Apple AI Smart Glasses to Rival Meta Ray-Bans

Apple Plans AI Smart Glasses to Take On Meta’s Ray-Bans

Apple is developing its first pair of AI-powered smart glasses. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman broke the news in his Power On newsletter. The product will directly compete with Meta’s popular Ray-Ban smart glasses. Apple plans to announce the glasses as soon as the end of this year or early next year.

Gurman reported that shipments will begin by the end of 2027. The glasses will integrate with the iPhone and Apple’s wider device ecosystem. Apple hopes its reputation for premium design will help it stand out. The smart glasses market is growing fast, and Apple wants a major share.

Four Distinct Frame Styles in Testing

Apple’s design team has created at least four frame styles for the glasses. Each style targets a different consumer taste and aesthetic. The company is also testing multiple finishes and color options. Potential colors include black, ocean blue, and light brown.

The four designs currently in testing are distinct from one another. Gurman described each one based on conversations with employees working on the project. Here is what Apple is reportedly testing:

A large rectangular frame, reminiscent of Ray-Ban Wayfarers
A slimmer rectangular design, similar to glasses worn by CEO Tim Cook
Larger oval or circular frames
A smaller, more refined oval or circular option

Apple’s approach to variety mirrors its strategy with other product lines. The company offers multiple Apple Watch styles and AirPods tiers. Offering style choices signals Apple’s intent to appeal to a wide audience. This breadth of design could give Apple an edge in the crowded wearables market.

Premium Materials Define Apple’s Design Ambition

Apple plans to use acetate for the main body of the glasses. Gurman described acetate as more durable and luxurious than standard plastic. This material choice reflects Apple’s push for a high-end build. The goal is to position the glasses above competitors on quality and feel.

Apple internally refers to this design objective as the “icon” strategy. Gurman explained Apple’s thinking directly. “As with AirPods and the Apple Watch, the goal is to create a design that is instantly recognizable,” he wrote. Apple wants consumers to identify the glasses at a glance.

The camera setup will also differ from Meta’s glasses. Apple is opting for vertically oriented oval lenses. Surrounding indicator lights will frame the camera area. This design feature serves both aesthetic and functional purposes.

What the Glasses Can and Cannot Do

The smart glasses will not feature a built-in display. They are not augmented reality devices like the second-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses. Apple positions them differently from AR headsets like the Vision Pro. Think of them as a wearable blend of Apple Watch and AirPods functionality.

The glasses will include cameras for capturing photos and videos. Microphones and speakers will handle phone calls, listening to notifications, and playing music. Sensors will enable hands-free interactions with AI features. Users will also gain access to upgraded Siri and visual intelligence capabilities.

Apple’s AI will use the sensors to better understand the user’s surroundings. This mirrors how Meta positions its own glasses around AI interaction. Meta allows users to ask questions about things they are currently seeing. Apple appears ready to build similar — and potentially more advanced — functionality.

Indicator Lights Address Privacy Concerns

Apple’s glasses will include external indicator lights. These lights will show bystanders when the glasses are active. Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses already use a small glowing light during camera use. Apple’s version appears to expand on this idea with a more prominent design.

Privacy concerns around smart glasses remain a serious issue. Critics argue that wearable cameras let people film others without consent. Tech companies launching into this space face public scrutiny. Apple’s indicator light design suggests the company is aware of these concerns.

The lights surrounding the camera lenses serve a dual purpose. They differentiate Apple’s product visually from Meta’s offering. They also signal transparency to people nearby. This approach may help Apple navigate growing public debate around wearable surveillance.

A Fast-Growing Market Dominated by Meta

The smart glasses market is expanding rapidly. According to Counterpoint Research, the category grew 139% year-over-year in the second half of 2025. That figure compares performance in the second half of 2025 against the same period in 2024. Counterpoint Research credited Meta’s AI smart glasses portfolio for driving the growth.

Meta currently leads the smart glasses market by a significant margin. Its Ray-Ban collaboration has proven popular with consumers worldwide. Apple entering the market adds serious competitive pressure. Analysts expect Apple’s brand strength to shake up the category.

Apple is also reportedly working on a separate product with a built-in display. That device would overlay digital information onto the real world. It could function as a slimmer version of the Vision Pro headset. Meta has pursued a similar dual-track strategy with sensors-only glasses and AR headsets.

Apple Follows a Proven Wearables Playbook

Apple entered the smartwatch market after Pebble and others had already established it. It entered the wireless earbuds market after various competitors had launched products. In both cases, Apple reshaped the category with design and ecosystem integration. The smart glasses push follows that same proven formula.

The glasses will work in collaboration with the iPhone and other Apple devices. This tight integration is a core part of Apple’s product strategy. Users already tied to Apple’s ecosystem will find the glasses a natural addition. The seamless connection between devices strengthens Apple’s competitive position.

Apple has not officially confirmed the glasses. The company did not respond to requests for comment. All details come from Gurman’s reporting and employees working on the project. A formal announcement could come as early as late 2025 or early 2026.

Apple’s 2027 Timeline Sets the Stage

Apple’s entry into smart glasses marks a bold strategic move. The company targets a late 2026 announcement with shipments by end of 2027. Four distinct frame styles, premium acetate materials, and AI integration define the product. Apple is aiming to build the defining smart glasses of the next decade.