Apple could bring its long-rumoured smart glasses to market before launching a major new version of its Vision Pro headset.

Rather than making a lighter and cheaper Vision Pro the immediate successor to its current headset, Apple appears to be placing greater emphasis on a product designed for everyday use.

According to reports in Bloomberg, Apple’s smart glasses could arrive in late 2027, while the Vision Pro redesign may not appear until 2028 or later.

Apple currently sells the Vision Pro as its flagship spatial-computing device. The latest M5-powered model offers improved performance and rendering capabilities. However, its high price, weight and its relatively specialised use have limited its appeal in comparison to Apple’s mainstream products. 

A smart glasses product would give Apple an opportunity to target a much broader market.

The reported glasses are expected to focus on AI and hands-free interaction, rather than the fully immersive augmented and virtual reality experience of the Vision Pro.

Earlier reports have suggested Apple is developing glasses that could initially operate without built-in displays, instead using cameras, microphones, speakers and AI for information and assistance to its users.

The Apple Vision Pro focuses more on displays and spatial computing, making the smart glasses idea quite different, the company is reportedly looking at adding display features to the glasses in a later generation.

Privacy is likely to be one of the biggest challenges and Apple is expected to make privacy a significant part of its positioning if and when the product launches.

The arrival of Apple smart glasses could create a new premium wearable category, with the potential to compete with existing smart-glasses products, while expanding Apple’s ecosystem beyond the iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods.

However, Apple has not officially confirmed the glasses, their specifications, pricing or a 2027 launch date.