Apple’s long‑anticipated entry into the AI smart‑glasses market appears to be shifting further down the timeline, with new reports suggesting the company is now targeting a 2027 launch for its first pair of AI‑powered eyewear. The device, positioned as a mainstream consumer product rather than a niche tech prototype, is expected to compete directly with offerings like Meta’s Ray‑Ban smart glasses while serving as a new hardware platform for Siri and Apple’s expanding Visual Intelligence ecosystem.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has been refining its smart‑glasses strategy for years, but internal delays — particularly around visual AI capabilities — have pushed the release window back. While the company had once aimed for a debut by the end of this year, the wearable is now expected to arrive late in 2027, with a more advanced model, reportedly called Vision Air, planned for 2029.
Apple’s ambitions go beyond launching another wearable. Gurman notes that the company aims to reshape the entire smart‑glasses category, positioning itself as a major player in the broader eyewear market. This could put Apple in direct competition with giants like EssilorLuxottica, the parent company behind Ray‑Ban, Oakley and Persol.
The glasses are expected to act as a dedicated hardware platform for Apple Intelligence, even though the company’s visual AI technology is still not fully ready. Apple’s upcoming Siri update remains on track for release this year, but the glasses’ feature set will likely expand gradually as Apple improves its on‑device AI capabilities.
The project reflects Apple’s long‑term strategy to integrate AI into everyday accessories, creating a seamless blend of fashion and computing. With the smart‑glasses market heating up, Apple’s delayed but ambitious entry could redefine how consumers interact with wearable AI in the coming decade.