Meta VR Glasses is the product Vision Pro should have been; sources: Apple Vision team is working on a revamped headset, but the work is still on "life support"

Apple's smart glasses could arrive without a display, differentiating them from projected AR/VR devices and signaling a focus on ambient computing.

Apple is reportedly planning to release its long-rumored smart glasses, codenamed Apple Glass, by the end of 2027. This iteration is expected to resemble Meta's Ray-Ban collaboration, featuring audio, camera, and smart capabilities but lacking a display. A future version may include a display. Simultaneously, Apple is developing a "completely revamped" successor to the Vision Pro, internally codenamed N224. Engineers are exploring design concepts, including offloading components to a separate unit, though this approach faces user experience concerns. This next-generation headset, if released, is speculated for a late 2028 or early 2029 launch, but the project is currently described as being on "life support." The company's current head-mounted device is the Apple Vision Pro, supplemented by Siri access via AirPods.

Apple's development of both smart glasses and a next-generation Vision Pro indicates a two-pronged strategy in spatial computing, aiming for a more accessible augmented reality product alongside a premium mixed-reality headset. The delay and "life support" status of the revamped Vision Pro suggest significant engineering challenges in balancing features, cost, and user experience for an all-in-one, lighter design.

The potential 2027 launch of display-less smart glasses, similar to Meta's approach, positions Apple to enter the wearables market with a product focused on integrated audio and smart features rather than full visual immersion. This move could appeal to a broader consumer base seeking subtle technological enhancements in everyday eyewear, while the future Vision Pro development addresses the higher-end, more immersive segment.