Apple is currently developing a new set of smart glasses that will feature artificial intelligence integration and is expected to be released in various frame designs and color choices later this year.
According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, the design team at Apple is evaluating at least four different styles of frames for these smart glasses, which will come in finishes such as black, ocean blue, and light brown. The potential designs include a large rectangular frame reminiscent of Ray-Ban Wayfarers, a more streamlined rectangular style, a larger oval or circular shape, and a smaller oval or circular variant, as detailed in Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter.
Additionally, Apple aims to use more premium materials for the frame, such as acetate, rather than opting for standard plastic. The company is focused on developing a distinctive design that will help its smart glasses stand out in a competitive landscape.
Despite the current early-stage adoption of smart glasses, a recent report from Counterpoint Research indicated that the market experienced a 139% year-over-year growth in the second half of 2025 compared to 2024. This increase is largely driven by the rising popularity of Meta’s line of AI smart glasses.
For Apple, the upcoming smart glasses are part of a larger initiative to introduce a variety of new AI-driven devices in the coming years. The company is also anticipated to unveil its first foldable iPhone in September 2026. Other products rumored to be in development include AirPods with built-in cameras, a smart home display, and a wearable pendant featuring cameras.
A notable feature of Apple’s smart glasses may be an innovative camera system. Reports suggest that the company is looking into a setup with vertically aligned oval lenses accompanied by surrounding lights. This camera system is expected to facilitate video and photo capture, along with integrated microphones and speakers for handling phone calls and notifications as well as playing music.
The smart glasses will reportedly utilize a multimodal AI model, allowing for enhanced interactions with Siri and advanced visual intelligence capabilities. However, these glasses will not support augmented reality (AR) functionalities like the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses. Apple is also said to be developing advanced AR glasses with integrated displays, although their release may still be some time away.
As for the AI-integrated smart glasses, Apple is aiming for a launch by late 2026 or early next year, with the first shipments expected by the end of 2027, according to Gurman.
