Apple Testing Four Smart Glasses Designs for 2027 Launch

Apple is reportedly testing four distinct designs for its upcoming smart glasses, marking a shift in the company’s hardware strategy. According to reporting by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the tech giant aims to sell its first pair of smart glasses in 2027, with a potential unveiling scheduled for the end of 2026.

Exploring Design Variations

The testing phase currently includes four specific frame styles: a large rectangular frame, a slimmer rectangular frame similar to those worn by CEO Tim Cook, a large oval or circular frame, and a smaller oval or circular frame. Apple is also evaluating a variety of color options for the hardware, including black, ocean blue, and light brown.
While Apple is testing these four designs, the company could ultimately launch with some or all of them. The devices are expected to feature oval camera lenses to facilitate the capture of photos and videos.

A Shift in Hardware Strategy

This development represents a departure from Apple’s previous, more ambitious plans to launch a wide variety of mixed and augmented reality devices. That earlier strategy faced significant challenges, including product delays and the lackluster market reception of the Vision Pro.
The upcoming smart glasses appear to align more closely with the functionality of Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses. The devices will not include any displays. Instead, they are designed to allow users to take photos and videos, answer phone calls, play music, and interact with an upgraded version of Siri.