Apple AI glasses to come in multiple designs and an oval camera; will rival Meta glasses

Apple

• Apple developing AI-powered smart glasses to rival Meta
• Glasses may launch by late 2027 with multiple styles and colors
• Includes camera, Siri, and real-time assistance

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Rumours about Apple working on a new category of wearable devices in the form of AI-powered smart glasses has been around for a while now. Several leaks and rumours have already surfaced and now new details around the Apple's Meta glasses rival has surfaced revealing key details about it along with a tentative launch timeline. According to a report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman , the upcoming product is expected to compete directly with offerings from Meta, particularly in the camera-enabled smart glasses segment. The company is focusing on design variety, camera innovation, and tighter integration with its existing ecosystem. The glasses are also part of a broader push by Apple to expand its AI capabilities across devices and bring more context-aware features to everyday user interactions.

Multiple styles and materials in development

The report states that Apple is testing at least four different frame designs for its upcoming glasses. These include rectangular and oval shapes, with variations in size and thickness to cater to different user preferences.

The company is also exploring multiple colour options such as black, ocean blue, and light brown. The frames are expected to use acetate material, which is typically associated with higher durability compared to standard plastic used in many existing smart glasses.

New oval camera design

One of the notable changes is the camera system. Apple is said to be working on vertically aligned oval-shaped camera lenses, accompanied by surrounding lights. This differs from the circular camera modules seen on products like the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.

The camera is expected to support features such as capturing photos and videos, with seamless syncing to a connected iPhone for editing and sharing.

Apple’s smart glasses are expected to handle daily use cases including phone calls, notifications, music playback, and voice interactions. These functions will be powered by an upgraded version of Siri, designed to offer more contextual awareness using AI.

The glasses will also rely on computer vision to interpret surroundings and provide real-time assistance, such as navigation prompts and reminders.

The report also highlights that Apple’s approach is expected to focus on deeper integration with its ecosystem, particularly the iPhone. Unlike competitors that rely on partnerships for hardware design, Apple is working on the product internally to maintain control over design and user experience.

Meta currently leads this category with its camera-equipped smart glasses, but Apple is aiming to differentiate through build quality, ecosystem integration, and software capabilities.

Launch timeline

The smart glasses are reportedly being developed under an internal codename and could be announced by the end of 2026 or early 2027, with availability expected later in 2027.