concerns. However, later, reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed an Apple AR headset would actually sport a whole 15 cameras, with eight of them used for AR video.
Now, newer reports hint that the Apple smart glasses may sport a high-resolution camera for photo and video capture.
The smart glasses are also believed to feature another camera for "computer vision". That would be providing environmental context to the device, potentially to be analyzed by AI for AI features.
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Meanwhile, we've also heard that Apple's LiDAR sensor could make it into the smart glasses. Considering that LiDAR isn't capable of capturing clear photos and videos of people like a standard camera and will be useful for scanning the user's environment to enhance AR apps, Apple might be able to avoid potential privacy concerns despite including it.
Apple Glasses design
The latest info on the potential Apple Glass design claims that the device is not going to have displays. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the glasses would be intended as something you'd actually wear.
This falls in line with Google's recent Intelligent Eyewear announcement, where the company said it's first launching audio-only smart glasses, with the display-equipped version saved for a later time.
Meanwhile, Gurman says that Cupertino is going to design the frames in-house, deciding not to partner with glasses companies, unlike the competition (Meta, Google, and Samsung).
According to the report, Apple is testing four different styles for the Apple Glasses' design: a large Wayfarer style, a slimmer rectangular option, larger oval frames, and smaller oval frames.
The report also claims the glasses may be made from acetate, which is a premium material more durable than plastic. Expect three colors for the frames, according to Gurman: black, ocean blue, and light brown.
A patent submission from earlier hints at what we can expect from the glasses' design. The patent was submitted alongside 85 other entries, some of which related to the Vision Pro.
Apple Glasses concept. | Image by Martin Hajek for iDrop News
Apple glasses concept. | Image by EverythingApplePro
Prosser also mentioned that prescription lenses will be supported by Apple Glasses, which suggests that their lenses might be interchangeable, just like the Vision Pro.
Apple AR headset concept. | Image by AntonioDeRosa
Apple Glasses display
Currently, the Apple Glasses are expected to be display-free, according to a recent report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Earlier rumors claimed that the Apple Glasses may have either one or two projectors in each frame, which would cast the image onto the lenses, but that seems not to be the case.
Apple Glasses concept. | Image by Martin Hajek for iDrop News
Back in 2019, a CNET report suggested that the Apple glasses would project in 8K, meaning an impressive 7680 x 4320 pixel resolution for each eye.
Apple HMD (head-mounted display) patent image from 2019. | Image by Apple
It's widely believed that the device isn't going to have a huge battery. Obviously, we have the size constraint of the design, so large batteries are just about out of the question.
Potentially, Apple would be able to integrate a small battery cell into the frame of the glasses.
Image from an Apple patent showing an AR headset charging in a docking station. | Image by Apple
Several Apple patent applications, which were published in 2020, suggested that Apple is considering its glasses to charge wirelessly on a dedicated dock. Judging by the most plausible patent, the glasses will contain magnets and coils that will connect with the dock, allowing for inductive charging.
Apple recently unveiled Siri AI during WWDC 2026. The long-awaited update to the digital assistant brings all the advanced AI capabilities we're seeing in competitors including natural language, personal context awareness and the ability to take actions in apps on your behalf.
Likely, Siri AI would be key to interacting with Apple's smart glasses. Expect Apple Intelligence features integrated into the device's capabilities, although (understandably) Apple didn't mention anything about smart glasses during the conference.
There's a curious rumor mentioning Apple's take on voice commands may not be what we're used to, though. Apple may be working on a way to let you control the Apple Glasses with voice, but silently with whispers. Or without anything audible at all.
According to rumors, Q.ai (a company Apple acquired not too long ago) had developed systems that could interpret facial movements to read what you are saying without it being really audible. If Apple succeeds in pulling this off with the Apple Glasses, that would definitely make the headset stand out from the competition.
Visual Intelligence uses generative AI to identify, analyze, and take actions in relation to objects in the real world (in real time). On iPhones that support the feature, you can use the Camera Control button to search for things you see or identify a plant or an element.
Moreover, Visual Intelligence can translate text that the camera is seeing or provide you with info on landmarks you're seeing.
Anticipated features for Apple Glass include projecting iPhone notifications directly into the wearer's field of view. The lenses will likely display incoming messages, real-time map directions, and contextual alerts.
Just like with the Apple Watch ecosystem, the smart glasses are expected to launch with a dedicated App Store. This platform will host custom software, including immersive 3D augmented reality (AR) games.
According to analyst reports, the wearable will also integrate built-in 5G connectivity for high-speed, standalone data access.
Apple Glasses hardware and specs
Current rumors suggest that Apple Glass will integrate at least two independent speakers. Each audio driver will sit inside the frame arms close to the ears, mirroring standard AR and VR headset setups.
A patent filing indicates the glasses could also deploy an array of built-in microphones. This hardware would capture audio frequencies beyond normal human hearing limits, using visual indicators to guide the user's line of sight directly to the noise source.
However, design patents frequently serve as internal research concepts rather than guaranteed production blueprints. Apple regularly evaluates experimental tech that never reaches mass manufacturing.
Apple glasses patent image possibly showing the planned arrangement of its microphones. | Image by Apple
Should I wait for the Apple Glasses?
You should wait for the Apple Glasses if you want a premium, deeply integrated wearable that brings Apple Intelligence and Visual Intelligence directly to your face. Anticipated for a late 2026 or early 2027 release, this device (codename N50) will likely bypass standard plastic for a durable, high-end acetate frame available in three colors and four distinct styles. If you want a device optimized for Siri AI, holding out for Apple's first pair of smart glasses will give you a highly polished alternative to the current market options.
You should not wait for the Apple Glasses if you want glasses with a display or need a functional pair of smart glasses immediately. Because Apple is reportedly prioritizing a display-free, audio-and-camera-first design to keep the frames lightweight, anyone hoping for sci-fi-style 8K lens projections or visual AR gaming will be deeply disappointed. Also, Apple's timeline remains fluid and could easily slip further into 2027 or 2028, so buying an established competitor today makes far more sense than waiting indefinitely for an unreleased first-generation product.
Iskra Petrova is a news writer at PhoneArena, where she covers mobile tech news and maintains the site’s device hubs with the latest leaked specs, rumors, and official details for upcoming phones. She joined PhoneArena in 2020 after three years in technical support for Microsoft Exchange, giving her practical experience with software infrastructure and troubleshooting. Iskra holds a Master’s Degree in Literature, which helps her translate complex tech details into clear, reader-friendly coverage. She is a daily Apple ecosystem user, while also closely following Sony Xperia’s camera-focused phones and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series.
