Apple bets on smart glasses to rival Meta’s AR lineup
In a move that could redefine its approach to augmented reality, Apple may be reallocating resources from the Vision Pro project to develop its own line of smart glasses designed to compete with Meta’s Ray-Ban and Oakley displays. Citing Bloomberg, the report suggests Apple is prioritizing a new generation of eyewear over continuing to refine the current Vision Pro headset.
Two-model strategy outlined by Bloomberg
According to the outlet, Apple is pursuing at least two smart glasses models. The first, internally codenamed N50, would connect to an iPhone and would not include its own built-in display. This lightweight approach would rely on the iPhone for processing and content delivery, with a launch projection that could see a reveal next year and a commercial release around 2027.
The second model is expected to feature its own display and would directly challenge Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta Display. While a 2028 launch had been anticipated, Apple is reportedly accelerating development timelines to bring a more competitive option to market sooner.
Apple vs. Meta: what the glasses must deliver
Meta’s smart glasses lineup — Ray-Ban Meta, Oakley Meta, and the newer Ray-Ban Meta Display — integrates artificial intelligence through the Meta AI assistant, enabling voice-activated contextual information. Live video streaming from the glasses has made Meta a popular choice for sharing training sessions, travel, and daily moments in real time. The Oakley variants are tailored for athletes and outdoor use, with a 12-megapixel camera, 3K video recording, eight hours of battery life, and options for Oakley Prizm and Prizm Polarized lenses that offer UV protection and impact resistance. Both Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta include Meta AI to power voice commands and contextual queries.
These devices target a broad spectrum of users: casual wearers who want quick access to information without reaching for a phone, and active users who demand rugged hardware for sports and outdoor activities.
Vision Pro vs. future Apple glasses: a quick snapshot
Apple’s Vision Pro, unveiled in 2024, represents Apple’s first major AR push since the Apple Watch era. It combines dual micro‑OLED displays totaling about 23 million pixels, with refresh rates ranging from 90 to 100 Hz depending on the content. The hardware backbone is the M2 CPU/GPU and a dedicated R1 chip that handles sensor data with minimal latency. Storage options range from 256 GB to 1 TB, and the headset relies on a suite of cameras and sensors for environmental tracking, eye tracking, LiDAR, and ambient light sensing. Audio is delivered through spatial speakers and multiple microphones, while visionOS enables interaction through eye movements, hand gestures, and voice commands, presenting apps as floating windows in a three-dimensional space. Battery life sits at roughly two hours when not connected to power, making Vision Pro more suited for shorter sessions or stationary use.
What this potential shift means for users
If Apple proceeds with a lighter, iPhone-connected model alongside a full-display option, users could enjoy a phased AR strategy: a more affordable entry point that piggybacks on iPhone processing, followed by a premium, self-contained glasses system that blends the real world with digital content. For Apple, the move would expand beyond a single device into a broader eyewear ecosystem, potentially synchronizing with iPhone features like Face ID, Apple Photos, and native AR-friendly apps, while keeping pace with Meta’s AI-driven features.
Bottom line
Bloomberg’s reporting points to a pivotal period for Apple’s AR ambitions. Moving away from a sole focus on Vision Pro toward a two-model smart glasses lineup could position Apple directly against Meta’s aggressively marketed glass wearables, combining lightweight mobility with AI-powered functionality for everyday use. The coming years will reveal whether Apple’s glasses strategy can capture broad consumer interest and redefine how we interact with the digital layer in daily life.
