Apple is testing four frame designs for its first smart glasses, with an announcement planned for late 2026 and retail availability slated for spring or summer 2027, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.
The glasses will act as an iPhone accessory rather than a standalone AR platform, according to the report. The devices will capture first-person photos and video, stream music, display notifications, and power Visual Intelligence, Apple's AI driven object-recognition feature. Four frame styles are in testing, ranging from large rectangular acetate frames to a smaller round design reminiscent of Tim Cook's personal eyewear.
This marks Apple's shift toward a three-piece wearable strategy designed to expand its on-device AI ecosystem. By offloading heavy processing to the iPhone, the glasses avoid bulky displays while still delivering AI features that could attract developers and consumers seeking seamless cross-device integration. The approach mirrors Meta's successful Ray-Ban collaboration, positioning Apple to compete directly in the AI enabled eyewear market.
Industry analysts are highlighting Apple's premium material choices: acetate frames with integrated oval-shaped camera blocks. Colors under evaluation include black, dark blue, and light brown. The front cameras will feature subtle LED indicators to signal when recording is active.
Apple's smart glasses complement upcoming camera-equipped AirPods and a pendant-camera accessory. Together they form a broader wearables push that aims to create an interconnected ecosystem of AI powered devices, each designed to capture and process information in different contexts throughout the user's day.
Consumers can expect an announcement by the end of 2026, followed by availability in 2027. As Apple refines the design, the company may open Visual Intelligence to third-party developers, enabling apps that reshape how users capture and interact with everyday moments, from instant translations to contextual shopping suggestions.
