Apple’s Next Wearable Bet Rumored to be Smart Glasses That Look Like Regular Frames

Photo credit: Oleh Koval via Yanko
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman laid out Apple’s revised plans in late May. The company has pulled resources away from any quick sequel to the Vision Pro headset. Those efforts now feed a different project, one that aims for store shelves sometime in 2027. The device carries the internal name N50. It will not project images into the lenses. It will not offer the full mixed-reality experience of a headset. Instead, the glasses will serve as a direct companion to an iPhone, much the way AirPods or an Apple Watch extend what the phone already does.

Current testing has been conducted on four different frame shapes. One has a broad rectangular profile reminiscent of traditional wayfarer styles. Another opts for a smaller rectangular shape, similar to Tim Cook’s signature design. Then there are two additional options: oval and circular, with one larger and the other smaller. Apple plans to offer many of these shapes at launch, each in a different color. Colors currently being considered include black, ocean blue, and light brown.

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These frames are said to be composed of high-quality acetate rather than plastic. That choice gives them a strong, high-end feel while keeping them remarkably light. Engineers are aiming for a weight of less than 50 grams to keep the glasses comfortable while not calling attention to the technology inside. Different sizes are being looked at also, to ensure a decent fit on pretty much every facial shape

Two cameras are mounted in the front of the frames, one for taking high-resolution photos and videos and the other for computer-vision work, which involves taking a closer look at the scene in front of the wearer to enable things like object recognition, text translation, and basic spatial awareness. When the cameras are turned on, indicator lights appear. The typical suspects of microphones and open-ear speakers are added for calls, music playback, and speech interactions.

The lower-level duties on the glasses are handled by a proprietary chip, internally referred to as N401, which is derived from the same silicon used in Apple watches. Anything more demanding is transferred to the associated iPhone over Bluetooth or an ultra-wideband link. This way, the glasses don’t require much power while yet allowing them to access Apple Intelligence functions operating directly on the phone. This also preserves personal information on the user’s devices rather than transmitting it elsewhere.

Siri is also set to receive a slight upgrade around the same time these glasses appear. The enhanced assistant will be able to draw on deeper information from the cameras and phone, allowing it to have more natural conversations and handle on-the-spot requests. Visual intelligence tools allow someone to point the glasses at a landmark, a plant, or a menu and receive useful information without having to enter or tap anything.

Prescription lenses will be supported, allowing the glasses to replace a user’s current eyewear. Early estimates put the beginning price between $299 to $499, with additional charges for prescription work. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects first-year shipments of 3-5 million units if the launch goes as planned. Production is expected to pick up in the second quarter of 2027, with a spring or summer release at the latest. An official announcement might occur as early as late 2026, possibly at a fall event or even WWDC.
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