Apple intends to debut its first smart glasses at WWDC in June 2027 and ship them before the end of that year, as reported by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg.
Apple Smart Glasses Hardware Design
Current prototypes of the smart glasses, internally code-named “N50,” are slightly thinner than Meta’s second-generation Ray-Bans. They feature oval lenses with cameras flush to the frame.
The frames are tested in acetate and metal finishes with support for prescription lenses. They include a front-facing status light and a proprietary three-pin magnetic charger.
According to The Verge, the MagSafe-like charger is flat, rectangular, and “roughly the size of a Tic Tac,” and it works even while still wearing the glasses.
Inside, the prototypes run a pared-down version of visionOS 28 and use a processor derived from older Apple Watch chips. Custom wireless components and a real-time vision engine handle image processing as the cameras capture scenes.
The device includes Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows certain functions outside third-party apps to operate when a paired iPhone is not nearby. Employees have described the audio quality as industry-leading, with support for phone calls, music playback, and FaceTime audio communication.
Some employees have described the product as “AirPods for your face,” reflecting its core focus on audio and everyday assistance.
Development on the eyewear began early in the 2020s. Apple is reported to have largely finalized the physical hardware.
Artificial intelligence and software continue to hinder progress and could delay the 2027 release. Privacy is expected to be a major focus, with Apple prototyping a range of new hardware and software-related privacy features not found on current products.
Apple’s Secure Exclave technology is central to the feature set and privacy messaging. The company is preparing AI products that watch, listen, and report on the surrounding world.
Siri AI Uses App Intents to Execute iPhone Tasks
Rather than running third-party software locally, the glasses rely on a paired iPhone and use Siri AI to execute tasks by voice. Apple wants developers to make specific functions within their existing iPhone apps accessible to Siri using App Intents rather than building standalone apps for the glasses.
Apple opened Siri AI to developers in the iOS 27.3 developer preview on November 3. “bring its content and actions into Siri AI using App Intents, adds skills so Siri can chain several of an app's actions into one request, and opens App Store submission” allowed apps to bring content and actions into Siri AI ahead of an App Store submission rollout scheduled for the spring.
Apple also provides tools such as a Siri Integration Advisor in Xcode and a Siri Evaluations framework. These script conversations and catch when Siri handles intents differently.
Planned uses for the assistant include booking restaurant tables through OpenTable, requesting rides through Uber or Lyft, ordering coffee at Starbucks, shopping on Amazon, and buying Fandango tickets.
Additional supported features cover visual intelligence, identifying buildings, translating signs and conversations, and suggesting meals based on refrigerator ingredients. They also handle notifications, messages, calendars, reminders, and smart home controls.
Apple plans to release support for its own apps in December. Third-party support will arrive in 2027.
Quick Intelligent Equipment Participates in Apple Wearable Projects
Chinese manufacturing equipment maker Quick Intelligent Equipment said during its November 10 quarterly earnings briefing that it participated in Apple’s AI glasses project and new smart earphone projects. The company expects the work to increase demand for its machine vision inspection systems, precision welding solutions, and assembly tools.
Apple’s upcoming wearable enters a fast-growing market.
Global shipments of AI glasses jumped 263% year over year in the first half of 2026. Displayless models accounted for 96% of those units.
Meta controls roughly 94% of the category with Ray-Ban collaboration models starting at stated prices.
Common Questions About Apple Smart Glasses
Built-In Display Features
The first-generation model is under development without built-in displays. It relies instead on cameras, microphones, speakers, and Siri to keep the design lightweight.
A separate augmented reality glasses project is targeted by 2029.
Required iPhone Connection
The glasses require a paired and compatible iPhone nearby for third-party app integrations and demanding processing tasks. Built-in Wi-Fi allows certain audio playback and non-app functions to continue working when the iPhone is out of range.
“require a paired and compatible iPhone nearby,” select apps said Apple in an October announcement.
Earlier coverage: Apple Eyes 2027 for Smart Glasses, Focusing on Siri AI Integration
