Apple is reportedly testing four distinct frame designs for its upcoming smart glasses, signaling a push into the fast-growing wearable tech segment. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company aims to launch its first pair of smart glasses in 2027, with a potential unveiling of prototypes or concepts as early as the end of 2026. Gurman indicates that Apple's design team has explored multiple options to appeal to a broad range of consumers, and the final lineup could include some or all these styles.
The designs under consideration include a large rectangular frame, a slimmer rectangular version similar to the everyday glasses worn by CEO Tim Cook, a larger oval or circular design, and a smaller, more refined oval or circular option. In addition to various designs, Apple is experimenting with premium materials and attractive colour finishes, such as classic black, ocean blue, and light brown.
This approach represents a notable shift from Apple's earlier, more ambitious vision of launching a full suite of mixed and augmented reality devices. That plan faced significant hurdles, including repeated delays and the relatively muted consumer response to the high-priced Vision Pro headset.
In contrast, the planned smart glasses will adopt a more practical, lightweight design that prioritises comfort and daily wearability over immersive displays. They will lack built-in displays entirely, focusing instead on core features like capturing high-quality photos and videos through specially designed oval camera lenses, handling phone calls, streaming music, and enabling natural interaction with an upgraded version of Siri (expected in future iOS updates).
Apple's smart glasses appear similar to those from Meta in core functionalities. Meta has achieved notable success with its Ray-Ban smart glasses, which combine stylish design with cameras, speakers, and AI capabilities.
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