According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is testing up to four different styles for a pair of AI-powered smart glasses. This puts them directly against Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have already sold millions of units.
Four Styles, One Big Bet
Instead of choosing just one design, Apple is reportedly prototyping multiple frame shapes at the same time. One option being considered includes a camera setup with vertically oriented oval lenses, accompanied by indicator lights. These lights are similar to the ones that Meta uses on its Ray-Ban glasses to show when the camera is recording. Testing several designs simultaneously is a common strategy for Apple. The company famously explored many iPhone form factors before finalizing the original. However, testing four styles at once suggests the team hasn’t yet reached a consensus on the look of Apple glasses.
The glasses are expected to feature cameras and AI capabilities, whether through on-device or cloud-connected software that can understand what you’re looking at and respond to voice commands. This places them squarely in the same category as Meta’s Ray-Bans, which start at $299. Those glasses let users take photos, make calls, listen to music, and ask Meta’s AI assistant questions about what the camera sees.
A Step Back From Bigger Plans
This product marks a scaled-down version of Apple’s original vision. The company had ambitious plans that included several mixed reality devices, which blend digital images with the real world, like the Vision Pro headset. Smart glasses without a display are simpler to create than AR glasses that project images into your view. They’re also cheaper to manufacture and more comfortable to wear all day.
Apple launched the Vision Pro headset in early 2024 at a whopping $3,499, making it accessible mainly to developers and early adopters. A pair of camera glasses priced competitively with Meta’s offerings would attract a whole new audience.
| Apple By The Numbers | |
|---|---|
| Ticker | AAPL |
| Stock Price | $260.48 |
| CEO | Tim Cook |
| Headquarters | Cupertino, CA |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Sector | Big Tech |
Why Apple Is Moving Now
Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses have become a real hit among consumers. By 2025, nearly every major tech company signaled interest in the smart glasses market. Google is reportedly working on Android-based smart glasses, while Samsung is rumored to be exploring this space. Apple’s decision to test four design candidates suggests they’re moving with more urgency than their usual slow, secretive development process might indicate.
If Apple enters this market, their advantage would likely be seamless integration with the iPhone, Siri, and the rest of the Apple ecosystem. This is the same approach they took with AirPods, which dominate the wireless earbuds market now. The downside? They risk arriving late to a market where Meta has had years to refine its hardware and build a loyal customer base.
What This Means for Everyday Users
If you already use Apple products like the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, Apple smart glasses could feel like a natural extension of your devices. Picture asking your glasses what restaurant is across the street, receiving audio turn-by-turn directions, or snapping a hands-free photo without pulling out your phone. That’s the kind of experience Meta Ray-Ban users enjoy today, and Apple will need to match or exceed that to attract new customers.
As of now, nothing is confirmed. Apple hasn’t announced a product, a price, or a release window. However, the fact that they’re actively testing four designs shows they’re moving beyond just the early brainstorming phase.
Community Reactions
“If Apple makes glasses that actually look like glasses and not a sci-fi prop, they could absolutely take over this market. Meta Ray-Bans sold because they’re normal looking. Apple knows design.”
— Reddit user, r/apple
“Apple is so late here. Meta has had two generations of these and they’re already genuinely useful. Apple will show up in 2027 and charge $600 for the same thing.”
— YouTube commenter on a Meta Ray-Bans review video
What To Watch
- WWDC 2026 (June): Apple’s annual developer conference is likely the venue for a first official tease of glasses hardware or related software.
- Meta’s next Ray-Ban update: Meta is expected to launch updated Ray-Ban smart glasses featuring a small display built into the lens, raising the bar for Apple.
- Mark Gurman’s newsletter: Gurman is the primary source for this story. Further Bloomberg reports will likely clarify which design Apple selects and provide a clearer timeline.
- Apple’s Q2 2026 earnings call: Tim Cook often hints at product category interest during earnings calls without confirming details.
Sources: Engadget, TechCrunch, CNET
Ava Mitchell
Ava Mitchell is a digital culture journalist at Explosion.com covering social media platforms, streaming services, and the creator economy. With 4 years reporting on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and the apps that shape daily life, Ava specializes in explaining platform policy changes and their impact on everyday users. She previously managed social media strategy for a tech startup, giving her firsthand experience with the platforms she now covers.
