Apple reportedly testing four designs for upcoming smart glasses

Apple is reportedly testing four distinct designs for its upcoming smart glasses, according to details provided by Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. Gurman has been reporting steadily on the evolution of the company’s smart glasses strategy, and his latest report provides new details about how the devices will look. The company plans to sell its first iteration of the wearable device in 2027, though a possible unveiling could occur as early as the end of this year. Depending on the results of its ongoing product testing, Apple could ultimately choose to launch the smart glasses with some or all of the four designs currently under evaluation.

The four designs under consideration reportedly include a large rectangular frame, a slimmer rectangular frame similar to the glasses worn by CEO Tim Cook, a larger oval or circular frame, and a smaller oval or circular frame. Apple is also reportedly considering several color options for the device, including black, ocean blue, and light brown.

Unlike the company’s previous wearable hardware, these smart glasses will not feature any displays. Instead of projecting digital elements onto the user’s field of view, the device is expected to focus on audio, capture, and assistant features. The smart glasses will allow users to perform several everyday tasks directly from the frame, including:

• Taking photos and videos, reportedly using oval camera lenses
• Answering phone calls
• Playing music
• Interacting with Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, following a long-promised upgrade

This display-free design positions the upcoming product closer to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses than to a spatial computing headset. The glasses will not feature any displays, focusing instead on audio and camera capabilities.

The development of these glasses represents a significant strategic pivot for Apple. Under CEO Tim Cook, the company has spent years developing complex mixed and augmented reality technologies. However, Apple is now moving away from those more ambitious plans—which previously called for a variety of mixed and augmented reality devices—following product delays and the lackluster market reception of the Vision Pro, Apple’s mixed-reality headset.

Why it matters

The glasses represent a shift in strategy for Apple, moving away from more ambitious mixed and augmented reality plans following the lackluster reception of the Vision Pro.