Apple's AI smart glasses now expected in 2027, Vision Air may follow in 2029: Report

Apple's ambitions in the smart glasses market are no secret. The company has been working on AI-powered glasses designed to rival products like the Meta Ray-Ban lineup while serving as a new hardware platform for Siri and Visual Intelligence. However, while the wearable was once expected to debut by the end of this year, fresh reports suggest Apple may have pushed its launch back to late 2027. The latest details come from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who shared the information in his recent Power On newsletter.

According to Gurman, Apple is not simply looking to launch another pair of smart glasses. Instead, the company is aiming to reshape the category and establish a significant presence in the broader eyewear market. In doing so, Apple could find itself competing with industry heavyweights such as EssilorLuxottica, the company behind popular brands including Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Persol.

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While the Siri update remains on track for release before the end of this year, Apple's visual AI technology is still not up to par. As a result, Apple is expected to launch these glasses as a hardware platform for Apple Intelligence, though the product's feature set is likely to expand over time.

The slip in the timeline highlights Cupertino's determination not to launch a half-baked product.

Apple is reportedly targeting the mainstream segment, with products potentially priced between $200 and $599. However, the company may not limit itself to a single model or price point. Instead, Apple could introduce multiple variants catering to different customer segments, much like it has done with the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods lineups.

The company is expected to rely heavily on its industrial design expertise, brand appeal, and ecosystem integration to attract buyers. Rather than positioning the glasses purely as a technology product, Apple may market them as a lifestyle accessory that users would be willing to wear every day and eventually replace as part of their regular eyewear purchases.

Following the Apple Watch Playbook

Apple's strategy for smart glasses could mirror the approach it took with the Apple Watch. When the smartwatch debuted, Apple marketed it not only as a piece of technology but also as a fashion and lifestyle product. Combined with the company's strong brand image and ecosystem advantages, that approach helped drive widespread adoption.

Reports suggest Apple's upcoming smart glasses will also lean heavily on Apple Intelligence features and deep integration with the iPhone. By combining AI-powered capabilities with a familiar design-focused approach, Apple hopes to create a compelling alternative in a market that is increasingly attracting attention from major technology and eyewear companies alike.

Vision Air to Debut in 2028–2029

Development of Vision Air was reportedly put on the back burner as Apple shifted its focus toward the AI-powered smart glasses outlined above. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, that is expected to change in the coming years, with Apple gradually redirecting resources back to its lighter and more affordable mixed-reality headset.

The slimmer and lighter Vision Air is now expected to debut sometime between late 2028 and 2029.

Given that the original Vision Pro was introduced in 2023, a 2029 launch for its more consumer-friendly counterpart may seem like a long wait. However, Gurman suggests the category is effectively "on ice" until then, indicating that Apple is unlikely to introduce any major new headset hardware beyond the upcoming M5-powered Vision Pro refresh.

As things stand, users should not expect a significant expansion of Apple's mixed-reality lineup for another two to three years, when Vision Air is finally expected to make its debut.