Apple is making significant strides in developing a custom chip for smart glasses, indicating a potential breakthrough in their long-standing project. Recent reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reveal that Apple’s silicon team is diligently working on a low-power processor tailored specifically for smart glasses.
If everything proceeds as planned, production could commence as early as late 2026 or 2027. This new processor differs from those used in Apple’s iPhones, iPads, and Macs, as it is based on energy-efficient technology similar to that found in the Apple Watch.
Apple is refining the design further by eliminating unnecessary components perfect for a pair of glasses. The objective is to create a device that maintains functionality throughout the day while keeping cool and managing multiple cameras.
For years, Apple has pursued the idea of lightweight augmented reality (AR) glasses, but fully immersive AR is not yet feasible for the mainstream market. Consequently, the company is shifting its focus toward more attainable smart glasses aimed at everyday tasks, such as capturing photos, playing audio, answering calls, and utilizing AI voice commands.
This strategy closely resembles Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. Internally, Apple has dubbed the glasses project N401 and has conducted user studies to gauge potential interactions.
The company is still investigating how best to integrate AI with camera functionalities in the glasses. Apple is not competing in isolation.
Meta is set to release a more advanced glasses model later this year, with plans for a complete AR version by 2027. Other competitors, including Amazon and Xiaomi, have also attempted to enter the smart eyewear market, although none have achieved mainstream success.
In addition to the smart glasses chip, Apple continues to develop new processors for upcoming Macs and iPads, signaling the importance of face-worn technology in the company’s future. If successful, these glasses may utilize AI to enhance daily interactions seamlessly.
However, whether consumers will readily adopt them for everyday wear remains to be seen.