Apple Smart Glasses to Use Acetate Frames, Targeted for 2027

Apple is preparing to enter a new product category with its first smart glasses, a display-free wearable designed to work alongside the iPhone for everyday use. The project, internally code-named N50, reflects a shift from the company's earlier augmented reality plans toward a simpler design. According to Mark Gurman, Apple is targeting an unveiling at the end of 2026 or early 2027, with a release planned for 2027.



Apple's current direction reflects a pivot from a much more complex original vision. Roughly a decade ago, the company outlined a three-part roadmap for head-worn devices that included an iPhone-tethered augmented reality headset, a high-end mixed-reality headset, and lightweight standalone AR glasses. Apple initially targeted launches between 2020 and 2022 for these products. In the end, only one of those products shipped: the mixed-reality headset that launched as the Vision Pro in 2024. The tethered device was canceled, and true AR glasses remain several years away.


Apple's design team has developed at least four different frame styles to ensure broad appeal. These include a large rectangular frame similar to the popular Ray-Ban Wayfarer, a slimmer rectangular version that mirrors the glasses worn by CEO Tim Cook, and two variations of circular and oval frames. To set the product apart from rivals who often partner with established eyewear companies, Apple is handling the frame design entirely in-house. The company is opting for acetate, a material known for being more durable and premium than standard plastic. Apple is also exploring multiple finishes, including darker and lighter tones, as it works toward a design it considers an internal icon.

A key feature of the N50 project is its camera system. Apple is testing vertically oriented oval lenses with surrounding lights, a departure from the circular designs used by competitors. This system will provide visual input for Apple Intelligence, allowing the glasses to interpret a user's surroundings and pass contextual information to a revamped Siri expected in iOS 27. The integration is expected to support features such as improved turn-by-turn directions and visual reminders, while enabling hands-free interaction through voice commands.

Like Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, Apple's device is designed for everyday use rather than immersive augmented reality. The glasses are expected to capture photos and video, sync with the iPhone for editing and sharing, handle phone calls, play music, and deliver notifications. Apple's approach centers on tight integration with its existing ecosystem, using the iPhone as a companion device to differentiate the experience.

The smart glasses are part of a broader three-pronged AI wearables strategy that also includes camera-equipped AirPods and a wearable pendant. Each device is designed to use computer vision to interpret the user's environment and feed contextual awareness into Siri and Apple Intelligence. While true augmented reality glasses with integrated displays remain several years away, Apple is positioning this display-free model as its first step into the category.