Apple Smart Glasses Won’t Arrive Until Late 2027

Apple’s much-anticipated smart glasses won’t hit the market until late 2027 at the earliest, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a trusted source on Apple’s plans. Even with this delay, Apple’s leadership sees the glasses as a key priority for the company.

What Apple Is Actually Building

Smart glasses are what they sound like: eyeglasses with integrated technology. At their core, this means cameras, microphones, and speakers built into the frame. For example, Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, which are already available, let you take photos, make calls, and interact with an AI assistant—all without pulling out your phone.

However, Apple aims to go beyond that. Gurman’s reports suggest Apple isn’t just looking to outdo Meta in the smart glasses arena. The company wants to transform the entire eyewear market, similar to how the Apple Watch didn’t just compete with fitness trackers from Fitbit or Pebble. When the Apple Watch debuted in 2015, it also challenged traditional watchmakers like Swatch and Fossil. Apple reportedly plans a similar shake-up for glasses, currently dominated by brands such as Warby Parker, Ray-Ban, and Oakley.

Why the Delay?

Creating smart glasses presents unique challenges. Fitting useful technology into a frame that sits on your face requires tackling problems that don’t exist for phones or laptops. The hardware must be lightweight enough for all-day wear, the battery needs to last, and the lenses still have to function as regular glasses. Plus, Apple is known for waiting until products meet its high standards, even if it means pushing back release dates.

Engadget’s coverage mentions the late 2027 timeline, indicating that Apple is looking at about two and a half years before launching anything. For comparison, that’s longer than the time between the original iPhone announcement and the App Store launch.

Apple also has another wearable in development. The Apple Vision Pro, a mixed reality headset (which overlays digital images onto the real world), is set to launch in 2024 at a starting price of $3,499. Smart glasses would cater to a different, more everyday use case and likely come at a much lower price point.

What This Means

For most people, the takeaway is clear: don’t hold off on tech decisions waiting for Apple glasses over the next two years. If you’re interested in smart glasses now, Meta’s Ray-Ban collaboration is the best option currently available. Those start at around $299 and have received positive reviews for their audio quality and camera.

The broader implications are significant for the tech industry. When Apple enters a product category, it often brings it into the mainstream. Smartwatches were once a niche interest until the Apple Watch launched. Wireless earbuds existed before AirPods, but AirPods made them popular everywhere. If Apple eventually releases stylish and functional glasses, it could turn smart eyewear from a niche item into something people wear daily without a second thought.

CNET reports that despite the delay, Apple’s leadership views smart glasses as a high priority. This shows the project isn’t fading away quietly. Apple still plans to release it; it just needs more time than initially expected.

Community Reaction

“2027 is fine honestly. I’d rather they take the time to get it right than rush out something half-baked like Vision Pro v1. Give me something I can actually wear to work.”

“Apple Watch strategy makes total sense here. They didn’t just make a smartwatch, they made people reconsider wearing a watch at all. If they pull that off with glasses, this is massive.”

What To Watch

• WWDC 2026 (June): At Apple’s annual developer conference, the company often teases hardware direction through software updates. Any hint of a glasses-focused framework or API could indicate how close the product is getting.
• Meta’s next Ray-Ban update: Meta is expected to refresh its smart glasses lineup. The sales performance will provide Apple with valuable insights into what consumers want from smart glasses.
• Late 2027 launch window: Gurman is reliable with Apple timelines, but a two-year outlook means this date could change. Keep an eye on Gurman’s follow-up reporting as development progresses.
• Pricing signals: Apple hasn’t revealed a price range yet. Whether these glasses land at $299 or $799 will impact whether they follow the Apple Watch path to mainstream adoption or the Vision Pro path to niche ownership.