Apple shifts focus to smartglasses, pauses work on next-gen Vision Pro

Vision Pro

Apple is reportedly turning its attention to smartglasses that could rival Meta’s Ray-Ban line, putting work on the next Vision Pro headset on hold for now. According to MacRumors, the tech giant is fast-tracking its eyewear project, aiming to bring a more fashion-forward device to market.

Much like the Apple Watch in its early days, these glasses are expected to be designed as much for style as for technology. Apple is said to be planning multiple frame options, different temple materials, and a range of colours, sizes, and shapes to give users plenty of customisation. How slim the glasses can be remains uncertain, given the need to fit a battery, processor, and cameras into the frame.

Siri is set to play a central role in how users interact with the glasses. Apple has been rebuilding its virtual assistant using large language models, with a more capable version expected by spring 2026. The upgraded Siri could handle more complex tasks, from translation and navigation to describing surroundings or even reminding users where they left their things.

While Apple’s first smartglasses reportedly won’t feature a built-in display like Meta’s Ray-Ban Display, they are expected to offer AI-driven features similar to Meta’s lower-priced models. Users could take photos and record videos, play music, podcasts, and audiobooks, make calls, send messages, navigate with directions, get real-time translations, and even identify landmarks, plants, and animals.

The device is expected to run on a custom Apple-designed chip, similar to what powers the Apple Watch. However, it likely won’t operate fully independently and will need to connect to an iPhone for AI tasks and heavier processing — a design choice that should help conserve battery life.

Industry insiders speculate that Apple could reveal the smartglasses in late 2026, with a commercial launch expected in early 2027. Pricing details haven’t been shared yet, but with Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses starting at around $380, Apple may target a similar price point to stay competitive.

With this move, Apple seems to be signalling a new chapter in wearable tech — combining style, AI, and connectivity — as it takes on the growing smartglasses market.