May 22, 2025 - Technology

Apple plans AI glasses in 2026: Report

Scott Rosenberg

Photo illustration of an apple wearing Apple's Vision Pro headset. — Photo illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Apple intends to release smart AI-enabled glasses before the end of 2026, Bloomberg reports.

Why it matters: Apple has been slow to craft an effective AI strategy and its high-end Vision Pro headset has failed to take off with consumers. Meanwhile, Meta's Ray-Ban glasses are popular and OpenAI has just doubled-down on an AI device strategy.

Details: The new Apple glasses would boast a camera, microphone and speakers, similar to Meta's specs, and would provide access to the Siri voice assistant, according to Bloomberg.

Unlike a previously scrapped plan, the new glasses would not require connection to a Mac.
But Apple is shelving plans for an enhanced Apple Watch that uses a camera to monitor its surrounding, also per Bloomberg.

The big picture: Meta's Ray-Ban glasses have been a hit, and Meta is working on a new version that has a small display — and has also shown off a higher-end prototype, Orion.

Google is also testing prototype smart glasses with a small display and earlier this week announced a plan to bring them to market with Warby Parker and other partners — though they won't debut until at least next year.

Editor's note: This story is breaking news and may be updated.

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Apple plans AI glasses in 2026: Report

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