The Apple Vision Pro may have been a commercial failure if the product is compared to sales brought in by other devices, but it has managed to create a stepping stone towards something that would be accepted by the masses; AR glasses. An analyst believes that the company scrapping the Vision Pro family in favor of these smart spectacles is the right call because these lightweight accessories have a higher chance of getting accepted by consumers. Unfortunately, one particular model with display functionality isn’t expected for several years.
While Apple’s first-generation AI glasses are expected to ship in 2027, the more advanced variant won’t arrive until 2029
The Cupertino firm was previously reported to be testing out four new designs for its first-generation smart glasses, with TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believing the device is on track to launch sometime in 2027 to take on Meta’s offerings. What’s interesting to note in Kuo’s post on X is that he implies the Apple Vision Pro is no longer in development, hinting that future models may not launch.
In all honesty, having a $3,500 bulky headset that would eventually cause fatigue and look obnoxious when worn in public, not to mention the dreadful battery life, wasn’t going to win any fans. As Kuo notes, Apple’s AR glasses would have little difficulty being embraced by the masses, as their lightweight design and impressive computing capabilities are features that everyday users require.
While the “display-less” smart glasses will launch in 2027, the newer version with an interactive panel isn’t expected to arrive until 2029. We’ve reported previously that these AR glasses can run different operating systems depending on whether they’re connected to a Mac or iPhone, and assuming that Apple retains this functionality, these smart spectacles will offer a ton of versatility.
The California-based giant’s biggest fear is that these end up receiving the same lackluster reception as the Apple Vision Pro, but more importantly, these will take a while to arrive because the technology wasn’t mature enough at this time. With Apple finally moving to TSMC’s 2nm process later this year when it announces the A20 Pro for the iPhone 18 Pro, the company may have reached a point where its in-house silicon can operate in thinner form factors.
Then again, knowing Apple, the display-equipped AR glasses could be delayed further, but let us keep our fingers crossed and hope that these arrive to the market sooner rather than later.
News Source: Ming-Chi Kuo
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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