Apple plans to introduce its smart glasses by the end of 2026. The device will have cameras, microphones and speakers to interact with the voice assistant Siri, as well as support for functions such as calls, navigation, real-time translation and music playback. This is reported by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg.
The company is already preparing to mass-produce prototypes with partners outside the U.S. The smart glasses, codenamed N401, will be a direct competitor to the Ray-Ban Meta, but with a higher build quality.
Apple is positioning the device as part of its strategy to expand into artificial intelligence. However, the development of proprietary AI features has been slower than that of its competitors. The company still relies on third-party models from Google and OpenAI for its Visual Intelligence feature, but plans to create its own environmental analysis platform.
Meanwhile, Apple has canceled plans to release the Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra with built-in cameras. However, work on AirPods with cameras continues. The company also has plans for its first foldable smartphone, which could also appear in late 2026.
Apple is also working on full-fledged augmented reality glasses with a display, but such devices remain a distant prospect. They are being developed by the Vision Products Group, which was responsible for the Vision Pro.
Apple currently faces strong competition in the AI device market: Meta continues to develop Ray-Ban, Google is promoting its Android XR platform and developing its own smart glasses in collaboration with Xreal, and OpenAI has teamed up with former Apple designer Jony Ive to develop a wearable AI device.